booots.

Where are you located that you would need Gore-tex? Everyone in here will tell you that gore-tex on boots/shoes is a waste of time because if water does get in there it won't be coming out very easy unlike non waterproof boots/shoes. Is their a reason your going for boots as opposed to trail runners? have you considered trail runners?

i live in western pa.. maybe just a newby move wanting the gore or whatever… trail runners i have considered-> I was thinking at least a low boots would be preferable for running with a 20-30lb pack? I could be mistaken in my whole approach though

I'm also a newb here and still some what lurking but I will tell you this much I am listening to everything these guys/girls are saying because believe me they have tested all this gear. That said, they will also say that it all comes down personal preference. I switched from some lite weight boots by Vasque with goretex to some La Sportiva Wildcats (non waterproof) and they are amazing. I have crossed rivers in them and water just gushes out as you walk and they dry quickly. Hope that helped.

P.s. don't forget the great thing about REI is if you don't like it bring it back.

ok thanks Cody! would a trail runner be ok for 20-30 .lbs though?

So I don't get ripped a new one for this. I live in California where the climate is much different and have no experience with trail runners in humid/rain prone areas just dry climate. I would imagine it would still be best to have the breath-ability though & would wait for someone with experience to vouch for this.

As far as the weight load goes on my last 3 day 45 mile trip I started out with a 26 pound pack with loppers, food, water & gear and it was great. This was also a trip where going across creeks and rivers without getting wet couldn't be avoided so I just started walking through them and they dried very fast. I also wear some wright socks and bring another pair to rotate which work very well.

Trail runners are fine for 30# but in my experience, the bottoms of my feet didn't like the rocks poking up at all. I gave up trail runners for a trail shoe (flexible low boot) I get the protection I need, with ventilation and weight only somewhat compromised. It made my feet smile

Jeff I'm hoping you could give me more information on what you mean by the rocks poking up. With my Wildcats I haven't had any problems with this issue; now if I wore by Vibram Five Fingers I can totally vouch for that.

ok thanks guys!
someother concerns:

-Trail blazing in snow

-hiking in cold weather; wet feet for this seems painful..

I had Salomon XT wings and comp 4s and they both had me feeling every rock all the time. Maybe its just Salomons- they're the only brand of actual trail runners I've tried. I even cut out thin plastic shank for the forefoot and my feet were swollen pretty fierce.

I tried on the Wildcats. I really wanted them but they were too wide in the front. Next size down was too short. I just got some Garmont Momentums that seem to be breathable. I could feel the wind through them the other day. Haven't hiked w/ them yet.

-Nico- In snow I use GTX boots, but many folks here use tyvek overbooties. Look in the Winter Footwear articles by Will Reitveld (sp) they are a wealth of knowledge

ok thanks i will! What about the pearl zumis @ rei http://www.rei.com/product/804740

I've used a pair of the Montrail Sabino Trail Mid GTX all winter. I really like them. If they made the same shoe without Gore-Tex, I'd buy pair or three to use for the rest of the year.

The Sabino Trail Mid GTX is my first pair of Montrails. I'm not sure if their sole compound is the same between models, but they seem to be wearing pretty well. Not good on the ice (not a surprise), and not very sticky on wet rock. Fell on my ars3 curling last weekend and slipped 6 months ago on a day hike, landing on my elbow. Elbow is still sore if I hit it just right when levering myself up! The are wearing pretty well, though- ~400 miles on them and the tread pattern is still there. The usual trade off with trail shoes, I suppose.

IMHO, Gore-Tex footwear is a bad idea outside winter. Even if you are interested in keeping liquid water out during the warmer seasons, your feet will inevitably end up wet and, unlike a shoe made of a breathable air mesh upper, the water won't easily drain.

For day hikes and casual use, the Gore-Tex isn't a big deal. Did a lot of walking on a two-week long business trip to Florida last month, with temps in the 70s and 80s everyday. It was more comfortable than I expected it to be, but the experience reinforced my opinion of Gore-Tex's place in shoes- I really wouldn't want to wear them for 6-10 hour hikes in > 60 F for a days on end.

Good luck on your quest! :)

First of all, many of us hike in the lightest low-cut non-GTX footwear we can find. In extreme terrain. Boots are obsolete.

Trail blazing in the snow: Goretex socks and Goretex gaiters are good here. For extreme cold, overboots may be needed. We have technical articles on this at BPL.

Hiking in cold weather: keep your legs warm and you will have no problems with your feet. Hot blood circulates. Wearing shorts in the snow … is plain silly.

Cheers

Both. Not all trips require boots. Not all trips are appropriate for trail runners. You really want both in your lineup.

Hiking mostly in the ADK's, I often use boots for the high peaks. These were Timberland chukkura lowcuts and weigh 1#6 on my scale. For flatter, less rugged terrain, I use one of several pair of sneakers(trail runners.) This weigh ~15ounces by my scale. They were advertised as 1#9 and 14oz respectivly, but it wasn't so. Anyway, the 7oz difference is not that bad.

For canoe camping I use a light sandal with a full toe box. (Less hiking, more water.)

There are lots of shoes, most will not fit you. TRY some on before buying. If they do not fit comfortably, out of the box, continue looking. It doesn't mater what I say are my preferences, only because I don't have any. I pick a shoe that fits. If it doesn't, I move on. I typically spend a full day shoe shopping. Well worth it in my opinion. Fit is the most important part of any good footwear. Every foot is different. Please, do not by Lowa because they make good boots. Do not buy Merrel because they are popular. Buy a shoe to FIT. Whatever the brand or maker. Your feet will thank you. This should be your *first* and primary requirement. Weight makes a distant second choice. Light is good, but not required in this case. Start by checking light shoes, carry a note pad and rate your fit and comfort. Again, FIT is everything with shoes. DO NOT buy anything till you have been to three stores and tried at least 4 different manufacturers shoes.

Nico, first, James is on the money. Fit is the most important factor. Every shoe manufacturer uses a different last (boots and normal dress shoes)or mid-sole (sneakers, trail runners, etc). These are the middle bottom layer you can't see that forms the actual shape of the shoe. Every company's is a bit different. In dress shoes i know i can put on a pair of Johnston and Murphy's in size 11 and walk away comfortable before i ever put them on. In hiking boots it is Merrill in size 12 for me. One of my sons loves Saloman mid-anythings in size 13. They will fit and he loves the bit of extra ankle protection you need on the AT in Maryland and Pennsyltucky. My older son, on the other hand, loves his Vasque Breeze trail runners and has logged many hundreds of miles in them on the AT and in the Rocky Mountains alike. I must not be as careful as my older son or Roger, because around here i bang the heck out of my ankles when hiking in my low-cut TNF hedgehogs (bought on a whim a few years ago), the mid-gtx in gore tex (i think gore-tex is a joke that has been played on outdoor enthusiasts for many years, btw)are my choice in the rocky glacial morraine mid and north atlantic states. i also use low gaiters on almost every trip to keep pebbles and sand and sticks out. some would say that is over kill, but i love em. In the end, go to different stores and try at least 3 pairs of whatever on at each of them, wear your favorite and intended sock configuration. Mine is liners and smart wool trekkers. Big big mistake not wearing the right socks when doing this. Also, make sure to leave the width of your little finger at the end of your toes and lace up snug for those brutal downhill toe smashers. Your trail shoes should not fit like your city/street shoes do at all. Lastly, i have many friends who have taken well used boots back to REI and exchanged them for a better fitting pair. So buy there until you know your fav shoe co. Good shopping!

alright thanks a lot guys! Fit has been my priority thus far with weight a close second… i spent some hours at rei yesterday trying on all they had to offer and ended with the Merrill moabs feelin maybe 7 out of ten in comfort and the lowas i tried feelin a good 8 or 9. Salomans as a rule hurt my arches..
The problem is they don't have many of the light weight trail runners on site. I am unaware of any other place except maybe Dick's sporting goods that even has worthwhile outdoor foot wear here in western pa. I think i am just gonna have to point and shoot on the rei website, and if they don't fit, return and repeat.

Anyone tried those Zumi's i mentioned?