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Read and heard enough accounts online of Whites quality deteriorating. If you want to larp lumber sexual for hiking, go for it. The biggest decline I've seen has been obvious flaws in boot rebuilds.
But there always has to be the dungeons and dragons guy recommending the bulkiest boots for hiking.
If you have to, go for Nick's instead or another Whites offshoot in Spokane now.
The firefighters with injuries have ditched their Whites and gone to dogshite Danners just because it's lighter and a less clunky boot, even if the durability is worse.
But every month there's a new boot thread, and another tough guy recommending shit straight out of his goth steampunk collection to hike in. I swear, this guy watches every survival channel on YouTube with chunky neckbeards plotting out the end of days, wifout rule of lawr keef.
If you are looking for boots less than 4 lbs, go for Norwegian M77 or Lundhags she'll boots. The intention is you double up on socks for insulation instead of relying on foam cushioning. Lundhags can resew the entire lower back on since the bottom is a plastic rubber, probably polyurethane.
Schnees has a similar concept to Lundhags with their Pac Boots, but they are much heavier. Made in USA though.
If you go welted, Limmer Boots sells some noncustom versions made by a German company, Meindl, and repairs are fairly cheap for welted footwear.
If not /out/ larpivalist, then just go with trail runners or minimal footwear and build your foot and leg muscles. I use Xeros and boat shoes in PNW, and it's fine for most occasions.
AFBoots also gets an honorable mention as the shoemakers that used to make Timberlands before they sold out. It's a little shop in Tennessee, and mostly does repairs since one of the owners passed away recently. They use thick leather for the upper and have it direct attached by Thorogood/Weinnbrenner. My only complaint is sole is too chunky for my taste. Australian made Mongrel/Redback as also pretty decent for polyurethane.
