The Patagonia Footwear Men's Drifter A/C Hiking Shoes is one of those interesting hiking shoes out there lately, by Patagonia Footwear.

The shoe's breathable air-mesh/nubuck leather upper and polyester air-mesh lining are durable and designed for changing terrains. The bellows tongue helps keep out debris to ensure comfort for the foot. The polyester air mesh lining, made from 20% recycled materials.

At the bottom, the waterproof Bi-Fit™ insole board made from 80% post-consumer recycled materials, provides stability and support; The EVA anatomical footbed provides cushioning comfort for the foot inside. The ever present in good hiking shoes and hard shoes and boots Vibram® Trail Ecostep® outsole, containing 30%-recycled rubber, provides traction on rough terrains.

The shoe is of medium width, full toe box, and medium arch/instep. It weighs 481 g (1 lb 1 oz). The product is made in China.

The reviews for this shoes have been positive so far. Do read the customer comments below as some weakness are pointed despite some strengths. Do look out on the 1 star comment for possible issues on the item.

5.0 out of 5 stars Most comfortable hiker's I have ever owned!! December 9, 2011

By zoology

I purchased the grey ones, go with anything you know! HA! These took awhile to "break in", as out of the box they are stiff, uncomfortable and the laces kept coming undone! Backpacker.com has great tips on different ways to tie up your hikers and solve any problems you may have. After a few hikes in my local park, I totally love these shoes! They have a very nubby, aggressive tread, great solid construction and a good quality sole. They end up as comfy as your old go to sneakers, but look a whole lot better. The price seem just right as compared to quality. I have owned these for awhile now and take them everywhere!! They are a little wide for women but a quality pair of wool socks fixes that no problem, even in summer, just down sized the thickness. In very rough terrain just make sure you have strong ankles as there is no support for them in these shoes. They grip very well on rock and mudd, even in light snow. I wouldn't trade these for any other pair!

Pro's:
light weight
quality construction
comfortable
great tread

Con's:
Take awhile to break in
slippery laces

Bottom line- Your feet will thank you...

5.0 out of 5 stars Great boots, especially for those who need a wide toe box July 8, 2012

By davisite

I have been hiking for about 40 years (since I was a kid), and these are the best boots that I have ever owned. The most important thing for boots is that they are comfortable, and these are super comfortable, springy to walk in with no hot spots. Of particular note is that there is a lot of room in the toe area, both in terms of width and height. A lot of boots are wide elsewhere but then narrow in the toe area. I have some sort of problem with one of my toes that doctors have been unable to diagnose, but whatever the problem is, my toes need lots of room, and these boots give it to them. They also seem to be wearing well (I've had them for about six months) and have a good, grippy tread. I came here to order a second pair for myself so that I have a backup when my current pair wears out! Unfortunately, they are out of my desired size/color, so I will have to decide if I want another color or need to order elsewhere.

Awesome

"The most comfortable pair of shoes that I own, period. One note; the shoes are snug so you may need a half size in them to get a good fit. My size is 12.5 so I got a 13. I'm, also, flat footed. Thin socks or low profile socks work best in this shoe. I wore the shoe while on vacation at Disney World. ZERO issues and no blisters :-)
Astro!"

Great outdoor shoe.

"Definitely fit to size, comfortable, I wore mine to the White Water Rapid Center in NC. They worked great for hiking, biking, rock wall, ropes courses.

Hate the lace eyelets

"the problem is that from day one when i bought these shoes the two top eyelets guide never stay together so I am unable to tie my shoes tightly, or if i take them out (which I have not done) and if I do that then the over time the eyelets will be torn apart from the laces. Didn't take them back to the store thought it was not a big deal but now after 2 months of messing with eight tiny eyelet guides per shoe every day has gotten old and dont want to have to pay for a repair that I feel should be covered free of charge due to poor manufactory issues . So, I guess all I can do is warn anyone looking at the shoes look close at the eyelet guides"

Super Shoes

"The M Drifter A/C that I purchased several weeks ago are actually my second pair. After purchasing the first pair at a Hudson Trail store I loved the shoe, hence the second pair from you guys. Comfortable and stable. Best hiking and hanging around the shop outdoor shoe I have owned. I even wear them to the office occasionally. Thanks !"

The standard price of this pair is $130.00, with as low as $115.91 on Amazon. To buy online, please click here.

Vasque Women's Talus WP Shoe,Bungee Cord/Purple Plumeria,8 M US

Vasque is committed to making functional, innovative and aesthetic footwear that performs to the highest standards.

The Vasque Women's Talus WP Shoe is a combined nubuck with mesh textile uppers that provide premium fit. The UltraDry™ membrane is the waterproofing agent for this pair. The Talus UD uses a polyurethane midsole with Vibram® outsole that provides excellent grip with deep lugs for better walking experience. The Vibram® can be clearly seen in the images down this post.

