Foot Wear - Page 2

Betty · June 27th, 2005, 05:30 PM

The fit of the boot is extremely important, so if you can, go to a proper bootfitter at a reputable shoe store instead of buying x-brand in x-size online (if you do online shopping), otherwise you can end up with a cool looking boot that isn't a good fit for your shape and size foot, and then you've got sores and bunions. What's good for one person may not be good for you.

I have a pair of mostly synthetic Vasque Ion hiking boots that are durable, lightweight, breathable, and the Gore-Tex makes them waterproof. I got them at the REI store here in Nashville (it's the only one in the state, IIRC). I use those for hiking and general outdoor use; they kick my Altama combat boots all over the place. They didn't cost an arm and a leg, either, and I can wear them on any casual day without looking like über ninja.

There were solid leather hikers there also, but I only intended to do light/medium hiking and chose a lightweight boot.

The bootfitter there gave me some good guidelines on choosing a proper boot. Most people automatically go for a very snug fit, and that's a mistake; your foot swells when it's really active. I put on a pair of boots, and she had me step up on an incline and with the feet one on front of the other like I'm walking downhill, she had me force a downward motion to test if my toes were squishing into the front of the boot. If they did, the boot was too small/big. I turned around and did the same thing, to test if my foot was shuffling to the back when going uphill.

Here is a guide and boot review section that may be of some further help.

ramtough47 · June 27th, 2005, 11:35 PM

Thanks Betty.

HiWayMan · July 15th, 2005, 02:29 PM

I spend most of my waking hours in my boots, easily 14-16 hours a day. I have found that nothing is more comfortable to me than Wolverine Dura-Shocks. I would also suggest than you invest in a pair of steel toes. If doing training indoors or outdoors I consider this a must have option. You will be concentrating on things other than where your feet are, and a baddly stubbed toe can make for a terrible extended training excercise.

June 27th, 2005, 05:30 PM	#11
Betty Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,719	The fit of the boot is extremely important, so if you can, go to a proper bootfitter at a reputable shoe store instead of buying x-brand in x-size online (if you do online shopping), otherwise you can end up with a cool looking boot that isn't a good fit for your shape and size foot, and then you've got sores and bunions. What's good for one person may not be good for you. I have a pair of mostly synthetic Vasque Ion hiking boots that are durable, lightweight, breathable, and the Gore-Tex makes them waterproof. I got them at the REI store here in Nashville (it's the only one in the state, IIRC). I use those for hiking and general outdoor use; they kick my Altama combat boots all over the place. They didn't cost an arm and a leg, either, and I can wear them on any casual day without looking like über ninja. There were solid leather hikers there also, but I only intended to do light/medium hiking and chose a lightweight boot. The bootfitter there gave me some good guidelines on choosing a proper boot. Most people automatically go for a very snug fit, and that's a mistake; your foot swells when it's really active. I put on a pair of boots, and she had me step up on an incline and with the feet one on front of the other like I'm walking downhill, she had me force a downward motion to test if my toes were squishing into the front of the boot. If they did, the boot was too small/big. I turned around and did the same thing, to test if my foot was shuffling to the back when going uphill. Here is a guide and boot review section that may be of some further help. __________________ "Americans have the will to resist because you have weapons. If you don't have a gun, freedom of speech has no power." - Yoshimi Ishikawa Broodings, Blunders and Broadsides: The Betty Blog (Friends only - Email me through there to let me know who you are first!)

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June 27th, 2005, 11:35 PM	#12
ramtough47 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LEXINGTON,TN Posts: 90	Thanks Betty.

July 15th, 2005, 02:29 PM	#13
HiWayMan Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 88	I spend most of my waking hours in my boots, easily 14-16 hours a day. I have found that nothing is more comfortable to me than Wolverine Dura-Shocks. I would also suggest than you invest in a pair of steel toes. If doing training indoors or outdoors I consider this a must have option. You will be concentrating on things other than where your feet are, and a baddly stubbed toe can make for a terrible extended training excercise.