Don't Buy Hiking Shoe Advice
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- Опубліковано 1 тра 2024
- If a website or video tells you that you have to buy a certain hiking shoe, they are full of crap. Every backpacker and every hike is different. That means a one size fits all approach is a lie and what's good for one person may be a disaster for the next.
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Gear I frequently Use:
Backpack - Waymark Ultra 38L EVLV and Waymark Framed Thru 40L
waymarkgearco.com
Hammock - Warbonnet Ridgerunner -
www.warbonnetoutdoors.com
Rain Fly - 13' Warbonnet Thunder Fly and Mountain Fly-
www.warbonnetoutdoors.com
Tent - Zpacks Duplex -
zpacks.com/products/duplex-tent
Top Quilts-
UGQ Outdoors 20 Degree Bandit -
ugqoutdoor.com/top-quilts/ban...
Hammock Gear O, 20, and 40 Degree Burrows-
hammockgear.com
Under Quilts-
Warbonnet Outdoors 40 Degree Lynx Underquilt
www.warbonnetoutdoors.com
Loco Libre 20 and -20 Degree Ridge Reapers with 900 - fill power goose down - www.locolibregear.com
Garmin In-Reach Mini Communicator
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MSR Mini Groundhog Stakes -
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Brooks Cascadia 16 Trail Runners -
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Anker Power Banks -
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Nitecore NU25 Headlamp -
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Hilltop Packs Custom Printed Food Bag and Custom Printed Dual Pocket Gadget Bag -
www.hilltoppacks.com/#/
REI Magma 850 Hooded Down Jacket (seasonal) -
www.rei.com
Sea to Summit Compression Dry Sack
www.rei.com/product/867058/se...
Cascade Mountain Tech Hiking Poles-
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Toaks 550ML Cook Pot-
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Fancy Feast Stove-
• Fancy Feast Stove - DI...
Toaks Long Handle Spoon
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REI Rainpants -
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Enlightened Equiptment Visp Rain Jacket -
enlightenedequipment.com/mens...
Sealskinz Waterproof Socks -
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CNOC 2 Liter Water Bag -
currently unavailable
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter -
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Sit Pad -
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Camera- iphone 12 Pro Max
External Microphone - Shure AMV88-
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Ultrapod Lightweight Camera Tripod-
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Noxgear39g Bluetooth Speaker -
www.noxgear.com/39g
Pump-
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Peak Refuel Freeze Dried Meals (Used BCE15 Discount Code for 15% off)
peakrefuel.com/
Down Socks-
www.garagegrowngear.com/produ...
Water Proof Gloves-
www.go2marine.com/showa-282-t...
Lite AF Fanny Pack-
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Permethrin-
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#hikingshoes #backpackingshoes #backpackinggear
Spot on Jeremy...Earlier in life I had much narrower feet and during that time I wore Salomons almost exclusively outside of a pair of boots that were Keens + a Keen sandal *the UNEEK).
Fast forward to today, I wear a larger size and need a wider shoe as well. So, I wear mostly Merrells or Salmings.
I can't do zero drop and typically I select a shoe w/a rock plate as I seem to find every rock & root while hiking. It took me at least a year to dial in new shoes, that worked for me.
Great insight and honest advice for all. Thank you so much 👍
Great advice here. I too wear three different types of shoes for hiking. Topo Ultraventure Pro for most of the year, Oboz Bridger for shoulder seasons and for winter hiking I just wear Itasca insulated hunting boots. I agree with hardening your feet before backpacking. It really does help.
Such good advice. I generally get my shoes at REI or LLBean so I can return them if they don’t work. I figured out about 8 years ago that Salomon Speedcross were right for me. I did return a few before I found the right one. Takes sone stress out of shoe buying.
Good advice. As someone with very wide feet with extremely high arches I need a certain type of shoe with additional inserts. Also depending on trail conditions I either wear a trail runner or hiking shoe, usually the former. Everyone is different so as the video suggest, you have to figure it out for yourself.
Glad to see the Steger Mukluks on your list. These, for me, are also the very best choice for use in subzero cold and really expand my ability to be outside in the northern MN winter. Keeping feet dry is so important in all seasons. Thanks for your great content!
@@larrybulthouse455 you are so right...mukluks are not for wet snow. The dry cold of subzero is what they are best at. I know some wear them around town as a status symbol, but I reserve mine just for long periods outdoors in extreme cold.
