Yes, another f***ing SHOE post

[psalms144.1]

OK, all y'all superstuds, give me your advice. I'm in need of two (2) pairs of shoes. First, I need a summer weight, breathable "hiker" style suitable for work and casual wear (work attire is very casual - jeans/untucked shirts most often). Second, I need a pair of walking/elliptical ready "athletic" shoes for, well, walking and elliptical use. Due to an enormous list of injuries I won't go into, my "running" is limited to twice a year lumbering around the 1.5 mile track for my physical fitness test. I do like to spend 45 minutes a day or so on the elliptical, and I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback who would gladly walk 12-15 miles a day, if I had nothing better to do... In case you didn't know it 6'1" and 240# - so I put a lot of stress on my feet (not to mention my hips, knees, ankles, etc).

Right now, I'm wearing Keen Targhee IIs for daily wear. I love them, especially the wider "toe box" because I have feet like a duck, and I have to wear custom orthotics due to pronation issues and general fucked-up-ness in my feet. Downsides to Keens - the soles are for shit and are prone to coming apart. My current pair needed to be gorilla-glued back together within 6 months. Also, while they're awesome for the winter, being waterproof, for summer wear my feet smell like a gut shot water buffalo by the end of the day, and I can wring my socks out after a long day on my feet. Oh, and they're heavy, like concrete shoes to keep you pinned to the bottom of the ocean heavy. The only Keen shoe that looks similar but summer-friendly is the Voyageur Mid - but, they spelled "Voyageur" like Frenchmen, and, we all know about them...

For tennies, I've been wearing Asics Gel Kayano (X?) for a long while, but when I ordered a pair a couple of months back, the current iteration is completely different - and very uncomfortable.

So, let's hear it. Give me your thoughts on summer wear light hikers and general walking/(barely) athletic shoes.

Thanks!

[Chuteur]

;)

http://www.backcountry.com/images/items/900/TEV/TEV0193/FEAGN.jpg

Sorry, couldn't resist. That said, I wear them during the summer.

[Peally]

I just wear Salomons around now for the most part, a lot of the non-DWR models are pretty breathable (DWR is useless and so is waterproofing shoes IMO). Some fit very narrow, and some fit great for my slightly wide feet, so YMMV.

I can't speak to durability just yet as I haven't worn a pair long enough. I have a shoe curse though and nothing I wear lasts any amount of time despite my lazy ass office lifestyle, so I'm just waiting for the day my Salomons explode like everything else I've owned.

I would recommend you wear nicer socks when you can to combat the stink (Defeet makes some nice light merino wool type socks but they're a little pricey compared to Wally World cheapos). Don't use Gorilla Glue to fix soles as it's designed to solidify and shoes need to be able to flex; something like Shoe Goo, Aquaseal, etc for delamination and hole repairs is far superior and won't crumble off 3 days later.


Once you find the perfect shoe buy 10 pairs. Everyone fits a little differently and by the time you find your great pair the company will decide to discontinue that model forever.

[vcdgrips]

How about offerings from Hoka, super shock absorbent and the model lines include trail soles and "running" ones as well.
Sierra Trading Post is a great first stop in this realm.

[Mobettadefense]

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00D1H0Z...ter_B00E8AOZPY (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00D1H0Z18/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=pistolforum-20&linkId=a2ddc539b19082b0b7fd4ec4e3fc4c7c)

Merrell All Out series is excellent.

[Mobettadefense]

Merrell all out charge are my favorites. Just wore them for a part of a three day pistol class. I am not a small man and these are great.

https://smile.amazon.com/Merrell-Men...ding=UTF8&th=1 (https://smile.amazon.com/Merrell-Mens-Charge-Trail-Running/dp/B00RAOYH4O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2897711222&pf_rd_r=3R9B6Q95ZPB4SPD687MF&pd_rd_wg=u6YSt&pf_rd_s=desktop-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B00KZO4E8U&pd_rd_w=wQuRo&pf_rd_i=desktop-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=3R9B6Q95ZPB4SPD687MF&_encoding=UTF8&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=pistolforum-20&linkId=0f3b38c80e3420cc4319d7f3254798cc)

[Mobettadefense]

If you want something more sturdy a true "hiker" and lave to toe functionality I love these. I wore them on another day of the three day class. On my feet all day no worries. I hunt, fish and hike in these if I expect rough going or if I need to have a lower profile shoe (no neon green and such).

