EXACTLY. This is something that is actually almost gone from the market. Any mambrane is only a problem in the summer if you know there won't be any rain, so why every freaking boot has it? I want light, non-waterproof boot with light-colored suade on top, mid, or high top. Is it that hard to do?
Would love to see the Salomon Quest 4 GTX be covered as well. Owned several of them over the last decade and whilst they were amongst the best of the best when first released it'd be interesting to see how they still rate.
I own a pair of Solomon boots it's X Forces Jungle boot 8 inch in brown very comfortable my aren't waterproof but they are very comfortable. I've said he should review Solomon boots I think he picks brands that are not really in the boot world at all
@@aayotechnology I'm with you on that I've said this many times and the brands he picked are not truly hiking boots or boot brands the ones he picked out are sneaker brands going into the boot world. this is not what I expected him to pick this is a low for him in regards he claims he did his research maybe he did or not but if he did he would not pick the brands that he did and proves he really did not do his research well more super rushed or rushed
@@texandy89 I think with North Face you've at least got a brand with strong outdoor gear credit. Not sure Salomon is truly a boot company even if they did start with ski-boots, I'd say their range is not dissimilar to North Face with the % of boots vs clothes probably the opposite of each other. Price wise the Salomon would be near the top of the list of the boots he's reviewing but still within the price range. As for Adidas I've got some Ultraboost with a special GTX upper that have held up amazingly well, though I'm rapidly wearing through the tread. Would certainly buy more but it seems like they were only available for a limited time.
As someone who’s thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail I can tell you that virtually nobody that completed the 2200 mile hike wore these over engineered shoes. Waterproof: Terrible because when they eventually get wet from sweat or a week of rain they take forever to dry out. Perfect if your goal is trench foot. Ankle Support: Great for blowing out your knee as force is redirected from the highly flexible ankle & foot to the knee. Rigid Highly Stacked Soles: Restricts natural foot biomechanics leading to horrible ball of foot pain when doing day after day of 20+ miles. Traditional Toe Box: Again restricts proper biomechanics leading to various problems like bunions, etc. These problems aren’t all that noticeable if you go day hiking once a week, but when you start doing 25 miles/day in heat, rain, rock scrambles, waterlogged trails, loose rock… you quickly learn that you want something highly flexible, wide toe box, light, & drys quickly.
@ I’d aim for something with like vibram five fingers just not as ugly. Zero drop, minimal stack height, maximum ankle mobility, lightweight, and drys quick. Lems has some interesting options. Xero does too. I’d test both to see who’s soles lasts longer.
Merrell Moab composite toe, are the best boots on the market. I just retired a pair I had for over four years of hard everyday use. (Including a high speed motorcycle crash.) I weigh over 270lbs and need a EE width. I am known for splitting the outside toe-edge of boots, but these held up better than anything I've ever worn. I am on my second pair now and will continue to buy them until I find the quality to be reduced.
It’s true. I had some achilles-high trail runners that I absolutely battered. The continental grip on those bad boys outlasted the prime knit. They need more forefoot caging though, not enough shoe up front on most of the models I’ve seen to really be able to ‘paw’ your feet on edgier terrain without straining your toes.
That’s all I wear is the Adidas free hikers Gore-Tex but I actually ended up buying the ultra boost light Gore-Tex to switch it up for the summertime. They have something maybe a little bit lighter.
Bought a pair for my winters here in ice cold Sweden. Never once even had to consider the fact that I could slip or fall. The continental outsole is incredible for tracktion. I do feel they're a bit pricey though as they're still glued on outsoles so you cant resole them. But I got mine on a sale which saved me like $40
Yeah, I feel the terrex line is overlooked. I've got the Adidas freehiker goretex and they're great. Fantastic balance of solid waterproofing, breathability that's as good as you can get and fantastic grip.
Awesome video and series, love it! I'd suggest expanding your test base a little bit to include the kind of boots that would be featured if you went into an REI or similar outdoor store. The really common ones are Merrell, Salomon, Asolo, Lowa, Keen (which you've featured a lot) and Zamberlan. Most of these can be purchased for as much or less than the HOKAs.
I have a pair of Zamberlan’s. Amazing boots. Italian made and even though they are are $350, they will last me a lot longer than any of these boots you have shown. No surprise on the Hoka’s. There running/walking shoes are the best for comfort in any shoe I’ve ever worn.
Please look at toe box widths and heel drops. I’m fighting through plantar fascitis and the only thing that has helped is wide toe box shoes and zero drop. So I’m interested in avoiding too narrow toe boxes.
i feel like you guys failed to do the research on what hiking shoes the majority of people are looking at. hoka and altra are definitely common on hikers, but altras are really falling out of favor because they only last a few hundred miles before falling apart. a really big brand in the hiking world rn is topo athletic, kind of taking over since altras keep falling apart. love the videos keep it up.
I love my Terrex free hikers from casual wear, rainy/muddy days on my way to the gym, and obviously amateur hiking I do. Very comfortable and breathable with very good grip on pretty much any surface.