Finally a good advice. It took me a while to settle on hiking specific hiking shoes. What also might happen is that you like a shoe, but the durability sucks. Inov-8 parkclaw was my 1st hiking shoe but they fell apart after two month. Even though i liked them, i'm not buying another inov-8 shoes. Then i was searching for the wide toe box (but not barefoot minimalist) and there's not much to choose from. Ended up with Altra lone peak which i wear like 80% of the time, they're not perfect but to closest to what i like. Still...when i want to go longer distances or plan to run a bit more, i take the Olympus for more cushioning. Although i don't like how "tanky" they are, i need the cushion.
I also realized very quickly that i hate gore-tex shoes. I feel like i have a foil wrapped around my feet and get sweaty very quickly. But I definitely see how others would love gore-tex or hate the wide toe box/zero drop of the altras.
Great video. I transitioned to barefoot style shoes a year ago and kind of learned how my feet are to find shoes that'll fit. High instep, medium-high arch, mountain-slope shaped toes, etc. It took around 4-6 months to transition, but learned a lot in the process. I like Altra's for backpacking but I may switch out after my current pair. The outersoles don't last very long. So hopefully can find a nice alternative with zero-drop and wide toe box.
These days with the California storms, I'm still wearing Altras. I made the mistake of wearing Xero insulated waterproof boots when there was high stream crossings and paid for it. Still trying to find some balance during wet/rainy weather with freezing temps at night. I might try gaiters to at least keep my pants dry/clean and legs a bit warmer.
Topo athletic are worth checking out
hi
Thanks for the sound practical guidance. I've always looked for hiking shoes that fit & work for me. Sometimes takes awhile. As my body & shoe manufacturer changes I often start the search process over again. I appreciate this educational no sale content. Best hiking wishes.....Bob V
Definitely a lot of variables in what shoe will work best. For shorter miles on flatter non-rocky trails a low-top trail runner is pretty nice. For off-trail, rock scrambling and scree slopes a tougher high top real boot is more comfy, protects the foot and grabs the slope/rocks as long as the sole is right. I've seen some newer boots with rounded lugs around the ball of the foot that look like they just won't bite into the dirt or rocks. I fondly remember some Italian pivettas with laces almost down to the toe and Vibram soles, worked well with my narrow feet! Worst were some older Lowa boots that I kept turning my ankles in. Turned out they had EXTREMELY narrow and high heels, weird design!
The rounded edges are so you can wedge between large rocks or boulders without the edge catching and kinking your ankle.
That said, I often wear regular lug soles like the Pivettas.
I find trail running shoes a good option especially with an aggressive sole that keeps traction on slippery grass and mud where I have most often come a cropper in the past. When it is significantly wet though I go back to the old goretex lined walking boots
This video is the prfect advice for shoes. Not just hiking shoes, for any shoes. If it doesn't fit my feet right away from the first second of trying, i put it back. Usually you find a favourite brand that matches your feet, but models can still differ.
I switched from hiking shoes to runner shoes and I feel better. I find it very hard to break into new shoes. I usually buy second pair after walking few days if size and feel is right, but those two same pairs will break in differently anyway.
Great information! Esp. if I am packing in a tent/camping, not a lot of weight, I don't need a lot of ankle support, trail running sturdy shoes are fine for little day hikes, but if I am carrying lots of gear, I like the ankle support. I also use camp dry on trail running shoes to waterproof them. Like you said, depends on what you are doing in the outdoors.
Thanks! Direct and to the point!
You are so right! Everybody should listen to the reaction of the own feet on a particular shoe. If your feet are weak, you need stable hiking boots, but the main reason for weak feet is wearing too stable and too tight shoes for a too long time. In my case, I make dayhikes with a heavy photo-backpack every weekend since 30 years and have strong feet. I always found stiff hiking boots as strongly recommended by outdoor shops by far too stiff and uncomfortable. At the beginning, I once badly twisted my ankle while wearing stiff hiking boots, and it lasted a few years to fully recover. Then I made a lot of training to get strong and flexible feet, walk barefoot at home, and changed to trail-running shoes. What a great improvement! Now my feet are stronger and more flexible than ever before, and all foot issues which I had when I was young went away. I wear hiking boots only in winter time with a lot of snow and at very challenging high-mountain hikes.
I love this. I’m going to share this link anytime someone asks about hiking shoes. I have a lot of shoes. I wear Saucony trail runners for non technical hikes. I like scrambling hikes (class 3/4) so I have La Sportiva approach shoes. I wear Orboz for shoulder season hikes, but if I’m backpacking I cannot wear them because they take forever to dry out and I want dry feet in the morning. I know sorels are heavy, but they are go to winter backpacking boot because I can take the liners out and dry them.
Plug for REI. If you are a member at REI you have one year to return shoes. They even take worn shoes. So wear them a bunch and return them if they don’t work out.
