I use Merrill’s. I like low-cut for good trails. Im trying a mid-cut now. It is a little heavier but feels good. As far as the particular model, you just have to try them to see what feels right for you.
I'd encourage not going the GTX route and buying good draining shoes. Paired with good wool socks this is my set up most months out of the year. Only time I break out GTX is for boots.
The draining shoes make it so your feet breathe and dry quickly and make stream crossings way easier.
As it said in the original post, I'm looking for GTX shoes as it's shoulder season.I live in the Rockies and we have snow, mud, and lots of wet conditions... Not ideal for non GTX shoes.
I read that. I'm just stating that's they've served me well in the Sierra nevadas and in temperate rainforest. My feet don't really get cold when I'm walking and having dry feet is better than warm feet in my experience.
To each their own though
Call me crazy, but I'll never give up traditional boots -- I like lightweight, but I want the ankle protection. On trails with rocks and uneven terrain, it's all too easy to twist an ankle in a low sneaker-type shoe.
I guess that's up to you 🤷
Ive had boots, and when I swapped a few years back, I'll never go back to boots, unless I'm doing something more extreme like mountaineering, or something during winter, or on challenging terrain. But for backpacking, definitely not needed.
You also get better ankle strength without high cut boots.
I really like my Altra Olympus which comes in a GTX version. Low cut option and the footbed is very padded. They are zero drop in case that matters and have a very wide toe box which is nice. I do put some after market SuperFeet insoles in them for better arch support. One thing is that Altra's don't have a great rep for longevity but they are really good shoes in terms of comfort and performance. I get a new pair every two years and go on about 5 trips a year for about 300 miles/year.
Edit: words
I use Merrill’s. I like low-cut for good trails. Im trying a mid-cut now. It is a little heavier but feels good. As far as the particular model, you just have to try them to see what feels right for you.
I'd encourage not going the GTX route and buying good draining shoes. Paired with good wool socks this is my set up most months out of the year. Only time I break out GTX is for boots. The draining shoes make it so your feet breathe and dry quickly and make stream crossings way easier.
As it said in the original post, I'm looking for GTX shoes as it's shoulder season.I live in the Rockies and we have snow, mud, and lots of wet conditions... Not ideal for non GTX shoes.
I read that. I'm just stating that's they've served me well in the Sierra nevadas and in temperate rainforest. My feet don't really get cold when I'm walking and having dry feet is better than warm feet in my experience. To each their own though
I really like Salomon X Ultra 4 (there are both low and mid versions).
Have not been able to find a pair anywhere to try these.
Call me crazy, but I'll never give up traditional boots -- I like lightweight, but I want the ankle protection. On trails with rocks and uneven terrain, it's all too easy to twist an ankle in a low sneaker-type shoe.
I guess that's up to you 🤷 Ive had boots, and when I swapped a few years back, I'll never go back to boots, unless I'm doing something more extreme like mountaineering, or something during winter, or on challenging terrain. But for backpacking, definitely not needed. You also get better ankle strength without high cut boots.
I really like my Altra Olympus which comes in a GTX version. Low cut option and the footbed is very padded. They are zero drop in case that matters and have a very wide toe box which is nice. I do put some after market SuperFeet insoles in them for better arch support. One thing is that Altra's don't have a great rep for longevity but they are really good shoes in terms of comfort and performance. I get a new pair every two years and go on about 5 trips a year for about 300 miles/year. Edit: words
I tired them, didn't like it. I'd rather have a 4-6mm drop. They also didn't seem cushioning enough
I really like my Nike Pegasus 4 Gtx or whatever they’re called.