What hiking boots do you wear?

[ellisonz]

In the past I've had a pair of Columbia Sportswear Men's Pole Creek Omni-Tech Hiking Boot that I bought for hiking/general use in Hawaii because they were breathable and fairly water/mud proof. Now I've also had a pair of steel toe Rocky's. Now I'm rocking:



Merrell Men's Moab Mid Waterproof Boot - so far so good. Comfy, good traction, light-weight and breathable which is crucial here in SoCal.

What are you hoofing it in?

[rrneck]

1. Vasque 7166

A bit of a disappointment. Soles split in less than a year. I'll look into the Merrells.

[ellisonz]

3. When I was looking at buying a new pair...

...what sold me on Merrell's was the number of soldiers deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan who gave them rave reviews. Sawtooths are the other commonly worn style.

[rrneck]

4. I didnt know that. Thanks.

I use Kifaru backpacks for the same reason.

[ellisonz]

5. They seem to have...

...been overlooking footwear regulations by unit or something. Merrell seems to have really good customer service too.

Aloha.

[ManiacJoe]

2. These are not the exact ones but they give the right idea.

Back when I was doing backpacking with the Boy Scouts, it was mostly full leather boots like these:
http://www.rei.com/product/693828/asolo-tps-520-gv-hiking-boots-mens

Now-a-days my pack is more likely to be a camera backpack or at most a day pack. Now the boots are more like this:
http://www.rei.com/product/737707/vasque-breeze-gore-tex-hiking-boots-mens

[naragdaban]

6. Used to have some Vietnam Jungle Boots

I had some Vietnam Jungle Boots (issued to US troops during the Vietnam war). I got them cheap at an army surplus store. They were actually pretty nice and great for hiking off the trails in the woods, good all-purpose boot, I might add. I must have lost them when I moved, though.

[gejohnston]

7. I was issued a pair of those

in the early 1990s. They were great. The only problem I had was walking to work during Korean winters.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

8. Merrell Mesa Ventilators

Not waterproof at all, but well ventilated. Very comfortable on trails. Not much ankle support, so gotta pay attention.

[Bonhomme Richard]

9. ASOLO TPS 520. Absolutely love them.

[Kolesar]

16. I bought those Asolos for the top-grain leather with minimum stitching

It is more "waterproof".
They were "instantly" broken in.
Vasque Sundowners were another standard.

[Bonhomme Richard]

17. I was out in the woods last Sunday after the blizzard.

I had the boots and gaiters on. In some sections I was going through snow over my knees and when I got home my feet were still dry.

[ge26252se]

10. nm.

[mokawanis]

11. Danner

Bought them about 10 years ago for $150 and love em, even though they're pretty beat up at this point and should probably be replaced.

[petronius]

12. I tried on a bunch of Merrells a few weeks ago, including Moabs, expecting to like them

But none of them felt right - just really pinchy across the top of my foot. I do all my hiking in trail-running shoes (New Balance), which is great everywhere except the rockier parts of the high Sierra - there I'd like a tougher sole and a little bit of protection on the ankle from pointier and rolling talus. Still on the search for the perfect compromise...

[Hula Popper]

13. Interesting timing

I'm looking for boots now. Previousily had a pair of leather Timberlands and they split across the ball of my foot. They sent another pair free, but those split the length of shoe...
Maybe I'll go New balance this time.

[ManiacJoe]

14. The thread is a year old. More recent research may be needed now.

[ellisonz]

15. I'm still wearing my Merrell Waterproof Mid Moabs

I also got a pair of Merrell Sawtooths and am loving those.

[Bonhomme Richard]

18. I'm still wearing my Asolo's. n/t

[ellisonz]

20. Depends

http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Mens-Waterproof-Hiking-Boots/dp/B004D3ALIG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366756921&sr=8-3&keywords=merrell+moab+waterproof

[Hula Popper]

21. Actually

these were the boots I purchased this year after a trip to the San Juan islands. Thanks for the tip.
I never hurry to shop!

[CottonBear]

23. I've my classic Danner Mountain Lights for backcountry hikes

I’ve my Women’s Salomon light weight hiking boots for car camping and hiking expeditions and my Columbia women’s Monotrail hiking/trail running shoes for local trail treks.