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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Rob W. on January 25, 2014, 09:58:00 AM
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I'm in need of a pair of hikers to pull double duty as early season hunters and spring/summer backpackers. I liked my last Keen's but ended wearing them to work and they only made it a year. I have been looking at Danner and Vasque but I'm up for suggestions. Less than $200. Don't have to be waterproof.
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Not everybody has the same shape / style foot. Last I checked, the LL Bean Cresta Hiker was affordable. That's what I wear in the mountains.
Hope this helps.
homebru
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The vasque sundowner would be a great choice. I had a pair for many years. My all time favorite boot.
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Asolo makes a good boot for the $. You can find their FSN 95 goretex models occasionally for around $100.
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Rob,
I own some Vasque and some Keens. The Vasques are some serious all leather boots made for climbing in rough terrain and do not have the feel that the Keens have. I suspect the Keens might not last in rough conditions but for traipsing around in these eastern woodlands they are perfect. I know Vasque makes some composite boots that might be more flexible than mine but don't know how they would last. My Keens are Gore-Tex and waterproof and if you look for sales can be had for under a 100.00. Just don't take them to Hawaii. I saw a pic of a shredded pair over on that site in a thread about boots.
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I fell in love with my Keens, and I just buy a designated pair for hunting every other year and use my second pair for work.... as the work boots wear out i rotate them, and buy new hunting boots.... It gives me a back up pair during a rainy hunting trip too....
For years i bought the less expensive High tech boots, but they just don't last as long...
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How do the Vasque and Asolo fit as far as width? I don't usually wear a wide but I think what I like about the Keens is they fit a little wider. Everyone says Merrell fits a bit narrow.
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I am a Danner man and I am looking a Danner's Jackal II but don't over look Merrell.
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I have a pair of Salomon boots that are fantastic. Check out there line up and they are very reasonable on price too.
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Rob,
I'm wearing a pair of Asolo Fugitives (my first) and I like them. To me, they run a little narrower than most, but that I like. They definitely have more ankle support than any hiker I've owned. I had a pair of the Vasque Sundowners that I also liked but my feet got soaked from morning grass dew. Sent them back and the replacements did the same. I know Gortex isn't the end-all waterproofing, but I expect if I pay extra it should repel wet grass. I haven't really given the Asolo's a good test on that yet. Good time to buy, with markdowns on last year's inventory.
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Rob, I bought a pair of Danners years ago for an Alaska trip and they were the first higher end leather boots I ever bought. No break in, they fit well and wore well right from the start. Did not have Gore Tex and they had a little insulation in them which sounds different from what you are looking for but I was impressed. Nothing to compare them to though.
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I have had a pair goretex ASOLO hikers for over 10 years......still wear them and they are still water proof......they are almost bald on the soles. Just got a new pair of Salomon hikers that were on sale at Gander Mt. I hope they are as half as good as my old Asolo's.
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If you like Asolos, you can find them significantly discounted at sierratradingpost.com. Might be a good idea to try some on in a store first -they run a little narrow for me. Someone mentioned the LL Bean Cresta hikers...great boots and I think they are still made in Italy. The pair I had lasted about 4 yrs hard use hiking but keep in mind they are backpacking boots and have a very stiff sole. An all leather boot will last you a lot longer - take a little more time to break in, but they will last. If you're not sure what you need, buy from an REI store and they have a no hassle 100% return or exchange policy if you want something else after you've worn them awhile. Good selection there too and typically knowledgeable staff to help with fit. IMO Vasquez went downhill when they started making them in China (at least the Sundowner model)!
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...should have added when it comes to "budget"' like with most things now days, you get what you pay for so spending a little more now might save you later on. Good luck!
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For the money, vasque sundowners cannot be beat. I have other boots that I prefer, but they cost far more. I have not only hunted, but made a living in sundowners for many years.
Jake
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Merrell Moab run a bit wider. I have a 4e width foot and have a hard time finding boots that fit. the Moab in a W width fit me great so I am guessing their regular width may work for you. I got mine for $129 online. I wore them in Colorado last fall with no issues. SO far they have been good boots! Good luck! Mike
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I backpacked with the old heavy leather Vasques for years.
