/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #448023

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Hiking Boots

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 04:55:01 No.448023 View View Reply Original Report

Hey /out/,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm looking to get into some adventurering and day hiking and I was wondering what were some decent cheap hiking boots to start with.

The two I can get for sub-$50 that I've found so far are:

Hi-Tec Bandera (pic related), and Columbia Newton Ridge Plus.

What would /out/ suggest and what should I be looking for in an entry-level pair of boots?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 04:55:49 No.448024 Report

Quoted By: >>448032

You want leather.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:12:19 No.448032 Report

Quoted By: >>448230

>>448023
The best boot for you is the one that fits the best.
As >>448024 says, leather is desirable but you won't get good leather in that price range so don't fixate upon getting it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:12:21 No.448033 Report

Quoted By: >>448036 >>448230

>>448023
You don't wear boots, you wear lightweight trail running shoes.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:19:45 No.448035 Report

Quoted By: >>448039 >>448051 >>448054 >>449106

Continue saving money.
Footwear of any kind under $50 is going to be disposable.
Boots under $50 are going to be pure shit.
Boots and jacket are the two most important things you should own, if you're wet and your feet hurt it's going to be hard to enjoy yourself, plus a good pair of boots might last you 5 or 6 years, so they aren't all that expensive on when you consider the use you get out of them.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:21:11 No.448036 Report

Quoted By: >>448218

>>448033
I would normally agree with that, but where i live there is tons of rain and lots of standing water.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:24:56 No.448039 Report

Quoted By: >>448044 >>448045

>>448035
Okay, the columbia boots aren't retailed at $50, I'm getting a 50% discount, but my problem with them is that they have plastic lace loops at the top, which i think could be problematic. Do you have any particular things i should look for in boots? So far what I've learned is leather construction, with metal hardware, and a thick unflexible sole.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:36:58 No.448044 Report

Quoted By:

>>448039
A gusseted leather tongue, and no mesh stuff to let water in. Most boots these days have some kind of membrane but it's nice if you can waterproof the leather too.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 05:39:19 No.448045 Report

Quoted By:

>>448039
Those Columbias look pretty nice though, and at $50 it's a great deal. I would get those over the hi tecs.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 06:01:47 No.448051 Report

Quoted By: >>448056 >>448058 >>448067 >>448219 >>448225 >>448230

>>448035
Been wearing 40 dollar hiking boots for 3 years now. Man why is everyone so fixated on the whole "if you don't buy expensive stuff, you are just buying shit" mentality?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 06:07:43 No.448054 Report

Quoted By: >>448193 >>448230 >>449106

>>448035
>Footwear of any kind under $50 is going to be disposable.
>Boots under $50 are going to be pure shit.
If I buy a $20 pair of shoes or $170 pair of shoes they are both going to be falling apart within 6-18 months. I've had cheaper shoes last longer than some of the most expensive shoes I've purchased.

Same goes with boots. I had the steel toe on one of my $240 cutter boots literally fall off after only 3 months of working in the bush. Never happened to my $60 steel toes.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 06:09:03 No.448056 Report

Quoted By: >>448067

>>448051
They are preoccupied with conspicuous consumption and marketing.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 06:10:35 No.448058 Report

Quoted By:

>>448051
what boots?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 06:18:08 No.448067 Report

Quoted By:

>>448051

They determine their self worth with the possessions they own.

Also this >>448056

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 15:30:06 No.448193 Report

Quoted By:

>>448054
>Never happened
I've had so many problems with cheap boots that, over the last ten years or so, I've spent more and more on each new pair. I also learned that you have to wear the right kind of boot for the activity.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 15:37:25 No.448196 Report

Quoted By: >>448476 >>449231 >>449596

>Not the Salomon Quest 4D GTX
>Not wearing the boots Seal Team 6 wore to kill Osama

Doing it wrong.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 16:57:52 No.448218 Report

Quoted By: >>448224

>>448036
>tons of rain and lots of standing water
Then your feet will get wet no matter what unless you wear Muck boots or something.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 16:58:59 No.448219 Report

Quoted By:

>>448051
Same. Just put something on and get out there.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:10:30 No.448223 Report

Quoted By:

Hiking boots = ankle weights that will keep you dry untill water gets in then keep you wet

Unless its cold as fuck you should be wearing trail runners.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:13:21 No.448224 Report

Quoted By: >>448234 >>449236

>>448218
My trail runners are usually dry before a 1/2 mile. Boots are designed to stay wet once water inevitably gets in them. Hence their following among weekend warriors.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:15:13 No.448225 Report

Quoted By:

>>448051
Which long trails have you hiked? How far are your usual days?

