I live in Florida and of course the terrain I am camping and hiking in is pretty flat. Plus add the temperatures in the summer and boots get really hot. So I am looking at getting some shoes instead. Does any one have a brand / model to recommend?
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I live in Florida and of course the terrain I am camping and hiking in is pretty flat. Plus add the temperatures in the summer and boots get really hot. So I am looking at getting some shoes instead. Does any one have a brand / model to recommend?
Merrell Moabs have served me well. Ventilated, not too hot, almost like wearing a sneaker.
It is important to choose the correct footwear for what you are doing. I see issues with this a lot. If you do research on hiking boots (all types) you will see that most are rated for the load that you are wearing. This is based on the weight that you will carry and the support that the Hiker will give you. I see people all the time wearing super lightweight hikers (Merrell MOABs) while wearing a full KIT (body armor and a light pack). Not good for you feet and legs. If you are just going to be hiking without carrying much weight (CamelBak with some snakes) I would say go for a very lightweight hiker such as the MOAB. If you are going to carry a pack with some weight look at a medium hiker such as the Merrell Sawtooth.
Keen Voyageurs.
Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra MID's. Most comfortable lightweight hiker I have ever owned. I have never gone cheap on my footwear (Asolo, Lowa, Danner), and these are as good as it gets in my book. They are now on sale @ REI for $120: http://www.rei.com/product/811331/sa...ing-boots-mens
They also make a low top version as well: http://www.rei.com/webservices/rei/D...:referralID=NA
+ 1 MOAB
I also use the MOAB. I go backpacking about once a month and I carry a pack, 2 man tent, sleeping bag, extra socks, extra underwear, extra shirts, etc etc etc. My pack weight is around 35lbs. I have zero issues with the MOAB. I live in Virginia and hike in the mountains, but even still my merrell's hold up and my feet are extremely comfortable with a good pair of smart wool socks, or REI wool socks.
Lots of options out there. I'm a fan of Merrells and have several variations for temp and activity. My daily wears are the Radius, low or mid. The Moab Ventilators are very light, breathe well, and are super comfortable. Also available in both low and mid height.
I wore my Merrells doing the FL tourist thing last year. Lots and lots of walking, and my feet were GTG.
+1
My backpacking loadout is usually 25 lbs (summer) and 30 lbs (winter). I have blown through 3 pairs of MOABs, and they are my favorite all around shoe. The original insole is lacking IMO, so I always use Superfeet.
I like Salamon for wet weather or treks where you know you will be crossing a lot of water. I have wet-out both Merrell and Salamon and never got a blister on high-mile days. The Merrells are pretty heavy when they are completely wet-out.
In the end, it is your foot.
Give a look at Inov8 roclite series here http://www.inov-8.com/Products.asp?PG=PG1&L=27 I have been wearing the 295's for about a year and love everything about them. Light, breathable, and comfortable on the long hikes.
Salomon's are also great I wore them for years but just recently switched. I dont like goretex (makes my feet too hot) but they do have the Salomon XA pro 3D ultra in non goretex. Always very comfortable on the long hikes.
Vibram Five-fingers Treksports for me! Getting ready for an 85 mile trip and that is all I'll be wearing. Heavy hiking shoes are a thing of the past.
Here is Kyle Defoor's recommendations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QxCJMcRMsE
+1 for Salomon Quest 4D GTX or Comet 3D GTX Premium
http://www.zappos.com/salomon-quest-...ahn-black-flea
http://www.zappos.com/salomon-comet-...mp-black-thyme
I wear my Asolos (Flame and Fugitive) in the heat with a lighter weight sock and they do fine. I have always favored the support of a heavier boot no matter the temperature though.
I've had most of them out there, Oakley SI's (the good ones), Lowa, OTB Bushmaster,
OTB Thor, Merrell's, Addias GSG9's, Danner, ASOLO, Meindl et alia.
