Reddit mentions: The best hiking shoes for men

Oh hi Techfoxninja,

I have a few things I'd recommend, I'm a hiker and jogger myself. My first two recommendations? Good shoes and good socks. I personally do most of my running on roads but for hiking I use Keens yes they seem pricey but I bought a pair used at an REI garage sale and they're still kicking, before that I had a pair last three years with no issues.

Smart wool makes awesome socks, I'd actually suggest going to real store and looking at them, hence the lack of a useful link. I have a pair of running socks by them that I swear by.

If you're doing day hikes it's always important to carry a small pack and plenty of water. The North Face Jester is both a good hiking bag and even a good school bag, and is another item that will last for a few good years.

If you get a decent bag, a Platypus will fit nicely into it, and you'll stay hydrated well into your walks.

It's been brought up before, but yes, headlamps are really important, I also have a Nebo light that works really well and can clip on to most bags.

Next? A good yet light jacket, for interment weather. North Face does OK, but Marmot, Columbia and Patagonia are good brands as well.

I don't know how big your gift card is, and you may be hesitant to blow it on one expensive item, but trust me, as I get older my camping/hiking supplies just grow, and a lot of this stuff has a longer life span than you'd expect.

These show to be "Goodyear welt" but I'm not sure if they qualify for this sub... Thanks for considering my questions if not.

I'm considering these Georgia Boot Romeos from Amazon. From the reviews I think they'd do well for me. They are in my price range. Wide width is important as "normal" shoes have never seemed to me to actually be shaped like feet. I work in IT in a hospital so lots of walking, not much need for oil resistance, but non slip is a nice touch anyway.

I'm over 300 lbs and trying to walk more for health, circulation, and exercise so I want something I can put some daily miles on, literally.

I'm trying to take a step up from Merell's with Vibram soles.
Model previous to these, but really similar to what I'm replacing:
Merrell Men's Moab Adventure Moc Hiking Shoe, Boulder, 12 2E US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAUXQQH/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_pJH3BbBS8YZB0

With the above I wear through these arch support insoles every three months or so to stretch out my arch and prevent heel spurs or
plantar fasciitis:
Footminders COMFORT Orthotic Arch Support Insoles for Sport Shoes and Work Boots (Pair) (X-LARGE: Men 11½ - 13) - Relieve Foot Pain Due to Flat Feet and Plantar Fasciitis https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AW1L7W2/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_USH3BbBFQB6F2




I'm considering these:
Notched:
Georgia Giant Men’s Romeo Slip-On Work Shoe,Brown,12 W https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012F7BG8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_U-G3BbJAQ7QP5

Or these:
Wedge:
Georgia Boot Men's GR274 Giant Romeo Work Shoe, Soggy Brown, 12 W US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012FBDPI/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Q9G3BbT60E2CR


The notched honestly looks better (I've been getting away with the Merrell's so either would be an improvement on that front).
My gut tells me the wedge will be more comfortable given my size. Shoes with a flatter sole or support under the whole foot have always seemed more comfortable to me. Any time I've had a notched sole I feel like I can "feel" that space where there's no support and it starts to become painful after a while as the shoes wear out, though that may just be because they've been crappy shoes...


So the questions:
Are these actually Goodyear welt, or is this scammy marketing?

Should I go wedge or notched sole? And why?

Is there another semi dressy, stable, durable slip-on in the same price same I should consider instead?

I'm in Nashville and from reading the sidebar I'm fortunate to have quality shoe stores in town. I don't think I can drop over 100 bucks on boots, but given what I've said above, should I just do it anyway (after suffering with the Merrell's a few more months and saving up)?

Thanks so much for any advice!

I'm a huge fan of my Solomon X-Ultras.


I bought them for a trip to eastern Indian Himalayan mountains last November and they performed magnificently. I would call them "light hiking boots", but really they're just bad-ass shoes. The grip is great for the outdoor stuff but they work really well in town too. The Gore-Tex keeps you dry and shields you from the element. Also, I really like the lacing system. It took some getting used to but once I did man is it easier... wish all my shoes laced this way.

