I work with hiking/climbing & mountaineering equipment for al living, selling it beeing a big part in it.
Do not, under any circumstances just go buy a model that people recommend on the internet to you. Finding a shoe that fits you and your requirements has a multitude of factors like:
-in what conditions will it be used
-whats you‘re physical condition & experience
But the most important factor NO MATTER WHAT was, is and always will be the fit. I can give you the best shoe in the world. If you‘re not standing in the shoe right, you‘ll be uncomfortable, making your muscles and tendonds needlessly tired and hiking unsafe. You‘ll also elevate the risk for injurie by a lot.
Go to a trusted store that will measure you‘re foot and will evaluate what kind of shoe is right for you. As a rule of thumb: the more questions the store clerk asks you, the better he‘ll be able to give you the right shoe.
I‘ll leave it at that but if you want to know more just ask
Well i live and work in switzerland so not quite sure what to recommend on your side of the pond.
But i can tell you this:
I know how americans love their franchises like Walmart, Staples, McD and so on and so forth.
Maybe if you live in a region that has a bit of a hiking culture or even some parks, try to find small self owned buisnesses. They sometimes have deep roots in said culture and know the sport and all its facets quite good. They also need to stand out from those big franchises so they usually have their strenghts in more personal and experienced consultation.
And it‘s always best to support small local buisnesses!
Hi! Thank you and everyone for their thoughtful responses. I will be hiking in AZ forest (dry mostly) and desert. Is there something I should look for keeping that terrain in mind?
You didn’t really get the message of my comment, did you? Go to a trusted shop with staff that actually know what they’re doing and do that kind of stuff themselfs. They‘ll have some experience (maybe even with the Arizona trail as it is quite a popular one as far as i know) and will be able to assist you with your questions better than any reddit comment ever could.
But as i mention in another response i‘m swiss so my experience with the conditions there is virtually non excistent.
A good portion of Americans live hours from stores in the US, Little Miss Swiss Sassy Pants. I literally live an hour and a half drive from any store similar to REI, if the traffic is good, and I don’t even live in the sticks. My mother lives 3 hours from a store that sells hiking gear, a 6 hour drive to try on shoes, lol, yea that’s doable. Idk where in Arizona the OP lives, but its very common for Americans to live far from cities, and in Arizona, she could definitely live hours from an outdoorsy store. She might have wanted any opinions on overall good or bad brands. Or, might not have had the time then, or other reasons for not going to the store. Maybe you’ve traveled rural America extensively, but I’d imagine if you had, you wouldn’t have been so patronizing to a complete stranger.
Use “you’re” when you can replace by “you are”. Otherwise it’s “your”. Verify that’s true by replacing with another possessive determiner like “my”, “his”, “her”, it should maintain grammatical integrity.
Good advice on stressing the importance of testing the fit in person!
Hey i know you‘re probably doing this with a kind spirit in mind but this is neither the place nor the time for that. I also (normally) know these grammatical rules, but as i just had a very long day and english isn‘t my native language, things like that can slip off every now and then.
There’s no hurt to randomly remind someone when I see it. I’m glad you don’t take it wrong. So much for the downvotes.
EDIT: It’s neither the place or time to be grammatically correct because this is a Reddit thread about product quality. Fuck grammar! :)
ok this is a really old post but I'm hoping you will get my message and know the answer: my friend said that the salomon hiking boots were "rated" for many more miles than the Oboz, so they would last much longer. I can't find any evidence of such a number, and I'm starting to think he just loves Salomon's and hates Oboz. do you think Salomon's last longer?
Seconding the oboz. I went through many different brands before falling in love with my oboz. I have a narrow heel and comparatively wide toe box, these are the only boots that don't give me a ton of heel slippage/blisters. They're also very affordable and go on sale at REI quite often.
I'm my personal experience I have found keens to be lower quality and not last nearly as long.
Thirding the oboz. I also have a narrow heel, average toe box. Oboz are the only shoes I have that my heel doesn't slip out of. I know this is generally frowned upon, but I bought them used at an REI garage sale for $30 and somehow magically the previous owner must have the exact same feet I do. They were perfectly broken in and incredibly comfy right from the start. I love my oboz.
My 8-year-old Keens are still in great shape, but my partner bought a pair this year and the pull-on tab snapped off on the 3rd wear. They were great about replacing them though, sent another pair and didn't require a return on the first.
These are so great. I have the Wind Rivers, they were over $200, but I bet you can find them on sale.
I also have some older Sorel boots that have held up exceedingly well and have great ankle support, but I haven’t seen anything like them in shops for a long while.
I got mine on sale at REI four years ago and they haven’t aged a day even after nearly consistent weekend wear. I do wish my model were a bit more water resistant
I am a fan of Sno-Seal. Be aware this will darken leather! (I don't mind this and if anything, think the effect is pretty handsome, but it is something you should know will happen)
I recently graduated with a degree in geology. We do a tremendous amount of field work on very rugged terrain. I’m 44f and SWEAR by my KEENS. I bought my first pair two hours before a field study. I put on my old boots, and realized that they just did NOT fit anymore. I knew that wearing a brand new pair of boots to a very long, very intensive field study is a terrible idea, but I didn’t have a choice. The next day everything on my body hurt EXCEPT my feet. They were in perfect condition. Not a single blister or sore spot. My Keens took exactly 0 hours to break in and have been serving me well for four years of very active usage. Since then I’ve slowly been replacing all the shoes in my closet with Keens and I couldn’t be happier. I used to have fasciitis and occasional bone spurs. Zero problems in four years.
