Boots for Hawaii?

November 25, 2010 12:36 PM

Looking for a light-weight men's hiking or athletic boot.

Please give me your recommendations for a light-weight lace-up men's boot. It is for my husband. He has foot drop, so he needs ankle support and good arch support. He walks about 5 miles a day. We live in Hawaii, so a light-weight boot is the best. Any suggestions?

posted by fifilaru to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

I walk about the same amount per day but in a downtown environment. My last pair of boots were North Face. They were mids so they did have ankle support, Gore-Tex, but the soles were very soft. I wore holes in both of them after 8 months of use. I am a huge fan of Danners. Take a look at their GTX line right now. That would be my first choice.
posted by NotSoSimple at 12:51 PM on November 25, 2010

As somebody who used to work in technical footwear, I can say Vasque Sundowners are a really good standard. They don't fit me personally that well; Asolos are my personal favorite. If you're looking for something a little more affordable, Merrell also makes a really good boot.

Truly, though, you want him to try them on. The lasts are all a little different, and if you're paying good dollars, you want to make sure they fit really, really well.
posted by General Malaise at 2:11 PM on November 25, 2010

I don't think there is anything much better than La Sportiva when it comes to hiking boots.
I've been all over the world in a pair of GTXs only needing to take them off when mountaineering or climbing shoes were required.
posted by zephyr_words at 4:02 PM on November 25, 2010

I nearly always wear hikers exclusively. My top three brands are Merrel, Timberland, and Keen.

These where the last pair of boots I bought, and after I got use to them they have been the best midweight hikers I've ever had.

I have to say, at least for me, I've never had good luck with other people buying shoes/boots for me, so make sure he is there to buy them as well.
posted by edgeways at 4:06 PM on November 25, 2010

Merrells are fantastic. Something like these Moab Mid Ventilators will be light, yet provide plenty of arch and ankle support. You can get the same shoe in a waterproof version, or you could choose something with more leather, like the Outland Mid...
posted by vorfeed at 5:16 PM on November 25, 2010

Models change just about every year, but the last couple of light boots I've gotten were Merrels, a brand that I've been very happy with over the last decade+, and they were "approach" -type shoes if that helps googling/searching.
posted by porpoise at 6:44 PM on November 25, 2010

I've worn most of those suggested and liked them all, but the biggest bang for my buck was buying good ankle support and switching out the insole for SuperFeet insoles.
posted by advicepig at 8:41 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]

Big second to the idea of swapping out the insole of whatever he buys to something that fits the sole of his foot like a glove. It's a total game changer when it comes to foot, ankle and knee comfort.
posted by Ahab at 2:09 AM on November 26, 2010

Boots...
Does he really need them?

I'm a fairly heavy guy with a history of foot- ankle- and knee problems. The biggest improvement in footwear for hiking was when I decided to try out the ultralight way; Light - very light - packs and light shoes (running shoes) or sandals.
The idea is that when you add weight and stiffness to your footwear, you reduce your ability to respond to the terrain and increase the fatigue in your legs. The opposite is true if you go for light and flexible.
For me it meant going from exhausted and sore after 10Km walks witout gear in light terrain to being able to walk 25Km+ with light gear (~8Kg) in mountains. Basically hiking holidays wre back on the menu after a 5 year break. Yeah!
My expensive boots are now reserved for winter use.
YMMW.
posted by Thug at 2:12 AM on November 26, 2010