Hiking shoes.

[Nocturnus]

Anyone have any recommendations on a pair? I'm looking low cut, not wanting to get hiking boots though. Looking to spend around $100. Gonna hit up REI later on, maybe Academy also.

[KdLaneJr]

Depends a lot on the terrain you are hiking. You should be able to conduct online research for recommended brands and styles for diferrent ground conditions.

[Gordon]

depends a lot on the terrain and what you are planning on carrying too.

I have a fantastic pair of Asos desert hiking/walking boots that I got from Whole Earth. Cost me a wee bit more but they custom fitted the insoles and the boots to my feet - stretching/ cobbling the uppers to fit and everything. Was very impressed and the boots are amazing.

[Nocturnus]

It'll mainly be for around Austin and out towards west texas. So rocky and dirty. heh. I'm sure i want something that'll allow water to run out, dont want to slosh around after being in a creek and such.

[jeffkohn]

Go to REI and try some on, any recommendations others make are going to be based on their foot shape would could be substantially different from yours. Any of the major brands they carry will probably be fine as far as quality, but the key is finding the pair that provides the best fit.

[Tom]

I could not be any more pleased with my Vasques. I would suggest those or Asos.

I'd stay away from the 'flashier' brands like North Face or Merrill.

[Hikin' Mike]

Another vote for Vasque.

[Jim Victory]

For light weight hiking Merrell makes some of the best.

[dbphotos]

I highly recommend Merrell. Very comfortable and made well.

[studiocygnet]

So I used to be a guide in Big Bend, I've got a few friends that have through hiked the Appalachian and Continental Divide trails, one of those friends owns an ultra light camping gear company called Gossamer Gear. I have yet to through hike a long trail, but they all tell me that hiking boots are the worst thing to wear, and they all swear by bringing two pair of trail runners, usually Vasque, New Balance, Montrail, or the like. They say that within a week 99% of the folks that use boots have blisters, and many abandon the effort. Where as using runners is fine, but certain brands hold up, while others immediately start falling apart. So the fact that you say your looking for low cut, and not boots, means you are on the right track. I'd just look at reviews and comments on which are the brands that hold up best.
If you are not going to be cold weather hiking, use shoes that drain easily so that you can walk creek beds and slot canyons. If you're looking for colder weather shoes, go with light goretex cross trainers, which is what many adventure racers use.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

I got the Technica's for my trip to the Galapagos after exhaustive research and those things saved my butt. Best hiking/walking boots evvah and I put them through some serious terrain.

[KdLaneJr]

Any boot/shoe that is not properly broken in is the wrong thing to wear. Most people do not take the time to buy properly fitted boots, let alone take the time to break them in properly. It's no wonder they get blisters.

[TXFZ1]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Any boot/shoe that is not properly broken in is the wrong thing to wear. Most people do not take the time to buy properly fitted boots, let alone take the time to break them in properly. It's no wonder they get blisters.

I'll second this post, a pair that fits will be the best boots. It also depends on how much load you are going to be carrying; dayhike, weekend hike, a summer trip across the Muir trail???

Socks are also important, I've always used a nylon polypro liner with a thick wool outer sock. This will wick the water away from the skin and lessen the blisters.

David

[Gordon]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

Go to REI and try some on, any recommendations others make are going to be based on their foot shape would could be substantially different from yours. Any of the major brands they carry will probably be fine as far as quality, but the key is finding the pair that provides the best fit.

I'd agree with this too - what I liked about Whole Earth was I had to get an appointment with their 'boot guy' and he actually knew what he was talking about in terms of fitting it to my foot. Took about 2 hours to get the boots and get them fitted though (although all that service/ adjustment etc was free)