About Today's Hiking Boots

I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of hiking
boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which I've had for
eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo powermatic 200 and I
was amazed how comfortable they were right out of the box. I also looked
over the other brands of high end hiking boots, such as Vasque, and Montbell
which they too seemed to be comfortable. I remember it took me a long time
to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I didn't purchase the Asolo or any
other hiking boots, just going to run mine into the ground, but I was amazed
how far hiking boot technology has come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll have
to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and did some
mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new technology, no
more double layering.
fwiw,
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote in message
...
I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of hiking
boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which I've had for
eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo powermatic 200 and I
was amazed how comfortable they were right out of the box. I also looked
over the other brands of high end hiking boots, such as Vasque, and
Montbell which they too seemed to be comfortable. I remember it took me a
long time to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I didn't purchase the Asolo
or any other hiking boots, just going to run mine into the ground, but I
was amazed how far hiking boot technology has come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll
have to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and
did some mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new
technology, no more double layering.
fwiw,
-tom


Yeah, the new rule of thumb is to buy boots that fit comfortably out of the
box, and not to rely on a break-in period. Its one of the upsides of a
society dependant on petrochemicals....new high-tech materials. Leather
needs time to conform.

Although I often am quite disappointed in the performance of some of these
new materials, there are many others that are quite excellent...like the
miracle shirt from North Face that I wore all summer. It kept me warm in
cool weather, cool in hot weather, cozy when wet, and did not ever seem to
get unusually dirty or stinky. And it felt smooth as silk.

--riverman

"riverman" wrote in message ...
Yeah, the new rule of thumb is to buy boots that fit comfortably out of
the
box, and not to rely on a break-in period. Its one of the upsides of a
society dependant on petrochemicals....new high-tech materials. Leather
needs time to conform.

Although I often am quite disappointed in the performance of some of these
new materials, there are many others that are quite excellent...like the
miracle shirt from North Face that I wore all summer. It kept me warm in
cool weather, cool in hot weather, cozy when wet, and did not ever seem to
get unusually dirty or stinky. And it felt smooth as silk.

--riverman

I purchased three of those shirts only in an REI brand. Very nice indeed,
the selling point for me was the quick drying time, it hang dries in about
1/2 hour. Now I can backpack with just two shirts.
fwiw,
-tom

"Tom Nakashima" wrote ...
I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of hiking
boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which I've had for
eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo powermatic 200 and I
was amazed how comfortable they were right out of the box. I also looked
over the other brands of high end hiking boots, such as Vasque, and
Montbell which they too seemed to be comfortable. I remember it took me a
long time to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I didn't purchase the Asolo
or any other hiking boots, just going to run mine into the ground, but I
was amazed how far hiking boot technology has come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll
have to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and
did some mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new
technology, no more double layering.


You're right that the boots don't change shape much after wearing (they do a
little, but not nearly as much as leather boots do). For some, that's good.
For those of me that have foot shape quirks, the break-in provided a short,
albeit painful adaption process. Take the good with the bad, I guess....

As to socks, I still prefer a liner. I use a very thin polypro liner sock
under a pair of merino wool socks. The way my feet sweat, I have to change
socks every couple hours to avoid blisters if I don't use a liner.

Careful going from Vasque to Asolo. Both high-quality boots, but the lasts
are significantly different. Might work, might cause pain....

Dan

"Daniel-San" (Rot13) wrote in message
om...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote ...
I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of hiking
boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which I've had
for eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo powermatic 200
and I was amazed how comfortable they were right out of the box. I also
looked over the other brands of high end hiking boots, such as Vasque, and
Montbell which they too seemed to be comfortable. I remember it took me a
long time to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I didn't purchase the Asolo
or any other hiking boots, just going to run mine into the ground, but I
was amazed how far hiking boot technology has come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll
have to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and
did some mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new
technology, no more double layering.


You're right that the boots don't change shape much after wearing (they do
a little, but not nearly as much as leather boots do). For some, that's
good. For those of me that have foot shape quirks, the break-in provided a
short, albeit painful adaption process. Take the good with the bad, I
guess....


My Older Vasque Alpine's fit like a glove, not sure what hiking boot I'll go
with once I run them into the ground, however they're still plenty of tread
left. I'm going to ask if I can get them resoled.


As to socks, I still prefer a liner. I use a very thin polypro liner sock
under a pair of merino wool socks. The way my feet sweat, I have to change
socks every couple hours to avoid blisters if I don't use a liner.

I was using liners (cool max ultralights) until I hiked in a pair of
Dahlgren Backpacking Socks, after suggestions about Smartwool from ROFF.
They are comfortable, and my feet have never felt as good after a hike, but
every individuals is different, so it's best to go with what works for you.


Careful going from Vasque to Asolo. Both high-quality boots, but the lasts
are significantly different. Might work, might cause pain....

Dan

Yea, I was just killing time waiting for my wife shopping when I tried on
the pair of Asolo's. As soon as I got home, I put on my tried and true
Vasque Alpines with the new Dahlgren socks. I really get attached to my
backpacking equipment, very hard to give up anything that's been with me for
a period of time.

I have a pair of Birkenstocks that I've been wearing almost daily since
1979. It's been resoled six times, and look like hell, but I just can't
seem to get rid of them.
fwiw,
-tom

In article ,
says...

