Hiking boot recommendations - function vs style or both?

[mak1277]

if I was carrying gear for 5 days I wouldn't be in trail runners. I would be in trail runners only if I were carrying a tiny day pack - but that's just me.

I guess it matters how dialed in your gear is. For five days in normal 3-season conditions I’d be well under 30 lbs still and wouldn’t need boots. Frankly I wouldn’t wear boots unless I was going to be primarily off trail and/or carrying 45-50 pounds or more.

 

[podz]

Absolutely nothing wrong with these technically or style-wise.

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[Funcheese]

I'm a fan of the German brand, Hanwag. This model in particular Hanwag Tashi.

Salomon Ultra and Lowa Renegade are popular for a reason. They're both great boots. You may find yourself actually liking the rugged, technical boot look.

 

[Funcheese]

Why do you say that? If I went (on trail) backpacking for 5 days I’d wear the lightest trail runners I had.

How heavy a load are you carrying?

 

[mak1277]

How heavy a load are you carrying?

would be under/around 30 pounds

 

[Funcheese]

would be under/around 30 pounds

Ok, that's doable.

 

[sajesak]

Please don't get a full leather boot with Goretex. It will make your feet sweat like crazy (moisture vapor inside can't escape quickly enough and condenses). The leather on most high quality hiking boots will already come impregnated with a water proofing agent. Or you can treat them with a beeswax based conditioner (I recommend really working it into the stitching along the welt). I would avoid an oil based conditioner since it will soften and breakdown the fibers of the leather and clog the pores so you reduce breathability even more.

For trying on boots, wait until later in the day when your feet are at their largest size. I use a thin wicking sock liner and a thicker merino wool cushioned sock over that. So I usually go about a half size up from my regular size. Also try the boots on carrying the weight you expect to carry on the trail how to wear hiking boots with shorts. The feel of the boots (cushioning, stability and support) can really change once you add 20 to 40 lbs of weight onto them.

Hope that helps!

So I need some pretty serious backpacking boots as I’ll be trekking through Snowdonia and Scotland in the fall. I’m flying in from the States and don’t want to pack lots of pairs of shoes so I’m wanting to get a boot that looks good when I’m not on the trails, in town wearing jeans and a casual jacket. So far I’ve got it down to two choices: the Aku Superalp (orange laced one) and the Zamberlan Vioz (black leather one). Which one of these two would be the most versatile look wise. Comfort wise they are exactly the same so that part is taken care of.