Right on. I always wear mid-cut boots when hiking, even on flat trails. I also wear boots with a stiff midsole. Why? Because I have Achilles tendonitis and it will flare up if I wear anything else. I also have boney ankles, so I need boots that don't rub when fully laced (Scarpa Kailash GTX is my home run boot for 3 seasons, and I switch to Danner insulated boots for winter hiking). I've met hikers on the Appalachian Trail who were wearing flip flops! Whatever works for the individual.
Shoe advice is definitely super personal! Ive switched to barefoot shoes (vivo mostly) overa year ago, and im super happy with this change! My feet have never been stronger, and my knees have never been better. Been training for a 4 month throughhike, super excited to try them on the long trail this summer!
Barefoot sounds painful on technical trails. Idk, how are you doing this 😅
Reminds me of those swimming shoes that are supposed to protect you from rocks and corals and stuff like that, but in reality, it's just a little bit better than walking literally barefoot.
@@arseniix It's actually other way around. Barefoot shoes are very suitable when you walk a lot while still very comfortable. I have used them a lot for many different trails and they were awesome.
I've been wearing Barefoot shoes for about 5 months now and rocks and pebbles are still painful to step on. That's why I'm here. Trying to figure out how hike in them.
hi
Interesting video and definitely some food for thought. I wear Altras and Salomons interchangeably dependent on mostly my mood! But also the time of year.
Great advice! I got a stress fracture last fall on the SHT, and now getting fitted with orthotics. The Dr. suggested a straight last, natural toe box with motion control and a stiffer sole. Said that most shoes today are too soft, and not built to last.
hi
Great video! I work at REI (not in the footwear section though), and you are 100% correct. Everyone's feet are different and unique.
Very well said and so true. I went most my life wearing shoes that were too small. It wasn’t until I saw a doctor that I realized I was wearing the wrong size and wrong type of shoes all that time.
What do you suggest for glacier national park in july. As far a drainage or goretex
I bought some Gore-tex hiking boots once. The upper just split apart tearing the Gore-Tex in a few months. So I just went back to my Redback work boots which last about 10 years or so. The corners of the tongue are not sealed, so I add a little SeamGrip to stop leaks there & saturate the leather with bees wax, so they are watertight right up to the top. We only get around 650 mm a year, so not real wet, but drizzle sets in for a few days sometimes & that will just find every possible way to make you damp. I wear the boots in with neat's-foot oil and Well, just walking around. Once that's done apply wax by warming the leather till it melts the wax & just keep applying wax & heat until it won't soak into the leather anymore. That's it, all done. I have tried DWR treatments but you have to keep buying & reapplying product. Even if the boots get just a little dusty, the DWR will not work anymore, but wax will hold up.
The main thing I find is to wear a thin sock liner inside a thicker more durable hiking sock. The idea here is the socks should slide past each other easily, so that you skin is not having to absorb mechanical stress & friction. This way there are no blisters, not ever.
On the other hand, for some conditions & tracks, joggers are just fine too. I tend to be a lot more conservative about snake protection when solo though.
Thank you ! for this wiseful advice.. I was thinking of buying a hiking shoes, and then came across your video!
Perfect video on this subject!
How about for long mountain trail. Like 3-day hike and wet, probably muddy and pretty cold. Is it still advisable to have the gore tex yet heavy from Merrell or must have lightweight but non-waterproof?
Thank you. what's a good one for climbing up a steep muddy hill. Traction as a big priority
I have just started hiking again after a long hiatus. I realized my sneakers aren’t going to cut it on our very rocky trails. The friendly bearded guy at the local outdoor store took one look at my feet, listened to me talk about the type of hiking I want to do, and pulled out some shoes I never would have picked for myself. While they are pricey and look like clown shoes, (I have very wide toes), they are super comfortable. Nothing wrecks a hike like that one little nagging pain in your foot somewhere.
What's the name of your shoes?
@@zzz-cb3xe Altra Olympus
@@barbarapaine8054 I looked into those, but found the price tag too high for my outdoor budget.
@@kenwbrenner Also, The gentleman at the hiking store told me that if these hadn’t work, he would have tried Merrill Moab’s. They come in wide sizes, and are much less expensive.
@@barbarapaine8054 Thank you Barbara - appreciate your comments and replies.
I do watch shoe review videos before buying however I only follow/subscribe to channels where reviewers are of the same build, pronation, running distance, skill level, terrain types and have the same preference for running shoe comfort as me. Sounds like a needle in a haystack but it is so worth the search because they tend to compare with their favorite pairs and it is a good yardstick. My husband swears by the Cascadia too and finds my shoes too soft 😂 then I realized the weight and build of the wearer matters most. He said in mine, his feet tend to get lazy.