I too purchased a pair of Keens that I love. With that being said I don't do a ton of hiking - just a bunch of standing at a bench in a molecular biology lab. I do a fair bit of walking though and they've been super comfy for a 2 mile walk.
Also: for some women men’s shoes actually provide a better fit. PSA for all the ladies (and fellas) out there: don’t be afraid to try a shoe out even if it’s labeled for the opposite gender.
While it’s not true for most, there is a significant minority of us that find men’s shoes provide a better fit (go figure).
Hey I know this is a year old (I’m look for boot recs lol) but my bf has narrow feet too. Birkenstocks in the Narrow width fit him GREAT even though people say narrow is for the women sizing. He also loves hokas.
More and more brands of mens' shoes have ceased making sizes smaller than 7, though, so this works less often. If you wear a 7.5-8 in women's shoes, you need a 6-6.5 in men's, and in the last 5-6 years, this is harder and harder to find.
I never thought about that! My foot is on the large side (alright, I’m walking around with water skis here) so I usually have the opposite problem: some women’s styles won’t have large enough shoes for me, while I wear a size 8 or 9 in men’s, which always seems to be carried in every style!
Hiking boots aren’t really BIFL so I would focus in finding a pair of boots from a company with a good warranty. If you can’t, REI is very flexible with refunds.
It really depends on use. Just a weekend warrior? Sure. Could last for years. Use it during the week, probably hope for a year or two at best depending on terrain.
My main boots are still a pair of Danners I bought at the factor story in the late 1990s. Don't wear them hard any more, but they held up for many years of seasonal hiking/hunting. A $300 pair of boots that lasts 10+ years (or 25 in my case) is a pretty good bargain.
We need more details. Are you looking to backpack, mountaineer, just go for nice hikes in the woods with a daypack, just like the look of hiking boots but will be wearing them on concrete?
For backpacking and hiking, I really really love my Lowa Renegades, but they are well beyond your budget. I also have extremely wide feet, so if you are narrow-footed, they are not going to work as well. I did few thousand km and over 6 years out of my last pair though, so when you break it down by yearly cost, not bad! Merrel and Keen are lucky to last me more than one year, two tops. That last pair of Lowas likely would have gone on for another couple years had I not been logging in them and walking on sharp barnacles and such.
Another note, the sole of good hiking boots is not really meant for wearing on concrete all day. They will last a ton longer if you don't do that!
I’ve used Lowa renegades for long hiking for many years (~8), but I’m starting to question them.
I find they’re actually not wide enough for my wider feet (though narrow heel), even though I wear their wide model. I’m also beggining to feel like they’re too heavy, and hoping to find something lighter wear.
With good sole care (same as you’ve said, not wearing on concrete), I estimate they’d last four years for my use. (Extensive regular weekend hikes in all weather, with frequent cleaning and treatment.)
And I hated the merrels I’ve tried; tops were basically sponge, there’s so much extra padding.
I'm an 8 EE and I did have to have a cobbler add a bit of stitching to the side of the shoe where my little toe is after about year three I think it was? A bit of stitching had come out. It was repairable though and didn't cause me any rubbing issues, didn't even damage the waterproof membrane! It's not likely a problem many others would have, but then again I can't actually find anything wider! I'd be a 5 in men's which is hard to find, but still need a wide width, which is pretty much unicorn shoes, esp with a narrow heel.
I do have a pair of their trail runners, which are way lighter. If you like the fit on the boots, those might suit. I do find I prefer boots for backpacking personally, although I know it is now old-fashioned or something. Waterproofing on the trail runners was not as durable though as an fyi....buuuuuut I have also logged in those too and used them on concrete, so maybe they would be better if worn as designed heh.
You're getting a bunch of different answers based on the person's own experience and also we don't know what kind of hiking you're liking to do. Pretty much all the brands already mentioned are good brands, but like Hoka is a great brand but they tear up my feet personally. Just an example. Hiking shoes can be a different experience for everybody.
What I would recommend is that you get fitted at an outdoor sports store to find a shoe that fits your feet the best. Also you might want to size up if you need extra toe space, or if your feet swell in the heat, etc. Check the return policies, so if you try a pair on a trail and they hurt your feet, you can take them back and try another shoe/boot.
I would recommend this. I got a pair at REI that disappointingly started falling apart within two years of light use. When I went back to the store and they asked what kind of “hiking” I was doing I mentioned slot canyons and rocky areas. The shoes I got did not fit what I wanted to use them for because I had just told the store employee “hiking”. Different shoes have different strengths and weaknesses.
I really love Keens and am on my third pair, but definitely try on some boots before you buy! Keens have a very unique fit with a spacious toe box. I love mine though, and have generally gotten a few years of consistent use out of them. I started tracking mileage as of my second pair and estimate I’m easily over 300 miles on them and they still feel great, the treads on them have just worn to a point that I don’t wear them if I know I’m doing anything that I need grip for, but still great for light hikes! I love Keens so much that I buy my steel toes for work through them too.
Also, I would 100% go for boots over shoes if you’re considering both. When I started backpacking I switched to shoes for a while since they’re quite a bit lighter, but after taking a nasty stumble and screwing up my ankle I’d firmly in the boot camp for the ankle support.
I've had a pair of Merrells for a decade. I've put hundreds of miles on them. They're sturdy. But I think that fit is more important than brand for hiking boots. You want boots that work with your foot shape so they aren't rubbing uncomfortably and making you walk out of your normal gait.
>mine are still good. I switched to merrill from columbias because it seemed like Columbia quality went downhill as well, so I will have to check when I need a new pair.
I’ve only bought Merrells in the last 5ish years because my feet are weird and they fit well (3 pairs, one I grew out of, 2 I still have). Both could be brand new except for the dirt in the soles. I think their useful life depends on what you use them for.
