*** Official Backpacking Thread ***

[r32]

@afoaf what shoes you use for hiking/backpacking?

I've had two pairs of $60 Merrells last me over 15 years. Finally the sole is gone on my second pair and a nice vent hole in the side. Would get another pair but everyone saying new ones suck after move to China factory.

Same with Salomon which was bought out by Chinese Conglomerate. Same company owns Atomic, Arc'teryx, Armada, Enve Composites, and Wilson, which all come out of the same factory and people claiming quality has gone down hill.

Considering a pair of Zamberlan as I hear they are top of the mountain for ruggedness and durability.

Zamberlan Italian Hiking Boots, Hunting Boots, and Backpacking Boots

Zamberlan has been handcrafting the finest hiking, hunting, mountaineering, logging, and wildland firefighting boots in the world from their family-owned Italian factory since 1929.

www.zamberlanusa.com

This pair of Merrells have been through hell and back with me. They've been to more than 25 countries, countless beaches, and a lot of backpacking / hiking trails, and a tough breakup. My first pair lasted me about 7 years and this pair going on nearly a decade. So many forests, lakes, deserts, and beaches.

 

[Bob Dobbalina]

@afoaf what shoes you use for hiking/backpacking?

I've had two pairs of $60 Merrells last me over 15 years. Finally the sole is gone on my second pair and a nice vent hole in the side. Would get another pair but everyone saying new ones suck after move to China factory.

Same with Salomon which was bought out by Chinese Conglomerate. Same company owns Atomic, Arc'teryx, Armada, Enve Composites, and Wilson, which all come out of the same factory and people claiming quality has gone down hill.

Considering a pair of Zamberlan as I hear they are top of the mountain for ruggedness and durability.

Zamberlan Italian Hiking Boots, Hunting Boots, and Backpacking Boots

Zamberlan has been handcrafting the finest hiking, hunting, mountaineering, logging, and wildland firefighting boots in the world from their family-owned Italian factory since 1929.

www.zamberlanusa.com

Can you get them resoled?

 

[r32]

Can you get them resoled?

Zamberlan shoes, yes.

 

[casa_mugrienta]

@afoaf what shoes you use for hiking/backpacking?

I've had two pairs of $60 Merrells last me over 15 years. Finally the sole is gone on my second pair and a nice vent hole in the side. Would get another pair but everyone saying new ones suck after move to China factory.

Same with Salomon which was bought out by Chinese Conglomerate. Same company owns Atomic, Arc'teryx, Armada, Enve Composites, and Wilson, which all come out of the same factory and people claiming quality has gone down hill.

Considering a pair of Zamberlan as I hear they are top of the mountain for ruggedness and durability.

Zamberlan Italian Hiking Boots, Hunting Boots, and Backpacking Boots

Zamberlan has been handcrafting the finest hiking, hunting, mountaineering, logging, and wildland firefighting boots in the world from their family-owned Italian factory since 1929.

www.zamberlanusa.com

Scarpa Rapid GTX

Bought them for a great price on Sierra.com

Best shoe ever

So I ordered another

 

[casa_mugrienta]

PEAK REFUEL BEEF STROGANOFF IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BACKPACKING MEAL ON THE MARKET CAPS FOR TRUTHS

duuuu

Absolutely

Chowed down on this the other night

it's like Michelin Star for the trail

 

[ghostshaper]

The EVA foam in the midsole compresses after so many miles. Compare your current shoe to a new one, and you'll feel the difference. I've recently discovered ripoff Nike Air insoles on eBay and have been putting them in whatever shoe I wear. Walking on a cloud.

 

[r32]

Scarpa Rapid GTX

Bought them for a great price on Sierra.com

Best shoe ever

So I ordered another

Didn't realize Scarpa makes hiking shoes too. Thought they only made ski boots and those gay looking climber shoes. NTTAWWT

They have pretty good reviews too.

So many outdoor gear manufactures, I can't keep up anymore.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

been happy with the two pairs of OBOZ from REI

 

[Matilija]

Been on the Lone Peak train for about 5 years. Not super durable but super comfortable. Done with taking shoes off for creek crossings, just tromp thru, with a pair of Darn Tough socks your feet are dry again in a mile or two. That said, they aren’t for everyone…

The Best Thru-Hiking Shoes of 2024

Outdoor Life interviewed Morgan Brosnihan, a physical therapist treating thru-hikers on trail, to find the best thru-hiking shoes for you.

www.outdoorlife.com

 

[r32]

Been a fan of this site usually, but as usual, they always leave out some manufacturers. No Zamberlan reviews.

