What is the best brand or style of hiking boot?

I'm kind of tired of spending too much money on shoes that are just not holding up. I tend to wear hiking boots every day, all day long. And they only are lasting about 9 months before the soles crap out, the footbed collapses, the "leather" wears a hole. Keens, Vasquez, Redwings, not cheap boots. What have you found that holds up to daily wear?

Crispi , hands down. The nicest, best fitting boot I've had. Comfortable fit, no break in time, right out of the box. These are what I wear. Outside , driving, anything. Monaco style.

I like Merrell for light weight and affordable.

everyone has different feet but they work for me

the hiking boots of today are really a rugged walking shoe and not a true boot

like a walking shoe they have the cushion but yes cushion breaks down

9 months is about where I find most every day wear shoes are breaking down some only 6 months

I wear New Balance 608 for most of my daily wear around house , work and when not out hunting or doing some sort of work requiring safety toe and need a pair about every 6 months but often go 8 and then regret having not gotten them at 6 months when my feet started to be sore by the end of the day.

the NB 608 are 70 dollars a pair when you break that down to 11 dollars a month it isn't too expensive , do I wish shoes lasts longer , yes but the reality is most don't

I just got a new pair of Merrell hikers last weekend I think 90 dollars is what I paid I mostly wear them on weekends and may get 2-3 years from them my son will wear his every day and get 9 months

even when I was wearing red wing work boots every day they needed insoles about every 4-6 months and I might get a year out of a pair.

rotating shoes can help them last longer , buy 2 pair as it gives the pair your not wearing the time to fully dry out inside before you wear them again maybe buy 2 of the same hiker one in brown one in back and wear black on odd days putting them on a boot dryer stand when you take them off.

Zamberlan high tops for the additional support. They are made in Italy and look like cousins of the Crispi's. Price is about the same.

crispi summit is my go to boot for hiking

At 70+ its a ATV

Hanwag and Lowa are hard to beat.

These or a minimalist.

Asolo, Scarpa, Zamberlan, Crispi, or other boot of Italian or east European mfg will give you quality. Then it's a matter of fit and that depends on the last the boot is built on. Find a good mfg and a last that fits.

I have recently tried Zamberlan and Crispi boots and ended up going with Crispi because they fit me better. They are both made in northern Italy and it would not surprise me if they are from the same factory. They look a lot alike and even have the exact same fabric liner.

A note about Crispi. I ordered directly from Crispi.usa and had to pay shipping, but they charge you at their rate which is much less than you or I would be charged by UPS or USPS, and there was a return label enclosed so a return would have been free. The Zamberlans shipped free but it cost me $36 to return them, vs $12.99 to ship the Crispis.

I use Lowa or Salomon but them Crispi look pretty good. Lowa were stiff and decent breakin period, Salomon were good out of the box but run small.

Sharon thanks for the endorsement for Crispi , I want to try a pair of them.

Yep. Salomon.

I figure out what size I need and buy used boots off of ebay....1/3 the cost of new (about) and most have almost no wear..that makes it more affordable...I also watch rockslide for used gear.

The ones that fit your feet the best. All above are great brand boots.
People with narrow heels and feet have a tough time finding narrow boots. Almost all are made in Europe.

I agree that the hiking boots pictured are really just a beefy walking shoe. I've been wearing Keens in that style for several years but the soles kept separating. Had it happen on three pair in a row. Other than that it's a darn good boot and very comfortable. It's a shame they won't use a decent glue on their soles.

So I finally switched to Merrells a few months ago. They are okay, not as comfortable as the Keens. The jury is still out on durability but holding up well so far.

You must be heck on boots to burn through a pair of Red Wing work boots in year. I usually get at least double that out of mine with daily wear on the construction site.

I may look into the Crispis when it's time to replace the Merrells.

I like Crispi Thor's. I've used them for hiking and hunting steep terrain. Worn them for blacktail and goat hunting as well as for hiking and everyday wear. A few hotspots when on steep incline but I like them a lot. I have a pair of Merrell Moab's that have gotten a ton of wear and they are still going strong. The waterproof liner has cracked so they aren't waterproof anymore. Lots of miles in the mountains, around town, even hunted blacktails a season in them. They are half the price of the Crispi's. The Crispi's are better though in my opinion.

I also had issues with keens coming apart

merrells seem better

Keens are junk. I got a pair of Oboz about 1.5 years ago i wear daily. The laces are rough, but thats about it. They are about $150.

Another vote for Crispi. They have several models with different flex ratings and fits. I suggest checking out blackovis.com and they have a chart with the different models and flex ratings. I have the Nevada uninsulated and love them. Some of the other brands mentioned I’ve heard good things about like Hanwag and Lora. That said, try the boots on and buy one that your foot likes from the start. My feet like most keens, but they fall apart FAST for me usually. When I wore these Crispi the first time it was like my feet were smiling from the second input em on. Go to scheels or sportsman’s warehouse as they are bit Crispi dealers to the best of my knowledge. Happy trapping! ScottW

I using a pair of OBOZ, so far so good. 160.00