17014

https://smile.amazon.com/Vasque-Multi...B14&th=1&psc=1 (https://smile.amazon.com/Vasque-Multisport-Aluminum-Chili-Pepper/dp/B0041FHZ9E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1496178834&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=vasque+size+14&th=1&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=pistolforum-20&linkId=eaf9146b1109eb96a207171aeea2fd70)

[Chuteur]

How about offerings from Hoka, super shock absorbent and the model lines include trail soles and "running" ones as well.
Sierra Trading Post is a great first stop in this realm.

Can I just say: I had some Hoka from REI last summer, I love the principle, but on my very first 6 mile circuit with them I had blisters at the half way point and had to live with that till I got back home. I took them back the next day and the guy in the shop told me they get quite a few returns with the same issue, he was not too kind about them at all.

Years ago in the military I complained about my boot fit and an older wiser soldier told me to rip out the lowest bid insoles and replace them with sports insoles. Never looked back, best piece of duty footwear advice I ever got.

Same with trainers if you are looking for more bounce and cushioning - the wafer thin insoles the expensive trainers come with can be improved upon. You can spend $40 or $50 on Gucci insoles in D1ck's, or get to Wally world and buy some Dr Sch0ll's for $10 and they do exactly the same job - works for me on Asic's and Mizuno's.

[EricM]

Take a look at the Merrell Moab Ventilator for a summer hiker/everyday shoe. I wear a Moab Ventilator low in summer and Moab Gore-Tex mid when it's cooler.

Merrell recently released the Moab 2, you may still find both versions in the supply chain. Wide widths are available too.

[blues]

Right now, I'm wearing Keen Targhee IIs for daily wear. I love them, especially the wider "toe box" because I have feet like a duck, and I have to wear custom orthotics due to pronation issues and general fucked-up-ness in my feet. Downsides to Keens - the soles are for shit and are prone to coming apart.

Kevin, I was a Keen Targhee II guy as well but found both the traction and durability wanting.

I've tried Merrell but have been underwhelmed and Lowa doesn't fit me well.

I generally use Superfeet Green insoles in my shoes to control over pronation but I found two brands of shoes that work well for me:

Oboz: I'm wearing the "Bridger" but you can look through their offerings for a lighter version without eVent if you want something a bit lighter / cooler.

Ahnu: Specifically the "Ridgecrest" model. I think they may be discontinued since the merger with Teva but they are probably still available on amazon, zappos etc.

I don't need Superfeet insoles with either shoe and have multiple pairs. Obviously, YMMV but sounds like we are coming from a shoe we both liked and I actually like both of these better and the fit is awesome with an ample toe box. Construction and durability are excellent so far.

Reviews can be found online.

[RolandD]

Merino wool socks, all day, every day.

Shoe Goo is cheap and works great.

The only pair of boots that have survived everyday wear, for more than a year, for me, have been my Dr Martin's 'For Life', but if you think Keen's are heavy, they weight about twice as much.

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[Peally]

Merrells are well known to be low-durability shoes by others and myself through experience, not recommended if you want something to last; I treat them as disposable shoes.

I know people hate to hear that sometimes but they aren't affordable popular shoes because they're built like tanks.

[DocGKR]

Have you tried a pair of Ecco's for daily work use?

[AMC]

Merrells are well known to be low-durability shoes by others and myself through experience, not recommended if you want something to last; I treat them as disposable shoes.

I know people hate to hear that sometimes but they aren't affordable popular shoes because they're built like tanks.

This. My Ventilator lows and GTX Mids both started delaminating the outsoles after about a month. Shoe goo worked for a while.....but the GTx booties gave out in the Mids after a couple more months. Not fun on a two hour hike in the rain with the dog...... disaster if you were camping or far from home.

