Hikers

[melensdad]

I’d bought a lot of Solomons and keens, and the latest Kenna really went downhill so I took them back.
No other choices except for the Zamberlan, figured why not try them on, I’m here, it’s not like I’m going to buy a $350 boot.
Put them on and it felt like my feet went home. I love them, couldn’t go home without them and have a few miles and a few workdays on them now.

I've literally backpacked across counties wearing Zamberlan light hiking boots. Switched to LaSportiva light hikers. Now switched again to a pair of HOKA light hiking boots. All 3 are raised at the ankle, but the LaSportiva was only neoprene like tall collar. The Zamberlains and HOKA have little more ankle support, but not really much, I think it is more to keep water out than to provide any sort of support.
All 3 brands are comfortable, supportive and provide traction. Of the 3 I'd put the Zamberlain and LaSportiva at the top, with the HOKA a less technical but good enough.

Merrill and Keen always seem too hard, not enough traction, especially on wet. OBOZ is probably better than either of those brands, maybe on the same level as the HOKA.

 

[spencer rifle]

I have been wearing Timberlands since the Merrills failed a keeping the water out. They are sturdy, good ankle support, and actually waterproof but not sweaty. They will get a thorough test this summer - we're going hiking at Glacier. Bringing along a Glock 20 for griz insurance.

 

[wtburnette]

Any good boots for daily wear, plus light hiking? I've used Merrill for this for the last 10 years, but if there are better that can be used for daily wear as well as light hiking, I'll have to look into them. The LaSportiva looks interesting, but I'm afraid my feet might get too hot since they're rated for harsh conditions. Any advise? By light hiking I mean hitting moderate to rugged trails for a 1 hour hike, or something like that. I usually go to Southwestway park and hike on the most rugged trails available for an hour a couple times a week in nice weather. Rarely get out if it's below 50.

 

[spencer rifle]

Merrills have worked for me for years in those uses. Still do sometimes. But for backpacking trips Timberlands are now replacing the Merrills.

 

[wtburnette]

I'll look into Timberlands for my use, thanks.

 

[wtburnette]

Well drat, found a couple on their site I like, but they're out of my size in the color I wanted. The only ones I can find that have my size was this one:

Men's Motion Scramble Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Hiker

Shop Timberland.com for Men's Motion Scramble Mid Lace-Up Waterproof Hiker. from Timberland US's official online store.

www.timberland.com

or this one:

Men's Mt. Maddsen Waterproof Mid Hiking Boot

Shop Timberland.com for Men's Mt. Maddsen Waterproof Mid Hiking Boot. FREE shipping with membership! from Timberland US's official online store.

www.timberland.com

 

[Frosty]

Haven’t thought about this thread for awhile! I’ve been slacking on my hiking but my son and I did get to do a little mountain hiking in the smokies back in July.

 

[melensdad]

Any good boots for daily wear, plus light hiking? I've used Merrill for this for the last 10 years, but if there are better that can be used for daily wear as well as light hiking, I'll have to look into them. The LaSportiva looks interesting, but I'm afraid my feet might get too hot since they're rated for harsh conditions. Any advise? By light hiking I mean hitting moderate to rugged trails for a 1 hour hike, or something like that. I usually go to Southwestway park and hike on the most rugged trails available for an hour a couple times a week in nice weather. Rarely get out if it's below 50.

I wore the same pair LaSportiva light hikers (sort of a hybrid of a trail runner and light boot) while crossing mountains in France in a cold hail storm and while crossing the near desert conditions of the masetta in Spain during a near record heat wave.

For whatever its worth, most hikers don't the Timberland line a serious brand, its more of a fashion brand that looks functional.

 

[cg21]

Haven’t thought about this thread for awhile! I’ve been slacking on my hiking but my son and I did get to do a little mountain hiking in the smokies back in July. View attachment 323243

Wow what is that trail? What a view.

well i have a book of excuses if you want to borrow one…. Lol

 

[wtburnette]

I wore the same pair LaSportiva light hikers (sort of a hybrid of a trail runner and light boot) while crossing mountains in France in a cold hail storm and while crossing the near desert conditions of the masetta in Spain during a near record heat wave.

For whatever its worth, most hikers don't the Timberland line a serious brand, its more of a fashion brand that looks functional.

I'll have to look at them again. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg if I don't have to, but if I can get a great pair of boots that'll be good for daily wear and light hiking and last a few years, I don't mind.

