How to buy hiking boots

This thread is amazing.

Here's some http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673220791&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881798&bmUID=1143136233496.

The ultralighters are only partly right. If you hike on well defined and wide trails and in clement weather then hiking shoes are fine. If you're going to be walking through any kind of vegetation that has prickles or is wet or will break off and stick to you or it's going to rain or maybe snow you want leather boots that keep your feet dry and won't get beaten to shit in a week. If you're walking on hummocky or rocky ground you want a stiffer sole than a running or hiking shoe offers as you can twist and sprain your foot or ankle quite easily with a pack on. Personally I say stay away from Goretex apart from snowy conditions- all it does is make you feet hot and it will leak in things like tall wet grass. It's more splashproof than waterproof, IMHO. That's why I prefer leather which is getting quite hard to find. I'd recommend REI or EMS for the best selection. I like Lowas, and have the boots and the hiking shoes. I also really like the Keen hiking shoes. I buy my shoes and boots kind of big and sloppy and wear Smartwool socks (wash them first!) and I've done lots of 10+ mile days and been happy. I've also hiked 10+miles in cheap hip waders and survived so it's not like that's the acid test.

http://www.asolo.com/content.asp?L=1&idMen=139

Whatever you get, make sure you get a good sole: big chunky cleats, a distinct heal. All the goretex in the world won't make up for a too-smooth sole, and will murder your feet on the way down. As said above, Vibram soles are awesome.

btw it also makes a huge difference where you plan to end up at the end of the day. If you're returning to your car, wear whatever you want, probably lightweight shoes. If you're going to be camping in a damp forest then you probably want dry feet!

Another tip: 2 pairs of socks: a thin one on the inside, bigger on the out, stops blisters from forming by reducing friction.

As an experienced backpacker, both on- and off-trail, scrambling peaks, grunting along wet-coast trails, and all that jazz, I think I have authority behind my opinion. I have a pair of higher-end Scarpa boots. Full leather, seamless as possible, Vibram sole, full shank, all that jazz. I wouldn't do it again. My wife purchased a pair of cheap, lightweight boots to replace her Scarpas when they finally kicked the bucket. They have fabric, they aren't waterproof, they do have a half shank, they do have ankle protection, and they weigh next to nothing. Were I to purchase another pair of boots, it would be with light weight in mind. If she's able to comfortably hike the same trails as I do in the Scarpas — and that includes scrambling mountains and slogging through mud — then why on earth would I ever choose heavy boots that kill my feet as I break them in? I don't think you'll need to spend more than about $120 on your boots. Go for comfort and a sole that is grippy even when wet (that's the biggest difference between her boots and mine; her soles suck on wet rock.) Put in some good footbeds (ie. Superfeet) and go have fun.

Disclaimer: I work part time for L.L.Bean. It makes me all warm and fuzzy to see all the recommendations here for Bean. Backpacker magazine also regularly lists our Crestas as "Best Buy" boots, for what its worth. That having been said, here's the best advice I have for you. 1) There is no single boot that will work for all terrain. In general, the heavier your pack (ie: multi days) and the more rugged the terrain, the more support you're going to need from a boot. While I appreciate the arguments in favor of lightweight trail running shoes, the experience of most customers I speak with on a daily basis says that with a heavier pack or on more uneven terrain, you'll need some kind of ankle support, especially as a novice hiker. 2) Go to an established and reputable shoe store in your are (ie: probably not the Foot Locker in the mall) and ask to have your feet measured using http://www.brannock.com/. Make sure you are being measured by someone trained and experienced in the use of the Device, and that they are using the device appropriate for your gender (the device is marked Male Adult or Female Adult right on the face). Make sure both feet are measured. This way you will know your "regular" (ie: industry standard) shoe size, including width. 3) Call L.L.Bean at 1-800-341-4341 anytime between 8am and 10pm Eastern Time. Tell the nice rep who answers that you need to speak with a Hiking Boots Product Specialist. Wait while you are transferred. 3a) We have a small but dedicated staff of experienced hikers who do nothing but answer questions like yours. Roughly half the Hiking Boot staff has hiked significant portions of the Appalachian Trail, and all of them have used and tested the products we sell. We don't sell on commission, so they have no incentive to recommend for you a boot that is more expensive than you need. If you live near one of the retail stores and want to go try the boots before you buy, that's great. However, we also work very hard to size all of our boots to standard Brannock sizing (and do lots of fit testing so we can tell you "these run a half size small" or whatever), so you can be confident that if you know your Brannock measurment that you'll get the right size the first time. If you have other questions, drop me a note -- my email is in my profile.