@RoseAnvil2 What does these modern hiking boots offer compare more "old fashion" hikers. Say a Jim Green Razorbacks or other leather construction? They are lighter, yes. Durability, I'm guessing the leather ones will stand up to more. Ankle support of the newer ones seem to be less sturdy, maybe I'm wrong. Using the Razorbacks, they may have less cushion, but after break in they are comfortable. Lug / traction / soles? I'm just not sure how the newer ones are better?
I’ve had all of these brands and Hoka stuff is incredible, terrex is a real underdog (as much as a line from a company that big can be) but the North Face vectiv boots have consistently surprised and impressed me! If you can get a pair that fits I think they’re worth another look. Love the videos!
Checkout the Lowa Renegade Mid. Leather upper, comes with and w/o goretex, roomy toebox, padded ankle support, good grip, not too heavy. They're not resolable, but I have a couple thousand miles in one pair and I'm breaking in the next for when I eventually wear out the rubber sole. The next tier up, the Camino, is resolable and will cost about $150 to resole.
I’ve worn the crap out of my Under Armour hikers and Northface. Both lasted a couple hundred hard miles but the Northface truly impressed me. I’ll buy them again for sure.
I bought a pair of Hoka last week and straight out the box I walked up East kip in the Lomond Hills in Scotland. Guess what I love them, they will be my go-to boots for any 3 season walking/ hill walking here.
I've likely mentioned before that I mostly gave up on this style of hiking boot already a long time ago because I could find "combat" boots for the same price or less, but now those style of military boots are already being phased out or something, too? Well, suffice to say that anything that is more like a sneaker than a traditional boot will likely not last as long, especially the outsole, BUT I was able to resole some of the combat boots but the Nevados hikers would pretty much disintegrate and I can't recall what other brands now besides that one I had three models or something and usually it was always the outsole that would wear too thin too quickly for the rest.
But SOME boots you can feel every single rock thru the bottom of them but that still might be slightly more preferable in some cases than a really rigid work sole, etc.
Interesting video and great theme! Several European specialised hiking brands have boots in the same price range and many of them with leather uppers. Meindl, Lundhags, Salomons and Haglöfs are examples of respected European brands that make hiking boots in the price range.
how can you talk about affordable hiking boots without talking about the merrell moabs lol? their latest model with goretex is cheaper than all 5 of these shoes
Excited for this series! Hiking boots claim to do so much that it's hard to know what's real about them. I'd love if you guys could manage a traction test somehow. Maybe wear them on a rising slope and measure when they start sliding?
I live in Colorado and when it comes to Summer hiking in the mountains, I really prefer approach shoes like La Sportiva TX4. They're a cross between a hiking and climbing shoe, made for 'approaching' aka hiking to climbing crags, dealing with rocky terrain, scrambling, so they have grippy rubber, protect the bottom of your feet from rocks, they're super durable and lo-tops are still light and nimble.
You spoke so highly of the Vans MTE-3, I'm surprised to not see it here with a similar price point as the rest and same target market. I ended up going with the Vans and I love mine. Only gripe is I wish the toe box was bigger.
1st time I actually got a boot just for hiking and I got the Alta just because it felt good in the REI shop; didn't even think about the price. However, they did have Hokas and other boots on sale. Bottom line: they felt good and they were waterproof; and, after 4 hours climbing and hiking Turkey Mountain, my feet didn't hurt. My wife went back to REI and traded hers for the girl version of the Alta.
The most comfortable, longest lasting hiking boots I’ve ever worn are Asolo Fugitive GTX, Lowa Camino GTX, and LL Bean Cresta (all leather.) I just can’t get into these kinds of boots or trail runners, I’ve had 4 or 5 pairs of hiking shoes (Keen, Oboz, Salewa) that were comfortable and took me all over the crazy rocky White Mtns but for almost 38 years I’ve been wearing combat boots or safety toe work boots at least 5 days a week. I’m not really comfortable in anything but boots.
This is something I've looked into a lot, so I'm so glad you're covering it (also would love something on I guess more traditional/stereotypical boots from different areas, like Trickers Country boots and wellington boots from the UK, the Haferlschuh from Bavaria, ect.). Tried some Addidas Terrex boots and have decided never to go with gore-tex again, the rubber wore out too quick, on long hikes my pinky toes got squished, the boost foam was great but my main issue was the would not dry (why I'm never going gore-tex again, fast drying > slow wetting). Tried some altra boots lonepeak boots too, fit was very comfy, and they seemed good, but had to return them as they weren't breathable (it was basically a goretex boot without the goretex, which is not a good way to make a breathable boot). Will try other Altra offerings though. Tried some low lems as well, so far they are most breathable, and comfiest, but I really like a boot when I hike so haven't taken them on anything too serious. As a side on gore-tex, their patents expired in 1997, so you're really just paying for the brand name on their fabrics, as competitors are making the same thing.
