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My light hikers gave up the ghost this week while stumping and squirreling so Im looking for something to replace them. Three choices Im contemplating are Lowa, Keen or LL Bean Crestas of which neither I have owned. Not looking at Meindls, Asolo or Vasque for various reasons. What are some of your experiences with these boots? Ill be wearing Mucks once the freezing weather creeps in but until then I like light hikers with wool socks. Thanks, Izzy
-------------------- "A Fear Of Weapons Is A Sign Of Retarded Sexual And Emotional Maturity." Sigmund Freud Posts: 6024 | From: latham, new york | Registered: Dec 2006
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How goes it? Never seen Keen footwear I didn’t like. For LL's I’ve only used the Maine hunting boot. Don’t know much about Lowa, but heard great things. Have you considered Merrils?
-------------------- Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8 Posts: 1019 | From: Back in Colorado but missing The Adirondacks | Registered: Sep 2007
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The Merrils that Ive seen, seem to lack decent sole tread. By the way Kace, where you moving to.? It was good to meet you anyway, maybe see you on the mountain.
-------------------- "A Fear Of Weapons Is A Sign Of Retarded Sexual And Emotional Maturity." Sigmund Freud Posts: 6024 | From: latham, new york | Registered: Dec 2006
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I have a pair of merrel's that are going strong after 2 years, I love the tread pattern, I'm not sure of the model but I know they are gortex. Chris
EDIT: Just went and checked the model is Continuum.
Posts: 226 | From: Fayetteville, NC | Registered: Apr 2005
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I have had a couple pair of Keens that were comfortable, but wore out really quickly. I have some HiTecs that I got from Sportsmans Warehouse that are comfortable and have worn really well. They don't cost much, either. I also got a pair of Cabelas lightweight stalkers (I think that is the name, they are camo and in boot height) that are really comfortable, but since they are new I can't comment on their wear.
-------------------- Heroes don't wear capes, they wear dogtags. Posts: 2516 | From: WY - East face of the Bighorns | Registered: Oct 2007
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I like the Lowa and Asolo light hikers. Not quite the performance as the heavier versions but very comfortable.
Posts: 8752 | From: Los Gatos, California | Registered: Jun 2005
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Check out the HiTecs. I am on my 4th pair now. I usually get 2 years of hard use out of a set.
I bought my first pair before going on a decoy/spot and stalk Pronghorn hunt. I had tried several high dollar pairs, but none of them just felt right. I finally stopped at a small outdoor store that caters to a lot of through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail (the shop is only minutes from the trail). The owner suggested the HiTecs and said he has lots of through-hikers that won't wear any other boot.
Since then, a couple of my shootin' buds have started wearing them as well. The model that I have is the Altitude. Great boot at a great price.
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A.S., The altitude is the ones that I have, too. I go through lots of boots, and these seem to be the best wearing for the money, and comfortable from day one.
-------------------- Heroes don't wear capes, they wear dogtags. Posts: 2516 | From: WY - East face of the Bighorns | Registered: Oct 2007
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My Merrell Phasers have a really grippy sole pattern. Not the lightest I've had, but they've been durable, dry, and comfortable.
Posts: 336 | From: Millington, TN | Registered: Oct 2005
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I've got a pair of The North Face GTXthat are starting third year of hiking, hunting, and the general abuse that surrounds that. I am very impressed with their comfort and durability. There was very little breaking in. They were comfortable right out of the box.
-------------------- It is pleasant to have been to a place the way a river went. - Thoreau Posts: 14 | From: Georgia | Registered: Mar 2010
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I've been wearing Crestas for the past couple years and am happy with them. There was definitely a break-in period since they're all leather, but after some wear they were comfortable and have been holding up to the rocks and cactus of the southwest just fine.
Posts: 10 | From: AZ | Registered: Sep 2011
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Izzy, out of those three I prefer the Keen's but for my feet Merrell's work best if I will be covering lots of ground. Good luck on your choice. PS: If you do happen to choose Merrell's get one full size larger than you normally wear if you can't try on first, they run consistently small.
Posts: 318 | From: New Mexico | Registered: Jul 2010
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I only have experience with HiTec boots but have no reservations recommending the HiTec Altitude IV WP. Very comfortable (even during the height of an Indian summer) and requires no breaking-in. I have been wearing mine in thorny scrub, swamp and at construction sites since 2009 and they are still going strong. Very strong! For $60.00 they are excellent value for money. Used to keep mine conditioned with Ballistol gun oil but now use Montana Pitch Blend.
I have another pair of HiTec boots (Outlander) that are not as comfortable as the Altitude IV and I wouldn't recommend them.
Posts: 172 | From: India | Registered: Sep 2010
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I have had a pair of Asolo hikers with Gortex for ten years......soles are worn but still going strong and the still don't leak.....one of the best boots I have ever had. I got them at Eastern Mountain Sports.
-------------------- In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's there are few...So the most difficult thing is always to keep your beginner's mind...This is also the real secret of the arts: always be a beginner. Shunryu Suzuki Posts: 9312 | From: tribes hill , new york | Registered: Jan 2008
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