My guess is none and sub 15 mile days.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:27:16 No.448230 Report

Quoted By:

>>448032
>you won't get good leather in that price range
You won't get good anything in that price range. But you can get Hi-tec Altitudes for $100 which are surprisingly decent.

>>448033
You wear what works best for your own feet and climate and trails. Stop telling other people what they do and don't need just because it works for you.

>>448051
> why is everyone so fixated on the whole "if you don't buy expensive stuff, you are just buying shit" mentality?
The cheapest tier stuff usually is shit, and if you actually go /out/ instead of just typing about it on 4chan you end up spending more to replace it than if you'd just bought something decent in the first place.

>>448054
Since everyone's outsourcing manufacturing to China these days, spending a lot on name brand boots is no longer a guarantee of good quality, but spending $50 on discount footwear is pretty much a guarantee of shit quality.

Agreed fabric shoes fall apart fast whatever they cost, which is why leather.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:31:19 No.448234 Report

Quoted By: >>448236 >>448238

>>448224
How do they get dry if they didn't get wet? My post was correct and you're just typing shit for its own sake.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:41:16 No.448236 Report

Quoted By: >>448244 >>448276

>>448234
are you seriously having a hissy fit? Your wrong in that getting wet is an issue at all. Sure with big water retaining boots it might be but if you've got the proper footwear for hiking, its not an issue.

Leave the boots to low mile day hikes and chopping wood in your yard.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:45:34 No.448238 Report

Quoted By: >>448244 >>448276

>>448234
also forgot to include that in lots of places its impossible to keep your feet dry. Go hike the AT. Every morning you will have wet feet regardless.

If you through hike the AT in boots and misjudge a rock crossing a stream, your boots will stay wet. Tell me "just dont get wet" is a realistic option for any serious hiking in appalachia or the PNW or any not desert really.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:54:35 No.448244 Report

Quoted By: >>448249

>>448236
>>448238
Way to sperg out. That's exactly what I said, birdbrain.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 1.jpg, 30KiB, 500x500

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:56:15 No.448248 Report

Quoted By: >>448264

I got a pair of Teva's for around 60 dollars and they're very nice. They're easily the most comfortable shoe that I've ever owned.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 17:58:12 No.448249 Report

Quoted By:

>>448244
well if your reading comprehension was any better youd get that there are shoes that dry out quickly and it doesnt really matter if they get wet. I hope youre out of school with all this standardized testing theyre throwing out there now.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 0.jpg, 28KiB, 480x360

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 18:03:27 No.448252 Report

Quoted By: >>448264

I went through two of these this summer leading the troubled utes. Incredibly sticky soles. First pair lasted 800 miles on and off trail. I have 2-300 on the second.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO DannerPronghorns2010deck.jpg, 81KiB, 1024x768

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 18:39:17 No.448264 Report

Quoted By: >>448268

>>448248
>>448252
Hey, thanks for actually posting some stuff.

I think trail shoes might be the way to go if your climate is warm enough. Teva has had some good ones, I have a pair of old New Balances that I'm going to have to replace soon, but have held up decently. As far as boots, Timberland actually does make decent stuff, but they're pretty pricey, so wait for a sale if you go that route. Same with Columbia and Danner. Stay away from Milsurp boots. Waste of time and money.