I guess these boots cover the people who come from traditional leather boots but have seen a lot of hikers either on YT or in real life (on trail, shockingly this happens) hiking away super happy in trail runners or, if the trail is not too technical, even in ordinary jogging shoes - you can hike the PCT in Nike Air Pegasus. So these people are afraid to roll their ankle and want something higher but lightweight or they are afraid of scratching their feet. However: If you look down to your trail-runners from above, you quickly see that their platform is way wider than the upper. It is nearly impossible to roll your ankle in Hoka Speedgoats. Unless you stepp really unfortunate on a moving rock, into a hole and so on. In this case even a higher boot offers only minimal protection and you can roll your ankle even in a heavy duty leather boot. There are shoes designed to be roll-proof, like the VJ Integrator High (an orienteering shoe). It's no wonder, you hardly see such boots on feet of long-distance hikers. The minimal advantages in terms of insulation and protection you overpay with the resistance of the material you need to overcome with every step. So these boots are ideal for walking your dog on a rainy day or in snow, not so much for serious hiking (I hiked 6500 miles in 2022, without boots and I am still alive). Sustainability is however a big problem. You can trow away your trail runners after 500 miles. Either you have no more traction because the profile is gone, you have no more dampening (also because you used your trail runners everyday for 10 hours and more, so the foam had no time to recover) or the upper is gone as well. Some manufacturers are aware of the problem but they offer little less than a greenwashing operation. ON offers shoes designed to be recycled but you have to overcome a lot of hurdles to subscribe to a service. The program is called Cyclon. No sport shoe manufacturer is really interested in producing modular shoes where you can exchange the upper, midsole and rubber according to your needs. They prefer to sell you a new pair while you dump the old ones into the trash. Some shoes are made with carbon fiber and Kevlar or both. Here in Switzerland trash is burned and the facilities have special smoke cleaning installations where they even filter out metals. That may not be the case everywhere in the world.
For me a 95kg heavyweight muscle body type hokas are AMAZING, for riding too, Their offroad soles are the most comfortable even compared to nike premium or their own road shoes
I've worked in marketin so I try to be very intentional about my purchases, and I often try to find reviews for shoes I wanna buy. 99% of shoe-focused channels just regurgitate marketing jargon, props to you for cutting (literally) through it. keep doing what you do 🫡
That’s pretty much all I wear is the Adidas free hikers Gore-Tex and this summer I ended up getting the ultra boost light Gore-Tex shoe just to switch it up and instead of always getting those boots
I'd really like to see a high end hiking boot series. I gave myself plantar fascitis wearing what I thought were high quality whites, and hiking on a 3 day 3 night trip. Mostly I think I was carrying too much weight around 45lbs. Weighing 230 myself I Guess I shouldn't be surprised, but now need something great.
Love this, I know for a fact that you will do all the other tests like impact resistance and strength. But it would be great if you can find out how long it takes to let off that glue and give up on you
I own both the Altras and the Hokas and do like the Hokas more. Another snoot that hangs with this pack easily is the Danner Fullbore. For my foot the Fullbore is more comfortable than the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, but I'll have to wait a while for the durability verdict.
@@theoutpost1982 Yeah! Not very exciting though. I've been switching between the Hoka Kaha 2 GTXs and the Danner Fullbores. I'd say I wear either pair about 3-5 days in a row, and then I'll switch. For more context, I'm working 40-50 hrs a week, 8-10 hrs a day in a warehouse setting on flat ground that varies from rough asphalt to finished linoleum to diamond plate, wet or dry, 33°F- to 99°F. I'm bending, crouching, lifting, pushing, and pulling, all day. I wear 11.5 D in both. I'd say my foot is somewhere between D and E (width) but both are plenty wide with some wiggle room to spare. With both, my feet DO NOT hurt at all, even after some longer days. The Hoka silhouette is a bit bulky, especially in the heel with the "swallow tail" that can snag or catch on things if I'm not careful. The Danner design is a bit more streamlined, and I find myself not snagging much if at all on doors, pallets, etc. The Danners are a touch more breathable, which is nice outside and inside, not as nice in a walk-in cooler or freezer though 🥶 I'd say the Danners seem to be slightly more slip resistant, keeping in mind both are designed for more uneven terrain. The Hokas almost sound like cleats on certain surfaces 😂. Both are sufficiently water proof as I've worn both in varying degrees of rain with no issue. Wear and tear seems to be minimal so far, both on the soles and uppers for both shoes. I've definitely gotten more questions/compliments about the Danners, which I find funny considering the Hokas look a bit more wild in my mind. Anyway, I'll update in a few more months or if anything drastic happens 😅✌️
I think I’ll call this kind of shoes: hiking snickers instead, because the materials and designs reminds me more high-top snickers than boots. Thanks for the video.
Although waterproof and lightweight, the soles on the Hoka Sky Kaha 2's wear out pretty quickly. They also fit quite small, so go a half-size up from your normal fit.
Any boot with a lining is not really breathable, in my opinion, I think breathable is a bit of a misnomer. I don’t care what kind of waterproofing it is, they’re all hot.
I have had a difficult time replacing my 2014 Salomon Eskape Mid GTX boots. My flat, wide and fat feet aren't making it easy but like ... what the heck happened to hiking boots? I am starting to wonde if I really am goinf to end up with a pair of Zamberlans.
All of the hype about using recycled or sustainable materials in hiking boots is a lot of silly feel good hype. Most of us drive a few hours or even days every time we head out to a trailhead! Are my “sustainable” boots really offsetting this? (not that I’m worrying about it)
I seeking for a pair of boots... this video was good. I was eye-ing on the Adidas. Could you also do a video on few more brands? I saw OnitsukaTiger, as well as Salomon... as well as a brand I've never heard of, its called Revolve or FWRD... got that while google-ing for hiking boots. Thank you in advance.
Merrell, Quechua (decathlon´s in-house brand) and Lippi are amongst the most recommended ones hiking boots over here in Chilean patagonia... dont know if you find those over in the states....
Hey man, started watching your videos and product analysis on boots. Got some great boots thanks to you. Wondering if you know what is going on with Truman Boots, are they going out of business clearing out old inventory or what. They are not replying to emails on products.
I've been looking at the hokas but wasn't sure about the foam and stability on dicey granite rocks. I have been a vasque breeze wearer for over a decade, but the latest version (in women's) had such bad reviews (rei), I am trying out some oboz (very heavy not good for summer) and bought a pair of north face to try, but a bit worried about the rockers on some of the trails. My very first hiking boots years ago were the Merrell moab and boy did they make my knees hurt, someone mentioned they are better for pronators?
Finely your talking about the altra Olympus five hike mid!! I life test a lot of a different shoes but if I had to pick one shoe to wear for the rest of my life hands down it would be the altra hike mid. I’m really excited to see what you have to say about the toe box maabye not being the best for hiking.
I've been looking for some hiking boots for a while, and since i have an Adidas voucher I thought I'd check theirs out but I couldn't find them comfortable. I have wide feet and the AX4s and other Terrex's and felt too narrow that the arch support was all in the wrong place for me. Trying to find others (I've gone through the common brands and the more higher-end kinda brands in the UK like Cheaney's or Altbergs and still can't find some)
Those hiking boots are a damn gimmick. You shouldn't need those boots, look at the people living and running in mountain, they wear saddles made from car tire or bearfoot. Make your ankles strong, those shoes are gimmick making your feet week and robbing you blind.
Cant help but notice that your right foot when walking is pointing outwards quite a bit, usually a sign of tight hips. I'd try to work on that because you'll have bad problems in the future if you keep walking like that.
You're only scratching the surface and i think you're hitting the tennis shoe brands to heavy. Off the top of my head, Salomen, merrill and oboz are amongst others that need to be looked at. Also, would like to hear how think more tradional leather boots like Danners and jim greens compare.
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Placing my bet. Hoka and Altra are probably extra comfy.
I would love to see a series on warm weather, non-waterproof, breathable hiking boots please🦋👣
EXACTLY. This is something that is actually almost gone from the market. Any mambrane is only a problem in the summer if you know there won't be any rain, so why every freaking boot has it? I want light, non-waterproof boot with light-colored suade on top, mid, or high top. Is it that hard to do?
Maybe get Merrells?
@@co.1157 Awful opinions, Moab 3s get destroyed after few months of use.
I am not a big fan of the Merrill Moab, I would like to see a warm-weather version of the Altra Olympus 5 hiking boot🦋👣
Yes! Those of us living working hiking in the humid south east would love this
Would love to see a series on motorcycle boots
Yes!
So expensive and quality material, mixed into a moving splint cast. Some serious cutting will reveal whose legit and who bs.
Even some of the motorcycle "shoe" style boots would be interesting
Man I am super excited to see this COMFORT HIKER series! And can't wait to see the series coming up.
Would love to see the Salomon Quest 4 GTX be covered as well. Owned several of them over the last decade and whilst they were amongst the best of the best when first released it'd be interesting to see how they still rate.
I own a pair of Solomon boots it's X Forces Jungle boot 8 inch in brown very comfortable my aren't waterproof but they are very comfortable. I've said he should review Solomon boots I think he picks brands that are not really in the boot world at all
Yes, I very surprised he didn’t have ANY Salomons!
@@aayotechnology I'm with you on that I've said this many times and the brands he picked are not truly hiking boots or boot brands the ones he picked out are sneaker brands going into the boot world. this is not what I expected him to pick this is a low for him in regards he claims he did his research maybe he did or not but if he did he would not pick the brands that he did and proves he really did not do his research well more super rushed or rushed
@@texandy89 I think with North Face you've at least got a brand with strong outdoor gear credit. Not sure Salomon is truly a boot company even if they did start with ski-boots, I'd say their range is not dissimilar to North Face with the % of boots vs clothes probably the opposite of each other. Price wise the Salomon would be near the top of the list of the boots he's reviewing but still within the price range.
As for Adidas I've got some Ultraboost with a special GTX upper that have held up amazingly well, though I'm rapidly wearing through the tread. Would certainly buy more but it seems like they were only available for a limited time.
Very true.
As someone who’s thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail I can tell you that virtually nobody that completed the 2200 mile hike wore these over engineered shoes.
Waterproof: Terrible because when they eventually get wet from sweat or a week of rain they take forever to dry out. Perfect if your goal is trench foot.
Ankle Support: Great for blowing out your knee as force is redirected from the highly flexible ankle & foot to the knee.