Great video! In my experience here in Mexicoo everyone wants brands like salomon or merell aka vibram. I have both but the best hiking shoe I had was from a local Brand "flexi" from animal leather and stitched too bad they no lober exist lol makes me wonder if some brands are overpriced or just some feet are really that different
Only three, I'm impressed! I think the two most important points are, everyone's feet are different so you have to make sure whatever you get they fit *your* feet. And, think about the type of hiking you want to do, different shoes/boots excel at different things. But in the end, if you become even half serious, you are going to end up with more than one pair (more than one pack too!)
Just bought a pair of Skechers Outdoors low cut snickers with the "Steady Grip" Good Year soles. They feel quite comfy and the (visual) quality seems to be on par with similarly priced shoes. Having heard that this particular brand doesn't last long, how many miles can I realistically expect out of them? The deciding factor for me was perceived (in store) comfort and the price - 30 bucks.
If you like the way a boot or shoe looks but it isn't comfortable, try swapping out the factory insole for a pair you've been wearing. The factory insole may be too stiff, have too much arch. Like all gear reviews, this is merely a suggestion. It may or may not help but it's worth exploring.
That's just the tip I needed. I just bought a pair of Merell Moab3, love the look and everything about it , but I never wore a shoe with that kind of arch support before and it just feels...off. Replacing the insole might just be the way to keep this shoe and remove the issue, thanks.
@axeldrane swapping the insole should do the trick. I do it all the time.
@@larryc5361 thanks mate. didn't fancy having to return what otherwise seems like a great shoe just for that.
Thank you amazing thoughtful suggestion
I do wear only trail runners, for every day use, walks, tramping or anything. Non Gore-tex and with Vibram sole. Winter shoes I do go for more booty style Gore-tex due my location. Everything on between light running shoes and carbon plate for those training sessions.
Hiking low shoes is kind of a waste, (depends of what you prefer), you will be far better off with a good pair of trail runners.
Good advice and video. Thanks
I find that a lot of hiking shoe advice comes from thru-hikers (people doing the AT for example, hiking tons of miles for weeks at a time), and those hikers favor lightweight sneakers. Their ankles are super strong and it's important to cut weight to a minimum. Most people though are doing day hikes or perhaps 2-3 day hikes, and only hiking occasionally. I've found that a lot of ankle support is key because it prevents injuries, and I don't care if my boots are heavy because I'm rarely hiking more than 10 or 15 miles in a day or more than 2-3 days at a time. My preference is full leather, "non-waterproof" boots (no gore tex, but very waterproof if you rub oil into the leather).
I've had the opposite experience. I used to wear heavy leather Danner hiking boots and would twist my ankle a couple times a year, so bad that I would be off my feet for several days. When I switched to Altra Lone Peaks, I never had that problem again. I don't know if it's because I can feel the ground a little more and can react more quickly, or if those big stiff soles simply act as a lever to fold my ankle in half.
It's not about the weight tho, locking your ankle just force your knee to take the strain and injury. NBA players & military folks wear boots and yet still suffer twisted ankles. Maybe it's more about strengthening ankles rather than wrapping them up risking them wasting away.😮
I only go hiking occasionally and I prefer light weight trail runners because anything else is a problem for my knee. Maybe I have good coordination or strong ankles, I don't know, but I have never felt like I was close to an ankle injury. Or maybe I have just been very lucky.
I hate ankle support. Light weight no high ankles all the way. Pretty sure ankle support is mostly bs.
I never had injuries... I think 99,9% never had... No matter how shoe...
Thanks, very sensible and helpful for me!!!!!!
Curious for opinions on whether flat soles or texture soles work for flat slippery surfaces. I am planning a trip to Costa Rica soon, LOTS of sidewalks are covered in moss, it rains every day, I've slipped on the street before, etc. I was told by someone once, a flat sole offers more contact with the surface I'm walking on therefore it's better
Good advice. Thanks mate
i golf a lot and like to walk the course and regular golf shoes are not good for spending the day on your feet walking so i wear hiking shoes with a good aggressive sole to give traction during the golf swing. the ones i like the best are the keen targee and voyager. i wear regular golf shoes when i know i'll be cart riding like during a money tournament or at a course that's crazy hilly or the temperature is over 90.
Im able to fall victim to the lastest trends, Im just too enthusiastic...
I bought last year serveral pairs of minimalist shoes and oh man, Im glad I did.
This time no regrets, but im sure i need to be more aware of the danger of jumping into the lake of trends.
Thanks Jeremy - good job on this video.