One thing to note: The trade off with such great tread is that it it wears down a touch faster than other more sturdy boots, back-country boots. It's a trade-off but I find that it was well worth it for my trip to India. and so far I'm going on a year of use and expect another six months or so.

While they did well in India for me I'd like others to chime in about using these in heavy snow. I feel like they're up to the challenge in a limited capacity and think they would be fine for a semester in Norway, but I'll defer to others who used them in snow more than I did (which was a total of about 5 to 10 days I think).

Have a great trip!!!

Hi! There are some great recommendations here already, and I will second the exofficio boxers, they are great. Merino wool boxers are nice too.

But I'm here to recommend some shoes. Last fall I bought a pair of these. I didnt pair as much as they are for sale now, and I don't know if I would, but they are absolutely great shoes. I used them all winter for shoes in Minneapolis, as they are waterproof (not sure if that is what you want). Now, you might think that you are not looking for winter type shoes, but these are great hiking boots. They have a vibram sole and are very comfortable. On top of wearing them all last winter, I have them this summer and have worn them hiking in Iceland and Norway. They still hold up well after many miles of walking on dirt, rock, ice, and concrete.

And as a bonus, the laces are puppy-proof.

If you want something not waterproof and more breathable for a warmer climate I would recommend looking at Teva.

Whatever kind of shoe you do go with, buy some wool socks and count them in your shoe budget. You will want them.

The biggest regret I have when I did my first day hike was wearing a pair of cargo shorts and nike running shoes. The forecast showed rain but we decided to go anyway and about halfway up the mountain the rain turned to snow and we ended up having to turn around because we literally couldn't hike anymore. I guess the moral of the story is be prepared for weather, wear comfy workout clothes, and if you don't have hiking shoes/boots, wear some active shoes with strong support. I don't know your financial situation but it's better to be safe than sorry and if I were you I'd buy some hiking shoes like these: https://www.amazon.com/Adidas-Terrex-Swift-Hiking-Shoes/dp/B00DJ634GO

I've had a pair of these for two summers now and they rock!

Other general things I've found helpful:

• take screenshots of the trail description, map, and surrounding area to look at in case you forget something or come to a fork in the trail. This also helps for understanding your pace.
  
• bring a hydration backpack if possible
  
• buy hiking socks
  
• don't forget your inhaler if you have one!!
  
• I have no idea how the class system relates to where I hike (New england), but usually the people who rate the trails are experienced hikers. This means that a beginner such as yourself would find a moderate rated trail to be very difficult. Just something to consider...
  
• In terms of building up muscle and exercising, I would try to build stamina via running and walking for longer than usual amounts of time. I find the stairmaster and bike at my gym to be very helpful as well.
  
  Hope this helps!
  

Congrats on the job!

[Tiffen Variable ND filter] (http://amzn.to/2mw8AY7) is a necessity to me, especially when outside.

This shoulder rig is really an impressive tool for the price.

Husky Multi-tool is my favorite multi-tool

A good tripod like Davis & Sanford model is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made (it's great as-is, and is even better when you upgrade the fluid head to a Manfrotto Video Head).

Pelican SD Card case not only provides protection, but also helps you keep organized.

Pelican 1510 with Padded Divider Case has been my main camera case for well over a year, and has saved my life on multiple occasions (downpours, falling down stairs, etc). I use the top organizer on it as well quite a bit.

This Apurture light is a great run-n-gun LED light that i prefer over costlier alternatives.

Joby Gorillapod is always in my camera bag for random uses. I use it mainly for a makeshift hair light mount, but I've gone as far as mounting my b-cam on it for timelapses.

Merrell Moab Waterproof Shoes are the best shooting shoes I've ever worn.

This Foldable Cart is incredible for me... I never go to a shoot without it. It folds up and fits in my small jeep along with the rest of my gear without an issue, and it gives me a workbench when deployed on location.

A watch with a compass is very important to me if I'm doing exteriors and have no idea where the sun is at due to cloud cover.

