Shoes/boots for rock hopping

Sorry the the similar post to another user, but I have another question about footwear. For the last few years, I've been a fairly infrequent hiker, but I've done quite a bit of hiking this summer. I'm planning to take it to the next level and do some through hikes. I'm planning a Presidential's traverse for next year. I need to replace my old low quality mid-cut waterproof light boots for something of higher quality for more serious trips.

Once complication is that I have sensitive feet and I do my serious hiking in Vermont or New Hampshire. Lots and lots of rock hopping. After my last hike (the Mt. Lafayette loop in Franconia Notch), I was thinking that I need to move to a stiffer heavier shoe. I tried on the Asolo Fugitive. I loved the shoe, but they are $225 and perhaps a bit heavier then I would like.

The more I research, though, people seem to recommend hiking shoes or trail runners. I've never worn these kind of shoes, but I do lots of easier hikes, with some rock hopping, in my regular old new balance street running shoes. I feel like I need more support than that for bigger hikes and/or backbacking trips. In particular, I feel like I need the support on the decent.

Does anybody have similar issues? Thoughts are appreciated.

Shoes are so personal that everyone has an opinion on what works best for themselves, and that's all that really matters.

For me, I like a good lightweight mid-hiker. I've been wearing Merrell's for about ten years now, generally buy a pair every year to 18 months.

I look for comfort, flexibility, and traction in a shoe. A soft sole with smaller lugs are my preference. I don't do any "Rock Climbing", but I do a lot of climbing around on rocks, off trail hiking, and following dry creeks that are nothing but rocks.

My advice is to go to several stores and try on every shoe they have. Try on some Merrells and Keens because they are generally considered pretty comfortable. Go to several stores if you can and try them all on.

Don't pay any attention to style, brand name, or price when you do that. You're not buying them, you're researching what's out there. You can't do that online. All you can do is look at styles, and that doesn't mean a thing if you're feet are blistering up.

Be really picky about fit and comfort. Try on different sizes if one feels just a tiny bit off size. When you find a pair you really like, note the brand and size/model/style and move on to the next pair.

It's fun to try them on, but you are sure to find quite a few really expensive shoes you really don't like at all, and lots of cheap ones you really don't like. But you will also probably find some that you really do like, choose the pair you like best in your budget range and try on a few different pair of those in your size.

Modern lightweight hikers should feel the best when they are brand new and wear out from there. You should not need to "break them in".

That's about the best I can offer.

I kind of keyed in on the sensitive feet. I don't know if that means blisters or they don't like it when you step on a pointed rock.

Personally, I use this Danner Combat boot. Forget everything you ever heard about old combat boots. These are very soft leather and comfortable right out of the box.

You mentioned you like a stiff sole. These are stiffer than hiking shoes, but not as inflexible as some of the wafflestomper hiking boots.

They are also waterproof. I often walk through streams instead of bothering with a log or stepping stones. They breath well as they are a desert boot, yet they are warm in the snow and don't get wet like a hiking shoe will.

These boots are also long wearing. I have over 400 miles on mine and they hardly show any wear on the soles. I do use Shoe Goo on the heels. The tops are in perfect condition with no broken threads.

They are heavier than a shoe. Size 11 1/2EE weighs 1 lb 15 oz per shoe. However, they don't feel heavy. In fact, they feel lighter than my Keen Voyagers. It's not all about weight. Mechanics makes a difference to.

I only mention these because of your sensitive feet and preference for a stiffer sole. If they don't work out, you could probably shovel snow in them for a long time.

Whether trail runners (what I wear) or boots, the key for rocks is both stiffer soles (something called a "rock plate") and good padding. Unfortunately there's a lot of push these days to "barefoot" style shoes, and IMHO those should be avoided for really rocky territory. I've seen a number of photos of the northern part of the AT (as in New Hampshire) and some don't look any different from the talus slopes in the Rockies and Cascades!

My thought is that you should check out the category of "approach shoes." I find that suitable models here are becoming my do everything footgear. You are getting wise counsel in the preceding posts.

Rozzy73,

I went from light boots to trail shoes and had an awful time with my first pair. I actually had to bail on a trip up Marcy because of pain in the bottoms of my feet (much rock hopping).

Went to REI where I know and trust the boot guy and he quickly got me out a pair of Salomons. Comfortable out of the box, even barefoot, the soles grip well, and I've had no further problems. They are labeled "XA3DUltra2 Adventure Trail" if that's any help. Sole is much harder than what I had. Hope that helps, but remember that fit is a function of your particular foot and the last the mfgr uses. It's not just size. I got lucky. Best, jcp

You might try stepping on something like a marble under the ball of your foot when trying on boots. Put your weight on it, see if it pokes you through the sole, think about the rocks that you will be on and then decide whether the boot will protect your foot of not. Standing on a flat floor will not tell you how it will work on rock. Also a fact that you can have too much traction (on rock) and it can throw you down so those deep treads on real mountaineering boots may not be the best for all rock. Oh and traditional advice would be to get a boot with a narrow welt and to learn about what "edge means" in a climbing boot. Hint - trail runners don't have any - edge.
Jim

I use the green Superfeet insoles. They are expensive ($40) but I can put them in light hikers or even tennis shoes and they offer enough stiffness that my feet do not hurt. I just did a long trip (39 days) with LOTS of rock hopping and never had a problem with my low-cut Merrel hikers and superfeet insoles.

It is more important that the sole of your shoe be "sticky". An approach shoe has true sticky rubber - good for sticking but they wear out quickly. My Merrels have Vibrum soles with an aggressive tread - they work well.