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Hiking shoes
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Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Hiking shoes
- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 1 month ago by Lance.
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Feb 11, 2019 at 3:06 am #3577855
Hey everyone,
As many of us gear up for the 2019 season, I figured I’d get your opinions on hiking shoes. I’m in the market for a shoe that is a low top and has some form of waterproofing. I know that trail runners such as ultra’s or Brooks are becoming the thing, however I’m in need of something that is a bit more rigid.
I’ve had Salomon Ultra 2 low & mid in the past, which were great. I went with the Salwea Wildfire’s last year and they ended up giving me knee problems.
Thinking between Salomon or North Face..
Please share any thoughts you have.
Feb 11, 2019 at 3:57 am #3577861The first thought I have is, Why waterproofing? Your feet sweat. You walk through wet grass in the morning and streams all day long.
If I walk the dog for an hour, on a 18F day, on the snowy, wet beach in front of my house – yeah, waterproofed low-cut shoes may be the thing to wear.
But when it’s above freezing? When I’ll be hiking all day long? I go with the best ventilated shoes and the most quick-drying socks.
I do agree with low-cut shoes whenever I can use them, which, even here in Alaska, is most of the time.
I also agree with the right amount of the stiffness. For me, anything works for 10 miles in a day. Form 10-20 miles, it needs to have some stiffness of a lot of cushioning. Over 20 miles in a day, it needs to have a reasonably stiff sole or my foot feels beaten-up at the end of the day. The Salomons and a pair of Merrill’s (not sure of the model) have been working well for me.
Feb 11, 2019 at 12:28 pm #3577891I am also wondering why you would want waterproof shoes, here are some articles by Andrew Skurka
Minimizing the effects and aftermath of wet feet .
. Why “waterproof” shoes will not keep your feet dry .
. Complete failure: I gave “waterproof” Gore-Tex hiking shoes a second chance .
Do you have some sort of foot issue that requires you to wear stiff shoe? What do you wear on a normal day?
Feb 11, 2019 at 2:49 pm #3577897Thanks for the insights. I’ve never had an issue with my foot getting too hot or sweaty before. I mostly have GTX to keep out little puddles and such. It also seems to help keep dust and sand out of the shoes but I could be wrong.
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