An expert hiker and professional guide shares his favorite hiking shoes and hiking boots.
I have worked as a professional mountain guide for a little over a decade. On average I climb, hike, ski and run six days a week which means that any given week, I will probably wear four or five different pairs of shoes and boots. Looking back over the years with all the gear I depend on and wear through, I can usually remember the shoes I was wearing, for better or for worse. Shoes are so important to what I do; they make up about 70% of my overall gear budget. So, don’t underestimate shoes—they have the biggest impact on the quality of your mountain adventure. Yes, I love shoes.
So, with that said, Onlineshoes.com has a couple of gems available that I would like to highlight. To start, the Vasque Sundowners. These boots bring back fond memories. As probably the most classic and versatile hiking boot ever made, these things have stood up to the test of time (I bought my first pair of these 18 years ago). These look-good-and-feel-good boots are best served as a heavier backpacking boot that can take a beating from both miles and weather while still looking good out on the town (even towards the end of their tour of duty). If you are able to wear through these boots, you may have a hard time finding a reason to buy anything else for your next pair.
Some shoe makers make a specific type of shoe really well. Garmont makes every type of mountain sports boot and shoe, and they make every type really well. Let’s start with the Garmont Tower GTX® boot. Hands down, this is the best boot I’ve ever owned. I bought these boots six years ago and I am seeing no sign that they need to be replaced. Since I bought them, I’ve gone through two pairs of ski boots, three pairs of high altitude boots, six pairs of rock shoes, and I have not counted how many running shoes. But here’s the thing: Aside from my favorite bedroom slippers, I’ve spent more time in these bad boys than any other shoe. These lightweight alpine boots climb rock, ice and mixed terrain as well as any boot and, most importantly, they can crank out miles while carrying heavy weight. I have become so accustomed to wearing these boots that if I ever do have the capability of wearing them out, I would be doing myself a great disservice to replace them with anything but a new pair of the Garmont Towers.
Next, the Garmont Zenith Mid GTX® boot. This boot is the mid-weight hiking boot you want for the warm weather backpacking season. This boot will provide the agility of a trail running shoe while providing the extra support needed for those high mileage backpacking trips. Expect to get good traction and stability for a little off-trail or scramble as well as a nice balance between breathability in hot weather and rain resistance in showery summer weather. Also, these boots will last. Change out the insoles with a pair of Superfeet insoles and you’ll have the boots for a long time.
Now let’s look at another of Garmont’s gifts. The Garmont 9.81 Bolt is an underpriced shoe. I know many have a hard time with the hundred dollar price range when it comes to running shoes, but let’s face it: The technology, time and skill put into new shoe construction has taken off. As this shoe performs well in wet trail conditions, it’s also what you’ll want if you do any trail running with a little technical move here and there. Think running agility of a higher degree than you’re accustomed to as well as long-distance comfort and support your body needs to enjoy running into old age.
The Merrell Moab Ventilator is a great all around and every day adventure shoe. This is one of those shoes you can use year in, year out to just do stuff. I know you have a comparable pair right now on the shoe rack. It’s that pair of shoes you throw on to do errands around town, go for a hike, hike to the crag, go for a run. When I think of those multi-element family adventures, I think of these shoes. Granted it is not what you want for big runs or long backpacking trips in less than ideal weather. For that everyday accessible adventure to the majority of people, this is what you want.
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