hiking boots

[User Name missing]

Went to Buckeye Outdoors yesterday looking for a pair of hiking boots. They had a few on sale, Hi Tec(?) brand and they weren't very comfortable. I asked the employee what other hikers they have and he pointed me to these lacrosse boots (link below). Felt good, comfortable, but when looking at the tread pattern, I was a lil skeptical that they were in fact hiking boots. Well I just jumped on the lacrosse website and these boots are listed under work boots. Does anyone have an opinion if these will make for good hiking boots? I paid a $100 for these with the intention to use them for hiking only.

http://www.lacrossefootwear.com/work/leather-boots/quantum-plus-hd-6-brown-work-boots.html

 

[straycat]

I just use military boots. I have a few pairs new and used left over from my years in Special Ops. I have the jungle boots and desert boots and they are so great for running or just walking on trails or in the woods or desert. They last as well. Try an Army Navy Store or Ebay to find some. If you don't like the military style you can go to the Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods. Eddie Bauer has great boots as well and L.L. Bean. We have friends that camp with us and they have bought their hiking boots and clothes at Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean. Very well made boots.

 

[User Name missing]

good advice, but I don't have any of those stores nearby. Dick's is opening up in the mall, but not for a few more weeks probably. I will not order clothes online anymore plus I'm picking about footwear. I can't wear nikes because they typical have a high arch, which was the problem with the Hi Tec hikers I tried on. If I can't try it on first, I won't buy it.

Heres the catch, the manuf. website lists these as work boots, Vances/BO website list these as hiking boots. I'm assuming Vances/BO is misadvertising these.

 

[fastpakr]

I have board flat feet and have been very happy with Asolo boots over the last 10-15 years. I've also been using Wolverwine's Big Bison work boots for motorcycle riding and occasional winter backpacking (they're insulated, unlike my regular hiking boots and trail runners) and they've worked out pretty well too.

 

[det107]

Can't trust kids as salespeople these days. By looking at the soles, it appears to be oil & slip resistant for factory floor work & light outdoors in dry weather. Not sure of Lacrosse quality but I'm betting the shoe/sole wil separate after a long hike.
I prefer quality USA made "Boondockers". The brand I buy is Redwing. For hiking, I suggest the 'Logger' style as the uppers are high enough to protect ankles. The lacing of shoes will be a chore so make sure the top 3 eyelets have shoe hooks for quick lace-up. And get the Vibram soles w/lugs.
One more thing is to "break them in" first. Wear them around the house, do light chores. Fasten the tongue and readjust shoe laces as necessary.
Wearing comfortable shoes is detrimental to one's health. Don't skimp on $$ for lesser brands.The last thing you'll want is 'blisters having blisters' way out in the boonies. Avoid Wal-mart style shoe depts.

 

[User Name missing]

Actually it was an older guy. They advertise those boots as hikers, which is probably why he suggested them. But the tread doesn't 'say' hiker and the manufacturer website lists them as work boots.

Also I don't want a high ankle, I want mobility for climbing. Another thing, these don't have a low back for going down steep grades.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

After looking at the tread, I'd say the same as det107, those look like they were intended for a factory floor instead of hiking.....

I used to love Wolverine boots, but it seems like a lot of the new stuff has gone down in quality. I do have a set of steel toed "work boots" from them that I bought last fall, they're waterproof and electrical hazard rated. I've abused them for nearly a year now and they've held up ok. They're comfortable as all get out, but they have some cuts in the leather and a couple chunks of foamy rubber stuff missing out of the side of the soles. The tread looks in great shape though.

For regular work boots the last ones I got were Schmitts from Tractor Supply, I was skeptical of the tread on them, but they gripped surprisingly well in mud and snow, plus they lasted me three years now of abuse (tread is all gone now though and they're starting to fall apart). Well worth the money I spent. I might consider their hikers next time I need a set of them.

 

[adsm08]

Forget what the store says. What does the manufacturer say? They don't call it a hiking boot.

You can go down to Pep Boys and let Manny tell you that a Hankook Optimo is an All Terrain tire, but it's still a street tire.

 

[daniel3507]

Ive never had a pair but have heard only good things about Zamberlan boots. They can be hard to find but everyone I have talked to with them says they are the most comfortable and they also say they have had them 10 years or so and still wear them all the time.

 

[Ryannn]

I use my brothers Army Ranger boots... theyre amaaaazziinnnggggg!!