Recommendation for casual/hiking boot?
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Good Evening All, I am in the market for a leather, low hiking / casual boot. There is a chance that the boot that I am looking for isn’t made, but here is what is on my wish list. The ideal boot is, uninsulated, leather upper, good vibram sole, waterproof, and available in wide widths. The boot would be used for trail hiking, light scouting in the early fall, walking the dog, hanging stands, etc. but here is the kicker, I would like to be able to clean them up, put some boot cleaner/wax on them and have them look presentable with khakis at work or at a casual restaurant with the wife and kids. Budget really isn’t a concern as I take care of my gear and appreciate quality clothing.
Any suggestions that I should look into??
Thanks for any and all input from those that have looked for a similar boot. Your advice is appreciated.
ben h's Link
I need to wear somewhat nice shoes to the office or meetings and I like to do the same thing and buy hiking shoes that fill both both purposes. I haven't personally tried these yet, but meindl seems to have a few that look "nice" enough for me.
I've had good luck with both Oboz and Merrell
Thanks Guys - I will check out them out. Just for clarification, I am looking for an “over the ankle” hiker. Looks like meindl makes one similar to the link that Ben sent but higher.
Salomon 4D 3 GTX. Strongly recommended.
Vasque love mine good luck Lewis
I’m a fan of Keen Targhee II Mid. They fit me great and I think check your boxes. My only real complaint is they really don’t last all that long for me, but I’m not gentle on them.
I also had a pair of Oboz I liked. But don’t seem to be as available in my area so usually just buy my old stand by Keens.
—Jim
Overland x2. Just bought my fourth pair. And I've had numerous other of the well known brands.
Second checking out the Oboz brand....
Second checking out the Oboz brand....
X3 ON OBOZ. I HAVE WHAT I RECALL IS THEIR BRIDGER MODEL. SEEMS TO MATCH WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN A MODEST WEIGHT ALL LEATHER MID HIKING BOOT.
I wear Lowa Rangers every day for work or play. I also have Renegades but prefer the Rangers.
Crispi Monaco... or Crossover. Monaco is a pretty classy looking boot.
Oboz bridger leak like a sieve.
Salomon Quest 4D water test; 20 minutes.
Lowa Renegade water test, 25 minutes.
Lowa Cevedale pro water test, less than 10 seconds.
Leather boots are not waterproof, goretex like material is. But the leather WILL soak up water that makes your feet uncomfortable! 40 years working out of doors has taught me this. Keens are very comfortable so check them out.
'Leather upper' takes you into a higher price range. And I agree with what Jack says above completely. I got a couple good years out of a pair of Keens, at reasonable cost. (They're finally giving out, and I'll probably buy another pair.) My advice is, start with a budget, allow yourself a bit extra, then go to a hiking/backpacking shop. NOT Dicks or Cabelas or Bass Pro.
Check out Danner's Crater Rims. Made with Nubuck (sp?) leather. Good looking boots, Gortex waterproof, good ankle support, little to no break-in period, and comfortable right out of the box. They run true to size. They can be resoled, relined, and rebuilt. They clean up well after a day in the mud and muck. Pricey, but they are 100% made in the USA.
Another vote for Lowa Renegade GTX. Bought them for similar reasons to yours. I use them in the woods hanging stands and they clean up nice for bumming around town.
http://www.limmerboot.com/Standard.html
Limmer's. Expensive, but you could get them custom built if you want the best fit, and if not, you can buy non custom built. Expensive, but hand built here in the US.
I just picked up a pair of Irish Setter Wingshooter 807 boots that fit your wish list. They are easily the most comfortable all leather boots out of the box that I've ever had. They come in wide widths, and they are about half the price of many of the models mentioned so far.
Matt
Innov8 boots are the bomb. Cant get any lighter for a Goretex Hiking boot. I wore mine all elk season. Very nice.
Nother vote for Solomon 4d gtx.
Keens...,,made in the USA
Wow - thanks for all of the excellent suggestions. I am starting to sift through all of the recommendations and it appears that there are a number of bookmakers that don’t have wide offerings or are out of stock in my size (10.5).
Not sure if it is covid supply issues or just that more people are using down time to hike.
Thanks again for all of the recommendations and keep them coming. Ok will research every one!
KHNC: Which Inov8 boot are you talking about?
I'm with Gil_wy. I really like the Crispi Monaco. I have two pairs. One in 9.5 and one to wear with thicker socks in the winter at 10. They clean up nice. I've got hundreds of miles on my size 9.5 between vacations, hunting trips, etc. I wear to work at times, out to eat, and on any hunting/scouting/hiking trips. I've had mine for 2 years and haven't noticed terrible wear. I imagine I can get another 2 years out of them, which is about right for a boot for my uses. I'll get another pair for sure.