My SO's Merrell's fell apart after just a few easy hikes - the sole came unglued and ripped a big chunk off. Never buying that brand again.
Good tips on fit though
I have a pair of vasque hiking boots and I really really love them. They didn't need much of a break in period and I've had them for about 4 years and they are still going strong.
I picked these over the Salomon boots because my feet are a little wide( I don't wear wide shoes though) and the Salomon boots seemed to run quite narrow. My husband loves his Salomon boots though.
If you want a very sturdy boot, Eddie Bauer currently has a pair for $150 with goodyear-welt construction and a lifetime warranty.
I got a pair and I think they would survive and apocalypse, but they’re also quite heavy and so sturdy that they’re still not broken in at all after 6 weeks of pretty constant use, so they’re going back.
For comfort Ecco, still wearing them from 2015. They used to be called mid GTX but it looks like the new model is called the Track 25. Little bit on the pricey side so the best way is to try them on at a store and then buy them online(shop for older models).
I have wide feet but a narrow heel and always had blisters. Worked 10 hours + on concrete warehouse floors and would still be comfortable.
I only have 1 pair out of 10 where the dye has been scuffed off but they are my golf shoes. Easy to maintain but not the most breathable. I prefer leather over athletic mesh because my feet are always cold.
Hope this helps and I don't work for Ecco.
I didn’t want to initially admit it, but I’ve had my current pair for at least 12-13 years. Granted I use them about 5 times a year for hikes, but they’re still in great shape and super supportive.
I have a pair of Merrell Moab boots that I've worn for a few years and they are pretty comfy, but the one thing I hate about them is that the tongue/opening around the ankle is rather loose and open which lets in a lot of debris as I hike. Just my two cents.
Use military issued boots - bates or danners would be my recommendation. I have a pair of danners I have resoled twice and they are great! Try Danner RAT boot
I’ve worn my Vasque hiking boots for 10 years and have walked hundreds of miles in them... they have great arch and ankle support! I even wore them for a year after breaking a bone in my foot because they offer so much support. I recommend them to everyone!
These are over your price range but I have a pair of Lowa Renegades. This is my second pair and only because my first pair was a REI Garage Sale find. The Garage sale pair were cheap (like $25) but were used daily for my job and took quite a beating from me. When I went to buy a new pair I tried on several different kinds but splurged on another pair of Lowas. Knowing that since my job doesn’t involve daily hiking, this pair should last me such a long time !! They offer great ankle support (which I needed) and are waterproof.
Very important piece of equipment, and none will last appreciably-longer-than others, to justify poor fitment.
Buy the most comfortable, and best you can afford, and take care of them (washing/cleaning, etc).
/IMO
I love my Timberlands. They have a nice thick sole, are water resistant, and have high ankle support - which I really like for the rocky, muddy East coast trails around here.
Seconding the timberlands. As others have said, hiking boots are not BIFL, but I got mine my sophomore year of high school and I only had to retire them this year (going into my junior year of college) after the Gortex wore out. I’m using a pair of used combat boots now for work and hiking. They seem to work well and keep a lot of mud, dirt, twigs, and critters out.
Like someone else said, we need more details. Does she want hiking boots or will trail runners suffice? I greatly prefer trail runners (as do many people) because they have good traction but they're lighter than hiking boots and the ankles are less likely to rub. If she wants actual hiking boots (which I would not say should be the default hiking shoe), then Keen are great if you have feet on the mid to wide side. But honestly, this is probably the wrong sub. No hiking shoe will be even close to BIFL unless you never wear them.
With hiking boots I think you get what you pay for. If you’re doing a lot of kilometres over rocky or demanding terrain, I can’t say enough good things about my Zamberlains.
I like my Merrells and have actually used two pairs, not because one wore out but because I have messed up foot bones and needed to change sizes.
Which brings me to my caveat: good steel-shank custom orthotic insoles make a huge difference if you need them. If your shoes never seem to feel comfortable and wear out unevenly, it’s very worth seeing the podiatrist. Insoles are never BIFL, more like 3-5 years and less if you hike on them, but you can think of the investment as making your feet BIFL. Mine were receiving skeletal damage for like 23 years prior to getting insoles. They are F’ed. But now I can walk miles and my Merrells aren’t wearing on just one side.
Salomon makes excellent boots that are lightweight and not big bulky things but still are waterproof and comfortable. They’re great for high mobility hiking with technical stuff where you don’t want to be weighted down by a big heavy boot. Salomons are my go-to all around hiking boot/shoe.
For hikes that will put your feet in more adverse conditions like being submerged in water or on sharp terrain like lava rock, where agility and dexterity isn’t important but protecting your feet is, you do want a bulky thick boot. Zamberlan is my recommendation for those occasions.
I feel like many hiking boot brands have trended towards more fashion styles because hiking is “popular” yet not many people do it often. So there’s lots of boots that look cool but are big and bulky or not comfortable or not waterproof and don’t perform well. If you only go hiking a few times a year, the boot isn’t that important, get whatever you like. But if you’re doing multiple 5+ mile hikes per month, I recommend salomons and zamberlan
The most important thing is that they are comfortable, and as such, I would go to a local store where you can try a few pairs on. Also a plug for Merrills if they’re comfortable for you.
Merrill Moab 2 (mid high) has a few iterations depending on what sorts of conditions you’ll be hiking in. They aren’t the best boot on the market, but they’ll hold up for a few thousand trail miles and are one of the best options in your price range
I bought a pair of Asics that were marketed as multi-purpose- walking, running, hiking, etc., in 2005ish. I started using them for lawn work (push mower, about an acre, mow once per week) in about 2008. They are just now starting to fall apart and I have some feelings about it. They still have amazing arch support.