[TAZ]

For hikers I've had awesome luck with Lowa Renegade and Zephyr. Although the last pair I bought felt a bit narrower than previous units.

Have a pair of black Renegades that Ive worn with a dark suit and not a soul noticed.

Running/walking and gym use I've had success with Brooks Acadias.

Both these brands work with my custom orthotics, superfeet or factory insoles.

[Drang]

I'm seeing a lot of recommendations by people who apparently can't conceive of what over-pronating does to your body...

I suggest researching shoes, especially running shoes, designed for pronators, and/or for "motion control."

My go-to for most of my Army career was New Balance 99x shoes, designed for "big boys", especially those with, you guessed it, over-pronation issues.

You want a shoe that is designed with a straight last; and probably with a fairly stiff sole. The Ortho/Pod I went to said if you can easily bend the shoe so the tow touches the heel it is too flexible, ergo (SWIDT?) not supportive enough.
Except he was a lot ruder about it than that.

[JclInAtx]

I had a pair of Gel Kayano's that I loved, but I went to replace them the new ones were $160+ so I didn't even bother trying them on. I wound up with a pair of Brooks Ghost which seem to offer similar cushioning and support for me. I also bought into the hype and got a pair of Hoka Odysseys. I wore them around the house for a few days to break them in before joggingg in them and have had no problems. Their claim to fame is light weight due to removing padding around the upper, while having plenty of cushioning in the sole. Not sure if it makes sense for use on an elliptical... I'm around 170 lb and jog no more than around 5 miles at a time so ymmv.

For hikers I love Vasque but all that I have used are for backpacking and were very not breathable. I got a pair of skywalks in high school and after about 8 years they developed a leak I didn't bother getting them fixed but continued to use them for mountain biking and hiking in dry weather for probably another 8 years. I finally got rid off them after the plastic eyelets started to break off. The new ones are all metal so they should last. I replaced them for winter use with sundowners and they're still trucking along after 20 years, but they haven't gotten as much use in the last 10 years now that I'm living in TX.

[Peally]

Anything less than metal eyelets is communism.

Seriously, fuck fabric eyelets. Aside from delamination those are the primary reason I have shoes fail, and they're pretty damn hard to repair if it's even possible.

[BobLoblaw]

I guess I've had good luck with Merrell Moab's then (or I'm pussyfooting). My first Gore Tex pair lasted ten years of weekend climbing trips. My second pair is still kicking after two. It is my dedicated hiking shoe though, not my eery day kicks. My Merrell Trail Gloves are still kicking after a year or two but I treadmill more than I trail run these days. Merino wool socks stop the stink in the summer.

[eb07]

Another vote for Merrell Moabs. Work great in the AZ desert.

[RJ]

Another vote for Merrell Moabs. Work great in the AZ desert.

Holy Crap!! What are the odds I can post on a p-f shoe hipster thread!?

+2 on Merrell Moab's:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170531/27acca98edb40bc9ffbfe38c213b4906.jpg

I've had this pair for going on five years. It is my go-to light approach boot for hot weather.

Haven't heard socks mentioned yet (sock thread?) but I use light wool, usually Womens size M for my 8 1/2 EEE feet (yes I have duck feet). These Thorlos fit well.

[Cypher]

Shoes spelled backwards is Beelzebub

[Chuteur]

Holy Crap!! What are the odds I can post on a p-f shoe hipster thread!?

+2 on Merrell Moab's:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170531/27acca98edb40bc9ffbfe38c213b4906.jpg

I've had this pair for going on five years. It is my go-to light approach boot for hot weather.

Haven't heard socks mentioned yet (sock thread?) but I use light wool, usually Womens size M for my 8 1/2 EEE feet (yes I have duck feet). These Thorlos fit well.

Merino socks. Only way to go, ask the big children in the army.

[blues]

Merino socks. Only way to go, ask the big children in the army.

Respectfully, I beg to differ. I'm more of a Thorlo guy. I tend to wear wool out too quickly. (And Thorlos are made right here in NC.)