"Goretex" is a breathable membrane inside the liner of boots. Many people confuse cordura or similar material with Goretex, but it is not. Leather boots with a Goretex or other similar proprietary liner will be waterproof when new, just like those with cordura outers, but as with all thin membranes, they will eventually leak where fatigue spots occur - usually where they flex.
" they will eventually leak where fatigue spots occur - usually where they flex."
Seams! So many boots have a half mile of seams! Every seam is a weak point in the boot.
Dana, so true. The Goretex bootie has taped seams, not sewn, but even the taped seams can fatigue and leak. I wonder if double Goretex liners would be more durable, like they put in the body of high-end breathable waders?
Most of my Goretex boots eventually leak on the sides where the ball of the foot flexes.
I'll never buy another boot with cordura, or other similar materials, on the uppers. I think manufactures use those materials primarily to reduce cost, and for aesthetic purposes. Those seemingly random patches of material are always the first areas to get dirty and eventually leak, in my experience. They also add a ton of unnecessary stitching, that is always a weak point.
That's why I'm so impressed with the Irish Setter boots I posted earlier, especially for the price. Full quality leather upper, waterproof, high gusseted tongue, stitched soles, and made in the US by the Red Wing Shoe Company. And they fit my size 13 EEE feet like slippers. They really make me question why I've spent hundreds of $$ more on Lowas, Crispis, and other brands over the years.
Matt
Irish Setter is owned by Red Wing. They are their cheaper brand and are not made in America. Hell most Redwings aren't made in America anymore!!! Mostly Vietnam and possibly China depending on the style. They are however a great boot that I wear them all the time! I love the Wingshooter the best!
I love Lowa's and if you keep them cleaned and treated properly they will stay waterproof! Follow their boot care guidelines and they will last a very long time!!!!
Grey Ghost, the Cordura is lighter, which is a plus, and easier to form and sew than leather, another plus for cost control. But it's not terribly supportive, which is why there are so many fancy strips of material added at key points. Again, more bleeping seams to fail. If you want 'light, moderately supportive, won't last forever but inexpensive', they're ok.
I wear both Kenetrek Hardscrabble Hikers and Lowa Caminos for most of the same purposes you have listed. I also have a pair of Hanwags but they aren't quite as "dressy". I've had one or the other on my feet every day for the past 4 years in the spring, summer and fall (non cold conditions). I like all 3 fairly equally.
The Irish setters are a comfortable boot but they leak!
Something not mention here are these LL Bean Cresta Hikers. The were originally sold be Cabelas over 20 years ago and then LL Bean picked them up. I have owned two pairs since 1998, one from Cabelas and the other from LL Bean. I have backpacked in them, hunted turkeys in several states, scouted, hung stands, worn to office meetings, as everyday boots, etc. I have always loved the fit and feel of these boots and never had a leak issue. Maybe these new ones I’ll be getting will show something different, I guess I will find out. They are European made and not American made.
Merrill all day every day!
I love Merrill's, but they leak like crazy and don't hold up to serious hiking!
Irish setters "wing shooter" I can add my review of these based on wearing these at work daily for 3yrs. I wear the wedge sole moc-toe w/composite toes and yes they are owned by Redwing but the 3 pairs I'm looking at now all say Made in Vietnam. the original Irish setters were originally made in USA boots until RW bought them and outsourced everything. they are very light boots and my feet have never gotten wet even after break in although try them on before buying because they run narrow everyone on job says same thing so I get Extra wides when I normally wear regular. no traction at all but we work on ladders we don't want deep tread but I would never try to drag a deer with them on,, BUT I bet because of that they'd be great for stalking or when you want to walk trails and not accidently skuff rocks or the ground.
SaddleReaper's Link
HanWag Tatra II Wide GTX leather lined
I just wanted to jump back on the thread and thank everyone for their input. Seems like a tough time to find boots around here and I am not a huge fan of buying boots online without trying them on. Ended up finding a place that sold Oboz and made the trip. Glad that I did. I typically wear a 10.5 wide, but in the Oboz Bridger I needed an 11.5 wide.
Thanks again all. I think they will work out fine for what I want them to do.
I just wanted to jump back on the thread and thank everyone for their input. Seems like a tough time to find boots around here and I am not a huge fan of buying boots online without trying them on. Ended up finding a place that sold Oboz and made the trip. Glad that I did. I typically wear a 10.5 wide, but in the Oboz Bridger I needed an 11.5 wide.
Thanks again all. I think they will work out fine for what I want them to do.