Now, if it's the summer, I'd say it doesn't matter as much whether or not things are water proof, it's how quickly they dry is the issue. Trail shoes are better for that imo. Cold weather is a different issue. Especially if there's snow, I run some 2010 Danner Pronghorns that I found during a sale at Cabelas. Leather, with a Goretex liner. Waterproofed the leather, and they've lasted me 2 winters. There were 2 versions of the Pronghorns in 2010, one that had an all leather exterior (I chose this one), and one that had a rubber toe cap. However, they updated the Pronghorns though, now they're no longer all leather and have some fabric on the siding aswell, and are made in China. I don't know about those. A shame, because I really liked mine.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 18:47:30 No.448268 Report

Quoted By:

>>448264
>I think trail shoes might be the way to go if your climate is warm enough.

certainly, 1lb on your feet = 5 on your back.
But I stay in for the winter.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 18:58:08 No.448273 Report

Quoted By: >>448274 >>448275

I got a pair of Lowas for $40 at REI Garage sale. They sell for $200. Fuckers never had been worn even. So far I like them. I haven't done much in them, though. I went to Lava Beds National Monument, and did light caving in them. They worked out well.
Look for sales, and REI Garage Sale.
And my boyfriend has cheap WalMart boots, and he likes them just fine. He doesn't use them that often, but they have held up for 5 years now. I think he paid $30 for them. Bass Pro has sales on their Red Head boots a lot too. Check them out. Find what works for you. Also size the fuck up. I wear a womens 9, and had to get a 9.5 in mens Lowas. You want to be able to stand on a rock with your toes facing the ground, and your toes not to touch the front of the shoe. This is at least how they do it at Bass Pro and REI. It makes sense. You don't want your toes rubbing the front of the boot. Because of that I had to get 2 sizes bigger.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO boots.jpg, 178KiB, 750x1000

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 18:59:31 No.448274 Report

Quoted By:

>>448273
I meant to post a pic like this,
Basically opposite of what she is doing in the pic.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:00:28 No.448275 Report

Quoted By: >>448287

>>448273
>REI
They got good deals on last season stuff online. Also, for most things cheap boots will work but once you start putting miles on them you're taking chances. They can work out though, its just a boot.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:03:05 No.448276 Report

Quoted By: >>448295

>>448236
>>448238
FIDF please go
just because you like your trailrunners doesn't mean everyone else does

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:09:59 No.448277 Report

Quoted By: >>448299

>>448023
Why does everyone who starts gear threads want to always talk about cheap shit? I wish someone would actually start a gear thread about the best gear there is, or the best gear for some application, for once.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:23:22 No.448287 Report

Quoted By: >>448477

>>448275
I'm starting to fall in love with REI. They're return policy is awesome. You can buy some boots, wear them a few months, and return them if they don't work out. That's why they have so many shoes at the Garage Sales.

OP, if you have an REI in the area I would check them out. I'm looking at Big 5's weekly add right now, and they have some inexpensive boots. I don't know how well they will work out, but it's worth a look.
http://big5sportinggoods.com/store/ways+to+save/Weekly+Ad

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:36:47 No.448295 Report

Quoted By: >>448297 >>448608 >>449125

>>448276
>just because you like 20 mile days and not being a weekend warrior.

ok i get you its subjective. youre one of those inflatable kayak types arent you?

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:40:42 No.448297 Report

Quoted By: >>448299

>>448295
contain your autism. stop trying to internet wrassle me

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 14 Jan 2015 19:43:06 No.448299 Report

Quoted By:

>>448277
because people like this guy who've never seen a long trail.
>>448297

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 15 Jan 2015 02:46:37 No.448476 Report

Quoted By: >>448611

>>448196
Those ones are super pricey but Solomon does make nice boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 15 Jan 2015 02:47:37 No.448477 Report

Quoted By:

>>448287
This. If you get there early enough, you can find some amazing deals at the monthly garage sales.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 15 Jan 2015 06:37:59 No.448608 Report

Quoted By:

>>448295
Fuck off jesus christ
I just did 77 miles of the AT over 6 days last month. I wore all-leather boots that weigh about 2 pounds each.
>EAT
>MY
>ASS

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 15 Jan 2015 06:39:57 No.448611 Report

Quoted By: >>448690

>>448476
Since when is $230 "super pricey" for backpacking boots? It's definitely on the high end but I would expect to pay close to $200 at least for a good pair of boots.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 15 Jan 2015 12:25:57 No.448690 Report

Quoted By:

>>448611
I usually just wait until the next year's model comes out. Now that the Quest 4D GTX II is out, you can get the original version for like $180 or less.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 02:37:14 No.449106 Report

Quoted By:

>>448054
>>448035
Get some $350 Solovairs.
Amazing leather, amazing steel-toe, amazing comfort right out of the box.