Anyway those are some odds and ends I could think of that I use on a day to day basis.

This was my first big hike of the year! I received new hiking boots for Christmas and have been spending the past few weeks breaking them in. Since they felt good, I figured I'd put some miles on them and see how it goes.

I did the full Cape Henry Trail in First Landing National Park. The signage says it's 6.1 miles each way, but RunKeeper says I did 12.95 miles total. Either way, it was a good hike. I had a 25 lbs pack to get back into the groove of carrying gear.

The weather was nice and sloppy (I prefer foul weather hikes). I was really wanting to test these new boots since they're "waterproof." I didn't believe it, but they really worked. I sloshed through pretty much every puddle on the trail and my toes stayed nice and dry! The boots are great. (Saloman XA Pro)

All-in-all, it was a great day on the trail!

First of all, Hannover is not in Siberia, you are not going to freeze to death instantly. Also you will get out of the plane, then you are inside the airport. You will really only be "exposed to pure nature" on the few steps between airport entrance and (I assume) your family's car, you would even manage that in Siberia, naked ;)

No really, I'd get a normal pair of long pants and a long sleeve shirt (nothing polar-approved, just stuff for an air-conditioned living room, like e.g. a jeans and a sweatshirt) that will suit you well on the long flight. And when you are here, you just go shopping based on what you need right then. A pair of shoes that are not sandals would be necessary, but it is pointless to buy such stuff (that needs to fit) on the internet. And you can also get to know downtown Hannover then.

So what can you buy already? Pretty much only stuff that either doesn't need to be cut perfectly because it is "strechy", or that is rather cheap and wouldn't be such a bad waste of money if it turns out to be crap.

There is such stuff like thermal underwear, aka ski underwear. I personally only wear that if it is really cold (well under freezing) AND I'm outside for a prolonged time. But you are not used to even cool temperatures above freezing with wetness, with also makes it feel colder than it is, so maybe you would want to buy such stuff. You can combine that with anything else easily or leave it away when it turns out to be too warm. Look on Amazon.de for "Thermo-Unterwäsche" (https://www.amazon.de/b/ref=sr_aj?node=3024361031), about up to 30 € for a shirt-and-pants combo should be ok.

Maybe you can also look for a pair of gloves, not the montrously thick ones for skiing, but thin softshell gloves (the thinner the better actually, makes them more usable, i.e. you can keep them on all the time), preferrable with a touchscreen finger, and which are resistant to wetness (even if you avoid walking through pouring rain, you will have to touch e.g. a wet handle or something, so they shouldn't soak everything up), maybe with a neopren layer on the hand insides. Would say you can get a decent pair for 10-20 €. (not endorsing anything, but just so you get an idea: https://www.amazon.de/Touchscreen-Handschuhe-Fahrrad-Handschuhe-Fahrradhandschuhe-Winddicht/dp/B01NAH8R2V/)

I'd also buy a few pairs of black cotton socks, they are for a few shoe sizes at once, so no problems with proper fit.

If you really want to look for shoes, I'd take a look at trekking shoes, they are good to wear every day, can stand wetness and dirt (especially if you avoid light colors!) and can be worn in- and outside, except with a suit of course. Shouldn't look too "offroad" of course, Hannover is not in the Himalaya either. Maybe something like this: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00Q7EUP4E/ (again, shouldn't be a recommendation for exactly this pair, there are a lot of shoes that look similar)
But you should try them out before, i.e. buy them now and let them be sent to where you live now, wear a few hours to decide whether you can walk in them, and if not, return them and buy a different pair. You can put them on in the plane, so it's not additional luggage. But one pair is really enough, at least for now. Maybe you want to buy sports shoes or rubber boots or some fine leather shoes for a suit later, but these will get you through most of the day.

> I wear Keen shoes, specifically because they fit wide feet better.

Yes sir! Me too! And they last for a while and don't hurt my feet at all from the shape. When they do finally break down, they break down good. But up until that point, they are a tank of a shoe. I actively bike/hike in the foothills of Colorado in those shoes, plus I literally wear it for everything else too. I have taken these shoes into some really bad environments and these shoes don't fail me. For someone with problematic feet, I can't find a better shoe on the market.