Rigid Highly Stacked Soles: Restricts natural foot biomechanics leading to horrible ball of foot pain when doing day after day of 20+ miles.
Traditional Toe Box: Again restricts proper biomechanics leading to various problems like bunions, etc.
These problems aren’t all that noticeable if you go day hiking once a week, but when you start doing 25 miles/day in heat, rain, rock scrambles, waterlogged trails, loose rock… you quickly learn that you want something highly flexible, wide toe box, light, & drys quickly.
Any recommendations?
@ I’d aim for something with like vibram five fingers just not as ugly. Zero drop, minimal stack height, maximum ankle mobility, lightweight, and drys quick. Lems has some interesting options. Xero does too. I’d test both to see who’s soles lasts longer.
Altra lone peaks are awesome tested in and out from normal forest walks to thru hikes @@lebowskiunderachiever3591
Salomon X Ultra 4 goes into this category and I think they’re the best out there
Merrell Moab composite toe, are the best boots on the market. I just retired a pair I had for over four years of hard everyday use. (Including a high speed motorcycle crash.) I weigh over 270lbs and need a EE width. I am known for splitting the outside toe-edge of boots, but these held up better than anything I've ever worn. I am on my second pair now and will continue to buy them until I find the quality to be reduced.
Honestly the Terrex line has some very nice products
It’s true. I had some achilles-high trail runners that I absolutely battered. The continental grip on those bad boys outlasted the prime knit. They need more forefoot caging though, not enough shoe up front on most of the models I’ve seen to really be able to ‘paw’ your feet on edgier terrain without straining your toes.
That’s all I wear is the Adidas free hikers Gore-Tex but I actually ended up buying the ultra boost light Gore-Tex to switch it up for the summertime. They have something maybe a little bit lighter.
Love my Terrex acx4
Bought a pair for my winters here in ice cold Sweden. Never once even had to consider the fact that I could slip or fall. The continental outsole is incredible for tracktion.
I do feel they're a bit pricey though as they're still glued on outsoles so you cant resole them. But I got mine on a sale which saved me like $40
Yeah, I feel the terrex line is overlooked. I've got the Adidas freehiker goretex and they're great. Fantastic balance of solid waterproofing, breathability that's as good as you can get and fantastic grip.
Awesome video and series, love it! I'd suggest expanding your test base a little bit to include the kind of boots that would be featured if you went into an REI or similar outdoor store. The really common ones are Merrell, Salomon, Asolo, Lowa, Keen (which you've featured a lot) and Zamberlan. Most of these can be purchased for as much or less than the HOKAs.
I have a pair of Zamberlan’s. Amazing boots. Italian made and even though they are are $350, they will last me a lot longer than any of these boots you have shown.
No surprise on the Hoka’s. There running/walking shoes are the best for comfort in any shoe I’ve ever worn.
And they probably weigh about 20 lbs and take 5 years to break in. No thanks I will just get something light and comfortable.
Please look at toe box widths and heel drops. I’m fighting through plantar fascitis and the only thing that has helped is wide toe box shoes and zero drop. So I’m interested in avoiding too narrow toe boxes.
i feel like you guys failed to do the research on what hiking shoes the majority of people are looking at. hoka and altra are definitely common on hikers, but altras are really falling out of favor because they only last a few hundred miles before falling apart. a really big brand in the hiking world rn is topo athletic, kind of taking over since altras keep falling apart. love the videos keep it up.
I love my Terrex free hikers from casual wear, rainy/muddy days on my way to the gym, and obviously amateur hiking I do. Very comfortable and breathable with very good grip on pretty much any surface.
I would like to see you do a show on Frank's Patriot Boots and Drew's Logger Boots. Both lower cost and high quality. Do It!
@RoseAnvil2 What does these modern hiking boots offer compare more "old fashion" hikers. Say a Jim Green Razorbacks or other leather construction? They are lighter, yes. Durability, I'm guessing the leather ones will stand up to more. Ankle support of the newer ones seem to be less sturdy, maybe I'm wrong. Using the Razorbacks, they may have less cushion, but after break in they are comfortable. Lug / traction / soles? I'm just not sure how the newer ones are better?
I’ve had all of these brands and Hoka stuff is incredible, terrex is a real underdog (as much as a line from a company that big can be) but the North Face vectiv boots have consistently surprised and impressed me! If you can get a pair that fits I think they’re worth another look. Love the videos!
Checkout the Lowa Renegade Mid. Leather upper, comes with and w/o goretex, roomy toebox, padded ankle support, good grip, not too heavy. They're not resolable, but I have a couple thousand miles in one pair and I'm breaking in the next for when I eventually wear out the rubber sole. The next tier up, the Camino, is resolable and will cost about $150 to resole.
I’ve worn the crap out of my Under Armour hikers and Northface. Both lasted a couple hundred hard miles but the Northface truly impressed me. I’ll buy them again for sure.
The Best Hikers I ever had for all day comfort and protection from WAREHOUSE TO OUTDOORS WAS THE HOKA TOR ULTRA HI.
No merrell Moab?
I know right? my last pair, lasted me over 4 years of wearing them everyday.