I now have a pair of lightweight Vasque Breeze (wore them today, in fact) that are a great early season hunting boot.
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I'll chime in with another vote for Asolo. I need a boot that breathes well, and an all leather upper is too hot for my feet. My Asolo breathe well, and dry out twice as fast as my Mendell boots. That has been very important for me on more than one occasion.
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I do like Keens a lot.. However, my right foot/ankle tends to roll over very frequently due to a injury that occurred while I was in the service. Now, I need something with more ankle support? Usually go with a stiffer leather model for hunting. If I am hiking maintained trails, I will go with a lite weight Keen...
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I bought a pair of Keens this past Fall to wear as a work boot since I walk mornings and sometimes at noon around a cemetery next to my business. Waterproof and I love them. I plan to buy another pair soon so I can rotate them.
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Three years ago I left the hiking boots behind and went with running type shoes. The difference was amazing. The first year was a New Balance shoe. It was a good shoe, but not as good as what I've used the past two years. Check out Altra shoes. They are located in Golden, CO I believe. I've been using their Lone Peak shoe. Hope this helps.
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Correction, the Vasque boots that I had the leakage problems with were the Breeze, not the Sundowners. My bad, been several years and I think I'm getting early onset "oldtimers"!
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I second the Salomans they a the best boot I have worn and backcountry has them on sale around this time every year and other times during the year and you can not beat there guarantee. Widow
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I am very please with a boot made by Teva (yes, ths sandal folks). They have a light leather and a fabric boot. If you research discount sites they can be had for about $100. I have about 5 pairs of various manufacturers boots, and they are the ones I usually reach for.
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Originally posted by Rob W.:
How do the Vasque and Asolo fit as far as width? I don't usually wear a wide but I think what I like about the Keens is they fit a little wider. Everyone says Merrell fits a bit narrow.
Rob,
Just noticed your post and question. I also do not need wide boots but...I have worn several different Merrells in D width with no problems. Last summer I bought a pair of Vasque Breeze GTX and they are narrow. Had to go with a wider boot. Very comfortable and with the goretex they are waterproof, unles stepping into a creek deeper than the boot is tall.
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LL Bean Gortex Cresta. Best value and guarantee out there. I have Keen's for lighter duty.
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I have a pair of Speed Freeks by UA that I would give away for the price of shipping. They are nearly new and the size is 8 although they really should be marked 7 1/2 which is why I don't wear them. Just PM me if somebody wants them. If you wear an 8, trust me, you won't want them. A 7 1/2 and you should be good to go.
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I am currently wearing el-cheapo hiking boots from Wally World, $29.95 if I remember correctly. I took out the stock insole and replaced it with a very good insole, they are very comfortable and stable now.
Bottom line, I have bad feet, plantar fasciitis on one foot and haglands deformity on the other(heel sticks way out and gets my achilles tendon really sore if shoes rub in that area).
I have custom made Russel's, high dollar Morrels( that never would break in) and have found that my own "customized" el-cheapos work as good for me as the top dollar stuff.
I have covered a lot of tough miles in them, rough mountain hiking in the Smokies and hunting back in the "land that time forgot" locally.
If my boots fail, I will only be out another $29.95 to replace them.
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Got a chance to drive to a store and try almost all the brands you guys suggested. I ended up with Danner cloud caps.
They feel like they were made for my feet. I hope they hold up. Thanks guys!
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I love keen, asolo, and vasque. I still where asolo fugitve gtx boots alot. But Keen are my favorite. I where them every day and over the last few years i where them hunting more and more. I love the comfort and quality of Keen and thier waterproof seems to stay waterproof alot longer than others. Seems a 4 pairs of asolo as well as my danners start to leak after a couple years. Where as my 5 year old keens that i where about 5 times more than any other boot is still waterproof. Keen is also the most comfortable boot for my foot i have ever owned.
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Another vote for L L Beans Crestas