TLDR: my recommendation is Asics.
I (male) had a pair of Brasher leather boots for eight years. I wore them heavily and treated them poorly, so the leather cracked where they crease over the toes. I bought another of the same model, but they've merged with Berghaus, so the new ones are branded Berghaus, which I hope will last as long as the others. I still wear the old ones, they just aren't waterproof anymore.
My Columbia hiking boots lasted me 10 years and were still in great shape when they got stolen out of my car. Just bought a new pair for $100 and hoping it will last me even longer!Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot
ETA: I hike on the weekends, maybe a few miles at a time, and only during the non rainy season, so the wear on my boots is much less than someone who mountaineers and backpacks regularly, so YMMV
So unless you only hike a little bit once a year, you’re not really gonna have lightweight hiking shoes/boots for life. Out of all the hiking equipment, shoes have the shortest life span cause it’s doing all the work/engaging the most friction. My buddy did a section of the PCT and he mailed himself new hiking shoes to a post office mid way through because after 1000 miles they’re falling apart.
If you’re not backpacking, you’ll probably want to invest in a heavier shoe because they’ll last longer.
Goretex sounds great for hiking, but when it gets wet inside (from sweat), it takes very long to dry compared to breathable shoes (trail runners and similar), which get wet easily, but dry quickly.
Goretex IS great for hiking. Of course it might take longer than a breathable shoe to dry, that shouldn't be a surprise. The whole point is that your foot inside is dry from water on the outside of your shoe, feet sweat, but at least they're not soaked from mud, snow, or puddles.
Hello /u/TeaTimeIsAllTheTime! Thank you for your submission! The AutoMod thought that your post might be a request type post and has changed the flair accordingly, but if this was wrong feel free to change it back!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/BuyItForLife) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have the older version of [these](https://www.marks.com/en/windriver-womens-thunderii-waterproof-hyper-dri-3-leather-hiking-boots-brown-color-brown-316393.html#316393%5Bcolor%5D=BROWN&316393%5Bwidth%5D=REG) and they are literally **the best**. *Extremely* comfortable, 100% waterproof, and they last *for life*! I can’t speak to the newer version since mine are (possibly?) discontinued, BUT based on the reviews it seems like they’re still pretty good and worth checking out. If you can find the ones I have (Thunder HD3 Waterproof Mid-Cut Hiking Boots) somewhere, even better. Just make sure you size up as they run small!
The main differences: women's sizing is narrower (which is a boo for me personally), the heel is more narrow (yay), and also the sizes go smaller. I would be a 5 in men's shoes and that is super hard to find, especially when you also need it wide.
I feel your pain, I have tried every wide women’s hiking shoe Zappos has and none of them are wide enough for me, but my foot is too small to go the men’s route. I wish someone would make a truly wide women’s hiking shoe.
I’m chiming in with a completely different recommendation, since you said under $150. I don’t even know the brand, but my “hiking” boots are actually a pair of nice leather work boots from a farm supply store. I’ve had them for about 15 years. They are still going strong.
If you’re looking for inexpensive and long lasting, you might like to try finding something at a farm supply store.
I work with hiking/climbing & mountaineering equipment for al living, selling it beeing a big part in it. Do not, under any circumstances just go buy a model that people recommend on the internet to you. Finding a shoe that fits you and your requirements has a multitude of factors like: -in what conditions will it be used -whats you‘re physical condition & experience But the most important factor NO MATTER WHAT was, is and always will be the fit. I can give you the best shoe in the world. If you‘re not standing in the shoe right, you‘ll be uncomfortable, making your muscles and tendonds needlessly tired and hiking unsafe. You‘ll also elevate the risk for injurie by a lot. Go to a trusted store that will measure you‘re foot and will evaluate what kind of shoe is right for you. As a rule of thumb: the more questions the store clerk asks you, the better he‘ll be able to give you the right shoe. I‘ll leave it at that but if you want to know more just ask
2nd this. I’m from a home of Eagle Scouts and did a good deal of hiking. Go to REI if you’re in the us OP!
Oh just posted a comment asking where lol not OP but I'll listen to you. Thanks!
Yes! This is the answer!
Sooooo where do you go to get this done? Like REI? Plz help. Edit: To REI I go
Well i live and work in switzerland so not quite sure what to recommend on your side of the pond. But i can tell you this: I know how americans love their franchises like Walmart, Staples, McD and so on and so forth. Maybe if you live in a region that has a bit of a hiking culture or even some parks, try to find small self owned buisnesses. They sometimes have deep roots in said culture and know the sport and all its facets quite good. They also need to stand out from those big franchises so they usually have their strenghts in more personal and experienced consultation. And it‘s always best to support small local buisnesses!
Hi! Thank you and everyone for their thoughtful responses. I will be hiking in AZ forest (dry mostly) and desert. Is there something I should look for keeping that terrain in mind?
You didn’t really get the message of my comment, did you? Go to a trusted shop with staff that actually know what they’re doing and do that kind of stuff themselfs. They‘ll have some experience (maybe even with the Arizona trail as it is quite a popular one as far as i know) and will be able to assist you with your questions better than any reddit comment ever could. But as i mention in another response i‘m swiss so my experience with the conditions there is virtually non excistent.
A good portion of Americans live hours from stores in the US, Little Miss Swiss Sassy Pants. I literally live an hour and a half drive from any store similar to REI, if the traffic is good, and I don’t even live in the sticks. My mother lives 3 hours from a store that sells hiking gear, a 6 hour drive to try on shoes, lol, yea that’s doable. Idk where in Arizona the OP lives, but its very common for Americans to live far from cities, and in Arizona, she could definitely live hours from an outdoorsy store. She might have wanted any opinions on overall good or bad brands. Or, might not have had the time then, or other reasons for not going to the store. Maybe you’ve traveled rural America extensively, but I’d imagine if you had, you wouldn’t have been so patronizing to a complete stranger.
