Boots, boots, and...shoes.  I admit it.  I am the Imelda Marcos of outdoor footwear.  For every one of my favorite outdoor activities there is a veritable cornucopia of specialized shoes or boots to choose from.  Fact is, the market is over flowing with choices which makes it very difficult to zero in on what really works.  Fortunately, for you, I enjoy the process of identifying, securing and evaluating the best boots and shoes available.  Here is my recommended boot list which I guess should really be called the Recommended Footwear List since it includes trail shoes and all terrain runners.

But first, some comments about this subject.  1)  Feet are weird, continually changing and very unique to each person.  The perfect boot for you may not work at all for me no matter how much I want it to.  There is no one best boot or shoe; there is only the best boot or shoe for you and your funny, ugly feet.  2)  Problems most likely come from poor fit and or poor quality socks.  Most people wear their boots too short and too narrow.  Find a master boot fitter or error on the big side.  Go at least ½ size, maybe even a full size up from your street shoes and then get some top notch socks (yes, there is a corresponding sock list).  According to the Docs, your feet may expand and contract up to a full size over the course of an outing.  4)  The amount high quality products out there for your feet is stunning but the names, models and color offerings change constantly.  That’s fashion for you.  I blame the suits and the posers in the marketing departments of these companies.  More formal schooling and fancy letters after their names then real time in the sticks sweating and humping big loads.  Shameful.  Anyway, here you go.  These are what I like and what I use.  Hope you get something out of it.  See detailed evaluations of each in the "Feet" category. 

EDITOR'S NOTE-Over the past 18 months we have reviewed and tested more than 150 pairs of boots and shoes looking for what we feel are the best on the market.  We are not finished yet, as you can see from the list of what is still under consideration, but this is the creme of the crop so far.  These are what I am using in the field.  They are not listed in any particular order. 

Light Hiker/Trail Runners
Lowa Renegade GTX
Danner Talus GTX (soft tread-good for sneaking around)
Danner Pronghorn GTX Hunting 8 inch
New Balance MT908OR
Montrail Hardrock 08 (scheduled to be discontinued)
Montrail Hardrock Mid GTX (scheduled to be discontinued)
Brooks The Beast
Salomon Explorer GTX (runs a little on the narow side)
Hanwag Cheyenne GTX from Lathrop & Sons
Brooks Cascadia 

Heavy Hikers
Asolo FSN 95 GTX
La Sportiva Glacier
Danner Rain Forest GTX 8 inch insulated
Danner Quarry GTX 6 inch
Danner Quarry GTX 8 inch
Danner Santiam GTX 8 inch insulated (scheduled to be discontinued)
Lowa Ranger GTX
    Ranger GTX High-8 inch version
Kayland Contact eVent
Hanwag Cheyenne GTX

Light Mountaineering
Kenetrek Hardscrabble Hiker
    Mountain Extreme 400 is the 10 inch insulated version
Lowa Tibet GTX
    Hunter GTX Extreme aka Schees Sheep Hunter-a 10 inch Tibet with Primaloft
Scarpa Escape GTX
Hanwag Mountain Light from Lathrop & Sons

Mountaineering
La Sportiva Spantik insulated
La Sportiva Nuptse insulated
Scarpa Inverno insulated
Lowa Mountain Expert GTX insulated

Snow Pac Boots
Sorel Conquest insulated lace up
Lowa Creek II insulated lace up

Duty Boots
Danner Recon insulated
Lowa Mountain Boot GTX
Danner Blackhawk II

GTX, by the way stands for Gore-Tex.  eVent is another waterproof breathable laminate that is said to breathe better and is starting to show up in the footwear market.  I have noted the boots on the list that use it.  Also, insulated boots use between 200 and 1000 grams of Thinsulate unless otherwise noted. 

Boots and Shoes Under Consideration
Scarpa Liskham GTX
Lowa Silberhorn GTX
Lowa Uplander GTX
New Balance 1500
Cabelas Outfitter Pro Hunting 9"
LL Bean Cresta All Leather
Lathrop & Sons Lundhag Polar Quest

Here is the complete list of footwear that I am working with.  Footear Evaluation List-revised 9/15/08

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

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