Made by the company that originally did the skinhead/Doc Marten boots but they continued manufacturing in England when Doc's moved to China.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 02:41:26 No.449110 Report

Quoted By:

I just picked up some almost brand new merrel moab ventilator mids for 10 bucks at a thrift store.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO FQ0007901_LARGE.jpg, 19KiB, 440x440

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 02:45:44 No.449114 Report

Quoted By: >>449127 >>449185 >>449665

im gunna hike the entirety of AT in these

am i fuck?

http://www.rockyboots.com/rocky-mens-boots/rocky-basics-gore-tex-waterproof-military-boot-temperate/FQ0007901.html?dwvar_FQ0007901_color=24#prefn1=size&prefn2=size&prefv2=6&prefv1=6&start=1

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 02:51:50 No.449121 Report

Quoted By:

http://www.americanmadeworkboots.com/hiking/belleville-hiker-950/

Anyone have any experience with these bellevilles?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 02:57:34 No.449125 Report

Quoted By:

>>448295
>just because you like 20 mile days and not being a weekend warrior.

Is this supposed to sound impressive?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 03:15:00 No.449127 Report

Quoted By:

>>449114

please help

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 05:15:44 No.449185 Report

Quoted By: >>449195

>>449114
If you're used to hiking in high boots then I think they'll be fine. They look like pretty good quality. The beginning of a 2200 mile hike is not the time to experiment with footwear, though.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 05:48:12 No.449195 Report

Quoted By:

>>449185

i got them a while ago; just wanted to know if id be alright wearing them

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 07:52:04 No.449231 Report

Quoted By: >>449596

>>448196
I hike in these and they're great. I work at an outfitter and when I'm recommending my boots I always say "These boots killed Bin Laden!". Gets a pretty good laugh.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO 5080.jpg, 240KiB, 700x509

Anonymous Fri 16 Jan 2015 09:11:15 No.449236 Report

Quoted By:

>>448224
>Boots are designed to stay wet once water inevitably gets in them.

Confirmed for never having hiked in jungle boots

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO FRMC-900_zoom.jpg, 34KiB, 600x331

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 04:59:34 No.449587 Report

Quoted By: >>449658

Does anyone hike regularly in neoprene boots? I'm pretty new to this and I was looking at replacing my cheap sneakers with the Muck Boot Excursion Pro Mid boots.

I was looking at those over leather boots due to a lot of my activity being in relatively marshy areas with around a half an inch of water/mud. Are there obvious downsides to using neoprene boots outside of that situation, like on relatively dry trails?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 05:33:33 No.449596 Report

Quoted By: >>449608

>>448196
>>449231
>military issue so they must be good
Kek.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 06:09:18 No.449608 Report

Quoted By: >>449664

>>449596

>implying special forces use general issue shit and don't use whatever the fuck they want.

top kek.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 08:18:58 No.449658 Report

Quoted By:

>>449587
Neoprene boots are usually a "one size fits all" type of boot. Sure they're great for walking around in marshes. I personally use muck boots when I'm duck hunting. But if you're doing any serious hiking, I'd stick to actual boots that you can adjust and lace up, and those shift to your foot over time.
I live in North Arkansas and have hiked the Ozarks and Ouachitas, and our weather is pretty damp in the fall and winter months. My favorite pair of boots is a pair of Vasque that Ive had for 4-5yrs and I applied a waterproof coating

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 08:38:41 No.449664 Report

Quoted By: >>449727 >>449733

>>449608
>implying you prove this
>implying you aren't fuckin twelve year sold

premiumkek

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 08:45:39 No.449665 Report

Quoted By:

>>449114
Yeah, you're fucked. Naw JK I rocked those in Afghanistan. Good enough.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 15:57:23 No.449727 Report

Quoted By:

>>449664
It's true. A simple google search will point you in the right direction, pumpkin.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO aak.sized.jpg, 70KiB, 800x533

Anonymous Sat 17 Jan 2015 16:08:02 No.449733 Report

Quoted By:

>>449664

Good argument.

Really though, people in special ops have a higher degree of autonomy when choosing their footwear as long as it meets certain guidelines (eg: no flip-flops)

They often just buy what feels right for them. That's why the guy who killed Bin Laden was wearing Salomons and why these guys are wearing Merrells.

They're not general issue. Go to bed.

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