Which way do I hike to the hiking store?

May 10, 2006 12:59 PM

Where can a high heels devotee buy hiking boots in Toronto?

Thanks to this very comprehensive thread, I now know quite a bit about how to select hiking boots, but now I need to know where in Toronto to buy them.

The other thread says not to go to the kind of stores you typically find in your local mall, but we don't have LL Beans or REI here as far as I can tell. I don't like to buy the boots over the Internet because I need to try before I buy.

So, where can I go? All my Googling and searching of the yellow pages has only produced references to the basic mall-based sporting goods stores I already knew about, but I'd assumed they wouldn't have the selection and knowledgeable sales staff I need.

I can't believe I can't figure this out on my own, but then I never buy any athletic or sporting equipment beyond running shoes.

posted by orange swan to Shopping (15 answers total)

Mountain Equipment Co-Op on King just east of Spadina I think.
posted by dobbs at 1:03 PM on May 10, 2006

Or one of the places across the street from MEC, which also sell camping/hiking stuff. MEC creates its own ecosystem of outdoor goods stores where ever it goes. But MEC is your best bet.
posted by GuyZero at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2006

Thirding MEC.
posted by docgonzo at 2:17 PM on May 10, 2006

Fourthing MEC. I've found the staff there to be extremely helpful and they don't push any one particular brand. Happy trails!
posted by LunaticFringe at 2:30 PM on May 10, 2006

I like MEC and I'm in the USA. Ordering from them in Canada often yields higher quality for lower prices and good karma to boot (some of their stuff is made in Canada).
posted by rbs at 2:41 PM on May 10, 2006

Repetitive, I know, but just to make the connection: MEC is the Canadian implementation of REI.
posted by mendel at 2:55 PM on May 10, 2006

I'll 6th MEC... and I'll add that REI is only a poor imitation of MEC even if REI actually came first.
posted by substrate at 3:29 PM on May 10, 2006

and there's also MEC.

(Seriously, it's a great store for hiking, camping, biking, canoeing, etc. Top product, lots of choice and the best advice)

You don't mention what type of hiking you intend to do, or how intensively. If you're just after a shoe for a short ramble in High Park or along the boardwalk on the Beaches, you'd be fine with just a good cross-training shoe, or one of the "hiking" look athletic shoes.
posted by Artful Codger at 3:37 PM on May 10, 2006

Go to MEC, and as someone who can walk in heels, seriously consider train runners unless you're going to be on awful terrain. See my comments (proselytizing? sorry!) and the comments of probably 1/3 of the people in that other thread.
posted by JMOZ at 4:38 PM on May 10, 2006

Another MEC endorsement -- you can't go wrong with them. In fact it's surprising that you haven't heard of MEC if you call yourself rabidly Canadian :-) While backpacking in Europe, the surest way to distinguish real Canadians from Americans who claim to be so is the omnipresent MEC logo.

But I'd also suggest you check out their competitors, such as Europe Bound. They often provide better service, in their uphill battle to compete with MEC.

As Guy Zero said, all the stores are usually clustered together so you won't have to walk far to find them.
posted by randomstriker at 7:00 PM on May 10, 2006

Yup, and Europe Bound is very conveniently located across the street from MEC on King Street, and is just as good, sometimes cheaper, sometimes not. That's where I bought mine, and they did me good service for 8 weeks of hiking straight, and then some time as street shoes.
posted by jb at 10:22 PM on May 10, 2006

Response by poster: Hmm, how to chose from among all 11 answers. Eeeny meeny miney mo — I think I'll go to MEC.
posted by orange swan at 10:34 PM on May 10, 2006

I work part time at MEC, so it's fun to see all the reccomendations.

Try to get in there during the week, especially before noon. It's less busy, and you're more likely to get more experienced staff.

If you're going on a big trip of some sort, break the boots in well before going out on the trip. Walk to work, do your grocery shopping, anything. Part of breaking in heavier boots is also building up a bit of a callous on your foot where the boot rubs. (Same as your favourite heels.) Mid or lighter weight boots won't need so much work, but the full-leather monsters will.

If you can't find a boot there that fits well, try the 'bound across the street. Their selection is different. Coast Mountain has a lot of selection in the mid-weight hiker category. They're at Queen and Yonge. It's a bit pricier, and I've found that the Columbia stuff isn't as good as it looks, but there is decent stuff there.

Buy the $5 polyester liner socks. You just need one pair. I've salvaged at least one backpacking trip with them. They prevent blisters.
posted by thenormshow at 11:59 PM on May 10, 2006

The best time to go to MEC is a weeknight. It turns into a zoo on the weekends, especially if it's nice out.
posted by bonehead at 6:06 AM on May 11, 2006

Response by poster: I went to MEC last night and bought boots, a selection of socks, and a windbreaker. Though I may take the windbreaker back if I can find one I like better for less. I don't think it's necessary to have specially designed clothes for hiking.

I also checked out two other similar stores across the street (Europe Bound and one other store) but they weren't nearly as good.
posted by orange swan at 9:40 AM on May 19, 2006