Favourite Footwear for Training and Hiking?

[jocoyn]

FWIW, A lot of folks on my SAR team wear Keens

[lhczth]

Merrell is owned by a company in the USA, but the shoes are made in China. I used to buy Merrells and loved them. They kept changing models, though, and I started having issues with them fitting right. I would find a model I loved and they would stop making it. Friend stopped buying them because they were no longer holding up for heavy use.

Last time I grabbed footwear for training I tried a new brand called Ecco. They are very expensive, but have held up better than any of the Merrells I bought. I tend to be very hard on shoes and these have not broken down like many previous brands I have purchased. Only complaint is they are not as waterproof (Gortex) as they were when I first bought them.

I will have to look into the Keen.

[GatorDog]

I also love Muckboots and Keens. Couldn't train without them.

I just got these from my bf for Christmas and I absolutely love them. They are perfect for the winter training in the barn or outside this time of year.

http://www.backcountry.com/images/it...726/POTSOI.jpg

[TimberGSD2]

For Schutzhund and outside training I wear my old trail running shoes, Brooks Cascadia's

[IMG] *** HUGE image removed by ADMIN *** [/IMG]

For obedience and agility inside I wear my normal running shoes which are Merrells.

[jocoyn]

For overboots, these things are awesome

https://www.google.com/search?q=neos...w=1366&bih=623

I have a pair I keep in my truck and you can stand in water and they don't leak. Can go over boots or tennis shoes. The instep strap keeps them snug on your feet and they don't flop down. Soles are a bit large but that is good for muck. I have the "adventurer" but got it for about $50

[GSDElsa]

I have a pair of keen insulated rubber boots I lovefor training in general muddy conditions. For hiking and training involving a lot of walking I use a pair of la sportiva mountaineering boots. They are like tanks but still very lightweight. But I do serious hiking. If it's very dry conditions at training I just wear a pair of keen day hikers I got on clearance.

[Cassidy's Mom]

TimberGSD2, I have a pair of Brooks Cascadia as my flyball shoes - love them! Mine are the 6 version, in turquoise.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Those are really cute!!

I have so much trouble finding Keen here, I think because Merrell is manufactured here. You can find Merrell everywhere and they have their own factory store/outlet but whenever I find Keen it's like one random pair in the clearance aisle.

I can't remember - do you have wide or narrow feet? One thing I love about Keens is that they have a generous toe box. My heels are normal, but I'm wide across the instep, so Keens are great for me. My husband has square feet (well, not really, but they're REALLY wide, like EEE sometimes doesn't fit him), and he found that Keens, which do not come in widths, not only fit him, they are often wider than the "wide" shoes in some other brands, like New Balance. I have a at least 6 or 7 different pairs of Keens, and my sister has even more than that!

They're not cheap, but the quality is good, and they stand behind their guarantee. Here's the website: KEEN Footwear - Mobile

I've had good luck finding them at discounted prices by searching online.

[Liesje]

My feet are pretty wide, especially the right foot. I'm kind of weird though, I like to shoe shop in person (try on different ones) so don't order online unless I've already put the same style on my feet. I have a chronic joint problem in my right foot and 90% of what I try on I can't wear, especially on my feet all day or running around. For whatever reason, Merrell/Vibram soles have always fit, even in shoe styles I would not be able to wear in another brand (I have a pair of slip on Merrell Mary-Janes for example, a style I've never been able to wear before b/c of my "bad" foot). I'm guessing that because Merrell is owned and distributed by Wolverine World Wide they are really popular here, in stores at least. I also go to their factory store once a year.

[Jag]

Lies- you have a LOT of shoes!! (My wife would be jealous!)

Debbie- I LOVE those sandles! I may have to look into those for summer.

I just bought a pair of new hiking boot for walks/training at Bass Pro. This is what I got.

RedHead McKinley Hikers for Men | Bass Pro Shops

They were cheap, but they fit well. I have Columbia boots that I REALLY like, but they're in a box in the garage somewhere. I may switch when I find them, or not. They've got quite a few pair on sale right now. I don't find them too heavy to wear as an every day type thing. I also got a boot scraper for if they get too muddy.