/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #121674

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10KiB, 366x266, arvada-mens-hiking-boots.jpg

!osOqgKQ8WE Thu 23 May 2013 05:13:13 No.121674 View View Reply Original Report

Quoted By: >>121692

Boot thread.

I was wondering, what are some good waterproof hiking boots? And by waterproof, I mean I could ford small streams in them. Right now I have some "waterproof" Coleman Arvadas (pictured), but water gets in really easily, mostly through the tongue (there are cracks on either side) but also through the actual layers of the boot. Today I went for a hike in some mud and my feet were sloshing around.

TL;DR boot thread what are some good *actually* waterproof hiking boots for backpacking etc etc

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO lowa Gtex.jpg, 52KiB, 500x500

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 05:19:30 No.121679 Report

Quoted By: >>121684

I Have used a pair of Gore-tex LOWAs for about a year and a half now, you can completely submerge to the neck in there without a drop getting in, and it pulls the moisture out of your wool socks, so no swamp foot like the regular waterproof boots

!osOqgKQ8WE

!osOqgKQ8WE Thu 23 May 2013 05:26:04 No.121684 Report

Quoted By: >>121688

>>121679
I'll look into those, thanks.
I was also looking at the Merrell MOABs, they seem to be an all-around well liked boot and are apparently very water resistant.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 05:32:29 No.121688 Report

Quoted By:

>>121684

Most Waterproof Boots do O.K. out of the Box
But they fade with usage, so you need to continue to Waterproof them.

I really like Gore-Tex boots because I don't need to Re-spray or coat them, the metal grommets for lacing also work better than some of the pre-laced sort.

I'd find a store that has a good return policy and give them a good 15-20 walk through before deciding.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 05:40:51 No.121692 Report

Quoted By: >>121695

>>121674

Also, if you are near Arvada, Golden Gate State Park is a good place to test those sorts of boots, especially this time of year with the melt at a pretty high level

!osOqgKQ8WE

!osOqgKQ8WE Thu 23 May 2013 05:44:14 No.121695 Report

Quoted By: >>121705

>>121692
N-no... I'm in Oregon ;_;

Also Coleman seems to deny the fact that they make these boots... I bought them 3 or so years ago but it seems like I should be able to find the boots SOMEWHERE online, but nope...

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 05:54:39 No.121705 Report

Quoted By: >>121717

>>121695

Retreat the boot leather with NikWax or a similar brand, as long as the tread is still good, don't get new boots if you like those.

If your looking for a summer pair, consider getting a Lite pair of ankle boots, they get wet and dry quickly instead of repelling water, and their much lighter, bring extra wool socks though.

!osOqgKQ8WE

!osOqgKQ8WE Thu 23 May 2013 06:38:28 No.121717 Report

Quoted By:

>>121705
These actually make for very nice summer boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 10:33:46 No.121774 Report

Quoted By: >>121805

Lowe and Meindl are good brands.

I don't want to start a new thread for my question, so I'll be hijacking your thread a bit, OP.

Recently I started using 2 pairs of socks with pretty good results. However now my boots a re a tad bit too small at the toes.
At least that's what I think it means when I get pain in my toes when descending and I can feel them stub.
I guess it's a retarded question, but I just wanted to make sure.

Because I figured, I just go to a local shoemaker and get them made half a shoesize larger.
Has anyone done this before? Would there be a way to reverse this?

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 10:39:26 No.121777 Report

Quoted By: >>121778 >>121806 >>121849

"Waterproof" boots are retarded. You want to cross streams, you carry sandals or crocs. Any waterproofing of boots to the point of being able to submerge them will compromise all their other aspects like weight, comfort, durability, etc.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 10:43:04 No.121778 Report

Quoted By:

>>121777
That may be true for light hiking, but if you're in alpine environment, possibly expecting snow, you're gonna need at least water resistant boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 12:49:29 No.121805 Report

Quoted By: >>121807

>>121774
If your boots are too short, there's not a goddamn thing a shoemaker can do.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 12:51:52 No.121806 Report

Quoted By:

>>121777
crossing streams isn't even a problem if your boots are leather (not goretex). Wet grass, a day-long rain and snow are conditions where you need water proof boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 12:52:19 No.121807 Report

Quoted By: >>121816 >>121819

>>121805
They're just a tiny bit too short. They fit perfectly when I wear only one pair of socks. And if a shoemaker can widen the shoes a bit, he can make them a bit longer too, right?

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:11:05 No.121815 Report

Quoted By:

You need a pair of full grain leather hiking boots. Get a pair with a one piece sewn in tongue, go to an outdoor store and try them on, they should have a ramp for you to walk up and down.

For waterproofing you need to treat the leather with with biwell if you can find it, or knickwax or whatever your preference is if you can't. Spend about half an hour per boot or your not doing it right. Pay special attention to the seams. Gortex liners are so boot makers can skimp on quality construction, I'd shy away from them.