I've found that in my 70 years, shoe needs changed as I aged.
I'm hiking with the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator mid height. I have issues with supination due to my high arches, and need something that is firm.
One thing I'm curious about, why all the emphasis in the hiking world on Altra Lone Peak trail runners.
When I look at comments on the shoe, a high percentage indicate the shoe only lasts arounnd 200 miles (on the AT). And, at $140, that doesn't seem right. I welcome others' comments
I am 72 and totally agree! We are going to get more comfortable miles with shoes like the one's you have chosen.
Stay on it one easy step at a time!
@@paulhansen6496 Thank you Paul - appreciate your comments. Have a blessed day
I've been wearing Altras for many years now. They are one of the only shoes with zero-drop and a wide toe box (even though they are narrower than when first out). For many of us, we don't care how much it costs per mile if that means our feet are happy. And honestly, Altras are one of the only shoes that fit many of us correctly.
@@jenniferstephenson Thank you for the reply.
Follow-up question: What is the benefit of zero drop in a show - I'm not familiar with that concept.
As for the Altras, I might have tried them if I was 20 years younger... 🙂
This is why I have lots of different kinds of shoes. I wear what works best for the conditions at hand.
Unfortunately for those of us who take good care of their equipment, modern boots with glued on soles do not last. The glue or whatever is attaching the soles deteriorates after just a few years and they can completely come apart on the trail, miles in. Unless you want to buy new boots every two years or so I would recommend cheaper trail running shoes or boots from the several manufacturers that still make stitched soles. Vibram soles were a great thing at first and then became a curse.
"A few years"! Is that not a great bang for the buck?
Trail runners are useless on extremely technical terrain or alpine environment. And vibram or similar are still choice no. 1 on certain terrain.
I have 10 year old glued hiking shoes going fine because I mostly wear even lighter glued stuff
I just wear the same brand and model I used for Ultra Marathons. They are extremely porous, cool and dry out really fast. Works fine for me. That's highly terrain specific though.
Agreed, trail running shoes like the Adidas marathon work just fine.
I had narrow size 12 in USMC Boot Camp. Over the years my Arches collapsed? Now I have Flat feet Wide 14! I nant wear Vasque ! I need Wide arch it's instep is far too narrow! I have to try Alot of shoes or boots to find a comfortable pair, even from the same brand?
My problem is that I’m a size 13/14 and I haven’t found a store that keeps those sizes in stock so I have to try ordering stuff online and it’s really hit or miss. Most shoes don’t fit and I just send them back. I ended up settling with Salewa Wildfire Edge and walked through them, trying the Salewa Mtn Trainers now. Still dreaming of walking into a store someday that has shoes for me to try on in person, but then there’s the problem that some companies don’t even produce these sizes to begin with 😢
I just bought a light approach shoe for summer hiking and scrambling. Same logic as yours. I have a heavier Salewa but I tend to get sweaty feet, not ideal for summer or long distances or scrambling.
I did a rather technical 8 hour hike on the weekend up and down an old volcano. Loose rocks and dirt/dust everywhere. I did this in a pair of Altra Lone Peak 5 trail runners. I rolled my ankle twice (no injury but very close)and also had rocks bruise me around my ankles as there was no padding there like you would have on boots. Additionally I found that I had very little traction in these shoes, probably because the soles aren't deep enough and/or the pattern wasn't appropriate. I found that lack of traction very dangerous considering the type of terrain I was on.
I know for sure if I had used my fancy Scarpa hiking boots I would have had far better performance.
Going forwards I'll use trail runner for non technical, flat hikes. For anything else it will need to be boots.
Yep, same here, for those one day technical stuff I either use my scarpa ribelle hd or la sportiva trango tech...way too dangerous using trailrunners
@@jenshoefer7944 I'm with you on this. Also, when you lose confidence in your traction you have to engage your leg muscles constantly to avoid slipping over. Totally destroying your legs on descents especially.
Spot on. The shoes you wear for your narrow, high arch heel striking feet would wreck my wide, flat footed midstrike feet.
I like my Wiggy's Mukluks, They're not not waterproof, but they dry super fast if your feet go through some ice.
Awesome video!! Thank you. Does anyone recommend: Non-Waterproof Leather Mid Hikers for all terrain including pavement? I’m in Southern California and would like some mid boots that won’t boil in the summer but also can repel light rain if caught in it and can step on wet, muddy pavement if need be during the winter? For the life of me, I can’t find anything like that that’s isn’t Waterproof/ Gore-Tex. Thank you.
Basically, they are like putting on different types of tires on your car to suit the conditions & car.