I do like a well made wool sock, however. I'll admit to that.

[Redhat]

While I like hikers as an everyday wear shoe, in my experience, the soles don't last long in urban areas (da-street). I've tried Merrell, Keen and Salomon and pavement just eats that grippy rubber up. I'm not sure I'll ever find a brand that lasts. Maybe I need to look at redwings or something construction work based. Currently I wear skechers leather boots (wide toe box and waterproof) similar in profile to a hiker and they are doing okay..

[RolandD]

Omni-Wool Merino wool socks from Sam's Club. High wool content, and they wear like iron. I have six pair that are ten years old, three pair that are six years old and three pair that are two years old. The oldest are threadbare in the heels, but no holes. Three pair for less than $15. Best buy ever!

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[45dotACP]

Had my Merrell Moab's for about two years. Got them on the recommendation of my ex girlfriend, who has been hiking since forever, is seriously into wildlife photography, and is a no shit rocket scientist (Not that she would be qualified to speak to shoes because of that. It's just cool to say.) No obvious signs that they're dying. That said, they've probably got more miles on them than any other footwear I own and I'd have expected them to start showing their ass by now.

Except for the fact that the Merrell is without a doubt, the most comfortable thing I've ever put on my foot, I'm not too invested.

I'm also not about to drop several hundred bucks on footwear I don't wear at work. 100-150 bucks for a pair, destroy in a year or two, buy new pair. Rinse lather repeat. I spend more on ammo in a month....

I do need a solid walking shoe for work purposes. Shift work 7-7 eats shoes up fast.

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[Mr. Goodtimes]

I've had the best luck with Lowa boots in general. I wear Renegades for work boots/hiking boots. I haven't destroyed a pair in five years. I had horrible luck with Merril Moab's, I went through three pairs and none lasted longer than six months before the soles would begin to separate. I want to like my Saloman XA Pros but they just don't work for my feet. I have really flat feet and they have a really aggressive arch that just doesn't agree with me. Because of this I wasn't able to wear them long enough to see how durable they were.

I really like the minimalist style brooks running shoes for running and working out.


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[LittleLebowski]

Keen sandals unless it's cold and then Lowa boots

[blues]

I really like the minimalist style brooks running shoes for running and working out.

When I was still running, Brooks were my favorites. I still use them for working out. I have flat feet as well but I actually like the feeling of high arch support. Go figure.

[blues]

Keen sandals unless it's cold and then Lowa boots

Keen and Chacos. (But the most comfortable were an inexpensive pair of Hi-Tecs.)

[Clobbersaurus]

I just bought a pair of Columbia Peakfreaks that I quite like. I got a hell of a deal and they are waterproof....

Columbia Men's Peakfreak Xcrsn II Xcel Low Outdry Hiking Shoe, Shark, Blaze, 10 D US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G7DI06O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_bd5lzbSH4R89S

I'm also partial to Clarks slip on casual shoes for work. I just bought a new pair after my three year old set finally had to be replaced.

[schüler]

I wear leather work boots during the week, year 'round at least 12hrs/day and sometimes 24+. Usually on a Texas construction site. 4yrs ago I changed to Wigwam durasole socks and I've had little problem with foot stench. I also make sure to wash my feet very well. I have a few pairs of Darn Tough wool for hiking and they work well.

If you can wring out your socks at the end of the day there's no getting around 1) buying a good boot drier or 2) having two pairs of boots along with a boot drier so you can alternate day to day. You'll never manage the stench if they stay damp from day to day. Washing them out periodically is also important. Look into vinegar solutions or added to your washer.

Another wide foot, here. I get as many Es on the end as I can, usually 4E and 5E.

Athletic: I prefer the New Balance Minimus series for running. The low or no heel rise is much more natural. Merrell Trail Gloves and Vibram FFs are too thin for the trails I like. Not a big pavement runner these days.
Work boot: Thorogood all the way. Love the wedge soles on concrete all day long. Only recently has Danner made wide sizes and their 2E is too narrow. They have some wider ones but I've not tried yet. Don't really need to.
Range boot: Belleville 390 is good combo of wide enough, reasonable weight and breathes a bit.
Insole: Superfeet Orange. I go up one size due to my wide feet--easy to trim length to fit shoe.
Casual: New Balance, Sanuk, Propet (the non-grandpa looking models), Merrell. My choices are very limited.