Shoes & Boots Reviews

Let us help you find the right shoes, boots, or sandals that fit your budget and needs like a glove.

www.outdoorgearlab.com

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

Been on the Lone Peak train for about 5 years. Not super durable but super comfortable. Done with taking shoes off for creek crossings, just tromp thru, with a pair of Darn Tough socks your feet are dry again in a mile or two. That said, they aren’t for everyone…

The Best Thru-Hiking Shoes of 2024

Outdoor Life interviewed Morgan Brosnihan, a physical therapist treating thru-hikers on trail, to find the best thru-hiking shoes for you.

www.outdoorlife.com

I blew out my Lone Peaks in less than a week. Had to pack out 30 miles in flip flops that I duct taped to my feet. The Lone Peaks were so destroyed that flip flops were the better option.

There were comfortable for the 5 days that they held together.

 

[crustBrother]

Had to pack out 30 miles in flip flops that I duct taped to my feet

that is so metal

 

[ElOgro]

that is so metal

Ya think? Wait until he tells us the part where he killed a family of grizzly bears with both hands tied behind his back.

 

[kool-aid]

Been on the Lone Peak train for about 5 years. Not super durable but super comfortable. Done with taking shoes off for creek crossings, just tromp thru, with a pair of Darn Tough socks your feet are dry again in a mile or two. That said, they aren’t for everyone…

The Best Thru-Hiking Shoes of 2024

Outdoor Life interviewed Morgan Brosnihan, a physical therapist treating thru-hikers on trail, to find the best thru-hiking shoes for you.

www.outdoorlife.com

This setup cannot be beat. I've never had a pair of lone peaks blow out, but I would say they're only good for 200ish miles. Treads will last longer but they really loose their spring after 200 miles.

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

that is so metal

Locals FTW.

I’ve done worse. Packed out of Havasu Falls on September 13, 2001 barefoot carrying about 45 pounds of camera equipment.

Some animal, or possibly a Havasupai (but i repeat myself) stole my boots. Also our helicopter ride was cancelled for…reasons.

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

Ya think? Wait until he tells us the part where he killed a family of grizzly bears with both hands tied behind his back.

I don‘t fuck with bears.

A guy up in Montana - was up there a few weeks ago - who was renting cans of bear spray (great fucking scam) told me the best way to use bear spray was to, upon seeing an aggressive bear, cover yourself with spray and lay on the ground. Bear won’t get near you.

He said if you spray the bear it just pisses them off and they attack ”about half the time.”

This guy also had no front teeth so…

 

[ghostshaper]

Had a pair of hoka uppers come unglued from the missiles after about two months. Supposed to be warrantied for a year iirc. They sent them back and said they're not under warranty, no other explanation. I called customer service (owned by big company in middle America that also owns sketchers), and they said nothing they can do once warranty dept makes their decision.

Since bought some high stack new balance trail runners. Never going back to Hoka. Going to try the high stack Asics trabuco next pair to test out.

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

This setup cannot be beat. I've never had a pair of lone peaks blow out, but I would say they're only good for 200ish miles. Treads will last longer but they really loose their spring after 200 miles.

I must have had a bad pair. I got about 60 miles out of mine - carrying a pretty heavy pack.

Uppers separated from the soles at about 40 miles - duct tape repairs - then the left sole itself split in half.

Now I wear actual hiking boots with zero drop.

 

[Duffy LaCoronilla]

Had a pair of hoka uppers come unglued from the missiles after about two months. Supposed to be warrantied for a year iirc. They sent them back and said they're not under warranty, no other explanation. I called customer service (owned by big company in middle America that also owns sketchers), and they said nothing they can do once warranty dept makes their decision.

Since bought some high stack new balance trail runners. Never going back to Hoka. Going to try the high stack Asics trabuco next pair to test out.

A good friend of mine works for Sketchers in Goleta. If this was recent and you still have the shoes I might be able to help.

I had terrible luck with Hoka shoes. Not a durability issue for me though because they’d fuck up my feet so bad I never wore them that long.

I’ve had really good results with Topo Athletic for trail shoes and boots. They offer low drop and zero drop options as well as low and high stack options.

 

[Matilija]

I blew out my Lone Peaks in less than a week. Had to pack out 30 miles in flip flops that I duct taped to my feet. The Lone Peaks were so destroyed that flip flops were the better option.

There were comfortable for the 5 days that they held together.

Yeah, that’s an anomaly. On my 3rd pair, I’m guessing I got a couple hundred trail miles on each pair as kool-aid mentions. Slipped and gashed my shin while river hopping in Montana this summer and realized they were smoked for field use. When they go they lose their grip to a point of being dangerous rock hopping.