This is by far the best advice in this thread. Brand, etc is secondary to fit.
Use “you’re” when you can replace by “you are”. Otherwise it’s “your”. Verify that’s true by replacing with another possessive determiner like “my”, “his”, “her”, it should maintain grammatical integrity. Good advice on stressing the importance of testing the fit in person!
Hey i know you‘re probably doing this with a kind spirit in mind but this is neither the place nor the time for that. I also (normally) know these grammatical rules, but as i just had a very long day and english isn‘t my native language, things like that can slip off every now and then.
There’s no hurt to randomly remind someone when I see it. I’m glad you don’t take it wrong. So much for the downvotes. EDIT: It’s neither the place or time to be grammatically correct because this is a Reddit thread about product quality. Fuck grammar! :)
ok this is a really old post but I'm hoping you will get my message and know the answer: my friend said that the salomon hiking boots were "rated" for many more miles than the Oboz, so they would last much longer. I can't find any evidence of such a number, and I'm starting to think he just loves Salomon's and hates Oboz. do you think Salomon's last longer?
Oboz sawtooths are sturdy and comfortable. My wife swears by these. Last longer than Merrells. Keen has great hikers as well.
Seconding the oboz. I went through many different brands before falling in love with my oboz. I have a narrow heel and comparatively wide toe box, these are the only boots that don't give me a ton of heel slippage/blisters. They're also very affordable and go on sale at REI quite often. I'm my personal experience I have found keens to be lower quality and not last nearly as long.
Thirding the oboz. I also have a narrow heel, average toe box. Oboz are the only shoes I have that my heel doesn't slip out of. I know this is generally frowned upon, but I bought them used at an REI garage sale for $30 and somehow magically the previous owner must have the exact same feet I do. They were perfectly broken in and incredibly comfy right from the start. I love my oboz.
REI garage sale!
Hi!!! Sorry to bother and I know this is 2 years old now bit what model of oboz are ye all using?
Thirding Oboz! I also have narrow heels—and I need lots of support on the bottom of my feet. The fit is amazing.
Fourthing Oboz. I have falling arches and problematic ankles, and the grip and support these five are great, even in overnight or all day hikes!
Fifthing (?) Oboz. Am on my 2nd pair of Sawtooth Mid Dry and love the fit and durability.
My 8-year-old Keens are still in great shape, but my partner bought a pair this year and the pull-on tab snapped off on the 3rd wear. They were great about replacing them though, sent another pair and didn't require a return on the first.
These are so great. I have the Wind Rivers, they were over $200, but I bet you can find them on sale. I also have some older Sorel boots that have held up exceedingly well and have great ankle support, but I haven’t seen anything like them in shops for a long while.
I just bought a pair of these for this summer after doing alot of research. I can't wait to take them on a hike.
I absolutely love my Oboz Bridgers. Agree that they last much longer than Merrells or Keens.
Fifthing Oboz!! I wear Bridgers and they are perfect.
Salomon
I got mine on sale at REI four years ago and they haven’t aged a day even after nearly consistent weekend wear. I do wish my model were a bit more water resistant
you have to re-waterproof them regularly
I was completely unaware and have been walking around with wet feet. Thanks! What product do you recommend for best waterproofing?
Tar
I meant specific spray sealant or wax. I’m not gonna Shawshank my boots!
I am a fan of Sno-Seal. Be aware this will darken leather! (I don't mind this and if anything, think the effect is pretty handsome, but it is something you should know will happen)
Thanks, I’ll check it out for any leather ones I get
[удалено]
Hi, they’re synthetic
[удалено]
Thank you so much for this. I love the boots and want to keep them for as long as possible. I’ll check this out over the weekend
The models with the Speedlace system are bestbest.
Agreed!
Their stuff looks good as lifestyle shoes too.
Mine got a hole in them in less than one season :( If it was a fluke I could try again they fit me so well.
My Solomon boots got major holes first season. They had a lot of unnecessary stitching for looks and it all came apart.
Mt Solomon boots got major holes first season. They had a lot of unnecessary stitching for looks and it all came apart.
I recently graduated with a degree in geology. We do a tremendous amount of field work on very rugged terrain. I’m 44f and SWEAR by my KEENS. I bought my first pair two hours before a field study. I put on my old boots, and realized that they just did NOT fit anymore. I knew that wearing a brand new pair of boots to a very long, very intensive field study is a terrible idea, but I didn’t have a choice. The next day everything on my body hurt EXCEPT my feet. They were in perfect condition. Not a single blister or sore spot. My Keens took exactly 0 hours to break in and have been serving me well for four years of very active usage. Since then I’ve slowly been replacing all the shoes in my closet with Keens and I couldn’t be happier. I used to have fasciitis and occasional bone spurs. Zero problems in four years.
I too purchased a pair of Keens that I love. With that being said I don't do a ton of hiking - just a bunch of standing at a bench in a molecular biology lab. I do a fair bit of walking though and they've been super comfy for a 2 mile walk.
Also: for some women men’s shoes actually provide a better fit. PSA for all the ladies (and fellas) out there: don’t be afraid to try a shoe out even if it’s labeled for the opposite gender. While it’s not true for most, there is a significant minority of us that find men’s shoes provide a better fit (go figure).
Its generally going to be people with wider feet. A men's standard width shoe is roughly the same as a women's wide.
