Best shoes/boots for extreme dayhikes like c2c?

[Trailrat]

Sorry if this question has been asked several times already, but I was unable to find much information about it through a search.

I have started moving towards doing long dayhikes of the 20+mile variety more lately and was wondering if anybody could recommend a good shoe/boot for it. I currently use Merrell Chameleon Wrap XCR and love them until I hit about 15 miles. At that point, the balls of my feet and the area around them are hurting badly. I use good quality midweight socks with liners and the green Superfeet also. Anybody recommend something that works well for them specifically for long distance dayhikes or light backpacking? I like to carry a daypack with plenty of water, maybe pushing my pack weight to 12 to 18 lbs. I do most of my hiking in the desert so would need something with some durability and ventilation.

Thanks,

Trailrat in AZ

[Hikin_Jim]

This thread may be of interest: http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/viewtopic.php?t=382

[halhiker]

Trailrat,
I am a big Merrell fan but have found the Chameleon really lacks much support and it is too soft underfoot for long hikes. I bought one pair and never would buy another. Also, Gore-tex is overkill unless you're hiking in the rain a lot. It cuts down breathability and if you get it pierced by a cactus (a big possibility hiking in the desert) it's waterproofness is worthless.

I have used my New Balance 992 on dayhikes up to 35+ mile with nary a problem. I also like the Merrell trail runners called the Overdrive. I've had good luck with them.[/quote]

[James]

I like the Merrel Ventilator boots. I've beaten mine to a pulp over the years, they're great. Thanks for the tip on the Merrell trail runners, can't wait to try those out too.

[GoPlayer]

For trail hiking in warm and dry conditions I really like my Vasque Breeze, used them on the C2C last Saturday. Walking fast I can feel air coming in through the top. A lot of dust get's in also, so after a dusty hike the top of your feet almost look like you went barefoot

For desert hiking off-trail with prickly bushes, grasses and cacti I prefer a leather boot. I'm currently breaking in a new pair of Lowa Trekkers.

[Hikin_Jim]

I've got Lowa Trekkers also. I'm very happy with them, but I don't think of them as particularly light weight; they're a full leather hiking/backpacking boot. I definitely prefer them for XC hiking or in snow.

I just bought some Salomon XA trail runners http://www.rei.com/product/763463 in order to lighten up, but the jury is still out. I just haven't had them long enough to really get a good feel for how they perform.

[Marknhj]

I bought a mid-price pair of Columbia shoes last November from their outlet store in Cabazon. I hiked twice during the week for 1-2 hours on the first section of Skyline, and day hikes at the weekend around Palm Springs, usually 8-10 hours. They lasted about four months before the tread had almost gone.

En route to REI a month ago I stopped at the Columbia Outlet store to see what they had. A sales guy approached and I told him I needed a heavier pair as the previous ones hadn't last very long. He sounded surprised and said they had a warranty of one year. He gave me an 800# to call. I talked to their warranty person and he told me to mail them back. It cost me $14 in postage and a few days ago I received a new pair in the mail. They were the next model up plus I didn't have a receipt. I thought this was outstanding customer service.

So, I have a new pair of Columbia's (which, I now know, are not appropriate for hikes like Skyline) and also a pair of Salomon trail running shoes from REI which fit perfectly.

[Mountaingoat]

My 3 1/2 cents on this!!

I bought a pair of Keens, high top about 8 months ago at REI ($120.00). Told the guy, want the lightest pair to accommodate crampons. Had Merrells, Iowas and others before. Those are by far the most comfortable on my mostly warm weather hiking.
Hiked Whitney March 9th with them this year, performance was flawless.

Any way my 3.5, Berne Mettenleiter

[guest]

Hi,
I do many fast paced, tough, at times off-trail hikes.
After owning several pairs of Merrell's, I now hike with a pair of Vasque Kota's, (non gortex for the summer).
I like the Merrell Cameleon Wrap Stretch, very flexible, but as others has mentioned, they fit so snug that my feet feel it after several hrs. They are really great on the rocks, I tossed the stretchy laces for regular ones, a bit heavy, I have Sorbathane insoles.
The Kota's are light but with enough lateral regidity, good, Merrell-type outsole, breath fairly well.
Probably only get 9-12 months outta them (they have 4-5 Skylines on them), but their my fav so far.

ss