I will be going on my third pair of these in the fall: https://www.amazon.com/KEEN-Targhee-Hiking-Gargoyle-Midnight/dp/B005D4U04Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CSA7YWPESHXM&keywords=keen+targhee+ii+mens&qid=1557687574&s=gateway&sprefix=keen+targhee%2Caps%2C211&sr=8-1

And the only reason I am replacing them is because the were burned by accident and don't look as nice, but not because they are failing. As long as Keen keeps making these shoes, I will never buy another pair.

If I can get the shape, style, construction, reliability in a SPD pedal, I would virtually never take the shoes off but to sleep.

Keen's sandal hasn't gotten good reviews at all, and they might have even discontinued them: https://www.amazon.com/KEEN-Commuter-Cycling-Sandal-Gargoyle/product-reviews/B00RLY8Z6Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_hist_1?pageNumber=1&filterByStar=one_star

And the Keen Newports look like a similar shape and style of the soul: https://www.amazon.com/Keen-Mens-Newport-Sandal-Black/dp/B0006FSKF6/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Keen&qid=1557687868&s=gateway&sr=8-2

So I would probably just do the Newports in the Summer and the Targhee's the rest of the time, but I need to clip in at this point. What I need is for Keen to make the Newports in an SPD pedal, but I don't think they will do that just for me ;)

If it wasn't for knee problems and the need to clip in at this point, I would just keep using Keen shoes and find a good sandal and just keep riding on platform pedals which I like better anyway.

But it's all about the knees now :(

Just bought these for a hiking trip in Alberta Fryatt Valley.

I found they fit big so i put an extra insole in the shoes but they worked flawlessly for their purpose. Good ankle support and grip, and kept dry.

I do have one gripe with them personally (own fault) and that is if you try to put them on by just ramming your foot inside, you can deform the back of the shoe which you can reshape with your hand. Easy work around would be to just untie the shoe and put it on properly like a normal person.

From what you've described, you need a hiking shoe/boot. Check out Merrell boots. I've been across the pond for a year rocking Merrell Chameleons.

http://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Mens-Chameleon-Stretch-Hiking/dp/B00D7CHCYK

They fit like a sneaker, look like a hiking boot, work like a hiking boot. Extremely comfortable and the boulder color looks pretty sweet too. My EDC is pretty much the same as yours, minus the replica part. And +40 lbs in the Arc'teryx rucksack.

These things are the best shoes i've ever bought
I bought these for less than $100 back in 2012 for hiking. 4 years later and they still look good. They have held up to damn near everything you could think of. I've taken them hiking on 4 different continents in all weather conditions and they still feel as comfortable as when they were new. I'm an Army officer of 5 years and have been through my fair share of footwear over the years. I've tried Danner, Rocky, Nike, and a few others and nothing comes close to this quality. While these may not fit some people's idea of "boots", the company makes other variants. I hope you give these a try, and good luck in your search.

Technology has come a long way in footwear. And the best shoe for you really depends on your foots shape. I like Merrell Moab Ventilators they also have a mid high version, but The North Face shoes seem to fit my foot the best. The most important thing to remember though is make sure it fits your foot in its widest point, even if the toe is a little big

I like my Merrell All Out Blazes, but those Keen sandals below look great too.

Edit, there's a version with thin mesh over the holes to keep debris out but would surely drain water well.

I went the opposite direction and got rid of all support. I am about 280 lbs and have somewhat flat feet, so in theory I should need a lot of support in my shoes, but I went through a "Paleo/barefoot" phase and have never returned to big shoes.

At the time, I started working in a hospital, which means tile or linoleum covering concrete for flooring. A lot of hospital workers buy big shoes with a lot of support and thick soft soles--heavy running shoes are popular. I got these "barefoot" shoes instead and never had sore or tired feet.

