Backpacking footwear - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

martureo · #1 03-09-2021, 02:03 PM

I've reached 250+ miles on a pair of Altra Lone Peak 4 RSM Mids that I bought about a year ago. I still love them and they still feel great. Only complaints are that the tongue isn't gusseted and I got an early puncture (small) in the sidewall of one of them.

I'm thinking of going to the next Lone Peak All-Wthr Mid before I reach the next hundred miles, but I've heard from a few that newer Altras are running narrower and shorter.

Any experience?

speednjay · #2 03-09-2021, 07:28 PM

When I go hiking I prefer my dr martin steel toe work boot.

oldsinner111 · #3 03-10-2021, 10:43 AM

can't beat army surplus last long time

savas · #4 03-10-2021, 12:07 PM

I used to go to Portland often for work and while there picked up a pair of these:

https://www.danner.com/men/hike/crater-rim-6-brown.html

They are great boots and have lasted a long, long time and I have no complaints. Definitely worth a look before picking up the Lones.

oldsinner111 · #5 03-10-2021, 12:46 PM

I hate the new glued shoes..Love the old welt stich, you could resole them

pj67coll · #6 03-11-2021, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

I've reached 250+ miles on a pair of Altra Lone Peak 4 RSM Mids that I bought about a year ago. I still love them and they still feel great. Only complaints are that the tongue isn't gusseted and I got an early puncture (small) in the sidewall of one of them.

I'm thinking of going to the next Lone Peak All-Wthr Mid before I reach the next hundred miles, but I've heard from a few that newer Altras are running narrower and shorter.

Any experience?

i have no experience with these products I'm afraid. But I'd second the comment on mil surp stuff. I now hike only in Austrian Surplus Combat boots whcih I've found to be ideal for me. As well as cheap. 24 bucks for one pair. 50 for the other. They may not work for you but might be something to check out.

- Peter.

martureo · #7 03-11-2021, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the tips above. I used to hike in 6" boots when I was in my teens up until my late twenties. Last pair I had was a used pair of Vasques I got off of Ebay. I still have them and they'll probably stick around for quite awhile.

I switched to trail runners a few years back and I don't think I'm going back to boots. The flexibility in your foot, lightness and breathability are well worth it. The only downside is that they only last 300-500 miles.

For comparison, my mid height trail runners are 26 oz (1lb 10 oz). The Vasques that were replaced are 47 oz (2 lb 15 oz).

The adage of "an extra pound on your feet is equivalent to ten pounds on your back" is well known and backed up by a number of sources, including the US Army.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00140138408963563
Weight on your feet

Botnst · #8 03-14-2021, 07:30 AM

I bought Danners a couple years ago. A very stable and comfortable boot. Price is less comfortable.

Getting old sucks. My feet have diverged in size and shape over the years, especially with a prominent young bunion rearing its ugly head. One consequence is my feet no longer tolerate the cheap boots of my yute. The next step for me will be two boot pairs of different sizes so I can get one pair for use!

Anyway, Danners are nice.

vwnate1 · #9 03-14-2021, 09:49 PM

So then ;

No more new old stock surplus $10 combat boots, that's a shame .

In 1967 or so I got my first pair of jungle boots army surplus, they were comfy but I like shiny black (yes, yes, I know I'm old) . I used them in the woods, very nice at keeping the feet dry .

I went back to the old all leather typ after they wore out in a year or so .

Anyways, I googled Austrian Combat Boots and got this : https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Austrian+Surplus+Combat+boots

Some look pretty nice .

For the last thirty years I've worn steel toed and shanked wing tips, very comfy, not heavy and safe for my Motocycle riding even...

Sadly I can't find them in glossy black anymore, I have oil finish (ugh) now but am always looking for those shiny black wing tips....

Your feet are *very* important ~ I crushed one in 1968 and it's never been quite right since, I like walking, don't hike anymore though .

pj67coll · #10 03-14-2021, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

So then ;

No more new old stock surplus $10 combat boots, that's a shame .

That does suck.

Quote:

Anyways, I googled Austrian Combat Boots and got this : https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Austrian+Surplus+Combat+boots

Some look pretty nice .

There are different types and the "snow boots" designed to be used with skies I think do not make particularly good hiking footwear.

The first ones for 37 bucks from Swiss Link are the ones I have.
I bought a pair from them couple of years ago for 12 bucks, 24 bucks shipped. They had the front inch or so of the sole seperating from the bottom of the boot so I glued them up with some shoe glue. Can't remember which brand any more. Anyway, they are great. I've used them for hiking including crossing a small stream, yard work, and everyday work wear. I like them so much I bought a second pair, in slightly nicer shape for 50 bucks shipped from an outfit called Kommandostore.com. Their soles were not separating. As I said. They work for me. I like the all leather construction as no matter how dirty they get a good clean and a bit of elbow grease with the on and off brushes and Kiwi Black and they are ready for the parade ground.

They are heavy though. And the sole is not as comfortable as modern "engineered" hiking boots are. I have thought of trying to get some US army spec ones for my proposed climb up Mt, Whitney before I'm too old. My situation is I really don't like hiking shoes or boots that don't have a long calf length to them as I find I can twist my ankle easily if it's not supported and that's not good on a hike.

But if you are not into strenuous hiking you may not find ones like these to be all that great for you. For myself I hate steel toed boots. But I'd think these would be great for motorcycle riding.

- Peter.

Kuan · #11 03-15-2021, 02:55 PM

People's feet are so different, it's the fit that matters most. Are you one of those born lucky with perfect feet that fit every shoe and boot?

martureo · #12 03-15-2021, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

I bought Danners a couple years ago. A very stable and comfortable boot. Price is less comfortable.

Getting old sucks. My feet have diverged in size and shape over the years, especially with a prominent young bunion rearing its ugly head. One consequence is my feet no longer tolerate the cheap boots of my yute. The next step for me will be two boot pairs of different sizes so I can get one pair for use!

Anyway, Danners are nice.

Check out CorrectToes inserts. There's a few podiatrists who are convinced that bunions are really just a symptom of toe alignment gone wrong, and that you can do work to avoid surgery.

https://www.correcttoes.com/

Botnst · #13 03-17-2021, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Check out CorrectToes inserts. There's a few podiatrists who are convinced that bunions are really just a symptom of toe alignment gone wrong, and that you can do work to avoid surgery.

https://www.correcttoes.com/

I do not doubt toe misalignment is the root cause. I also suspect a genetic component, like a predisposition. Thank you for the link.

vwnate1 · #14 03-17-2021, 01:43 PM

I look at my mangled feet and wonder if I would get any good out of these .

martureo · #15 03-23-2021, 11:04 AM

Well, I got my answer as to what I was going to do.

I was browsing the REI near my office the other day and found the exact pair of boots I have (Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM) in the yard sale section. If you aren't familiar with the yard sale, REI allows you to return products for up to a year after purchase for any reason, even if you've used them. The yard sale is a way for REI Coop members to purchase these used/damaged items for very reduced prices, although there is no chance for return or warranty.

So I got the same boots I was wearing for $60 and almost new ($160 originally). The tag says that they "hurt customer's foot" but they haven't been worn very much at all.

https://www.rei.com/product/139084/altra-lone-peak-4-mid-rsm-hiking-boots-mens