The great hiking boot search of 2007

After the pain and agony of the blister on my heel from last week's hike, it was time to replace my 12+ year old hiking boots. So DH and I set out on our search this morning with a goal and budget in mind.

Our first stop was to Hudson Trail Outfitters in Gaithersburg. They didn't really have much of a selection, although what they did have was quality stuff. I tried on three pair of boots from the same brand (Vasque) - a high top, mid top, and low top. I was pleased with the fit and feel of the mid top - but really wanted to compare a couple of brands to see which offered the best fit.

Next stop was Dicks Sporting Goods, also in Gaithersburg. I really expected that they would have a nice range of brands at less-than-boutique prices. Boy was I wrong; I might as well have gone to Sports Authority or Modells. They had maybe 2 brands in the type of shoe I was looking for, including the shoe I had just tried on at HTO. Nevermind that the same show was priced 20% higher at Dicks either. Now... if you looked at the men's selection, it was pretty extensive. DH asked one of the shoe jockeys whether they had any better selection for women, and the guy let us know that what we saw was what they had. Total bust!

I really, really, didn't want to go all the way down to REI in Rockville, but frankly, I had no choice. The traffic on Rockville Pike was as bad as expected, same goes for Montrose Road. I hate it down there. Anyway, we went in and while their selection was still pretty limited (man... if I was male I would have been so much better off!). I tried on three brands - a Merrell, a Keen, and the same Vasque I had tried on before. At least this time, I could compare the fit. The Keen (mid-top, light duty) fit terribly; the arch was in the wrong place for my foot, it was too square, too much heel movement, so it was right out. The Merrell was a real light duty mid-top... more sneaker than boot with lots of movement. It was super light and really comfortable, but lacked the structure and support of the Vasque. I literally walked around the store for 30 minutes wearing both pairs of shoes, and spent another 30 minutes with two salespeople talking about the pros and cons of both. Vasque: a little heavier, about 30% more expensive, not a topline sole but sturdier, waterproof and Gore-Tex'd, and likely to transition if we got into heavier duty hiking. The Merrell was lighter, very comfortable in a sneaker kind of way, cheaper, but not waterproof and really only good for light trail hiking.

I finally ended up buying:


Vasque Ion Mid Women's multisport.

If we end up doing all the hiking we anticipate doing (this fall we're hoping for Harper's Ferry, Shenandoah, and other, local hiks) plus with trips we're hoping to make to Costa Rica, New Zealand, and back to St John, I'll be glad that I bought the more solid boot. In particular, I expect to be glad that I have the waterproofing - because I just know as soon as I bought a boot without it, I would have stepped into a great big puddle or something.

I did also buy a pair of Smartwool medium weight wool socks (so did DH) and silk liner socks. Those things really work; I wore the liner, socks, and boots to go grocery shopping at TJs, and my normally very sweaty feet were dry as a bone.

So we're set for tomorrow. I also bought a small first aid kit, some moleskin, and granola bars at TJs! Bring it on Catoctin!