I bought a pair of Hoka last week and straight out the box I walked up East kip in the Lomond Hills in Scotland. Guess what I love them, they will be my go-to boots for any 3 season walking/ hill walking here.
I've likely mentioned before that I mostly gave up on this style of hiking boot already a long time ago because I could find "combat" boots for the same price or less, but now those style of military boots are already being phased out or something, too? Well, suffice to say that anything that is more like a sneaker than a traditional boot will likely not last as long, especially the outsole, BUT I was able to resole some of the combat boots but the Nevados hikers would pretty much disintegrate and I can't recall what other brands now besides that one I had three models or something and usually it was always the outsole that would wear too thin too quickly for the rest.
But SOME boots you can feel every single rock thru the bottom of them but that still might be slightly more preferable in some cases than a really rigid work sole, etc.
Interesting video and great theme!
Several European specialised hiking brands have boots in the same price range and many of them with leather uppers. Meindl, Lundhags, Salomons and Haglöfs are examples of respected European brands that make hiking boots in the price range.
Also la sportiva, aku
how can you talk about affordable hiking boots without talking about the merrell moabs lol? their latest model with goretex is cheaper than all 5 of these shoes
Love to see you do Lowa and Viktos.
Excited for this series! Hiking boots claim to do so much that it's hard to know what's real about them. I'd love if you guys could manage a traction test somehow. Maybe wear them on a rising slope and measure when they start sliding?
I live in Colorado and when it comes to Summer hiking in the mountains, I really prefer approach shoes like La Sportiva TX4. They're a cross between a hiking and climbing shoe, made for 'approaching' aka hiking to climbing crags, dealing with rocky terrain, scrambling, so they have grippy rubber, protect the bottom of your feet from rocks, they're super durable and lo-tops are still light and nimble.
So north face is last because u didn’t know their sizing or return it and get the right size for you
would love to see the Loma Zephyr or Renegade added>
also who makes wide ones would be great to know
You spoke so highly of the Vans MTE-3, I'm surprised to not see it here with a similar price point as the rest and same target market.
I ended up going with the Vans and I love mine. Only gripe is I wish the toe box was bigger.
I'd love something in this vein of Merrell Moab vs Keen Targhee vs Salomon x Ultra vs Oboz Bridger etc etc
also Scarpa vs Asolo vs Zamberlan and so on
moabs are the only merrel shoe worth buying
1st time I actually got a boot just for hiking and I got the Alta just because it felt good in the REI shop; didn't even think about the price. However, they did have Hokas and other boots on sale. Bottom line: they felt good and they were waterproof; and, after 4 hours climbing and hiking Turkey Mountain, my feet didn't hurt. My wife went back to REI and traded hers for the girl version of the Alta.
The most comfortable, longest lasting hiking boots I’ve ever worn are Asolo Fugitive GTX, Lowa Camino GTX, and LL Bean Cresta (all leather.) I just can’t get into these kinds of boots or trail runners, I’ve had 4 or 5 pairs of hiking shoes (Keen, Oboz, Salewa) that were comfortable and took me all over the crazy rocky White Mtns but for almost 38 years I’ve been wearing combat boots or safety toe work boots at least 5 days a week. I’m not really comfortable in anything but boots.
This is something I've looked into a lot, so I'm so glad you're covering it (also would love something on I guess more traditional/stereotypical boots from different areas, like Trickers Country boots and wellington boots from the UK, the Haferlschuh from Bavaria, ect.).
Tried some Addidas Terrex boots and have decided never to go with gore-tex again, the rubber wore out too quick, on long hikes my pinky toes got squished, the boost foam was great but my main issue was the would not dry (why I'm never going gore-tex again, fast drying > slow wetting).
Tried some altra boots lonepeak boots too, fit was very comfy, and they seemed good, but had to return them as they weren't breathable (it was basically a goretex boot without the goretex, which is not a good way to make a breathable boot). Will try other Altra offerings though.
Tried some low lems as well, so far they are most breathable, and comfiest, but I really like a boot when I hike so haven't taken them on anything too serious.
As a side on gore-tex, their patents expired in 1997, so you're really just paying for the brand name on their fabrics, as competitors are making the same thing.
Aku pilgrims
Altra boots are a God send for my feet! ❤️
Starts @5:00
I guess these boots cover the people who come from traditional leather boots but have seen a lot of hikers either on YT or in real life (on trail, shockingly this happens) hiking away super happy in trail runners or, if the trail is not too technical, even in ordinary jogging shoes - you can hike the PCT in Nike Air Pegasus.
So these people are afraid to roll their ankle and want something higher but lightweight or they are afraid of scratching their feet.
However: If you look down to your trail-runners from above, you quickly see that their platform is way wider than the upper. It is nearly impossible to roll your ankle in Hoka Speedgoats. Unless you stepp really unfortunate on a moving rock, into a hole and so on. In this case even a higher boot offers only minimal protection and you can roll your ankle even in a heavy duty leather boot. There are shoes designed to be roll-proof, like the VJ Integrator High (an orienteering shoe).
