Whether it's eating too much without enough exercise, edema or both, there's no room for my feet in them anymore. And there's no room for anything, or nearly anything, that isn't serving its purpose.
Throughout my life I never imagined I'd own a pair of $500.00 boots, but after three years and three pairs, including a pair of Danners, at the end of 2016 I decided to go for it. It was 2, February, 2017 that I posted about getting them.
I never tired of the sensation of slipping into their glove-like fit. The wide soles gave me stability as my balance grew less sure. Capable of striding through Cactus Land with impunity, they were worth every penny.
I did save the laces.
I transitioned from Danners, which I wore I on my A.T. thru-hike, to lightweight hikers that look more like sneakers. They don't give me near the ankle support as the Danners, but I roll my ankle much less with lightweight shoes. The down side is that they don't last nearly as long, and they still cost about $100 per pair. I suppose they would also lose cactus battles.
ReplyDeleteA glove-like fit and comfort makes walking a pleasure.
ahhh you have to give up your hiking boots? I had never heard of Danners mine are Hanwag , but same loving my hiking boots. But what happened to me as winter is here 7 months. I wear for those 7 months and possible longer, the cheapest winter boot from Canadian Tire, you have to go to the back of the store, they do not store them out in the open. I love them i am into my second pair lasting 3 seasons per pair so far.
ReplyDeleteWhich Hanwags do you have? I like the Tashi. It's a little cheaper than White's but I wonder if they fit as comfortably.
DeleteWhen you buy White's, you mail them an outline of your feet. They send a pair of boots and call to find out what needs changing. After three back and forths -- they pay the shipping no mater how many times it takes -- the fourth pair fit perfectly. Every time I put them on, and I mean EVERY, I let out a sigh of satisfaction as my foot slid into them.
Do you have that feeling with your Hanwags?
hah no idea, so i brought the boot to my desk here, It is Alaska wide GTX, i see online, not on the boot, the boot i realize the only problem i have with it that the thread keeps to much dirt lodged in the grooves. I am not into online hopping, lucky for me there are hiking and hunting stores here in Whitehorse. But yes they fit like a glove. Over my 40 years experience with hiking boots, only once i did not have that feeling of the glove, i had gone a little cheaper both a pair on sail, i learned my lesson, still i wore it for many years, but was happy when I finally worn them out.
DeleteYour post a few years ago regarding the acquisition of the Whites was memorable. Boots of substance, history and future. Flip flops mean the end.
ReplyDeleteKristen bought me a used pair of Reebocks at Goodwill the other day that are comfortable. Today, 18, February, my hip felt normal and my energy was so good I "jogged" 250 feet. It was momentus! I laugh as I write this...at how pathetic it must sound to someone in good health, but the pleasure I experienced was, at this time in my life, downright wonderful. (I walked back. But with still no hip pain I kept going for about half a mile!)
Deleteit sounds wonderful! over 60 i feel we all are in constant decline.
ReplyDeleteToday, 21, Feb, I tried on a pair of Red Wing *Iron Rangers.* They were pathetic....friggin' pathetic. And they're asking $350.00!
ReplyDeleteRed Wing boots used to be really nice and made in Red Wing, MN. The Iron Ranger boots (named in tribute to all the Finnish miners in northern MN) are part of Red Wing's Heritage Line and are made in the USA but are sort of 'pretty boy' footwear. With no disrespect to men who care to be pretty, but they're not what boots used to be.
DeleteI like style, distinction. But (SIGH), I'd never qualify as pretty.
DeleteMy first boots when we moved to Albuquerque in 1976 were Red Wings. They finally died of dry rot after 30 years. They were great!
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