This may seems like an unusal gear question and I'm not sure if I should post it here or Landscape/Wildlife forum but it's for general gear so I'll take my chances here.

What's a good pair of hiking/walking shoes that's not too expensive? I'd imagine the landscape or wildlife shooters would have a pair that they can recommend. Cheers all.

n0b0,

Your question is too vague for a truly useful answer. Just like cameras (much more so, actually) hiking shoes come in many styles for many different applications & feet.

If you really want "the right" shoes, you first should figure out what type of feet you have. There are three basic types, and some good shoes are designed specifically for them, just like running shoes. For instance, if you have wide feet with high arches (like myself) and buy an expensive shoe designed to prevent over-pronation, you just wasted your money AND will be less comfortable.

After that, you have to decide if you prefer maximum comfort (a sandal type or ultra-flexible shoe) or safety (heavier, with protection from falling rocks, etc.)

Additionally, if you often hike where there is a lot of large gravel & rocks, you want a shoe with good lateral stability, but if you stick to paths, you do not need all that extra weight. Personally, I use heavy, safe shoes with good lateral stability. (mine are way too expensive to be on your list, so I won't mention them.)

So, gather this info first, then someone might have good suggestions. I'd like to see such posts myself.

Also consider your budget: IMO, after your pack, the most important piece of hiking gear you own is (are) you shoes. Spend as much as you can afford.

I have two pair of hiking boots, one low-cut and one high-cut. Both are water-proof, an absolute must, even walking on dew-laden grass will soak your feet in anything else.

My low-cut shoes are from Cabelas and sport their label, they are about seven years old and are still in great shape. I think I paid about $50.00 for these.

My high-cut shoes are Vasque and are about six years old. I like the added ankle support that these shoes offer. I feel much more sure-footed in these. I think I paid about $165.00 for these.

Both pair of these shoes are made in China, I have tried to buy shoes made in the U.S. but it has become nearly impossible. If I were in the market today I would try much harder to buy American. Just my $0.02.

http://www.americansworking.com/shoes.html



What ever you decide, don't cheat your feet! Keep them warm, dry, and blister free.

Wow, that's a lot of details. I just went to Berghaus and Patagonia and I don't think they even have that kind of info there.

To be honest, I never really thought much about shoes, they're just something I wear when I'm not at home. I always go barefoot when I'm around the house. Noone ever asked me about anything like that either, I just go to a shoe store, try one on and see if it fits and looks good then buy it.

I do have a safe shoes with steel caps and good grip on slippery surface but like you said, they're heavy and my feet get tired after several hours.

Anyway, thanks for the info, I'll have to do a bit more search into it. In the mean time, is there any brand you can recommend? Cheers.

For me, Keens are absolutely unbeatable for lightweight hikers -- but cableaddict is absolutely right about getting properly fitted. What makes Keens perfect for me is their combination of a broad toe box, high arch, and snug heel cup. That could be terrible for some people.

I also have some fullgrain heavy boots (REI/Raichle), but use those less and less in favor of Keens, unless it's very demanding terrain, long distances, and/or a heavy load.

La Sportiva "Cirque's". They'll even get you up a big Yosemite wall.


http://www.backcountry.com/store/review/34815/cirque.html

Ahh, a topic that I don't feel like a total noob answering. Since I've been hiking for a lot more years than I've been photographing I've got a footwear system down (more than I can say for my photographic prowess). I normally wear a light pair of trailrunners for hiking/backpacking for 3 season use (no snow). I wear Inov8 Flyrocs currently. They're super light and dry very fast. I always wear a pair of thin Smartwool socks and I don't have problems with blisters, even after sloshing through creeks or hiking in hard rain. They aren't particularly cheap but compared to full-on leather hiking boots they're reasonable.

For hiking in snow or doing trail work (or anywhere you would want a little more protection, boulder fields, scree, etc) I have the cheapest pair of Merrel Goretex boots that Bass Pro has to offer. After trimming the insole a bit I don't have any blister problems with them. They're quite durable too, the last pair I bought lasted 6 years.

Adam

It is possible to spend a great deal of money on hiking boots but I note your request for affordable gear. I've hiked thousands of miles around Mount Tamalpais in the Bay Area and have gone through quite a few different boots along the way. The more I walked, the more I concluded that investing in quality gear made sense. I now hike in Danner boots as well as an older pair of Vasque boots. Both have Gore-Tex protection against water.