The combination of old school looks and modern materials cuts down the weight and enhance the overall performance of this pair while maintaining a well polished look. The design was specifically made to fit women's feet, resulting in overall comfort just for women.

The images below are the Bungee Cord/Purple Plumeria model.

The reviews have been favorable towards the item. Praises are on its durability, long term comfort in extended use, indicating a good fit. Size reliability is also stressed positively. All these reviews are, well, rated 5/5.

Comfortable and dry February 26, 2012

By Lisa

I purchased a pair of these boots a few days ago and have worn them walking the dogs and running errands to break them in. So far I've walked about 10 miles in these boots and find them very comfortable. The other thing I'm noticing is that my feet aren't sweating in them. I plan to use them for light day hiking trips. The pair I purchased also came with an alternate set of shoelaces the same color as the boot (if you don't like the purple). It's a sturdy boot with good toe protection in case you're like me and tend to kick/trip over a rock occasionally when hiking on the trails.

The Shoe Fits! June 26, 2012

By LDA

Great looking, high quality construction and very comfortable fit. I wore these to go hiking in Hawaii and felt very secure on rocky lava and inclines with gravel. Also wore them for birding through a tall grass. True to size fit with a medium thickness hiking sock.

great boots great price June 14, 2012

By egreenie

The boots are great. They are for my daughter she is going to outdoor adventure camp for a month and needed a good pair of hiking boots. The will last her for many camping trips and adventures to come. The size good she wears 8 1/2 normally and took a 9 in this boot.


Great boots!

By Cjgfish

I just returned from my first overnight backpacking trip---it was a 5 day, 4 night hike in the mountains in northern California. The terrain was moderate to difficult. I purchased these boots specifically for this trip. I did break the boots in mildly before the trip, just walking around town. These boots were excellent. It felt like I was walking in slippers. We had perfect weather so I can't vouch for the waterproof nature of the boots, but overall I would highly recommend these.

I Love This Boot!

By nholla

I bought these boots for a 4 day camping trip. Lots of hiking, very uneven and unstable terrain, some of which involved decent climbs, waterfalls and swamp-like muck and was very impressed! You can step directly in water or mud and the second the boot is lifted out of it, it's as if nothing ever happend, totally dry and doesn't even look touched. They were comfortable enough to wear all weekend, all the time, and i'm now planning on using them for rain and snow here in the city because they're just so great! Highly recommend these.

The price is typically $150.00, a high price indeed, but here a price of as low as $99.40 is available, but only limited to a few select options.

Merrell Women's Moab Mid GORE-TEX XCR Hiking Boot - Grey/ Periwinkle 7

Waterproof Dura leather and mesh upper ensures a comfortable and dry pair of feet while hiking in this Merrell Women's Moab Mid GORE-TEX XCR Hiking Boot. Bellows tongue keeps debris out with Synthetic leather toe cap and heel counter, thus further keeping a clean and uninterrupted hiking, while protecting the feet with multiple features below.

The Aegis® antimicrobial-treated GORE-TEX®  Performance Comfort Footwear lining protects feet and at the same time keeping them dry and comfortable. The GORE-TEX® construction of the leather-reinforced ensures breathable mesh upper.

Women’s version includes QForm® Comfort midsole provides women specific stride alignment cushioning. The Vibram® Multi-Sport Plus/ TC5+ Rubber  sole provides improved braking capability at the heel for, keeping the hiker more in control while walking on tougher terrain. The Merrell® Air Cushion midsole in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability.

The reviews have been mostly positive for this pair. The common comments involve high durability, suitable for wide-footed individuals and overall comfort. Notable plus is the positive comment on how the boots provide good grip and control for the hiker to move on rough rocky terrain, without a slip. Highly recommended apparently, here are some of the collected customer reviews.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very comfy boots July 2, 2011

By Alice M. Harrison

These boots needed very little break-in before doing 5+ mile hikes. They have good ankle support and are very grippy - I crossed a rocky stream today in these and never felt like my feet were going to slip at all. I just need to keep in mind that the waterproofing doesn't work if you step in water over the top of the boots - but I hiked four more miles without changing socks after I soaked these and my feet still felt fine.

The sizing seems true to Merrell shoes - I own several pairs of Merrells, and these fit properly if you're wearing thick wool hiking socks, which is what these were made to be worn with. If you don't typically wear wool hiking socks when you hike, it might be a good idea to go a half-size smaller.

4.0 out of 5 stars very comfortable, March 10, 2011

By 

V. Seward 

These shoes were very comfortable from the start. I don't even feel that they need "breaking in". They're cute and not heavy or bulky, with good grip. The laces could be a little longer, but it's manageable.