"Daniel-San" (Rot13) wrote in message
om...
You're right that the boots don't change shape much after wearing (they do
a little, but not nearly as much as leather boots do). For some, that's
good. For those of me that have foot shape quirks, the break-in provided a
short, albeit painful adaption process. Take the good with the bad, I
guess....


My Older Vasque Alpine's fit like a glove, not sure what hiking boot I'll go
with once I run them into the ground, however they're still plenty of tread
left. I'm going to ask if I can get them resoled.

I had a pair of Asolo's that were like that. I wore the tread smooth.
Paid ~$40 to get them resoled, but they were never the same. I bought
the nearest equivalent Asolo that I could find, but nothing since has
replaced those boots.

When you hike/backpack a good pair of boots are priceless.
- Ken

"Tom Nakashima" wrote ...

"Daniel-San" wrote ...

"Tom Nakashima" wrote ...
I was in the store Any Mountain last weekend and tried on a pair of
hiking boots. I have an older pair of Vasque Alpine before GTX, which
I've had for eight years now. The new boot I tried on was an Asolo
powermatic 200 and I was amazed how comfortable they were right out of
the box. I also looked over the other brands of high end hiking boots,
such as Vasque, and Montbell which they too seemed to be comfortable. I
remember it took me a long time to break in my older Vasque Alpine. I
didn't purchase the Asolo or any other hiking boots, just going to run
mine into the ground, but I was amazed how far hiking boot technology has
come.

Someone mentioned smartwool socks, instead of double layering and I'll
have to agree. I did purchase a pair of Dahlgren backpacking socks, and
did some mild hikes the last few days, and was also amazed in the new
technology, no more double layering.


You're right that the boots don't change shape much after wearing (they
do a little, but not nearly as much as leather boots do). For some,
that's good. For those of me that have foot shape quirks, the break-in
provided a short, albeit painful adaption process. Take the good with the
bad, I guess....


My Older Vasque Alpine's fit like a glove, not sure what hiking boot I'll
go with once I run them into the ground, however they're still plenty of
tread left. I'm going to ask if I can get them resoled.

I don't know which will work for you either, but when the time comes (sounds
like I'm planning a funeral, no?) I suggest you look for a dealer that uses
the Phil Oren Fit Sysytem. http://www.fitsystembyphiloren.com/ As I alluded
to above, I have some weird feet, and getting a good fit is a challenge. I
went to a shop that used people trained in the above system. Worked pretty
darned well. If however, you're one of those that can just grab your size
off the rack, well, then you're lucky I guess. And I'm jealous.



As to socks, I still prefer a liner. I use a very thin polypro liner sock
under a pair of merino wool socks. The way my feet sweat, I have to
change socks every couple hours to avoid blisters if I don't use a liner.

I was using liners (cool max ultralights) until I hiked in a pair of
Dahlgren Backpacking Socks, after suggestions about Smartwool from ROFF.
They are comfortable, and my feet have never felt as good after a hike,
but every individuals is different, so it's best to go with what works for
you.

Amen to that. I certainly have opinions on BP gear (stoves especially ;-) )
but I have learnt that what works for me may not work for others.....



Careful going from Vasque to Asolo. Both high-quality boots, but the
lasts are significantly different. Might work, might cause pain....

Dan

Yea, I was just killing time waiting for my wife shopping when I tried on
the pair of Asolo's. As soon as I got home, I put on my tried and true
Vasque Alpines with the new Dahlgren socks. I really get attached to my
backpacking equipment, very hard to give up anything that's been with me
for a period of time.

I'm sure your wife is happy to read that. :-)


I have a pair of Birkenstocks that I've been wearing almost daily since
1979. It's been resoled six times, and look like hell, but I just can't
seem to get rid of them.

My Birks are from about '89-'90. Resoled 2 or 3X and had the cork touched up
a couple times, too. I probably could have bought a new pair for what the
repairs cost, but......

Dan

"Daniel-San" (Rot13) wrote in message
.. .

I don't know which will work for you either, but when the time comes
(sounds like I'm planning a funeral, no?) I suggest you look for a dealer
that uses the Phil Oren Fit Sysytem. http://www.fitsystembyphiloren.com/
As I alluded to above, I have some weird feet, and getting a good fit is a
challenge. I went to a shop that used people trained in the above system.
Worked pretty darned well. If however, you're one of those that can just
grab your size off the rack, well, then you're lucky I guess. And I'm
jealous.


Thanks for the link on the boot fit system, something I may want to look
into in the future.
So far I've been lucky purchasing off the shelf hiking boots, but I know a
few saleman who want to kill me afterwards.

Tom Nakashima writes:
Yea, I was just killing time waiting for my wife shopping when I tried on
the pair of Asolo's. As soon as I got home, I put on my tried and true
Vasque Alpines with the new Dahlgren socks. I really get attached to my
backpacking equipment, very hard to give up anything that's been with me
for a period of time.

I'm sure your wife is happy to read that. :-)

Actually we're doing pretty well, even thinking about retiring at 55.

Tom Nakashima writes:
I have a pair of Birkenstocks that I've been wearing almost daily since
1979. It's been resoled six times, and look like hell, but I just can't
seem to get rid of them.

My Birks are from about '89-'90. Resoled 2 or 3X and had the cork touched
up a couple times, too. I probably could have bought a new pair for what
the repairs cost, but......

Dan


Think I would give up my fly-rod before I give up my Birks.
I loved watching the expressions of Jack Benny when they would ask him;
"Your money or your life?"
fwiw,
-tom