Need advice on lightweight boots

Despite you giving a fairly descriptive collection of feature points, people here WILL advise you that you only need trail runners. that you dont really need waterproof boots. that you dont need ankle support. etc etc etc.

Just a heads up.

Any recommendation anyone gives you is from their own point of view. It is based on their foot size, shape, and depth. It is based on the terrain they hike on. It is based on how long and how far they hike, under their loads.

Again, just a heads up.

I have good luck with Merrells, personally. I like they way they fit, especially the Chameleons. However, as a mid, they are probably too heavy.

Kayland make excellent boots, though a bit spendy. As of right now, they dont have any boots up on their website. For some reason they take donw all pics of last years models without having next years models up yet.

Keen makes pretty good stuff. One of the few makers to build shoes using eVENT (FWIW, Kayland uses eVENT too). The Targhee Mid II seems to meet all of your criteria ($120, 2.12lbs per pair, mid height, eVent waterproof. Not sure about the sole on the boots, but the Keen sandals are pretty stiff, so I would assume the boot soles would be too).

Good luck finding what your looking for.

If you have a medium to higher volume foot, particularly through the instep, Lowas will likely meet all your requirements without the rigidity or break-in time of the Asolo FSN's.

The Lowa Kody is a fabric/leather option, GTX, 2# 6 oz (in sz 9), and $160. The Lowa Renegade is an all leather option, GTX, 2# 3 oz (in sz 9), and $180. I've had tremendous success with my Lowas, though I go with lighter weight low cuts during most of my summer hiking.

Shawn gives good advice from his experience as an REI footwear specialist.

If you would like to survey the footwear field in all its glory, the latest issue of Backpacker is its Gear Issue and has complete stats on over 480 pieces of footwear. You could drool for a week perrusing this issue.
My own preferences are to recommend that you look at Merrells and Montrail in the mid height models. One thing about "waterproof" footwear is that they retain your foot's sweat and heat despite the claim of being "breathable". One often ends up as wet inside the boot as if you stepped in a puddle with no way to dry out the boot. If these are your general purpose boots, then you may want to reconsider the waterproof criteria. If you are committed to the "waterproof" criteria then look for XCR or event lined footwear. Best of Luck!

BH, I use Inov-8 330 trail runners with a light pack. When I am carrying items for my group and pack weight is heavy, I wear Montrail Torre GTXs (mid); they are a perfect fit for my foot; evidenced by the fact I never have to think about my feet during a hike. Montrail makes a synth/leather version called the Torre GTX(goretex) at 52oz/pair. (heavier than what you wanted..)

Shawn's recommendation makes me want to try the Kodys next time Im in REI.

The Targhee Mid II is a good bet IMHO. The only reason I'm waiting to see how other hikers like them is that on two pair of Targhees that I had the soles began to come off. If you'll notice: the "tabs", where the sole wraps up around the side of the boot, face forward. This design feature look really cool but subjects the "tabs" to a real beating, and the "tabs" began to peel back. I cleaned and reglued the "tabs" mulitple times but they'd just start to come off again. I wish Keen would fix this by redesigning the sole. Other than that Keen's use of eVent in a light weight boot, with such a generous toe box, produces a really comfortable boot.

My winter boot of choice is the Brasher Supalight. Quite pricy, especially with import duties. They're quite stiff enough while feeling like bedroom slippers, and they only weigh 2# the pair.

I have a pair of the Timberland Cadion Waterproof Mid XCR and I really like the fit. Weight is only 2 lbs 3 oz. As far as waterproof boots go they have done phenomenal by me. Only part I don't like is how hard it is to get the laces in their "quick" connect thingies.

That said, when I bought them I thought I needed something Gore-tex and more ankle protection for scree but find myself wishing for more breathability than any goretex shoe can offer and leaning more toward trail runners.

JR- Thanks for your introductory comments re: UL foot wear "philosophy". Actually, in many cases I exactly agree with what you've said, I just want my gear closet stocked with boot and trail runner options.

-BH

I found that my new Merrell Chameleon Wrap mid gore-tex xcr's at just 3# per pair have been excellent…. just enough ankle support. I previously purchased the "non-wrap" version, and still have and wear them, too.

I have a pair of Lowa Renegades from 2001 that need to be replaced. The new version seems to have a different last, is stiffer and heavier. In other words Lowa broke them whem they tried to fix them.
I need a wide forefoot, narrow heel and low volume (ankle) – Just like the old Lowas.
Any suggestions?

I'm a big fan of Technicas. They have really nice boots, many of which are some of the lightest around. And their prices are good. The problem is finding them. There are few places that carry them.

Next would be Asolo. They tend to be somewhat heavier, but are hard to beat for quality.

"I need a wide forefoot, narrow heel and low volume (ankle) – Just like the old Lowas.
Any suggestions?"

Assuming you want to stay in the lightest weight possible, the Keen Targhee mid is worth a look, particularly for a narrow heel and wide forefoot. They're a bit lighter than the the Renegades also. You may also want to consider the Lowa Kody's though they are not quite as wide as the older Lowa Renegades.

La Sportiva Trango Trek fits the bill.

A belated reply-
Thanks for everyone's help on this topic. I am finally reporting back on what I found after shopping for boots.

My original post:
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I am looking for recommendations on backpacking boots. My criteria:
lightweight (under 3#/pair)
under $175
waterproof
provide ankle support (mid-height)
mod. stiff to stiff sole

I have considered Asolo FSN 95s. They fit all of the criteria except weight at 3#/pair. I would like to be at 2.5#/pair or below.
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I waited to get the Backpacker magazine gear guide
and used the suggestions here and their footwear charts and weights to try a few boots:

I wear size 10.5. I found that on average the boot weight changed by 1.5 oz for a full size up or down.

Boot / Size tested / Adv. weight(#,oz) / Actual weight(#,oz) / Sole Stiffness / Heel fit / Toe fit

Montrail Stratos / 11 / 2,5 / 2,6 / Mod. / Good / Toes hit on steep downhills
Asolo Voyager / 11 / 2,4 / 2,14 / Stiff / Good / Excellent
Keen Targhee Mid / 10.5 / 2,3 / 2,3 / Mod. / Good / Toes hit on steep downhills
Timberland Cadion Mid / 10.5 / 2,3 / 2,6.5 / Mod(-Stiff)? / Good / Excellent

I went with the Timberlands. They really held my feet well and kept my toes from hitting the front on downhills. I tested the waterproofing by submerging for 20 min and found not a leak. These boots have the highest tops and I think stiffest soles (by a slight margin) of the lightweight bunch with only a ~2 oz weight penalty.

Must be a misprint on the advertised weights of the Asolo Voyagers. Had I known their true weight, I never would have tried them. They are good heavy duty boots, though, if that's what you're after. Very stiff soles and high tops.

Hi; I'd go with Limmer Lightweights or Limmer UltraLights; nothing like an all-leather boot with a full glove leather lining for all season comfort & durability.

I was looking at the same question and came up with the following 1 The north face plasma boa xcr
2 keen targee 2
3 Salomon solaris gtx
Hope this helps .

How about the Inov-8 RocLite 390 GTX. 27.5 oz. per Pair. Waterproof. Available from REI at $150. May not have the stiff sole that you want, though. I, personally, love the feel that the Inov-8's give… not isolating one's senses from the ground.