As far as brands, asolo, merrel, raichle (think they're called mamut now), Solomon, etc.

Protip: try the boots on at a local outfitter to find your size. Then order off the net and save a lot of $.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO slavsquat.jpg, 57KiB, 600x450

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:19:47 No.121816 Report

Quoted By: >>121817

>>121807
No. He can widen them by sewing in some more leather somewhere on the side, or sewing the leather to the sole a few mm further out.
The length of the shoe is limited by the outsole.
If it's less than ~2mm (the thickness of a pair of socks), you can try the following (in descending order of risk to your boots):
>clip toenails
>lace shoes tight in the back, loose in front
>make a surgeon's knot between the last lace loops and the first tightening hooks (this pushes your heel further back, giving you more room in front)
>stretch the leather: wear 2-3 pairs of socks, put on shoes, soak them in water, slavsquat (pic related) for as long as you can a few times, walk around for as long as you can. Then completely stuff the shoes with newspapers and let them dry.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:22:33 No.121817 Report

Quoted By:

>>121816
Hmm, I see.
Thanks.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:26:15 No.121819 Report

Quoted By: >>121820

>>121807
He may be able to block and stretch them, but will probably tell you it's not a good idea as you're stretching the leather because the sole isn't getting any bigger.

What kind of socks are you wearing? Rag wool and polypro? Try a thinner merino with a silk liner, a little pricey but worth it (when I was younger and poorer I asked for this kind of stuff for Christmas. I overheard my mom telling my grandmother once "no, he really wants socks and underwear" of course the socks were $30 a pair and the underwear $50). If its warmer switch the silk for coolmax.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:29:22 No.121820 Report

Quoted By: >>121827

>>121819
Ski socks on the outside and silk liners on the inside. Tried out cotton dress liners, too.
In either case, I'll pass the shoemaker on my way later anyway. I'll just ask him.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 13:45:18 No.121827 Report

Quoted By:

>>121820
Here's an idea:
cut off the toe section of your ski socks. Sew around the cut to prevent fraying.

!osOqgKQ8WE

!osOqgKQ8WE Thu 23 May 2013 14:55:07 No.121849 Report

Quoted By:

>>121777
The reason why I've asked for this is because I went for a hike in the misty forest yesterday and was merely stepping through some puddles, mud, and a creek and my feet were SOAKED and I was sloshing around in my boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 23 May 2013 15:21:03 No.121855 Report

Quoted By: >>122180

Russell. Yes, it's expensive, once. Yes, it's worth it.

Order one with a minimal wedge sole and ease yourself in to barefoot walking in the five month waiting period. Right way to do it is to start off walking entirely barefoot short distances, like a third or a half of a mile, and work up. "Easing in" with semiminimal shoes or even full minimal shoes but full intensity is exactly the wrong way to do it – to a very large extent it's about learning to listen to your body's feedback, and you most need that feedback when you're starting to prevent injury.

!osOqgKQ8WE

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO highcountryhunterlg.gif, 33KiB, 200x221

!osOqgKQ8WE Fri 24 May 2013 00:32:02 No.122180 Report

Quoted By: >>122198

>>121855
This shit?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 May 2013 01:14:30 No.122198 Report

Quoted By: >>122279

>>122180
Not nescesarilly that model, but yes, that company. Their website is shitty and they make some bizarre stuff, but they're the best boots in the world, bar none.

!osOqgKQ8WE

!osOqgKQ8WE Fri 24 May 2013 02:50:12 No.122279 Report

Quoted By:

>>122198
What's so great about them, and also what kind do you have

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 5018-297_BRN00_view1_720x720.jpg, 56KiB, 720x720

Anonymous Fri 24 May 2013 03:06:17 No.122290 Report

Quoted By: >>122316

anybody have any experience with the La Sportiva Thunder GTX boot?
I'm considering getting it next

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 May 2013 03:41:17 No.122316 Report

Quoted By: >>122320

>>122290
It's a good quality goretex hiking boot. If that's what you're after, and more importantly if it fits, go for it.
If I were looking for a goretex boot, I wouldn't fixate on a certain model but rather go to a store and try on different ones until I find the best fit.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 May 2013 03:45:29 No.122320 Report

Quoted By: >>122330

>>122316

I actually have absurdly narrow feet for a guy, and was told somewhere that this particular boot is pretty narrow. I'm defs going to MEC to try a pair on at some point

REI Guy

REI Guy Fri 24 May 2013 03:56:44 No.122330 Report

Quoted By: >>122335

>>122320
Most La Sportivas run narrow/low volume.

I'd also say check out Vasque and Scarpa.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 24 May 2013 04:10:05 No.122335 Report

Quoted By:

>>122330
Thanks. I will check out some offerings from them as well.
I did try out a pair of Vasque Breeze at one point but even they were too roomy. I may have to get some inserts or soemthing

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