new kicks/shoes/foot pads - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Elixir · 03-11-2005, 07:55 AM

i was told by several people to invest in a pair of Sundowner shoes, the cheapest pair i found was $138.

is it worth investing in a hiking/walking/"nice" shoe for so much dinero?

im gonna be doing lots of walking and hiking, so i think it ight be best. just hought i should get a few opinions.

**TheJake** · 03-11-2005, 08:33 AM

insoles called SuperFeet

they rock.

Or a pair of merrells. These are mine, check out the sweet design on the bottom! oh and I didnt buy them for the design, they are super supportive.

**space virgin** · 03-11-2005, 09:32 AM

Investing in a good pair of walking shoes is NEVER going to be a waste of money, man.

Seriously. I took two pairs (different styles) of Danskos with me on my last trip and I'm really, really glad I did.

**omisan** · 03-11-2005, 09:50 AM

Two things in life you should always spluge on when you can: a bed and shoes. You spend more time in those than anything else you own...

**bluepea** · 03-11-2005, 12:59 PM

I agree. Jake just picked up a pair of Merrel phaser something or other with gortex for $110. I had to gasp when we went through the check out but he is so weird about his feet. They are super lightweight and he loves them to death already. He's breaking them in.

I on the otherhand hate shoes so my splurge was $25 on a pair of Reef sandals. I could walk miles in flip flops.

Jamie

**pinion** · 03-11-2005, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Mar 11 2005, 10:49 AM
Two things in life you should always spluge on when you can: a bed and shoes.

I wish I had known about the bed part

I bought a piece of crap futon from Ikea about 3 years ago. Now I'm paying all hell with back pain.

Just the other week I finally got fed up & went out and dropped a grand on a new bed. Blah.

Elixir · 03-13-2005, 08:06 AM

i have been hiking for years, since i was only about 8 or 9. i go crazy, mostly just in the woods and forests by my house, but in all my years i have never hurt my ankle or sprained or twisted anything. i like that pair of merrel's referred by jakethepunk, they look nice and sound great.

basically, do i really need to wory about ankle support for shoes?

Elixir · 03-13-2005, 08:10 AM

ooo i like those phaser inferno's a lot, too...

jake, i think you have sold me...

**TimmyJames1976** · 03-13-2005, 05:59 PM

yes...jake's choice is very nice...i may be sold as well....and in response to the ankle question.....for some odd reason i did so much ankle and shoe research(it may have been when the eagles t.o. was hurt) that i have learned high top shoes and hiking boots do not actually protect you all that much for sprains. most ankle sprains actually occur higher on ones leg. the only true benefit is the protection from being struck and occuring scrapes, puntures, or contusions to your ankle area. hope that helps.

Elixir · 03-13-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TimmyJames1976@Mar 13 2005, 06:58 PM
the only true benefit is the protection from being struck and occuring scrapes, puntures, or contusions to your ankle area.* hope that helps.

i thought that those were the pay off from hiking?

**TheJake** · 03-13-2005, 11:02 PM

they are... pay no attention to timmy and buy the merrells...lol

**omisan** · 03-14-2005, 12:18 AM

In all my years of hiking/backpacking/camping, I've worn high-topped boots ONCE and never cared for them. The "experts" recommend them if you're bearing a lot of weight for the added support or whatnot, but i've always found them more constricting. I'm much happier with a pair of trailrunners - even in the backcountry w/ a 50+ lb. pack - than with a pair of real hiking boots. In nearly 10 years of adventures, I've only demolished one pair of Timberland trailrunners and am currently on a pair of lightweight Adidas that have already had the hell abused out of them and are surviving well...

Moral of the story? Try on everything and get whatever feels good to you. If the Merrels make your feet feel warm & fuzzy, then blow the money on 'em. Phasers treat you right? Go for it. Feet are very particular things. No one's are alike, so you're going to have to go with the ones that make YOU feel comfortable and fit yo' style.

Pepin_151 · 03-14-2005, 07:00 AM

If your loking for some primo shoes that won't break the bank,check out Dunham bootmakers.com I've been buying shoes from them for the past 4 years or so because I take size 15EE and they make every size and shape known to man.There boots are top notch and if you want something that you can haul ass in all day and not kill your feet then these guys have got your boots !

Elixir · 03-14-2005, 07:51 AM

the phasers look great, but there isnt anywhere around me that sells them. so, i will look around i guess and if nothing works il just order the phasers. besides, they have a really cool name.

**TimmyJames1976** · 03-14-2005, 08:20 AM

like phasers :greenguy: for your feet

Elixir · 03-20-2005, 09:51 PM

i just saw the Ventilator by Merrell at a store, as well as the Black Rock GTX by Columbia. their websites dont have customer reviews so iw as wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge on these bad byos?

**TheWills** · 04-03-2005, 02:20 PM

Shoes are defently key you dont wanna constantly have to deal with blisters and such they can put you off your feet for days on end

**simply_angelic** · 04-03-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pepin_151@Mar 14 2005, 09:59 AM
I take size 15EE

Holy S#$%! those are some BIG FEET! well, you know what they say.....

**SuDz** · 05-09-2005, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pepin_151@Mar 14 2005, 09:59 AM
If your loking for some primo shoes that won't break the bank,check out Dunham bootmakers.com I've been buying shoes from them for the past 4 years or so because I take size 15EE and they make every size and shape known to man.There boots are top notch and if you want something that you can haul ass in all day and not kill your feet then these guys have got your boots !

I feel your pain. I am using the same sized shoes. Well I don't know about the EE part but I am flat footed and wide shoed so they may be the same but the 15 is spot on.

SuDZ