Finding a good pair of shoes is hard for me I wear a size 14 extra wide and I tend to walk toes out and I used to to push myself forward with my toes I think this habit came out of hiking steep hills it really gets me up fast with no slipping but doing it all the time and on concrete floor pushing heavy loads has led to problem , the tenant on my big right toe broke and now stick out hence the need for a wide shoe , after 2 years the pain went away and I walk what feels normal to me but I kept my feet as flat as possible
I have been in altras and thru hiking for years...wide toe box and zero drop. I always buy shoes a size bigger so that on long downhill sections i can crank down the laces to keep my toes from getting injured. In europe my altras died and i was in a rural area with few choices. I tried to find something with the smallest heel. I tried a day of hiking and they were a nightmare. My feet felt like they were in downhill mode. Every step was a pounding heel strike when im accustomed to something more mid foot, my toes were cramped and painful and my knees hurt. Id forgotten that the zero drop completely stopped pain from an old meniscus injury. Now i have a pair of vivo shoes and its like a breath of fresh air for my feet. ..but will either get altras or something similar soon. For long hikes i do better with some cushion.
Hoka Tennike Hike Gore-Tex Mens
Have you ever used these boots, if so are they good
shoes are entirely subjective and every brand fits a different foot. working as a hiking shoe salesman in Durango, CO ive learned that the only factors that really matter aside from sizing and shaping are waterproofing (whether its needed or not), durability, and tread. Many different brands excel within these factors but none have distinct advantages within them. What truly matters is finding a high quality brand which fits the footshape, support, and cushion which is right for you.
Been wearing Salomon’s for years, not only for hiking, but also 24/7.
Fabulous n simple🔥😎👊🏽
Went from Altra's to Zero's, and now I can't wear Altra's or any show with cushion.
My feet feels connected to the terrain now, with every step.
Thank you!
“Break in your feet”! Genius ❤
Good comments thanks
Wish they would make shoes (example the Brooks Cascadia) where the sole is finished well over the toe... Ones like the Cascadia may be the best long lasting but that end will always seperate on a well made shoe where everything else lasts reasonably
Your final point about seasoning your feet and the shoe, how do YOU personally prepare for hiking when you live in one climate and say go to the opposite extreme for hiking...?
I live in extreme humidity and high temperatures but I am going to go hiking in near zero and dry conditions at Christmas...
Training in a light weight, warm shoe during extreme heat with extreme (I mean extreme) rain seems like it might be too painful to me.
Not ideal is it. Conditioning your feet in the wrong conditions is better than no conditioning at all. You just want to build a callus anyway you can.
Ever since I started having foot problems I started going for running shoes over skate shoes or Nike dunks and my strategy was basically try on a lot of shoes from different brands and pick the one that feels the best regardless of the color or anything else when I went for trail runners I did the same thing much to the displeasure of the store clerk that had to fetch me almost every shoe they had in two sizes i found for me brooks Cascadia and ultra lone peaks felt the best when i got boots for wildland firefighting i found some brand called lowas that i like but i would probably have picked something else if I was getting a boot strictly for hiking but they do great for super muddy or snowy situations a different boot was reccomended by a few other firefighters but they felt weird to me so i went with a different boot i always recommend trying as many pairs as possible don't care what the brand or color is go with what feels the best also if you go to a dedicated running store I've found them to be good at watching your gate as you walk and give some decent suggestions from there but I haven't done that in a while now
I found my Merrill’s Moab’s have been the best hiking boot ever. Comfy and wears great. Keep coming back to them and I’ve tried a lot
Moab’s is all I wear. Love those shoes.
Why ppl call merrEll merrIll?
The biggest problem I have is that they all fall apart to quickly. Years ago boots and shoes lasted a long time but now they seem to fall apart very quickly. Are they made like this? Do I have to accept that comfort comes at a price? The soles are reasonably good but the uppers split. Mesh on top just wears out in a few months.
I am seriously considering getting a pair of leather boots with stitched soles from Europe that cost a fortune.
I wear my boots almost daily because I am a traveller and I can only carry one pair of boots. I do some hiking and use them on the street. I don't believe I give them a hard time.
My Merrell boots lasted 8 months until the soles became unstuck and the uppers split. I think that's terrible. Still wearing them.
The gortex doesn't seem to keep my feet dry either. I am a Brit. What's the answer?
Redbacks and keep them treated with Sno-Seal?
This is totally off topic but when you started going on about your dad and grandad selling shoes, I thought about that movie Jumanji ang that Alan guy running around the jungle. Nice tips by the way. It is crazy that any one shoe could be perfect for all the weird types of feet we have.
Well done!
