Hoka is a running shoe company, not a boot company. Next time, try boots from a proper bootmaker like Keen, Asolo, La Sportiva, Merrell, or Salomon. Even Keen, which started with sandals, makes solid boots now.
@Tenny
I’ve got Meindl boots, and I used to have Lowa, but they’re so heavy when walking over rolling hills, no matter how much I train. Everyone talks about going lightweight, and some claim they do everything in trail runners. I’m starting to doubt that anyone who does this leaves the trail.
@Kameron
You should try Keen Targhee boots. They feel like high-top sneakers but last longer than Hokas. I also have the heavier Durands, and they’re built to last but aren’t lightweight.
Tenny said:
@Kameron
You should try Keen Targhee boots. They feel like high-top sneakers but last longer than Hokas. I also have the heavier Durands, and they’re built to last but aren’t lightweight.
Keen’s come up a lot in this thread. I’ll see if they’re available in Europe. I’ll stick with German brands for serious boots, but a good pair of lighter ones would be nice.
@Kameron
The ultralight hikers are fine with replacing their gear often to save weight. People on trails like the AT or PCT even have shoes shipped to them at resupply points because they know they won’t last. They’ll spend $50 on a titanium spoon to save a few grams compared to a $4 plastic one.
I wear Hokas because they help with my plantar fasciitis. They’ve made day hikes bearable for me. For longer backpacking trips, I switch to my Vasques, which are heavier but much more durable. I’ve had one pair resoled multiple times over 30 years.
@Quin
The wastefulness of ultralight gear is starting to bother me. I follow some of the principles, but I’m not going to burn through shoes that quickly. My Mammut boots for day hikes are still in great shape after a few years, but my mid-boots from brands like Salomon and Hoka just don’t hold up as well.
I totally agree. I bought a pair of La Sportiva Nucleo GTX boots about a year ago, and they’ve been the most comfortable boots I’ve ever owned. Now I can’t wait for my next camping trip just to put them on.
The problem with La Sportivas is their toe box. It feels like they forgot people have pinky toes.
The problem with La Sportivas is their toe box. It feels like they forgot people have pinky toes.
The problem with La Sportivas is their toe box. It feels like they forgot people have pinky toes.
Even their ‘wide’ models are still too narrow for me.
I recently got Keen Targhee III Mid WP boots, and they’ve been excellent. The grip is great for all terrains, including some late-season snow hikes. They’re also waterproof. I had trouble finding boots that fit well, but the half size was perfect for my summer hiking when my feet swell. Plus, they have a toe guard, and they’re lightweight.
@Kai
I hike in some pretty tough environments—granite hills and rough, rocky terrain. I also have Zamberlan GTX boots, but their lack of flex and edge camber makes them uncomfortable on this kind of terrain. Too much strain on my feet, ankles, and calves. Now, I just use them for casual wear.
Most people in the USA don’t have enough time off work to cover those kinds of backpacking distances in a few years. That’s probably the target market for these boots.
Have you checked out Salewa? They make some solid mid-weight boots that have worked well for me. They’re comfortable, grippy, and sturdy enough for regular backpacking trips.
I use Salewa Mountain Trainer Lites, and they’ve held up well for me, although not for as long as heavier boots. They’re light enough for most of my hikes though.
I’m so glad to see it’s not just me! I was also disappointed with how fast the tread wore out, and the boots felt clunky and oversized. I’m keeping mine for walking the dog or for icy winter days, but I wasn’t impressed overall.
If you’re hiking on rocky, rough terrain, that’s going to wear out softer rubber shoes faster. My Altra Lone Peaks from three years ago are just now starting to show wear, but most of my trails are pine needles and beach sand. Hundreds of miles on them so far.
When I lived in NYC, I wore chunkier hiking boots almost every day. They fell apart within a year, but that was from the concrete, puddles, and rain.
Even my proper hiking boots with Vibram soles wear out quickly. My Hanwags have been the worst so far. After two months, the soles were badly worn, and after six months, I had to replace them. The upper part stayed in great shape and was still waterproof, but the grip was gone.
I’ve gone through three pairs in 18 months. Each was around £250, and I need wide-fit boots, so my choices are limited. They can be resoled, but it costs £100 and takes up to six weeks if you send them in.
First place goes to my Alfa boots for comfort, followed by Hanwag, then Altberg. I’ll see what’s on sale next and decide from there.
@Flor
Maybe it’s time to go full hobbit and give up on shoes altogether, haha. How many miles did you cover in your Hanwags, and what kind of terrain? A local cobbler recommended them to me, and I’ve heard the German Armed Forces use them.
@Kameron
I walk about six miles a day, mostly flat paths and grassy fields. About half the walk is on pavement to get to the park where I take my dog. Probably why they wore down so fast.