[Jenab6]

I've been buying hiking boots and shoes for over a year through eBay, and I have a few favorites:

1. Vasque Clarion GTX
2. Montrail Traverse GTX
3. Merrell Passage Ventilator Mid
4. Montrail TRS Comp Mid
5. Columbia Wildland Ridge

This is assuming that my choice in boots is in new or nearly new condition. A lot of the used Clarions being traded on eBay are nearly worn out. But when they're in top shape, you can't beat them for comfort. Caveat: this applies to Vasque Clarions made in Italy or China. The Korean version of this boot stinks to high heaven because it is too narrow.

I haven't evaluated the Montrail Torre yet, but I bought a pair today and will test it on a 10-mile hike once I receive the boots.

So, what will you be hiking in after the oil dries up?

[seldom_seen]

Anything not made in China. The outdoor gear of many manufacturers has gone down the shitter since they moved to China.

REI gear is now mostly garbage.
North Face gear is now mostly garbage.
Merrell shoes now garbage.

I have two pairs of Lowa's that I think were made in Slovakia or Romania that are my current "survival" boots.

After that it will probably be a piece of tire strapped to foot with duct tape and twine?

[PrairieMule]

All are very good boots but have one flaw. When the tread is gone- none of them can be re-soled by a cobbler.

For that reason I have a pair of Red Wing Wellingtons.

[dunewalker]

I would recommend good quality trail running shoes that fit well as G.O.O.D foot wear. There's also a story from the earlier days of the Western States 100 mile endurance run across the California Sierras, of some Tarahumara Indians brought in from Copper Canyon in mexico to do the run. The night before the event they made shoes out of old tires and pieces of leather. One or two of them finished in the top 10.

http://barefootted.com/2006/08/tarahuma ... contd.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarahumara

[eastbay]

I have three pair of Ft Lewis Danners... two are new-in-box. I'm set for life.



But I agree with PM. From now on boots that can be resoled are the only way to go if you're thinking long-term... especially you younger people.

[Plantagenet]

Army surplus bunny boots are still popular in Alaska during the winter.



They're good to -60°.

[BigTex]

I used to be in the uniform and work shoe business and I can tell you a little about what I saw dealing with thousands and thousands of shoes on people who walked for a living:

- The materials on many of the shoe soles today, in addition to not being able to be resoled easily, are made from rubber alloys that will become brittle if not flexed regularly. Thus, shoes like this are unsuitable for long term storage. I have had to literally throw out LOTS of inventory in odd sizes simply because they soles had become brittle from storage.

- The glue that is used on a lot of shoes today is pretty good, but the same thing happens to the glue that happens to the soles after long term storage.

[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BigTex', 'I') used to be in the uniform and work shoe business and I can tell you a little about what I saw dealing with thousands and thousands of shoes on people who walked for a living:

- The materials on many of the shoe soles today, in addition to not being able to be resoled easily, are made from rubber alloys that will become brittle if not flexed regularly. Thus, shoes like this are unsuitable for long term storage. I have had to literally throw out LOTS of inventory in odd sizes simply because they soles had become brittle from storage.

- The glue that is used on a lot of shoes today is pretty good, but the same thing happens to the glue that happens to the soles after long term storage.

[roccman]

Red Wings

[eastbay]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'R')ed Wings

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('eastbay', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('roccman', 'R')ed Wings

[WildRose]

I absolutely love my Merrell's. I haven't been so excited about a pair of shoes in a long time. I climbed the Great Wall in them, wear them at the gym and outside walking. The next time they're on sale, I'm buying two pairs. They fit my foot like a glove.(?)

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WildRose', 'I') absolutely love my Merrell's. I haven't been so excited about a pair of shoes in a long time. I climbed the Great Wall in them, wear them at the gym and outside walking. The next time they're on sale, I'm buying two pairs. They fit my foot like a glove.(?)

[WildRose]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrairieMule', ' ')

One pair of shoes I'll value post crash are a pair of Tevas. I usually get 10 years before they start to fall apart. It's usually the velcro that wears out first.