Wide sturdy boots for a beginner.
Hi All, I'm relatively new to hiking and am after a pair of boots. I have read a couple of posts on here (Found via google) and found them informative, but the brands posted are way above what I can justify spending as a beginner.
I am new to this activity, and have decided to take up hiking as a relatively low impact, low cost activity to get some exercise and get us out into nature. I used to do some hiking as a teenager with the YMCA, and the ATC, but I am practically a beginner as any and all experience has been well forgotten by now.
So as I am a beginner I need to get a pair of boots, I am fairly solid, so need something with decent support (ankle high boots) but like a lot of kiwi's I have quite wide feet.
My questions are, what brands should I look at for wide fitting sturdy boots for around $200-250? I don't expect them to last forever, and if this is a hobby we plan to continue with I would look at a pair of Meindl or Asolo 535, but if I could get 5-6 day tramps out of a pair of cheapies I would be wrapped.
Secondly are there any specialist stores in the Auckland area(like the athletes foot for running shoes) for tramping boots?
I apologise if this has been asked a thousand times, I tried to search via google, but didn't have much luck.
17 comments
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I`ve stuck with three quarter or full shank boots,especially when carrying a multiday pack,round the park or off-piste.
Numerous people I know have tried their `light & tasty` runners,light boots but a few rivers,scree or a two week tramp and they`re crying out for a decent shanked boot.That`s my tuppence worth.
Frank experimented with barefoot tramping there for a while and did the odd weekend trip e.g. Black Hill Hut. Footwear is so much an individual thing.
barefoot is fine except on snow, ice, and scree.
Too many of our tracks have some of at least one of those
I have always found Hi-Tec's good as well though the model I use is the top end of their pricing.
I don't know if they necessarily are wide fitting however.
Keen is a brand that does generally fit wider than most and are usually reasonable quality. You should be able to pick a pair up for around the $200 mark I imagine. They do tend to be a mid-cut ankle height however.
Wrt to Tongariro Crossing, after experiencing it for the first time this summer I can certainly say the standard of gear and fitness for the majority of people on it is atrocious. Obviously being unfit and with poor gear is not the recommended way of doing the trip (or a very enjoyable way of doing it I am sure).
Hi, agree on the Keens. I have a pair and they are very roomy in the toe as well. The reinforced toe is great for booting ferns loose when track clearing so I wear mine for west coast track work weekends.
I won a pair of Keen Targhee Mids and they are a surprisingly good little boot. Lovely wide toe box. But the sole isn't so good on wet rocks and it's unlikely they would see the end of two seasons of regular tramping.
But I still prefer them when I want a boot that does not know how to give my feet grief on a trip...
I agree about the comfort of keen boots. The most comfortable ive owned. Pity is I didn't own them for long because the soles are really brittle and fall to piece on any rocky terrain.
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| Forum | Gear talk |
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| Started by | ^sheep^ |
| On | 4 April 2016 |
| Replies | 16 |
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