It's no wonder, you hardly see such boots on feet of long-distance hikers. The minimal advantages in terms of insulation and protection you overpay with the resistance of the material you need to overcome with every step. So these boots are ideal for walking your dog on a rainy day or in snow, not so much for serious hiking (I hiked 6500 miles in 2022, without boots and I am still alive).
Sustainability is however a big problem. You can trow away your trail runners after 500 miles. Either you have no more traction because the profile is gone, you have no more dampening (also because you used your trail runners everyday for 10 hours and more, so the foam had no time to recover) or the upper is gone as well. Some manufacturers are aware of the problem but they offer little less than a greenwashing operation.
ON offers shoes designed to be recycled but you have to overcome a lot of hurdles to subscribe to a service. The program is called Cyclon.
No sport shoe manufacturer is really interested in producing modular shoes where you can exchange the upper, midsole and rubber according to your needs. They prefer to sell you a new pair while you dump the old ones into the trash. Some shoes are made with carbon fiber and Kevlar or both. Here in Switzerland trash is burned and the facilities have special smoke cleaning installations where they even filter out metals. That may not be the case everywhere in the world.
Would like to see some Lowa maybe in this series or in the channel too!
For me a 95kg heavyweight muscle body type hokas are AMAZING, for riding too, Their offroad soles are the most comfortable even compared to nike premium or their own road shoes
I enjoy the regular Altra trail-runners for their fit, but for some reason their waterproof versions are always a half-size smaller.
I've worked in marketin so I try to be very intentional about my purchases, and I often try to find reviews for shoes I wanna buy. 99% of shoe-focused channels just regurgitate marketing jargon, props to you for cutting (literally) through it. keep doing what you do 🫡
New show idea. The perfect delivery driver boot?
That’s pretty much all I wear is the Adidas free hikers Gore-Tex and this summer I ended up getting the ultra boost light Gore-Tex shoe just to switch it up and instead of always getting those boots
Puncture test!!!!!! Anything having to do with foot protection and durability.
I'd really like to see a high end hiking boot series. I gave myself plantar fascitis wearing what I thought were high quality whites, and hiking on a 3 day 3 night trip. Mostly I think I was carrying too much weight around 45lbs. Weighing 230 myself I Guess I shouldn't be surprised, but now need something great.
Love this, I know for a fact that you will do all the other tests like impact resistance and strength. But it would be great if you can find out how long it takes to let off that glue and give up on you
Moabs are kind of the bench mark for cheap hiking boots. Can you please add them?
Love the enthusiasm 😂
I own both the Altras and the Hokas and do like the Hokas more. Another snoot that hangs with this pack easily is the Danner Fullbore. For my foot the Fullbore is more comfortable than the Hoka Kaha 2 GTX, but I'll have to wait a while for the durability verdict.
Any updates!!
@@theoutpost1982 Yeah! Not very exciting though. I've been switching between the Hoka Kaha 2 GTXs and the Danner Fullbores. I'd say I wear either pair about 3-5 days in a row, and then I'll switch. For more context, I'm working 40-50 hrs a week, 8-10 hrs a day in a warehouse setting on flat ground that varies from rough asphalt to finished linoleum to diamond plate, wet or dry, 33°F- to 99°F. I'm bending, crouching, lifting, pushing, and pulling, all day. I wear 11.5 D in both. I'd say my foot is somewhere between D and E (width) but both are plenty wide with some wiggle room to spare.
With both, my feet DO NOT hurt at all, even after some longer days. The Hoka silhouette is a bit bulky, especially in the heel with the "swallow tail" that can snag or catch on things if I'm not careful. The Danner design is a bit more streamlined, and I find myself not snagging much if at all on doors, pallets, etc. The Danners are a touch more breathable, which is nice outside and inside, not as nice in a walk-in cooler or freezer though 🥶 I'd say the Danners seem to be slightly more slip resistant, keeping in mind both are designed for more uneven terrain. The Hokas almost sound like cleats on certain surfaces 😂. Both are sufficiently water proof as I've worn both in varying degrees of rain with no issue. Wear and tear seems to be minimal so far, both on the soles and uppers for both shoes. I've definitely gotten more questions/compliments about the Danners, which I find funny considering the Hokas look a bit more wild in my mind.
Anyway, I'll update in a few more months or if anything drastic happens 😅✌️
@@JumbleHorse Thanks for sharing the experience! How about Altra? Do you still wear your Olympus 5 Mid GTX?
Merrill moabs gtx are my favorites. Not really hiking in them but been buying them for 15 years. I work with ice and like to have dry feet.
I think I’ll call this kind of shoes: hiking snickers instead, because the materials and designs reminds me more high-top snickers than boots.
Thanks for the video.
Although waterproof and lightweight, the soles on the Hoka Sky Kaha 2's wear out pretty quickly. They also fit quite small, so go a half-size up from your normal fit.
Skechers gibi esnek rahat hangi marka var
My favourite RA video: all stuff m and 0 fluff.
Would be cool to see these compared to the Jim Green African Ranger boots
la sportiva, aku, scarpa, crispi, ditto, Beretta, fit well, a solo all Italian north east brands but try alico
Cool video, but Id like to see value vs high end., like the best boot at every price point.
Sold on the Hoka already 🎉🎉 what’s the bike?
