Conversations
Recommendations for Shoes
Quote from nathanu on August 29, 2022, 6:23 pmOk, so I've been a zero drop trail runner snob for a while now both on trail and off. My "daily driver" shoes and my hiking and backpacking shoes have been Altra Lone Peaks. I recently bought a pair of Merrils but I don't remember the model. I'm seriously considering another pair of those but thought I'd check here first. I'd prefer something lightweight with good traction. I also prefer lightweight over waterproof.
Ok, so I've been a zero drop trail runner snob for a while now both on trail and off. My "daily driver" shoes and my hiking and backpacking shoes have been Altra Lone Peaks. I recently bought a pair of Merrils but I don't remember the model. I'm seriously considering another pair of those but thought I'd check here first. I'd prefer something lightweight with good traction. I also prefer lightweight over waterproof.
Quote from Rob6 on August 29, 2022, 9:42 pmHey @nathanu! Seems like shoe/boot choices, much like clothing choices, are very subjective.
Personally, I have always been a fan of sturdier (read heavier) boots of the waterproof variety. This summer I veered from that strategy a bit when prepping for my bike ride along the Great Alleghany Passage (GAP) trail. I wanted something lightweight but with good traction that would work well for both cycling and hiking once I got to each day's destination.
I tried a pair of the Altra Lone Peaks but they felt too roomy on my feet. I've never thought I had narrow feet, but they seemed to swim in the Altras. I tried a pair of Salomon X-Ultra-3 Low Aero, from the REI Used Gear site. They are now my "go-to" for biking on trails and playing disc golf. Looks like REI doesn't have the men's version of this exact style right now though. I did like them so much, and the price on the Used site was good enough that revisited the Used site again and got a pair of Salomon X-Ultra 4 Mid GTX for my warm weather hiking.
Each of my adult kids and one of my hiking buddies have Merrell Moabs and really like them, so I can't say anything against that option.
As I'm sure you know, the biggest factor is a good fit.
Good luck!
Hey @nathanu! Seems like shoe/boot choices, much like clothing choices, are very subjective.
Personally, I have always been a fan of sturdier (read heavier) boots of the waterproof variety. This summer I veered from that strategy a bit when prepping for my bike ride along the Great Alleghany Passage (GAP) trail. I wanted something lightweight but with good traction that would work well for both cycling and hiking once I got to each day's destination.
I tried a pair of the Altra Lone Peaks but they felt too roomy on my feet. I've never thought I had narrow feet, but they seemed to swim in the Altras. I tried a pair of Salomon X-Ultra-3 Low Aero, from the REI Used Gear site. They are now my "go-to" for biking on trails and playing disc golf. Looks like REI doesn't have the men's version of this exact style right now though. I did like them so much, and the price on the Used site was good enough that revisited the Used site again and got a pair of Salomon X-Ultra 4 Mid GTX for my warm weather hiking.
Each of my adult kids and one of my hiking buddies have Merrell Moabs and really like them, so I can't say anything against that option.
As I'm sure you know, the biggest factor is a good fit.
Good luck!
Quote from nathanu on August 29, 2022, 11:46 pmMy feet are wide by default and tend to "spread out" when hiking, so the wide footbox on the Altras was awesome. I had heard a bunch of people talk about the toe coming undone on theirs but had never had it happen to me till this weekend and the toe came off of the right one and the entire front of the sole came undone on the left (a few miles into a 12 mile trip). I spent the rest of the trip shaking rocks and sticks out from under my big toe.
As far as waterproof, I've never had much luck there and just tend to get more water IN the shoe. With the lightweight ones though, they dry faster 🙂
My feet are wide by default and tend to "spread out" when hiking, so the wide footbox on the Altras was awesome. I had heard a bunch of people talk about the toe coming undone on theirs but had never had it happen to me till this weekend and the toe came off of the right one and the entire front of the sole came undone on the left (a few miles into a 12 mile trip). I spent the rest of the trip shaking rocks and sticks out from under my big toe.
As far as waterproof, I've never had much luck there and just tend to get more water IN the shoe. With the lightweight ones though, they dry faster 🙂
by nathanu