Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:03 am Post subject: questions on boots and socks
Howdy again from the noob.
I have a pair of cheap red head boots that just suck. I have worn them for about 65 miles and the soles are cracked and thin and I can feel even the smallest rock. I went up to Monrovia falls yesterday after work and they were miserable. My question is this. With those boots and light hiking socks my feet around my toes are so dirty. I want to get something that wont wear out as fast. will something like this be a good choice? And will it leave my feet dirty.
any suggestions would be great. the boots I had were $24 on sale I know you get what you pay for, just went cheap to see if I wanted to hike and now know its something I want to keep doing. Also I am still what the Dr's call on the heavy side so I want a mid high boot to help around the ankles. Not to sure if a shoe would be the way to go for a plump person.
TIA _________________ West Ham United Oi!
Not a big fan of Merrells myself, but I do have a pair of Phaser Peak 3d's that were real comfy and are in great condition after a few hundred miles of hikes.
I stopped wearing them after I found out that hiking boots aren't necessary, at least in most cases.
For your ankle concern... do you roll your ankles often? Do you have any ankle problems that necessitate a boot over a shoe? I ask because trail runners are, IMHO, really honestly superior to any boot for most dry conditions. I stopped rolling my ankles when I started wearing trail runners.
I wouldn't say I roll them easy, its probably more of a concern than anything. Do you use the same type of light hiking sock with the trail runners? I'm not really whining about the dirty feet, just wondering if that is a normal thing. I take my socks into the shower now after I go out just to soak and flush them out. I know what I'm looking for is just for day hikes not carrying any weight except for the belly, so the trail runners should fit the bill.
Thanks Taco
Any others? _________________ West Ham United Oi!
I wear Smartwool socks... dunno what model, but they're olive drab, and kinda mid-weight. I wear them as an inner sock in winter as well. If it's just a hike up Baldy or something non-bushwhacky etc etc, sometimes I wear regular white cotton socks. I don't think my feet get as dirty with the Smartwool socks, though I usually find a way to get really dirty regardless.
My first trail runners were Salomon AXA Pro 3D's, which were good, but they're mostly mesh, so dirt got in bigtime, and the outers wore out within one year. Got a pair of Merrell Chameleons afterwards, and they started falling apart pretty soon. Comfy, but the outsoles peeled off, and the insides bunched up at the toe for whatever reason. Ditched those POS's, got a pair of Goretex XA Pro 3D GTX's. Same as first pair, but goretex. Muy goodo. Great for winter, too. Wore those out, got some Salomon Speedcross 2's, which I still use now, despite their lack of any sole pattern. They're OK. Real lightweight. Gonna resole them with climbing rubber.
So...
-Salomon Speedcross 2's are my fav's for dry weather (despite them being made for wet/winter, they're not water resistant in the slightest). They also excel on 4-5th class stuff, 'cept edging.
-Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX for winter/wet.
Lotsa folks don't like Salomon, though. I've yet to have a negative experience in my three pairs of shoes. I dig the kevlar quick lacing system bigtime.
I have had a pair of those Merrels for almost two years, and they serve me well on hikes in the coastal foothills. I also wear them on the street when I am walking the dog, etc (I have them on right now).
But I don't use them in the mountains as I have tender feet and prefer to wear my mountaineering boots with a shank. I think if I wore them regularly on mountain trails they would only last a season or so. _________________ I'm aware that, for many people, a map holds neither meaning nor mystery. I can only hope, compassionately, that the rest of their existence isn't equally poverty-stricken.
- Colin Fletcher
merrells are the best thing i have done for my feet. other than hiking socks!
My last pair of chameleons took me hiking every weekend for the last 2 years till i killed them at charleston. I got a new pair of the same shoe it now has better tread/grip and gore-tex.
Thanks guys I will be looking at those and the trail runner idea Taco is talking about. Ill see how they feel and if I'm not into them just yet Ill get some type of boot like the Merrells.
So the dirty feet thing is just kinda par for the course than, no big deal I just thought I had some kinda dirt magnet in my feet. _________________ West Ham United Oi!
I love my set of Merrells. I spent an extra $30 bucks and bought a pair of Superfeet Green insoles. Hiking comfort has increased over 50% . _________________ "The Mountains are the means, the man is the end; the idea is to improve the man, not to reach the top of the mountain."
Walter Bonatti
Last edited by Kit Fox on Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:51 pm; edited 1 time in total
How long does everyone get out of a pair of boots? I seem to wear them out in 12 months, maybe 18 if I am lucky. Any recommendations on a boot that last 2 or more years.
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I will be looking at those and the trail runner idea Taco is talking about. Ill see how they feel and if I'm not into them just yet Ill get some type of boot like the Merrells.