Check out how breathable the uppers are, and water resistant the boots are in water. I am curious how a boot can be both breathable and waterproof.
Any boot with a lining is not really breathable, in my opinion, I think breathable is a bit of a misnomer. I don’t care what kind of waterproofing it is, they’re all hot.
I would love to see a Limmer Standard hiking boot review.
I wear 4E shoe
Which one wilder ?
Altra olym 5 hike / Hoka kaha
Thank you very much
HOKA boots are litty
Please do the Alfa- Impact A/P/S GTX M - Repairable hiking boot
Some of the kewlest boots I've seen.
I have had a difficult time replacing my 2014 Salomon Eskape Mid GTX boots. My flat, wide and fat feet aren't making it easy but like ... what the heck happened to hiking boots? I am starting to wonde if I really am goinf to end up with a pair of Zamberlans.
All of the hype about using recycled or sustainable materials in hiking boots is a lot of silly feel good hype. Most of us drive a few hours or even days every time we head out to a trailhead! Are my “sustainable” boots really offsetting this? (not that I’m worrying about it)
I seeking for a pair of boots... this video was good. I was eye-ing on the Adidas.
Could you also do a video on few more brands? I saw OnitsukaTiger, as well as Salomon... as well as a brand I've never heard of, its called Revolve or FWRD... got that while google-ing for hiking boots.
Thank you in advance.
Merrell, Quechua (decathlon´s in-house brand) and Lippi are amongst the most recommended ones hiking boots over here in Chilean patagonia... dont know if you find those over in the states....
I have an old pair of Salomon Quest 4D boots i can look into sending you to cut apart if you'd like.
Hey man, started watching your videos and product analysis on boots. Got some great boots thanks to you. Wondering if you know what is going on with Truman Boots, are they going out of business clearing out old inventory or what. They are not replying to emails on products.
What do you mean? Everything on the website looks like business as usual. They just came out with a sick Chamois leather boot too
I've been looking at the hokas but wasn't sure about the foam and stability on dicey granite rocks. I have been a vasque breeze wearer for over a decade, but the latest version (in women's) had such bad reviews (rei), I am trying out some oboz (very heavy not good for summer) and bought a pair of north face to try, but a bit worried about the rockers on some of the trails. My very first hiking boots years ago were the Merrell moab and boy did they make my knees hurt, someone mentioned they are better for pronators?
Wtf where are the videos where you cut these in half. ????
No Merrell or OBOZ?
Finely your talking about the altra Olympus five hike mid!! I life test a lot of a different shoes but if I had to pick one shoe to wear for the rest of my life hands down it would be the altra hike mid. I’m really excited to see what you have to say about the toe box maabye not being the best for hiking.
I've been looking for some hiking boots for a while, and since i have an Adidas voucher I thought I'd check theirs out but I couldn't find them comfortable. I have wide feet and the AX4s and other Terrex's and felt too narrow that the arch support was all in the wrong place for me. Trying to find others (I've gone through the common brands and the more higher-end kinda brands in the UK like Cheaney's or Altbergs and still can't find some)
Those hiking boots are a damn gimmick. You shouldn't need those boots, look at the people living and running in mountain, they wear saddles made from car tire or bearfoot.
Make your ankles strong, those shoes are gimmick making your feet week and robbing you blind.
Is there any chance you can get a hold of some european made boots like Berwicks 1707, Panama Jack, Bobbies or Sendra?
Would appreciate if you would comment on which would be good for wide, flat feet. Thx!
Didn’t u have a year to return the north face ones and resume the vid? 😂
Have you tested ASOLO hiking boots.?
Where's the merrell's at ?
No merrels?
Cant you edit out you putting the box back together?
salomon quest 4 gtx best boots iv used
Have some Salomon and got some AKU pilgrims because of their wide fit
I'd be into see Danner Rain Forest and Super Rain Forest cut in half.
Salomon quest 4d please!
Utah guy here, I had no idea you are also a Utah guy. Cheers
Scarpa, Crispi, Zamberlan, La sportiva, Asolo, Fitwell, Garmont, Meindl, Hanwag, Treemme, Mammut,
Cant help but notice that your right foot when walking is pointing outwards quite a bit, usually a sign of tight hips. I'd try to work on that because you'll have bad problems in the future if you keep walking like that.
Need to know best for a wide fit.
Starter hiker series
Please do some altberg boots
If Zamberlan doesn't have a "Black Betty" boot that is a complete shame 😂
I feel like trail shoes would be a more relevant product category to the customer base youre thinking of
Something like a Irish setter elk tracker but Whites Nick’s Jk etc… quality :)
You're only scratching the surface and i think you're hitting the tennis shoe brands to heavy. Off the top of my head, Salomen, merrill and oboz are amongst others that need to be looked at. Also, would like to hear how think more tradional leather boots like Danners and jim greens compare.
You should call this series "TAKE A HIKE!" 🤔
Great vid
I would call him hybrid hikers cuz they're a little bit of sneaker technology mixed in
It would be cool to do wading boots
Dear Rose Anvil, please make quality leather suspenders with the logo on the inside. (Attempt number #13 I think)