Brands I haven't found a truly wide size in: Vasque, Ahnu, Keen, Lowa, Meindl, Asolo, Salomon, Inov8, all the new low heel tac boots like Reeboks, Nike, etc. Thank the Lord for New Balance!

[RJ]

I tried a set of Superfeet in the hiking boots I'd bought for my Philmont trek with the Boy Scouts (68 miles, 10 days, starting 6,600', to Mt Phillips at 10k elevation or so).

They sucked. I literally was in pain during the so-called break-in period the sales attendant told me about. I was neither high speed nor low Drag enough, outdoors wise, to put up with them.

Those of you with flat feet, do Superfeet work eventually?

I admit the trek was the hardest thing I ever did, physically, but it was not due to the boots, which IIRC were high-top Lowas.

[blues]

I tried a set of Superfeet in the hiking boots I'd bought for my Philmont trek with the Boy Scouts (68 miles, 10 days, starting 6,600', to Mt Phillips at 10k elevation or so).

They sucked. I literally was in pain during the so-called break-in period the sales attendant told me about. I was neither high speed nor low Drag enough, outdoors wise, to put up with them.

Those of you with flat feet, do Superfeet work eventually?

I admit the trek was the hardest thing I ever did, physically, but it was not due to the boots, which IIRC were high-top Lowas.

I liked Superfeet from day one. I use the green in my walking, hiking shoes. I use the blue in my lifting shoes. Never had a problem with either even with my flat feet. Maybe it's a flexibility thing but the high arch actually feels good to my feet and without the support I over pronate.

As I mentioned, the Oboz Bridger and Ahnu Ridgecrest I currently wear do not require the Superfeet as they come with great OEM insoles.
In my Rockport "Step Boldly" slip-on's I had to replace the flimsy insoles.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

I tried a set of Superfeet in the hiking boots I'd bought for my Philmont trek with the Boy Scouts (68 miles, 10 days, starting 6,600', to Mt Phillips at 10k elevation or so).

They sucked. I literally was in pain during the so-called break-in period the sales attendant told me about. I was neither high speed nor low Drag enough, outdoors wise, to put up with them.

Those of you with flat feet, do Superfeet work eventually?

I admit the trek was the hardest thing I ever did, physically, but it was not due to the boots, which IIRC were high-top Lowas.

The best thing I've found for my flat feet was shoes with no arch support. I never had any problems with my feet until doctors tried to fix me with shoes with an ass load of arch support. Imagine that, taking your bodies natural physical state and forcing/molding it into something else it wasn't meant to be like caused a problem.


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[Mr. Goodtimes]

When I was still running, Brooks were my favorites. I still use them for working out. I have flat feet as well but I actually like the feeling of high arch support. Go figure.

It's funny how people are different. I think this is one thing a lot of doctors fail to recognize. Everyone doesn't fit into one mold. Like I said above, I never had a problem with my flat feet until doctors tried to fix me. High arch support shoes caused me all sorts of problem. I went to shoes with no arch support and my problems vanished. My feet are flat as a board too fwiw.


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[Erik]

I have wide, flat feet too. Shoes with arch support, or even a minimal bump where the arch would be if I had one, are painful. Superfeet felt awful. For me, I remove the OE insole and use a Dr. Scholls insert instead. I also have a hard time finding boots that are wide enough. Danner Striker GTX boots fit me well. Other Danner boots on a different last aren't wide enough. My Dad also has flat feet. He wore orthotics for years, and as a result has terrible problems with his feet now, at nearly 80.

[Drang]

Those of you with flat feet, do Superfeet work eventually?

Since i wear orthotics full time, I use the "flattest" insoles I can find, and replace them regularly. I often wind up buying "standard" insoles and trimming them so that they cause minimum upset to the orthotics.