From: unger@mitem.com (Tom Unger)
Newsgroups: rec.backcountry
Subject: Re: Summery of Nike fabic boots, story, and more fabric boot questions
Date: 20 Jul 92 17:42:35 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: MITEM Corp

In article <1992Jul17.024638.12491@ulowell.ulowell.edu> jrichard@cs.ulowell.edu (John 'MacGyver' Richardson) writes:
>	1) What do you think about Gore-tex boots?  What is the
>probabilty they will hold up until I get a PhD and not have to worry about
>money?  (3-4 years :) 

Depend on how often you use them.  If only for one or two trips a year
you should get four years from them.  With regular use, expect about a
year before the are too stretched and the sole is too worn for good
backpacking support.

Earlier versions had trouble with the gore tex tearing - after a
couple trips they were no better than non-gore tex.  Sales people have
lately told me that this has been fixed.  Some boots are guaranteed to
keep your feet dry.  This may be a good way to go.  When, after
owning the boots for a year, you cross a low creek or a wet meadow and
find your feet are wet you take them back and get a new pair.  Don't
buy gore tex boots with out such a guarantee.

A pair of Merral Guides, on the other hand, will last two or three
times as long.  Even longer if you take good care of the leather and
resole them.  In the long run you may save money on them.  I have
learned how to waterproof my leather boots so that I can walk through
water (for a short way) and still have dry feet.  (The secret is _not_
snow seal.)

>	2) For four day trips (say ~40lb pack) on rocky New Hampsire
>trails?  Will they still hold up?  Do heavy fabric boots provide
>enough support (the salesperson figured they would)?

Fabric boots, when in good shape, should serve you fine for trips
like that, unless you need very good ankle support.  Leather
boots will provide better ankle support and better protection 
to the sole of your foot.  My boots have a full nylon shank that
protects my foot from pressure and bending as I walk.  On the
other hand, my boots are really heavy (5lbs) and very excessive
for easy trail hiking.


>	3) What are the best brands to look at?  One store I called
>suggested I try a New Balance factory outlet (mighty nice of them,
>thanks!).  My old boots were Merel leathers.

I've met people who have never had foot problems and can hike in just
about anything.  Myself, I twist my ankles fairly easily so I have
stiff leather boots that provide support for the off trail hiking
I do.

Really depends on the shape of your foot, how much support you need
and how much pain you can withstand.  I stick with the hiking boot
manufacturers:  Merrel, Asolo, Vasque, Rachle, and others.  Asolo
tend to be narrow.  Rachle wide, Merrel and Vasque make medium and 
wide in most of their boots.

Proper fit is more important with leather boots.  Some boots will
pinch your toes, others will hit your ankle bones painfully.  You just
have to try on a lot of different boots and realize that you won't know
for sure until you've had the boots for six months.

Fabric boots the initial fit is not so crucial - they will usually
stretch to fit in very little time with no painful breaking period.


>	4) As much as the EMS saleperson was very nice, I wouldn't
>mind finding a cheaper place to get footware.  Any other discount outlets
>around Mass?  (my library only lists some shoe maufactures in NH and ME).

I prefer to buy boots from a local store that has very knowledgable
sales people.  Though the prices are a bit higher, they will spend
hours with me trying different boots.  They usually have all the sizes
that I need to try - no guessing that the next half size up _would_ be
too large.  If the boot is a little tight in the toe they'll stretch it
there a bit.  If I have take it on a couple trips and find I get
blisters in the heel I can take it back and they will stretch it out
there too.  If I've had it for a month and it just does not fit, they
will take the boot back.  

If you can find a place that provides service like that, take advantage 
of it and pay for it knowing that you are getting good value.  Otherwise
you might as well mail order.

Tom Unger