5.0 out of 5 stars So comfortable! February 29, 2012

By BrettSu

I bought these boots at Dicks for $120 and they are worth every penny! Perfect support and comfort (at least for my foot type which is rather long and slender). Waterproofing keeps me dry and on the trails! I highly recommend these!

The last one indicates that this pair somehow fits most foot types. The average rating for the boot has mostly been at the 4 to 4.5 range out of 5 stars on multiple reviews, Amazon  and the manufacturer's included. Sizes from 6 to 11 B(M) available.

Regular price is $135.00, with option as low as $101.95  here on select options. Apparently a highly recommended product from a reliable manufacturer Merrell.

Merrell Men's Geomorch Blaze Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots - Boulder, Dark Earth/Espresso, Granite

Here is the Merrell Men's Geomorch Blaze Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots - Regular. The upper of this hiking boot is made of nubuck and suede leather of mid height and are supple and lightweight, supposedly durable. The Strobel construction provides flexibility and comfort. The mesh linings are polyester.

The membranes are seam-sealed to keep out external elements and the breathability is maintained. The debris are kept out by having bellowed tongues. The midsoles are EVA, thus giving good, comfortable cushioning. Air Cushion heel pockets provide shock absorption at the heels. Further benefiting the hiker is the injection-molded nylon arch shanks, that stabilize and support the hiker's feet as he (this is men's shoe) walks over uneven terrain. This is a key attribute of a good hiking shoe.

Vibram® outsoles with sticky rubber and deep 6mm lugs further contribute to stability and traction on unpredictable and changing terrain, ensuring a comfortable walk for the wearer, may be a hiker. The overall comfort provided by this shoe should serve well anywhere, from urban streets to mountainous terrains to wet jungle terrains, being waterproof. Should also serve well on rainy days, as a wet pair of feet under a pair of wet shoes is never comfortable.

Those were at least the basic features of the hiking boots by Merrell. There are no written reviews just yet as this is a new pair of shoe. Here are the pictures for the shoes in Boulder, Dark Earth/Espresso, Granite, respectively.

The availability of sizes for each model are limited, where only the typical 7 - 15 D(M) range available throughout except for the Granite, of which the smallest is 7.5 D(M). Reviews provided at Peltz.com suggests that this is a good pair, but other than that, there are hardly any reviews just yet.

The standard price for this pair of hiking boot is $140.00. There are possible cheaper select options at Amazon.com, where the price may go down to as low as $115.82.  Here is the link to the product page.

Keen Men's Alamosa Hiking Shoe,Dark Shadow/Capulet Olive,15 M US

The Keen Men's Alamosa Hiking Shoe,Dark Shadow is described as a sturdy, breathable mesh and nubuck leather upper lined with a moisture wicking textile that is meant to keep the feet dry and comfortable.

A lightweight pair of hiking shoes built with S3 Heel support, the soft, cushion cup provides comfort under the high-impact part of the heel and firm support all around it for foot stabilization and thus should prevent ankle twisting.

Metatomical Footbed design provides arch support and cradles the natural foot contours. The Keen Toe Protection (present in most Keen shoes have) wraps the outsole up and over the toes to insure against stubbing.

The EVA heel insert and footbed cushion each step while 4mm multi-directional lugs, providing traction while on trail.

Summary of this pair;

• Leather (nubuck) and mesh
• Rubber sole
• Shaft measures approximately Ankle" from arch
• Removable metatomical dual density EVA footbed
• Torsion stability TPU shank
• Dual density compression molded EVA and PU midsole
• Drop in EVA heel insert

Here are the images:

The reviews for this product have been favorable. Below are from Amazon, will get more reviews as this post would be updated. Not for the wide feet at least, as Paul Berndt had it.

3.0 out of 5 stars Wide feet beware! June 28, 2012

By Paul Berndt

I have the Keen Briggs II in a size 12, so after reading reviews I ordered these in a size 12. Good looking shoe and well made, but much narrower than the Briggs. The tongue is sewed tight to the shoe by the lace loops, so it's not like you can loosen the strings and widen it out a little bit to get some extra room. Hate to do it, but have to return them.

5.0 out of 5 stars the rumors are true August 26, 2012

By Russ K. Haugen

Heard folks talking about how wonderful the comfort, stability, and durability is for the Keen brand. Gave the brand a try, and the rumors are true. Love these shoes.

PS. The Amazon price was $20 lower than other hiking shoe companies I searched, plus the shipping was fast.

5.0 out of 5 stars Keens are great August 19, 2012

By steve

Very comfortable shoes. Great style. No break in period. Own several pairs of Keens. Great arch support and cushioning in one.

The price for this item is $55.00. The link below leads directly to Amazon for the product.

