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Hiking boot brands

Q. I want to buy some hiking boots and I was looking at some different brands. What boot brands do you like and what else should I consider when shopping for hiking boots?
— Bootless Casey, Tuscola, Tex.

A. My favorite hiking boot brand is the one that fits me best. Seriously, there are a bunch of great brands out there like Vasque, Merrell, Lowa, Hi-Tec, La Sportiva, Tecnica—the list goes on. With so many great choices, your main job is to narrow them down. First off, price. Find several pair that fit your budget and then try them all on. Walk around the store. Hop around. Climb around. Just make sure they fit correctly and feel good. Brand and cool styling should be secondary because there’s nothing cool about 20 miles of blisters in a pair of ill-fitting boots.


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15 Comments on Hiking boot brands

  1. I love sports, I love nature, I love the Vibram Five Fingers!

  2. Asolo, high price, but very much worth it. Durable, and comfortable. However, like the article said, it all comes down to whichever boot fits YOU best.

  3. i use work boots

  4. hitech boot are best but honestly i did a 20 mile hike for the hiking merit badge on a gravel trail and wore running shoes

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // October 25, 2011 at 11:19 am // Reply

      Sure it is easy to hike on a gravel trail with running shoes… but try going up almost vertical mountains in running shoes! I did a 25 mile hike for the hiking merit badge and we wold hike about 10 miles a day!! and 85% was up hills and over mountains. it was soo hard! oh and did i mention that we went by maps there was no trail. That was hard…but my Columbia boots worked great! they where light and comfy and even though the rubber came off the bottom they are still good hikers.

  5. Next Shaun White // December 21, 2010 at 3:53 pm // Reply

    Go to Cabela’s for the best boots. Lok for brands like Rocky, Irish Setter, Cabela’s, Muck, Scent-Blocker, Trekker, Danner, and Wolverine. Also look for things like Dry-Plus(for Dryness and breathablity), Gore-Tex (waterproof and breathable) , Scent- Lock (For hunting) and Thinsulate (for warmth).

  6. eagle7-25-10 // December 8, 2010 at 3:38 pm // Reply

    i had some HI-TEC boots that i went to Philmont with and they felt great and lasted all through Philmont and the training hikes leading up to it, i do not hike much anymore so im not sure about how long they hold up

  7. firstclassscout // October 20, 2010 at 6:15 pm // Reply

    I just bought a pair of oboz (nice name) and i love it. i stood in a creek for a while and i did not get wet. really good arch support and the laces are good quality the only con is that they are spendy

  8. I have a pair of Merrel, and they’re great! They are really comfortable and have lasted a year so far. They are the low cut ones.

  9. I wanted to get Vasque boots in the worst way. I had many friends that had them, and had for many years of successful use. I went to my outfitter and tried them on and found that they were uncomfortable across the ball of my feet. This applies to my feet. I tried several other brands and ended up with Asolo boots. The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. Later, I also got a pair of Merrell boots. The best brand of boot for you is the one that fits and is comfortable on your feet. You are the one that is going to be hiking in them!

  10. Vasque is the best type of boot ever!!!!!I had some HI-TEC boots that only lasted 4 months!With only 1,2 day campout each of those 4 months and one 7 day trip the toe of the boot had gone through 5 of the layers.You would think HI-TEC could do a little bit better than that.I’ve been walking on Vasque’s for over a year now and they’re still going strong.Even after hiking the Grand Canyon!

  11. Look at the Asolo boots. worth every penny. I have a pair that i use when hiking, expensive yes, best boots i have ever worn yes. Asolo gets my vote.

  12. I would just buy the hiking boots that fit you great,because all hiking boots are made for hiking.

    • Not exactly Chilibean. I recently bought a pair of boots and they fit great but the were made from Gore-Tex. They were a great price, fit well, and were waterproof. If you just buy ANY brand of boots your feet may get wet and your feet will be soaked which in turn will probably cause blisters. 🙁 So don’t waste your precious money on boots that don’t protect your feet.

      • Scouting101 // September 16, 2010 at 5:38 pm //

        PS-Gore-Tex is a waterproof material. I found the boots from Cabela’s for $40. Good price for good boots.

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