Salomon Quest 4D GTX have been the most comfy & coolest boots I have had to date.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2..._2409Large.jpg
on my Dawgs for 14+ hours a day some days & no probs.
imo, superb boot.
HTH........
As an update, I pulled the trigger on a pair of MOABs for my son and I. Like me he has drastically different feet. We tried on our shoes last night and were satisfied. I will say that the MOABs are comfortable but they feel different. Not in a bad way, but different. I am gonna look for arch supports tomorrow.
I've had numerous pairs of Merrell's and am happy with them every time.
I always make it a point to go to roadrunner for the experience and 60 day policy.
Returned two with no hassle.
I formerly wore everything Merrell because my mom works for them, but in the last year I bought two pairs of Salomon shoes.
The 3D Fastpacker Mid is awesome but sock selction is important. My feet sweat like crazy in them(with a cheap sock).
For warm weather, light loads, and every day wear I love the Solomon XA Comp 4 (no Goretex) which may have been discontinued.
Reading the reviews at REI, the Salomon's appear to be having problems recently with a plastic part breaking.
If you want a light pair for just knocking around, try Colemans Galatin boots. They are light weight and are low cut.
I have diabetic issues with my feet and have tried various brands, my employer pays for Worx work boots and I find them too heavy for every day use but the Galatins with an insole from New Balance look like the answer for me.
I hike regularly in rough, mountainous terrain in a pair of Asolo TPS 520 GV Hiking Boots. I like my ankles to have support since rolling them is a real possibility almost every step. I will second what was mentioned earlier in that I have seen several Tier 1's in Salomon's and they recommended them.
+1 for the Merrell Moabs.
I also have the gortex Merrell Chameleon for cooler weather. Neither have ankle support, but are great for light hiking or camping.
Just a report on the moabs I bought. One week at Scout camp in Alabama and they held up great walking all over the place over rolling (for the most part) terrain with a very light load.
I have and wear the XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX almost daily.
My issue came with heavy use. The lace system has failed on each shoe with almost daily use over a period of about 6 to 8 months. I called and got free replacement laces, but they are not of the same durability as the original laces. It could be a pretty big issue out in the field as the eyelets are too small for 550 cord or anything else I had on hand.
I prefer the Quest or the Wings Sky model from Salomon.
I wear moabs all the time for hikes and packs lighter than 35lbs. And love them. But for heavier packs I'm using the Danner combat hikers. Extremely durably so far and comfortable with a 60lbs pack. One of the few Danner boots still made in the USA.
I tend to prefer the Refuge Core line from Merrell. They have lows, mids, vented, non-vented, and waterproof versions of them. Super comfy, excellent shock absorption, and pretty lightweight.
I have been wanting to try Salomons for some time now but haven't done so yet. I hear nothing but great things about them.
Would any of the shoes/boots described in this thread be good for someone with low/no arches who does not want arch support? I am looking for a good pair of shoes in this style, but find any shoe with much, if any, built in arch support to be pretty uncomfortable.
Thanks.
What's the intended purpose?
If its for backpacking, I think you would be hard pressed to find something without arch support.
If its for light hiking or trail running or whatever else...look into the "barefoot" options like the Merrell Trail Glove, Vibram Five Fingers, or one of New Balances Minimus shoes.
Light hiking/trail running/general wear. I will look into those (except the five fingers because I just can't get past the toes). Thanks very much.
Same here that's why I will be getting a pair of the Trail Gloves
Just a note...If you really care about the "barefoot" feel, then the NB Minimus has a 4mm heel lift while the Trail Glove has none. But I heard that the NB has slightly more protection for the soles of your feet but I still think I, personally, will go with the Trail Gloves.
I can't say I really know from the barefoot feel. I will try and find someplace where I can try them both on. Thanks again.
I have been wearing Merrell Trail Gloves for about 3 months. Great shoe. I ditched my Vibram 5-Finger TrekSports for them. I run on the treadmill with the Trail Gloves and never get hot spots like I did with the 5-fingers.
IMHO, this is the best product Merrell has come out with in a while.