Need to Buy a Pair of Hiking/Backpacking Boots

[JackHammer]

ANy suggestions? I'm currently looking at the LLBean Cresta Hikers. THey are Goretex at $169. I'm also looking at a pair of Merrels. They are not Goretex but only $90. Comments? Suggestions?


LLbean (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=14774&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4184&shop_method=pp&sc1=unknown&sc2=unknown&sc3=Outdoor_Footwear&sc4=Hiking&sc5=Men_s_Light_Hiking)

Merrell (http://www.ems.com/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8703&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=147959&bmUID=1045071524732)

[whitak24]

Originally posted by JackHammer
ANy suggestions? I'm currently looking at the LLBean Cresta Hikers. THey are Goretex at $169. I'm also looking at a pair of Merrels. They are not Goretex but only $90. Comments? Suggestions?


LLbean (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=14774&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=4184&shop_method=pp&sc1=unknown&sc2=unknown&sc3=Outdoor_Footwear&sc4=Hiking&sc5=Men_s_Light_Hiking)

Merrell (http://www.ems.com/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8703&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=147959&bmUID=1045071524732)
my GF's dad, who is VERY into hiking and backpacking, always speaks highly of the Merrells. he has a couple pairs and absolutely loves them.

i've never had them, so i can't speak from personal experience though...

[blueindian]

i'd personally go witht the merrell boot. i never buy gortex boots. gortex is a wonderful material, but i dont' like it in boots. when you put it in that tight of a space and put a ton of glue and other stuff on it, it tends to loose breathabilty.

when i worked at an outfitter, we'd get people comming back in saying their gortex boots leaked. usually, it was actually that their feet were sweating. i've never actually owned a pair of gortex boots, but i've had enough folks tell me their feet sweat in them to avoid them.

if you properly waterproof your boots (i'd used nikwax) they will maintain breathability and won't leak.

you can get the merrell summit II, (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=28701336&prmenbr=226) which is lighter than the summit at campmor for $99.

personally, my favorite boots are Montrail (formerly OneSport).

[attgig]

Originally posted by blueindian
when i worked at an outfitter, we'd get people comming back in saying their gortex boots leaked. usually, it was actually that their feet were sweating.

that's nasty...
you sweat so much, you thought water got in them?!?!?!
yuck


but i own a pair of no-name gore-tex boots (my friend's dad used to have a plant making them, so got them free :)), and i have a pair of non-gore-tex boots...

they're both pretty good although i can't say btw llbean & merrell which one's better, I usually don't have a problem with water even in the non-goretex boots.

[raimin]

i personally own 3 pairs for merrell boots, and when i was shopping , i did not find anything better for price/quality

[sizemic1]

I love my merrells. No breakin required and instantly comfortable.
Great traction too!

[Kevster]

I personally have a pair of Asolo and a pair of Merrell boots. I honestly wear my Asolos most often because they are quite comfortable and a good 5-day hiking boot.