Mid-height, >not< waterproof boots/shoes?
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2015 8:09 pm
I'm more than a little dissapointed in either my Google-fu or shoe manufacturers. The only major companies I've found who make non-waterproof and mid height, fairly lightweight boots or hiking shoes are Merrel and Keen. I tend to do lots of cross country and travel on rough trails, plus a few peaks a summer, and I haven't found anything that'll last more than 200 miles. Merrels have all worn out for mearound the 6th toe and develop holes in the material around the heel pocket. I'm trying a pair of Keen Gypsums now, and the edge of one of the outer lugs has already had its gluing fail and wasn't repairable with Aquaseal. We'll see how much of a difference that makes for me on Humphreys this weekend.
If they would only fit me on longer trips, I tried some La Sportiva Hyper Mid GTXs last summer and loved them until they aggravated my ankles enough to bail after 2 consecutive days of backpacking. If La Sportiva made them just a bit wider I'd be in heaven (Merrels and Keens fit me perfectly), but at least their Gore-Tex application still breathed a little bit. It seems like practically every single hiking shoe must be waterproof if it's a mid height, but I absolutely don't want that for non-winter Sierra trips that make up 95% of my mileage. Any recommendations, or will I just have to live with knowing that I go through a pair of shoes every JMT-equivalent?
If only Montrail still made shoes like before they got bought out. I put 500 miles and a summer of forestry in my '07 Hardrocks, and if I hadn't worn out the rubber and rock plate once that was exposed I'd happily still be hiking in them.
If they would only fit me on longer trips, I tried some La Sportiva Hyper Mid GTXs last summer and loved them until they aggravated my ankles enough to bail after 2 consecutive days of backpacking. If La Sportiva made them just a bit wider I'd be in heaven (Merrels and Keens fit me perfectly), but at least their Gore-Tex application still breathed a little bit. It seems like practically every single hiking shoe must be waterproof if it's a mid height, but I absolutely don't want that for non-winter Sierra trips that make up 95% of my mileage. Any recommendations, or will I just have to live with knowing that I go through a pair of shoes every JMT-equivalent?
If only Montrail still made shoes like before they got bought out. I put 500 miles and a summer of forestry in my '07 Hardrocks, and if I hadn't worn out the rubber and rock plate once that was exposed I'd happily still be hiking in them.