Something that is going to cover all the ground I plan on covering without getting trashed over the next six to eight months but I expect whatever I get to last me over a few summers, two at least. And I'm not easy on them. I have totally destroyed, and it pissed me off too, the best pair of Merrell hikers I've had in a long time in one summer.
So I have high demands from my footwear, I live in the Rockies so everywhere requires hiking boots because I don't live in a city. The back country is in my line of sight from my front porch just a few miles off. I go with the better brands. I like Merrell because I have high arches and a short foot, fits my feet better but Scarpa (wish I could afford those again), Asolo have served me well in the past. I have a pair of winter Asolo hikers that I have worn for 12 winters and have to give them up this year. I have orthopedic inserts now so I can broaden my options. My biggest issue of late is the closing around the ankle, the top is too thick. A good pair will snug your leg just above the ankle and be thin from lining to outer material. I had a pair of Merrell boots that I got a couple years ago and they may last another few years for me but I donated the damned things so I would have to go get another pair. When I spend over $100 on a pair of hiking boots, they better be what I want.
Where do I go? Everywhere around here. I live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem so I have options. But those are decreasing with the influx of new arrivals who build trophy homes in the mountains, on the river banks and way out in the woods. But it's springtime and I have to go outdoors. I have a dedicated hiking buddy, you don't go out alone around here, bears, and so we are getting ready to go explore place where we used to hike along the river to see what's accessible after the flood last year. We rafted some of it shortly after the flood but a lot of work has been done in some places.
I could go on but I have a basic need for good boots. I may have to go over the pass to a city for better selection but that's the plan for today. It will take a good part of the day but it's raining so can't do much outside.
Where do you go?
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