I’ve never had a problem with Asolo backpacking or hiking boots. I’ve owned them for years with a lot of use and zero problems.
Salomon Speedcross are my favorite trail runners for hiking. Can't hang with a zero drop (Ultras almost killed me), my calves pay the price, so the elevated heel works better for me. The lugs on the Speedcross grip almost any surface so I'm not slipping and sliding around on loose sand or gravel or in mud. I also love my Salomon Quest boots. Waterproof up to the mesh so my feet stay dry crossing shallow, icy streams. They are heavy but my feet stay warm and dry on winter hikes so it's totally worth it. I've been wearing the same pair of boots since 2018, but I don't put a lot of miles on them so they'll probably dry rot before I wear them out 🙄. I've been through several pairs of the Speedcross over the past few years, roughly 500-600 miles per pair. Just ordered a pair of the Speedcross 6, upgrade from the 5. Fingers crossed Salomon didn't screw things up in the newer version. 🙏🏻🤞🏻
Altras not Ultras. Autocorrect gets me every time! 🤦🏼♀️
Did you like the speedcross 6?
I made this mistake before buying hiking boots because I thought that's how it's supposed to be, despite hiking short trails in tennis shoes my entire life before taking on thru hikes. Now I found a new favourite shoe from that palladium brand, somethings called "travel lite + adventure" and are not sold as hiking shoes but they're very similar to runners in my opinion and really good for the texas heat. I actually like these a lot. Probably won't use them for the rainy season or winter though 😂 and I didn't even buy them for hiking, but I had a pair for work but happened to have them on while visiting my brother's at the state park trails. The grip on these babies are awesome.
Nice. Never heard of Palladium. I’ll check them out.
Wear shoes / boots whatever your preference is but always make sure you feel like Rambo/ badass when questing and hiking up them trails
I was looking for the Adidas Terrex for months. When i found them i went right to Keen. But they didnt last 8 months. I have 2 types of Merrells for work and hiking. Both have the toughframe. One has carbon fiber toes. I have large feet by most standards and im constantly climbing rocks and roots and trekking through muddy woods. Both pairs are worn daily and still look new after a year. Most of the hiking shoes i looked at are weakly glued and crappy stitching. And why are they over $100 is the question. Even Red Wings are no longer good quality. Unless you get an old pair.
i wonder if anyone used this ankle support thing for basketball player it support your ankel very strong but i wonder if it is comfortable enought not to hurt your feet after a long hike
Volly High tops cheap and the best for all but the coldest snow.
Hi, thank you for sharing this interesting video. I have no experience with this and I hope you can give me some advice. I'm not young and I weigh 84Kg. I should buy a pair of shoes that do a little for everything. These are the elements that particularly interest me: low for tropical climates (hot climates), above all light and comfortable. I go on gravel, clay, grass, mud, slippery pebbles. Am I asking too much? I DO NOT run in it with shoes. But then again, I have no experience with this. My budget is around max 150 euros. Can you tell me some exact model of any brand please? Thanks for some advice.
I can’t give you advice on a specific shoe to buy. Go try them on and talking to sales people at a hiking/outdoor store. Good luck!
Favorite Approach Shoe= Garmont GTX Dragontail. The very best Boots= Asolo Fugitive GTX.
Another point is lacing techniques for whichever kind of shoe/boot you use. How you lace makes a big difference in comfort and fit.
I 100% agree. I have been planning to do a video on that!
@@MidwestBackpacker Do it! Feet and shoes are one of the most overlooked areas in backpacking. Foot care, sizing, lacing, and what to pack for hotspots; all important info.
I been exercise since grade school I’m 50 hiking is one of the outdoor activities that I still enjoy doing and I totally agree with you cause everyone 🦶 are different 👏
What's your advice on how to break in your feet? I use to be able to walk barefooted on sharp gravel, but my feet are now super sensitive.
I hike +1000 miles a year and I can’t walk barefoot on gravel either. I think there is a difference. Conditioning your feet is just like conditioning any other part of your body. Work them out (by walking or hiking) as much as you can before your trip. I try to go far enough so they are sore but not injured and gradually increase. Good luck!
(Rural Scotland here) In the past, I've been happy with mid height light weight hill walking boots to kick around in, in the winter months. If there is snow on the ground I'll put on gaiters on, to keep the bottom of my jeans dry.
Ted Bundy selling shoues right there
Great Video. Thank Yuo!. New Subscriber!
