I was gonna get some Air Maxs but they looked like they were made of tissue paper and prit-stick and were Ã,£90 so I got these Vans instead;



And these I-Path ones too:




Anyone recommend some like Cat or Timberland boots but a little less bulky?

I like Blundstone boots as theyre streamlined, lightweight, and uber-comfy.

They look nice but I cant see them in the right colour.

If you want walking comfort and durability, Hi-Tec trekking shoes are fantastic. They come in all sorts of colors:

Vans are great! I need a new pair to replace my ailing current issue, worn from the rigours of warehousing.

those bothe look great tbh.. - especially like the top one

Quote from: sdpAnyone recommend some like Cat or Timberland boots but a little less bulky?

nooooo dont do it - youll look like a 1980s british army squaddie - all youll need to top it off is a pair of stonewashed jeans, white t-shirt & stupidly short haircut.

Quote from: maximusotterIf you want walking comfort and durability, Hi-Tec trekking shoes are fantastic. They come in all sorts of colors:

they are flimsy & fall apart tbh... definately shoudlnt be used for trecking at any rate unless youre an occasional weekendd rambler.

best ones Ive found are made by a french company - forgot the name now but ill post it later

Are hi-tec the really cheap ones? I think I had a pair when I was 7 or 8 and ppl laughed at them  :whoops:

The Vans are really nice but the other ones are cool too, they do some nice shoes;

http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/brand_main_frameset.asp?perameters=3,%20IPATH

..although they have silly names.

Hi-Tecs are fine, I climbed half of the Appalachians in them in the late 80s. Around 90 I graduated to some one-piece top Vasque hikers, which are marvelous on the trail, but a bit too supportive for city walking.

Hi-Tec makes some cheaper models to be sure, but their mid range cordura and rubber hikers are as durable as any other of that design, and very comfy.

Quote from: sdpAre hi-tec the really cheap ones? I think I had a pair when I was 7 or 8 and ppl laughed at them  :whoops:
 

they are generally not very good tbh...

if you want a decent pair of trekking shoes then try merrelle

http://www.fitnessfootwear.com/onlinestore/merrell_shoes.asp?PARTNER=Adwords

Merrells are trendy and overpriced. A few good models, to be sure, but I wouldnt trust them in the bush any more than some of the better Hi-Tecs.

Shoes Id trust to carry me up and down the Cascades: Vasque, Raichle, Asolo, Lowa, etc.

Merrell makes a few good looking womens urban hikers, but again, vastly overpriced.

I dont want trekking boots, I just want some quality beige boots/shoes - trendy and overpriced would be ideal

cant beat Hi-Tecs for price/performance in terms of a General Purpose trainer in my opinion. Sure theyre not a full on hiking boot, but as Maxi has pointed out they are very comfy and Ill wear mine anywhere from the park for a kick about to the welsh hills and theyve never let me down yet.

I also wear Hi-Tec squash as my fencing shoe of choice. At Ã,£20 a pair they are about 1/3 the price of "proper" fencing shoes, perform just as well and last longer. I have fenced in mine twice to three times a week for the last two years and once a week for the two years before that and they are just starting to show signs that they need replacing soon. In comparison fencing ate two pairs of normal trainers for breakfast in under 6 months before I discovered Hi-Tec Squash.

Quote from: Dave

Quote from: maximusotterIf you want walking comfort and durability, Hi-Tec trekking shoes are fantastic. They come in all sorts of colors:

they are flimsy & fall apart tbh... definately shoudlnt be used for trecking at any rate unless youre an occasional weekendd rambler.

I havent had any problem with mid range Hi-Tec, providing you dont go yomping all over the place they should last well.

The very cheap ones go in about 3-4 months of intensive use but as they are cheap you usually can buy loads of them and at least match the life expectancy of more expensive, overpriced shoes.

Hi-Tec are standard issue for police boots...

Goblin