Hiking boots...

[GreenScoutII]

So, I'm the only one that thinks Redwings are over hyped crap? Or did I get the one crappy pair they ever made?

I had one pair and I paid a damn fortune for them (by my standards). They were good boots and I had absolutely no problem with them. What I appreciated about them is the inner sole supports stayed intact and never collapsed. That's what typically goes bad in cheaper boots if you are a bigger guy, (I'm 6'1" & 240lbs). I got about two years of constant wear on the jobsite out of mine before they gave up the ghost.

That said, the pair of Red Wings at $260 (as I recall) didn't really perform any better than the $120 Carhart brand boots or the $140 Georgia boots. So, to answer your question, I think Red Wings are very good boots, but I also think you are paying a premium above and beyond their performance just for the Red Wing name.

ETA: Same deal with Justin boots. If you try to sell me a pair of work boots for more than $300 bucks, they better come with a no questions asked, full replacement garantee for at least five years. Otherwise, I won't even try them on.

[Ryan_Th3_K1d]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I bought some cheap combat boots last year, and never again...my feet never hurt so much. So dropping some serious coin is a must!

Merrell's are excellent IMO

Merrell's are a great hiking shoe! My dad won't wear anything else for hiking. I'm looking more for a boot for hunting and trail blazing.

[Marlin]

Well, I'll just say My experiance with them. I wouldn't take a pair if they paid me to do it.

I got a $35 "emergency" pair from big 5 that lasted longer. and felt better. AND, there was better customer service.

[Graves]

So, I'm the only one that thinks Redwings are over hyped crap? Or did I get the one crappy pair they ever made?

Nope, A former employer of mine used to give us a boot allowence every year at the red wing store and over the course of five years not one single pair lasted the full year before completely shitting out. Every pair I bought was between $120-$160 so needless to say I'm not impressed. They're tough boots but I have a pair of timberlands that are going on their third year - speaking of which, they're pretty much shot to S#!% right now.

[StagLefty]

So, I'm the only one that thinks Redwings are over hyped crap? Or did I get the one crappy pair they ever made?

All I can go by is my experience with them. My current pair is about 5 yrs. old-one of the soles came loose about a month ago-I took them in and they replaced both soles,oiled them up,and replaced the laces for no charge. That warranty is on all their American made boots.

[Backinblackrifles]

I like Bates, But they are not cheap My winter pair is going on it's fourth Year and other than scuffs and a tear in the rear of the liner I think they still have about 2 years left.

[Cameron]

Boots for hiking or back packing really depend on you and what you will be carrying.

Do not be cheap when it comes to getting good boots, if you are just walking a trail carrying a water bottle then a decent pair of Merrel or Vasque hiking boots would be all you need. If you are going to be carrying more weight back packing or trekking then look at Lowa, Asolo, La Sportiva, Hanwag, Salomon etc. Typically commercial hiking boots, offer a better quality than the "tactical" or military alternatives.

I trail run in Merrel trail shoes for about $80

Short light hikes in Vasque Hiking boots for about $180

For heavier long range hikes I have a pair of Hanwag Light GTX mountaineering boots that cost about $250

Cameron

[blackford76]

Redwings are highly over-rated! I also got a boot voucher, the last set of Redwings cost me 200 over the 120 voucher, I was working in Sterling last Dec when I had to go to wallyworld to buy the "cheap-ass" "junk", "not worth burning in the street" Hermans to keep from loosing toes.
When I worked for Lafarge I had to get rid of a Pair of Redwings that caused plantar flasha whatever, painfull, thats for sure, with, yup, cheap wally world boots. Danners are ok, Matterhorns are better, Ariat makes the best workboot as far as I'm concerned, but he originally asked about hiking and camping boots.

[Marlin]

All I can go by is my experience with them. My current pair is about 5 yrs. old-one of the soles came loose about a month ago-I took them in and they replaced both soles,oiled them up,and replaced the laces for no charge. That warranty is on all their American made boots.

I'm happy they worked for you.. My experiance with them just left such a bad taste, I won't own another pair. And, I will give you, it may have been a one in a billion thing. But, as said before, They couldn't pay me to have another pair.

[Ryan_Th3_K1d]

I've had good experience with Ariat cowboy boots! I figure if the boot is tough enough to be a work boot, then it better be a good hiking boot. I've found that some "work boots" hold up better than some of the past hiking boots I've used. Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated!