Best road hiking shoe?

Sidis.

"Sidis." LOL! Road walking is also hard on your shoes — asphalt really destroys trail-specific rubber compounds. I'd find a good pair of road-specific running shoes with a fit as close as possible to your trail shoes – lots of brands make both. If you're worried about cushioning, maybe Hokas or Altras?

Sketchers, brah. Havent you seen what it does to yer butt?!? Seeeeex-yyyyy

Hoka … several different models.

Altras, for the marvellous toe box.

what size shoe do you wear?

I wondered about this. I never get blisters hiking, but I fried my feet walking a simple 5k on hot pavement, with big blisters on the balls of my feet. I was wearing Keen Briggs oxfords that I have worn at work and found very comfortable. I would lean to good cushioning and well ventilated.

"what size shoe do you wear" I wear size 11.

What's do you like about the Hokas Doug and Art?

Another vote for Altras. The wide toe box is great and they have models with different levels of cushioning (e.g. Superior, Lone Peak, Olympus).

I personally do not wear Hokas, but I know many ultra runners who do. their main thing is cushioning. they supposedly are like a rejuvenation shoe for the feet and lower legs when going long distances. on road, they would be ideal to combat the hard surfaces. on trail they excel on the downhill, absorbing shock and rocks in the trail. there are both trail and road version, but I think the main difference here is tread. why don't I wear them ? I run trail and tend to trip more than most people. their bigness would make me trip more on trail. most people do not have this problem though. if I was a long distance road person I would give them some serious consideration.

As Art said, it's the cushioning. I run (well waddle really) roads, and if it wasn't for Hokas I'd never get very far. I used to run in Asics (for years), but my knees starting getting pretty sore after runs. Hokas allow me to continue to run with minimal knee pain. I even bought a pair for backpacking in PA where there are lots of rocks on the trail – my legs felt better after that hike than a previous hike on the same trail. The one thing about Hokas you have to be aware of (like NB, really) is that some lasts are narrow, while others are a bit wider (which is what I need). I've had good luck with the Stinsons.

Good information. I appreciate it!