Suggestions/comments about hiking shoes

[hashtag46]

Cut your toenails before trying them on.

 

[doowdniw]

I have a pair of Vasque shoes and a pair of Keen boots. Both are comfortable and the Keens in particular have a wider toe box, which helps with my triple E clodhoppers. That may or may not help with the "metatarsal issue".

 

[oggbashan]

Most of my hiking was done in ex-army boots made in 1944 and never issued. I bought them as new in 1962 - two pairs for a total of seven shillings and six pence (About 50 US Cents). They had invisible steel toecaps and a steel plate between the sole and inner (to prevent foot damage from barbed wire or caltrops).

They came with 144 hobnails on each sole. Over the years I replaced dozens of hobnails until I had 'commando' soles fitted.

Why were they so cheap? They were a large UK size 13 (US 14) and not many WW2 soldiers had feet that large. They were probably UK size 14, not 13 but there was room inside for me to wear two pairs of thick hiking socks in winter.

I used to clean them after every use and keep them supple with products for saddle leather.

I retired them in 2000 when I wasn't going to do that sort of hiking again. Now they would be too heavy for me to wear but they had saved my feet from injury many times.

 

[Aquagal]

Salomon trail runners. I've got the Speedcross GTX which have a gore-tex upper. I have had issues with shoes not breathing enough in the past but these are awesome. I've had about 5 different pairs of Salomon runners and they're so awesome I'd recommend them as a light hiker to anyone.

I love my Salmon Fellraisers. They breathe and are light weight. One of my favorite options about them is that new fangled tying where you just cinch up the lace with that toggle thingy. They seem to hug my skinny feet much better that way. I initially chose them because I'm a pronator but the other selling points would def make me go back.

 

[someoneyouknow]

Update. Much more snug now that my feet have swelled. Have on the same socks I would wear with them. Only minor quibble is the toebox just rests on the top front edge of my big toe. No pressure, but you know something's there. When walking, there is no issue. I would have to really jam my foot forward for my toe to touch the front.

I'll keep checking them over the next few days on the carpet.