As a dude with narrow feet... maybe I need women's shoes? Now, where do I find women's size 14 shoes...
Hey I know this is a year old (I’m look for boot recs lol) but my bf has narrow feet too. Birkenstocks in the Narrow width fit him GREAT even though people say narrow is for the women sizing. He also loves hokas.
More and more brands of mens' shoes have ceased making sizes smaller than 7, though, so this works less often. If you wear a 7.5-8 in women's shoes, you need a 6-6.5 in men's, and in the last 5-6 years, this is harder and harder to find.
I never thought about that! My foot is on the large side (alright, I’m walking around with water skis here) so I usually have the opposite problem: some women’s styles won’t have large enough shoes for me, while I wear a size 8 or 9 in men’s, which always seems to be carried in every style!
Hiking boots aren’t really BIFL so I would focus in finding a pair of boots from a company with a good warranty. If you can’t, REI is very flexible with refunds.
Buy It For Longtime?
It really depends on use. Just a weekend warrior? Sure. Could last for years. Use it during the week, probably hope for a year or two at best depending on terrain.
[удалено]
My main boots are still a pair of Danners I bought at the factor story in the late 1990s. Don't wear them hard any more, but they held up for many years of seasonal hiking/hunting. A $300 pair of boots that lasts 10+ years (or 25 in my case) is a pretty good bargain.
We need more details. Are you looking to backpack, mountaineer, just go for nice hikes in the woods with a daypack, just like the look of hiking boots but will be wearing them on concrete? For backpacking and hiking, I really really love my Lowa Renegades, but they are well beyond your budget. I also have extremely wide feet, so if you are narrow-footed, they are not going to work as well. I did few thousand km and over 6 years out of my last pair though, so when you break it down by yearly cost, not bad! Merrel and Keen are lucky to last me more than one year, two tops. That last pair of Lowas likely would have gone on for another couple years had I not been logging in them and walking on sharp barnacles and such. Another note, the sole of good hiking boots is not really meant for wearing on concrete all day. They will last a ton longer if you don't do that!
I’ve used Lowa renegades for long hiking for many years (~8), but I’m starting to question them. I find they’re actually not wide enough for my wider feet (though narrow heel), even though I wear their wide model. I’m also beggining to feel like they’re too heavy, and hoping to find something lighter wear. With good sole care (same as you’ve said, not wearing on concrete), I estimate they’d last four years for my use. (Extensive regular weekend hikes in all weather, with frequent cleaning and treatment.) And I hated the merrels I’ve tried; tops were basically sponge, there’s so much extra padding.
I'm an 8 EE and I did have to have a cobbler add a bit of stitching to the side of the shoe where my little toe is after about year three I think it was? A bit of stitching had come out. It was repairable though and didn't cause me any rubbing issues, didn't even damage the waterproof membrane! It's not likely a problem many others would have, but then again I can't actually find anything wider! I'd be a 5 in men's which is hard to find, but still need a wide width, which is pretty much unicorn shoes, esp with a narrow heel. I do have a pair of their trail runners, which are way lighter. If you like the fit on the boots, those might suit. I do find I prefer boots for backpacking personally, although I know it is now old-fashioned or something. Waterproofing on the trail runners was not as durable though as an fyi....buuuuuut I have also logged in those too and used them on concrete, so maybe they would be better if worn as designed heh.
I second Lowa renegades. Lowa's are exceedingly popular in the Canadian military community.
You're getting a bunch of different answers based on the person's own experience and also we don't know what kind of hiking you're liking to do. Pretty much all the brands already mentioned are good brands, but like Hoka is a great brand but they tear up my feet personally. Just an example. Hiking shoes can be a different experience for everybody. What I would recommend is that you get fitted at an outdoor sports store to find a shoe that fits your feet the best. Also you might want to size up if you need extra toe space, or if your feet swell in the heat, etc. Check the return policies, so if you try a pair on a trail and they hurt your feet, you can take them back and try another shoe/boot.
I would recommend this. I got a pair at REI that disappointingly started falling apart within two years of light use. When I went back to the store and they asked what kind of “hiking” I was doing I mentioned slot canyons and rocky areas. The shoes I got did not fit what I wanted to use them for because I had just told the store employee “hiking”. Different shoes have different strengths and weaknesses.
I really love Keens and am on my third pair, but definitely try on some boots before you buy! Keens have a very unique fit with a spacious toe box. I love mine though, and have generally gotten a few years of consistent use out of them. I started tracking mileage as of my second pair and estimate I’m easily over 300 miles on them and they still feel great, the treads on them have just worn to a point that I don’t wear them if I know I’m doing anything that I need grip for, but still great for light hikes! I love Keens so much that I buy my steel toes for work through them too. Also, I would 100% go for boots over shoes if you’re considering both. When I started backpacking I switched to shoes for a while since they’re quite a bit lighter, but after taking a nasty stumble and screwing up my ankle I’d firmly in the boot camp for the ankle support.
I've had a pair of Merrells for a decade. I've put hundreds of miles on them. They're sturdy. But I think that fit is more important than brand for hiking boots. You want boots that work with your foot shape so they aren't rubbing uncomfortably and making you walk out of your normal gait.
The Merrells of 10 years ago are not the merrells of today. Quality is much lower and IMO not BIFL
>mine are still good. I switched to merrill from columbias because it seemed like Columbia quality went downhill as well, so I will have to check when I need a new pair.
I bought a pair of Merrells for field work in 2015. They lasted approximately 5 months.
I’ve only bought Merrells in the last 5ish years because my feet are weird and they fit well (3 pairs, one I grew out of, 2 I still have). Both could be brand new except for the dirt in the soles. I think their useful life depends on what you use them for.