It takes about 6 months- 1 year to get used to "barefoot/minimal soles". I don't know why I stuck it out, but I'm glad I did. My feet feel a lot better now than they used to. (I've been "barefoot"ing it for almost a decade now.)

During the summers, I like the KEEN sandels. Pretty much all I wear. Winter, it's Merrell Moab's. When I mt. bike, I have found the Pearl Izumi's are pretty good. For work, Rockports are comfortable.

You guys should put out notes about shoe choices for Shambs..

I wore sandals during the day and these at night. Not fashionable, but having solid ankle support with nice shoes made trekking around after a day in the sun easier. My first year my ankles failed and I ended up in the medical tent. This year I planned better. Worked like a charm..

You're going to struggle to find anything brand new that's decent for under £20.

However, you can always buy pre-owned. I know you mentioned you weren't after boots but a good pair of low rise walking boots are a good shout. Will wear well with jeans, shorts, tracksuits or walking gear. There's an outdoor uk gear exchange group on facebook, you always find walking trainers with gore-tex going relatively cheap.

It's something I've learnt with shoes, is not to cheap out on them. A good quality pair of shoes can last for years. I've got a pair of Merrells and they've done about 200k odd miles. Various terrain, conditions and activites done with them and they're getting a bit shagged but they've served me well for about 4-5 years of active use and will look to prolounge its life.

Merrel Shiraz. They work well as casual shoes but can give a slightly dressier look if needed. They have an excellent sole and the real reason they're so great as a travel shoe is that they're waterproof so they work in any conditions. With a pair of Superfeet insoles they've been the best travel shoes I've come across.

I need a new pair of walking shoes for my commute. I walk 17 miles a week to work and back home, and I live in the rainiest city in the UK so waterproofing is a must now the summer is over, but I've also been striving to find something that doesn't look fugly and costs less than £100.

I've narrowed my options down to:

Salomon XA Lite GTX

The North Face Hedgehog Fastpack GTX

They're both pretty similar, but any opinions on which pair looks nicer would be welcome.

Yup, these Keen's are my festy shoes.

Being waterproof is nice for when it rains and everything turns to mud and there is a decent amount of tread so you've got good grip when you're spun cookies and/or walking on wet grass.

The rubber part that comes over the toes is especially nice for kicking logs around the campfire when you can't find the pokey stick or to help to protect you when stumbling wooks step on your feet.

Thorogood 6" Moc

Just as good as my redwing 875's but with slightly softer leather to make the break-in process much less painful, and they come with speed-laces. American made. They have steel toe and plain toe also, come with composite shanks.

Edit: Oh, and they're under $200.

Highly recommend.

Edit#2: Saw your post where you were looking for a non-boot. Keens are great all around hiking/durable shoe. Look into those.

My brother loves his Oboz. https://www.amazon.com/Oboz-Sawtooth-Light-Hiking-Pewter/dp/B00GGI3U34/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1481662863&sr=1-2&nodeID=679255011&keywords=oboz+sawtooth+hiking+shoes

I love my Keens.
https://www.amazon.com/KEEN-Targhee-Hiking-Gargoyle-Midnight/dp/B005D4U04Y/ref=sr_1_2?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1481662714&sr=1-2&nodeID=679255011&keywords=keen+targhee+ii

I had a pair of Merrills and the waterproofing failed right away and they were really heavy.

Men's Terrex Swift R GTX

https://www.amazon.com/adidas-outdoor-Mens-Terrex-Swift/dp/B075MRKY2Q

This is the best shoe ever, and I have tried a ton

Not a trail runner, but check these out: https://www.amazon.com/Merrell-Blaze-Sport-Hiking-Water/dp/B01HEAE716

"Merrell Men's All Out Blaze Aero Sport Hiking Water Shoe"

I like them a lot for hiking on mountainous trails with lots of water crossings.

Most important for me is that they are waterproof, so I went with the Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX, https://www.amazon.com/adidas-outdoor-Mens-Terrex-Swift/dp/B075MRKY2Q

I recommend the Merrell Moab Ventilator in all black. Especially if you have wide feet. Extremely comfy and never had an issue taking it to the club.