After going through a lot of boots and lots of toe pain I ordered handmade, made to fit my feet, Ridgeline hiking boots from Nick's Boots. I selected the leather, the out soles, the height, hardware, collar type, and other features. They are barely broken in at this point but I immediately found that I don't have mashed toes on the downhills anymore... They use a stitch down design that is quite water resistant when the boots are regularly conditioned with boot grease or oil. They are not the lightest boots (but neither am I when loaded up) and not the cheapest. They can however be resoled and rebuilt so they could very likely be the last pair of hiking boots I buy. It took over 6 months for them to arrive so plan ahead if you go that route! I also have a pair of their bespoke Builder Pro boots so I knew what to expect in terms of quality and lead time. I have zero regrets! I've got other boots for winter/snow/ice and soaking wet conditions...
I did the same thing but I went with White's Hikers instead of Nick's. I sent tracings of my feet and all the measurements they ask for and waited several months. That was 12 years ago and they are still going strong. I've had them resoled twice and completely rebuilt three years ago. I just retired my White's Smokejumpers that I bought in 1984 after several resoles and a couple rebuilds. I have no doubt you will get as much value from your Nick's boots.
@@zone4garlicfarm I have a pair of stock sized White's Outdoorsman boots. They are 10" tall and have a Gortex bootie with the same Vibram Sierra sole I got on my Ridgelines. The White's are OK for woods walking with lots of stops and a slow to moderate pace but not for a steady or extended "march." The ankle bite resulting from the 10" height kills me after about 2 1/2 miles! The lack of an arch and a looser fit likely contributes to the problem. They are very nice boots but for specific purposes... I actually changed the sizing specs for the Ridgelines as compared to the Builder Pros to make them tighter. This was to eliminate slippage and hold my foot in place better so my toes don't get smashed. The 10" Builder Pros have all that upper to hold me but the lower boots need a tighter fit. ! I use the Pros as work boots, including when I perform trial maintenance with a chainsaw--lots of dead ash trees and slopes around here!
@@johngrossbohlin7582 I wasn't familiar with the Outdoorsman so I looked at White's web site and couldn't find it. I'm guessing they don't make that model any more. They promote stock sizes a lot more than they used to and barely mention their built to fit boots. I expected something like that to happen when they were bought by LaCrosse about 15 years ago. After having made to fit boots it's hard to go back to stock sizes.
The best shoes / boots ive found for myself are Original Swats (tac boot) or my lace up ropers.
Given my background im not really worried about the weight of my boots but the over all support and durability. These two boots have out lasted and preformed any hiking boot ive ever used.
Good video. I am a strange cat that easily makes your point. I have a long, super narrow foot, mid-foot back through heel. But need to have a wide toe box so my toes spread apart. If I wore a narrow shoe in the toe box my toes get crushed and feet ache terribly. I do prefer a zero or near-zero drop. Altra and Topos seem to work best for hiking so far but always looking to improve. I still haven’t found a good boot yet but trying out new suggestions regularly..
Try Injinji toe socks. I wasn’t a toe sock guy but now I am sold. They are relatively cheap.
@@MidwestBackpacker Yip. I already wear toe socks, even when I’m not hiking.
I am looking for sandals to wear and sneakers after ankle surgery.
Spot on!
Great video.
everyone buys hiking footwear that is far more than they will need, if it isn't comfortable in the shop it won't be on the trail, I see people wearing Scapa artic full height arctic leather boots while out walking in summer for a few miles, man that must be hard work, best boots I ever owned was a pair of timberland (the old soft leather ones) bought for me by my teacher in 1971-2 and not now available, I have hard soled boots but hardly ever wear them, only in very tough winter hikes (which I don't do now) boots with a sole like training shoes are best for me and probably most people, boots you can run in and they feel like your wearing slippers, where is my pipe,
Well said professional opinion ...
great advice
Good point, correcting many present misinformation, mis-advice. You are the guy of the wild👍👍👍
Are those Brooke’s zero drop? Because i have a heel issue zero drops just don’t work. I have a pair of Altra’s and they are very comfortable but my heel did not love them. The best advice I ever got about shoes but did not take was to purchase my shoes one size or more bigger. On my first truly long hike, which was about 273 miles my feet were in a bad way after about 60 miles. I purchased the exact same shoe one size up and never had any issues. I had never had any issue before but this was my first longer distance hike. Most were in the 35 to 45 mile range.
Brooks cascadias
I believe they have a 8mm drop?
@@michaelpalm2210Thanks
What do you think about Altra Olympus 5 shoes?
🤷♂️
Damn if those are your feet in the picture with the black toenails I’m not taking shoe advice from you! 😂
😂
so i have to break my feet before going on a hike?
What's the best shoe if I have 10 toes but six of them are on one foot?
Cortate ese sexto dedo y listo 😉🫶