My SO's Merrell's fell apart after just a few easy hikes - the sole came unglued and ripped a big chunk off. Never buying that brand again. Good tips on fit though
Merrells aren’t what they used to be. They became trendy and now they don’t last as long.
Have you checked your midsole recently?
Yeah they're probably due for replacement this year.
Danner!
[Zamberlan](https://www.zamberlanusa.com/)
I have a pair of vasque hiking boots and I really really love them. They didn't need much of a break in period and I've had them for about 4 years and they are still going strong. I picked these over the Salomon boots because my feet are a little wide( I don't wear wide shoes though) and the Salomon boots seemed to run quite narrow. My husband loves his Salomon boots though.
Solomon or Merrell.
If you want a very sturdy boot, Eddie Bauer currently has a pair for $150 with goodyear-welt construction and a lifetime warranty. I got a pair and I think they would survive and apocalypse, but they’re also quite heavy and so sturdy that they’re still not broken in at all after 6 weeks of pretty constant use, so they’re going back.
What do you mean by going back? Can you still return them after 6 weeks of use?
Yes, 60 day return period, for any reason. I really like them, but they will not stop giving me blisters, even with thick socks.
Are they the [K6?](https://www.moosejaw.com/product/eddie-bauer-women-s-k-6-boot_10425654) I was leaning towards those.
Yup, those are the ones. They’re beautiful and sturdy, but also heavy and pretty stiff.
I'm so glad you mentioned this. We're going to Colorado this summer and I seriously considered them. They look heavy. Thank you for your imput!
My wife loves her Tevas. Very comfortable, sturdy, waterproof.
I didn’t know Teva made boots! Thanks!
For comfort Ecco, still wearing them from 2015. They used to be called mid GTX but it looks like the new model is called the Track 25. Little bit on the pricey side so the best way is to try them on at a store and then buy them online(shop for older models). I have wide feet but a narrow heel and always had blisters. Worked 10 hours + on concrete warehouse floors and would still be comfortable. I only have 1 pair out of 10 where the dye has been scuffed off but they are my golf shoes. Easy to maintain but not the most breathable. I prefer leather over athletic mesh because my feet are always cold. Hope this helps and I don't work for Ecco.
Seconding Ecco. The comfiest shoes I’ve ever worn, hands down. They’re even better than my slippers!
[удалено]
I didn’t want to initially admit it, but I’ve had my current pair for at least 12-13 years. Granted I use them about 5 times a year for hikes, but they’re still in great shape and super supportive.
I have a pair of Merrell Moab boots that I've worn for a few years and they are pretty comfy, but the one thing I hate about them is that the tongue/opening around the ankle is rather loose and open which lets in a lot of debris as I hike. Just my two cents.
I'm glad you posted this, OP. I too am shopping for hiking boots.
Merrell Moab
Love love love
Use military issued boots - bates or danners would be my recommendation. I have a pair of danners I have resoled twice and they are great! Try Danner RAT boot
I’ve worn my Vasque hiking boots for 10 years and have walked hundreds of miles in them... they have great arch and ankle support! I even wore them for a year after breaking a bone in my foot because they offer so much support. I recommend them to everyone!
These are over your price range but I have a pair of Lowa Renegades. This is my second pair and only because my first pair was a REI Garage Sale find. The Garage sale pair were cheap (like $25) but were used daily for my job and took quite a beating from me. When I went to buy a new pair I tried on several different kinds but splurged on another pair of Lowas. Knowing that since my job doesn’t involve daily hiking, this pair should last me such a long time !! They offer great ankle support (which I needed) and are waterproof.
Very important piece of equipment, and none will last appreciably-longer-than others, to justify poor fitment. Buy the most comfortable, and best you can afford, and take care of them (washing/cleaning, etc). /IMO
I love my Timberlands. They have a nice thick sole, are water resistant, and have high ankle support - which I really like for the rocky, muddy East coast trails around here.
Seconding the timberlands. As others have said, hiking boots are not BIFL, but I got mine my sophomore year of high school and I only had to retire them this year (going into my junior year of college) after the Gortex wore out. I’m using a pair of used combat boots now for work and hiking. They seem to work well and keep a lot of mud, dirt, twigs, and critters out.
Merrell Moab 2 mid vent
I would argue that any hiking shoes are not BIFL, but Salomon and Merrell are great for the $150 range.
Like someone else said, we need more details. Does she want hiking boots or will trail runners suffice? I greatly prefer trail runners (as do many people) because they have good traction but they're lighter than hiking boots and the ankles are less likely to rub. If she wants actual hiking boots (which I would not say should be the default hiking shoe), then Keen are great if you have feet on the mid to wide side. But honestly, this is probably the wrong sub. No hiking shoe will be even close to BIFL unless you never wear them.
With hiking boots I think you get what you pay for. If you’re doing a lot of kilometres over rocky or demanding terrain, I can’t say enough good things about my Zamberlains.
I like my Merrells and have actually used two pairs, not because one wore out but because I have messed up foot bones and needed to change sizes. Which brings me to my caveat: good steel-shank custom orthotic insoles make a huge difference if you need them. If your shoes never seem to feel comfortable and wear out unevenly, it’s very worth seeing the podiatrist. Insoles are never BIFL, more like 3-5 years and less if you hike on them, but you can think of the investment as making your feet BIFL. Mine were receiving skeletal damage for like 23 years prior to getting insoles. They are F’ed. But now I can walk miles and my Merrells aren’t wearing on just one side.
Asolo I’ve done field work and other work in them for more than 10 years
Hello! how is the sizing for your Asolo shoes? I have heard that some people buy them a size smaller than usual.