 

[wtburnette]

This is more than I wanted to spend, but looks wise it's nice:

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boot

The Nucleo High II GTX is a mid-duty waterproof hiker/backpacking boot. Featuring award-winning Gore-Tex® Surround™ technology with a traditional Nubuck leather look.

www.lasportivausa.com

 

[Frosty]

Wow what is that trail? What a view.

well i have a book of excuses if you want to borrow one…. Lol

It’s the chimney tops trail. It’s a great hike, almost 2 miles all up hill, I could have made kick ass time if it wasn’t for my boy wanting to enjoy the scenery In his defense we did the trail up to clingmans dome as hard as we could without stopping and that climb is shorter but a lot steeper.

 

[wtburnette]

This is more than I wanted to spend, but looks wise it's nice:

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boot

The Nucleo High II GTX is a mid-duty waterproof hiker/backpacking boot. Featuring award-winning Gore-Tex® Surround™ technology with a traditional Nubuck leather look.

www.lasportivausa.com

Ouch, numerous reviews for that one saying it falls apart after a year

 

[wtburnette]

Might try this one, which is around half the price of the other boots:

La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX

The La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX is a premium and technical boot that combines the support of a hiking boot with the agility of a trail running shoe designed for off-road terrain.

www.lasportivausa.com

 

[spencer rifle]

For whatever its worth, most hikers don't the Timberland line a serious brand, its more of a fashion brand that looks functional.

YMMV. I have been backpacking since 1979, and the Timberlands have been as comfortable, more waterproof, and held up better than any boots I have used in more than 20 years. That being said, I have only been wearing them daily about 6 months, so we'll see.

 

[melensdad]

YMMV. I have been backpacking since 1979, and the Timberlands have been as comfortable, more waterproof, and held up better than any boots I have used in more than 20 years. That being said, I have only been wearing them daily about 6 months, so we'll see.

Well you are apparently younger than me, I do remember when Timberlands used to be an actual outdoor product. That is no longer true.

 

[smokingman]

It’s the chimney tops trail. It’s a great hike, almost 2 miles all up hill, I could have made kick ass time if it wasn’t for my boy wanting to enjoy the scenery In his defense we did the trail up to clingmans dome as hard as we could without stopping and that climb is shorter but a lot steeper.

I remember Clingmans dome from my AT hike. The day I hit the top visibility was 30+ miles. It hardly felt up hill to me at that point. Already had weeks of hiking and fairly good trail legs by then. It was a beautiful day.
The next 6 it rained and I remember slipping on a root and landing on my pack(that actually hurts, was my first fall on the AT) getting ready to make camp and setting up a tent in the dark, rain pouring down, and just mud. Lots of mud. Shelter was packed full(with weekenders drinking) and we got in well after dark. Filtered water coming off the shelter roof for supper. Cooked in my tent(one of the few times I did that). Ah, good times. lol

 

[melensdad]

This is more than I wanted to spend, but looks wise it's nice:

La Sportiva Nucleo High II GTX Hiking Boot

The Nucleo High II GTX is a mid-duty waterproof hiker/backpacking boot. Featuring award-winning Gore-Tex® Surround™ technology with a traditional Nubuck leather look.

www.lasportivausa.com

That is a heavier boot than I would choose. I did 600 miles with a backpack in a pair of LaSportivas that looked like a love-child cross between the low Spire GTX and the Ultra Raptor Mid.

Synthetic instead of leather is my choice for most uses, lightest weight I can find that provides the foot protection and traction required. Ideally right around 16oz.

 

[Frosty]

I remember Clingmans dome from my AT hike. The day I hit the top visibility was 30+ miles. It hardly felt up hill to me at that point. Already had weeks of hiking and fairly good trail legs by then. It was a beautiful day.
The next 6 it rained and I remember slipping on a root and landing on my pack(that actually hurts, was my first fall on the AT) getting ready to make camp and setting up a tent in the dark, rain pouring down, and just mud. Lots of mud. Shelter was packed full(with weekenders drinking) and we got in well after dark. Filtered water coming off the shelter roof for supper. Cooked in my tent(one of the few times I did that). Ah, good times. lol

It was a little overcast when we got to to the top but we got rewarded with a rainbow and still had a pretty decent view. The first time we went up it was just pouring rain and probably a good 20-30° cooler so to avoid giving everybody hypothermia we decided to wait. My son and I hiked the at a little ways just to do it, really drove home why they call it the green tunnel.

 

[wtburnette]

That is a heavier boot than I would choose. I did 600 miles with a backpack in a pair of LaSportivas that looked like a love-child cross between the low Spire GTX and the Ultra Raptor Mid.

Synthetic instead of leather is my choice for most uses, lightest weight I can find that provides the foot protection and traction required. Ideally right around 16oz.

What about the other set I posted? I believe they're synthetic and just over your weight requirement at 17oz.