Groundie Boot Recommendations

[Serf Life]

Gli italiani amano le scarpe, certo, ma costoso. $$$

 

[ATH]

I like Chippewa boots for steel toes.

For my every day walking around boots, I liked Keen Targhee. Super comfortable, but they got beat up in the trees and don't last that long (3 pair in 2 years). The last 3 pair I have bought are Asolo Neutron. They are $150 at Sierra Trading. Very comfortable (but not as comfortable as the Keens). I hiked the Grand Canyon last fall rim to rim in them and my feet felt great the whole time. They have held up much better than the Keen boots I've had. I do have 2 pair and I switch every other day (letting them dry out - even from foot sweat makes a big difference). The first pair, I wore almost every day for a year then have been wearing every other day for the last 2 years. They are getting near the end...but no holes, no soles falling off, etc. The soles are just about worn down to being too smooth. I have the next pair that I'll bring into the rotation already in my closet.

 

[cerviarborist]

I like Chippewa boots for steel toes.

For my every day walking around boots, I liked Keen Targhee. Super comfortable, but they got beat up in the trees and don't last that long (3 pair in 2 years). The last 3 pair I have bought are Asolo Neutron. They are $150 at Sierra Trading. Very comfortable (but not as comfortable as the Keens). I hiked the Grand Canyon last fall rim to rim in them and my feet felt great the whole time. They have held up much better than the Keen boots I've had. I do have 2 pair and I switch every other day (letting them dry out - even from foot sweat makes a big difference). The first pair, I wore almost every day for a year then have been wearing every other day for the last 2 years. They are getting near the end...but no holes, no soles falling off, etc. The soles are just about worn down to being too smooth. I have the next pair that I'll bring into the rotation already in my closet.

I've noticed how two pair of boots seem to last four times as long as a single pair.

 

[Chaplain242]

I've noticed how two pair of boots seem to last four times as long as a single pair.

Depends. If using rubber soles there are types of bacteria that will eat the rubber sole of a sometimes worn shoe, if keep wearing apparently doesn’t let them take hold. But if wear and put away for periods of time will eat so bad that sole will actually fall apart.

 

[cerviarborist]

Depends. If using rubber soles there are types of bacteria that will eat the rubber sole of a sometimes worn shoe, if keep wearing apparently doesn’t let them take hold. But if wear and put away for periods of time will eat so bad that sole will actually fall apart.

I take mine off when I sleep anyway, so I can't imagine that switching them out every other day would facilitate any kind of degradation...I've got Vibram soles anyway. Hydrolysis occurs over time, weakening polyurethane boot components as they're exposed to water and water vapor. Boots stored in damp/humid conditions for extended periods succumb to this condition faster. Alternating a different pair every other day to allow them to dry out won't.

 

[Chaplain242]

I take mine off when I sleep anyway, so I can't imagine that switching them out every other day would facilitate any kind of degradation...I've got Vibram soles anyway. Hydrolysis occurs over time, weakening polyurethane boot components as they're exposed to water and water vapor. Boots stored in damp/humid conditions for extended periods succumb to this condition faster. Alternating a different pair every other day to allow them to dry out won't.

No, alternating like that won't. But put them away and forget them for a while can be a different story.