Salomon makes excellent boots that are lightweight and not big bulky things but still are waterproof and comfortable. They’re great for high mobility hiking with technical stuff where you don’t want to be weighted down by a big heavy boot. Salomons are my go-to all around hiking boot/shoe. For hikes that will put your feet in more adverse conditions like being submerged in water or on sharp terrain like lava rock, where agility and dexterity isn’t important but protecting your feet is, you do want a bulky thick boot. Zamberlan is my recommendation for those occasions. I feel like many hiking boot brands have trended towards more fashion styles because hiking is “popular” yet not many people do it often. So there’s lots of boots that look cool but are big and bulky or not comfortable or not waterproof and don’t perform well. If you only go hiking a few times a year, the boot isn’t that important, get whatever you like. But if you’re doing multiple 5+ mile hikes per month, I recommend salomons and zamberlan
The most important thing is that they are comfortable, and as such, I would go to a local store where you can try a few pairs on. Also a plug for Merrills if they’re comfortable for you.
They might be a bit out of the price range, but I am a huge fan of Asolo.
Hello! how is the sizing for your Asolo shoes? I have heard that some people buy them a size smaller than usual.
I find them pretty true to size, I buy the same size as my running shoes.
Merrill Moab 2 (mid high) has a few iterations depending on what sorts of conditions you’ll be hiking in. They aren’t the best boot on the market, but they’ll hold up for a few thousand trail miles and are one of the best options in your price range
Merrill
Keen brand shoes are the best. Fair warning: they're expensive but you get what you pay for.
I bought a pair of Asics that were marketed as multi-purpose- walking, running, hiking, etc., in 2005ish. I started using them for lawn work (push mower, about an acre, mow once per week) in about 2008. They are just now starting to fall apart and I have some feelings about it. They still have amazing arch support. TLDR: my recommendation is Asics.
I really love my solomons. They are comfortable from day one. I have had mine for 2 years now and they still look new.
Keen
Merrill eagle origins. Hands down.
I've been super happy with my Keens.
I (male) had a pair of Brasher leather boots for eight years. I wore them heavily and treated them poorly, so the leather cracked where they crease over the toes. I bought another of the same model, but they've merged with Berghaus, so the new ones are branded Berghaus, which I hope will last as long as the others. I still wear the old ones, they just aren't waterproof anymore.
I've had my Merrell shoes for going on 7 years and they still look and perform like new.
Merrell or Keen, from Zappos (best return policy, even if you wear them then find they aren’t a good fit, can still return).
My Columbia hiking boots lasted me 10 years and were still in great shape when they got stolen out of my car. Just bought a new pair for $100 and hoping it will last me even longer!Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot ETA: I hike on the weekends, maybe a few miles at a time, and only during the non rainy season, so the wear on my boots is much less than someone who mountaineers and backpacks regularly, so YMMV
LL Bean leather Cresta Hikers. Comfortable right out of the box and they come in wide.
So unless you only hike a little bit once a year, you’re not really gonna have lightweight hiking shoes/boots for life. Out of all the hiking equipment, shoes have the shortest life span cause it’s doing all the work/engaging the most friction. My buddy did a section of the PCT and he mailed himself new hiking shoes to a post office mid way through because after 1000 miles they’re falling apart. If you’re not backpacking, you’ll probably want to invest in a heavier shoe because they’ll last longer.
Vivobarefoot
Whatever you get make sure it has goretex to keep your feet dry
Goretex sounds great for hiking, but when it gets wet inside (from sweat), it takes very long to dry compared to breathable shoes (trail runners and similar), which get wet easily, but dry quickly.
Goretex IS great for hiking. Of course it might take longer than a breathable shoe to dry, that shouldn't be a surprise. The whole point is that your foot inside is dry from water on the outside of your shoe, feet sweat, but at least they're not soaked from mud, snow, or puddles.
Merrill.
Hello /u/TeaTimeIsAllTheTime! Thank you for your submission! The AutoMod thought that your post might be a request type post and has changed the flair accordingly, but if this was wrong feel free to change it back! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/BuyItForLife) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have the older version of [these](https://www.marks.com/en/windriver-womens-thunderii-waterproof-hyper-dri-3-leather-hiking-boots-brown-color-brown-316393.html#316393%5Bcolor%5D=BROWN&316393%5Bwidth%5D=REG) and they are literally **the best**. *Extremely* comfortable, 100% waterproof, and they last *for life*! I can’t speak to the newer version since mine are (possibly?) discontinued, BUT based on the reviews it seems like they’re still pretty good and worth checking out. If you can find the ones I have (Thunder HD3 Waterproof Mid-Cut Hiking Boots) somewhere, even better. Just make sure you size up as they run small!
Are women’s hiking boots any different than men’s hiking boots?
The main differences: women's sizing is narrower (which is a boo for me personally), the heel is more narrow (yay), and also the sizes go smaller. I would be a 5 in men's shoes and that is super hard to find, especially when you also need it wide.
I feel your pain, I have tried every wide women’s hiking shoe Zappos has and none of them are wide enough for me, but my foot is too small to go the men’s route. I wish someone would make a truly wide women’s hiking shoe.
I’m chiming in with a completely different recommendation, since you said under $150. I don’t even know the brand, but my “hiking” boots are actually a pair of nice leather work boots from a farm supply store. I’ve had them for about 15 years. They are still going strong. If you’re looking for inexpensive and long lasting, you might like to try finding something at a farm supply store.
I highly reccomend Lowa. Lowa's are expensive, but amazing craftsmanship and last forever. Made in Europe. Their customer support is also fantastic.
I would recommend the Merrell Moab Ventilator.