That said, if value for money looms large on your list of concerns, you might want to check out Timberland, who offer a wide assortment of boots in a more modest price range. I'd recommend that you check out the website Shoebuy.com which offers nice discounts, as well as free shipping both ways. It is essential to buy boots that fit and the only way you can do that is by trying them on. I went through quite a few boots in different sizes before selecting the ones I finally purchased. The site also has extensive reviews that will help you make your decision. I've also used reviews at backcountry.com for information. But Shoebuy always got my business. They're offering a 20% off sale through tomorrow. They regularly offer such sales, so if you miss this one there will be another. (I'm NOT affiliated with the site in any way!)

http://www.shoebuy.com/?cm_mmc=silverpop-_-eml-july6-_-090706%20-%20Weekly-_-EMLSUMMERSALE09

+1 on the smartwool socks. (aroth's suggestion) They're great. (and always carry a spare pair)

aroth87 wrote:
I wear Inov8 Flyrocs currently. They're super light and dry very fast.

These do get great reviews, when a lightweight shoe fits the bill. However, to re-emphasize my point, above: This shoe is specifically designed for "mild to moderate over- pronation." (sez so right in the description.) So, if you have neutral feet, they will be less than ideal. I know, as I tried them locally and found them slightly hard to walk in. I need a neutral shoe, and it makes a huge difference on a long hike.

So again, you need to buy shoes designed for your foot type. (esp if you're an underpronator) If the type isn't specifically mentioned in the description, look for reviews or buy something else.

You'll thank me later.

I don't know if they'll fit in the "not too expensive" category, but try taking a look at Ecco shoes.

I've been wearing them for years - both "day" shoes and walking shoes - and they are well made, durable and - most importantly - fantastically comfortable.

+1 Ecco day shoes & Vasque boots & smartwool.

I have long narrow feet 11A/B so *most* boots are much too wide. Vasque aren't. you need to understand what manufacturers use lasts (the shape the shoe is made to) that are most similar to your own feet. when you find them, you'll know it.

Come on guys... NO WAY is Ecco an "affordable" boot. Lovely yes, but clearly the high price spread unless one is looking for truly specialized gear.

everyone has their own opinion but I've seen enough people here and other forums that dont think a thing of dropping $$$$ on SinghRay filters and lots of other high priced doodads. Things like shoes, ergonomic seating etc are bad places to economize.

Whatever you do go to a store where you can try them out and hopefully get fitted properly.

Right now I have Merrill for hiking, Vasque for backpacking and Montrail for trail running or when lite - class 3 & lower - rock climbing may be in order.

I swear by these Asolo boots for hiking.

Another Keen fan here. They seem to feel and fit my particular and unique feet better. You gotta so to a store, IMO, and try them...not the kind of thing that works well buying without trying first.

Don't remember but got them at REI and they did not strike me as really expensive.

Depends on your feet, on the terrain, and sometimes on age (eg. falling arches). As has been stated, what works for one may be uncomfortable for another.

Having said that, the best boots I ever had were some Vasques (heavier, for hiking in rockier terrain). It took some time to get them properly broken in, but I used them for 16 years before we finally parted ways. These days, custom orthotic inserts help for the longer treks.

I highly recommend Nike ACG, I have several pair some GoreTex some not, great for light and medium hikes. For those all terrain ends of the earth hikes, nothing beats Rocky Boots these aren't cheap, but are made in USA and last forever

Cableaddict wrote:

These do get great reviews, when a lightweight shoe fits the bill. However, to re-emphasize my point, above: This shoe is specifically designed for "mild to moderate over- pronation." (sez so right in the description.) So, if you have neutral feet, they will be less than ideal. I know, as I tried them locally and found them slightly hard to walk in. I need a neutral shoe, and it makes a huge difference on a long hike.

So again, you need to buy shoes designed for your foot type. (esp if you're an underpronator) If the type isn't specifically mentioned in the description, look for reviews or buy something else.

You'll thank me later.


I agree with you completely. A shoe like the Flyroc is a love it or hate it thing. Inov8s are designed to almost be like they aren't there. Its definitely different from any shoe you would normally wear and should definitely be tried in store of bought from somewhere with a great return policy (I got mine from backcountry.com). As a point of reference I also hiked in a pair of Salomon Tech-Amphibs for a little over a year. They are designed as a watersports shoe and have a collapsible heal to convert to slip-ons. For on-trail use in the summer they worked for me. If your feet need any kind of support or correction, or you're used to full grain leather boots, neither of these are good options.

Adam