Columbia Men's BM3625 Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot,Bruno/Squash,10 M US

This is the Columbia Men's BM3625 Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot, Waterproof, lightweight, and a comfortable day hiker; Waterproof leather keeps your feet dry in this mid-weight boot with a reinforced synthetic heel for resistance to abrasion. A molded footbed and nylon shank deliver great off-road support.

the Columbia Men's Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot is meant for light loads on rugged trails. The Omni-Grip rubber outsole provides traction and stability with minimum weight on all surfaces. Step into the outdoors in quality and durability; the Men's Columbia Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot was made to move over down trees and slippery river rocks.

• Leather and synthetic
• Rubber sole
• MIDSOLE: Compression molded EVA midsole-provides flexible, lightweight cushioning
• STABILITY: Molded nylon shank that provides torsional rigidity and support
• OUTSOLE: Low profile Non-marking Omni-Grip rubber compound with a rugged trail design. Provides traction, stability with minimal weight on all surfaces
• HARDWARE: Durable metal lace hooks and d-rings help secure the foot in place

Here are the images for this item:

The user reviews for this product, however, varies from very bad to very good. Views from these comments should be valuable in determining if this is a good pair of hiking boot. Do take some time to read through the reviews though.

5.0 out of 5 stars great waterproof boot!

Review from Amazon.com
its hard to come by a durable good quality waterproof boot these days but this one surely takes the gold. I was skeptical at first due to the relatively low price on these but they did not dissapoint at all. I absolutely love the fact that the "tongue" portion is breathable yet the rest of the boot is leather and completely waterpoof. good buy!

Published 4 months ago by Manny Singh

 OK, Didn't hold up as well as I would have liked, August 7, 2011

By 

amtib00

Review from Columbia Men's Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot (Apparel)

I purchased these because they looked like they would have good grip on my hikes and provide waterproof protection on some of the wet hikes. The boots did provide protection on the first hike but the sole also began to show signs of separation after just a couple hikes. I glued them to them and applied more waterproofing. This got them to another 4 hikes. I think I should have looked for something a little sturdier. The price was right but the quality was just not there. Waterproofing works as described. Comfort level was acceptable not great. Workmanship was not up to par.

3.0 out of 5 stars You Get What You Pay For, June 24, 2012

By 

huskyhauler (murderapolis,usa) 

Review from Columbia Men's Newton Ridge 2 Hiking Boot (Apparel)

I am in the woodworking business and wear hiking boots as my work shoe, as well as for occasional weekend camping and hiking trips. I wear out a pair of typical hiking boots in a year or less because I wear them almost every day.
I bought these Columbia boots while they were on sale,so I was pleased with the price I paid. They were comfortable from the day I took them out of the box and remained comfortable while they lasted. But like every boot I have purchased, regardless of brand or price, these boots have a rubber sole glued onto the leather upper. I don't think there is an adhesive invented yet that works with this combination, and whithin a few weeks of wearing these boots, the rubber began to seperate from the leather upper. It always starts in the toe box area and where you flex at your toes and the ball of your feet. These boots lasted about 8 months and were shot with the soles completely torn away from the boot in a two inch area along both sides of both boots . Pretty typical of all boots I have purchased in this price range. They were comfortable for the 8 months that I wore them.

Well, can't judge for sure, as the reviews vary. It does indicate that this is a rather average pair, and quoting huskyhauler, you get what you pay for. However, for those interested, the price is $74.99. For details and purchase, please click here. 

Lowa Women's Gorgon GTX QC Hiking Shoe,Black/Light Blue,10.5 M US

Today's item is the Lowa Women's Gorgon GTX QC Hiking Shoe. Lowa has been in business for the past 90 years and is a highly acclaimed hiking shoes/boots brand by climbers, mountaineers and hikers alike, as having produced the best outdoors boots around.

Every Lowa boot is handcrafted in Europe, where it is based, meaning that elements of thoughtful design, superb materials, clean manufacturing processes and fair labor standards, are incorporated (meaning, no cheap labor, so this pair should be, well, pricey). This pair is made in Slovakia.

The construct of the shoe is typical leather and synthetic mix on the upper and rubber soles.

These are the general details of the Gorgon GTX QC line from Lowa (www.lowaboots.com):

• Uppers: Lightweight microfiber and Cordura®.
• GORE-TEX® waterproof and breathable lining.
• Midsole: Sleek, stabilizing Monowrap® construction with STG® Bi-density PU.* Facilitates the natural roll-through motion of the foot.
• Outsole: LOWA 'Speedhiking' provides for the utmost in comfort.
• Climate control footbed.
• Arch stabilizer.
• Vegan.

No review yet for this product however, but Lowa is a brand to be reckoned with when it comes to hiking shoes and boots, so this may worth a try. It is quite expensive, though, so we are pretty sure this pair is for enthusiasts only.

Any review on this item will be appreciated. Here are the images for this item though;

This pair costs $210.00 with free shipping. For more information on purchase, the link below leads to the product page at Amazon.com.