BootsnAll Travel Community

I know I want to take Keens because I've tried them on they fit my feet perfectly, even if they are not beautiful!
I was leaning towards Newport http://www.backcountry.com/store/KEN0003/c100000009/s40...-Sandal-Womens.html, but then saw these: http://www.backcountry.com/store/KEN0083/c100000009/s40...oga-Shoe-Womens.html
They look much nicer, but would they stand up to constant wearing? Has anyone done a day's hiking in them? (we'll be doing easy hiking with kids, but hiking all the same)

Which would you choose?

Also, we are planning on being in Mongolia in the winter. I was thinking of taking hiking boots as my too-cold-for-the-sandals footwear, but are they going to be suitable? Will we need real-cold-weather-boots? Can we get them there? What kind of price? I lived in hiking boots through two Polish winters (minus 30 Celsius), but I'm not sure if they will cut the Mongolian mustard.
Finally, does anyone know if children's winter boots are readily available either in Mongolia or China (where we'll be before the cold really hits)?

The Calistoga is OK, but doesn't offer the same support as the Newport. The strap has about 1/2 inch of elastic in it. That makes it more comfortable, but less supportive.

The Calistoga is best suited for office jobs. Go for the Newport for travel. Or, you know, a real shoe.


And no, I don't dress up in Women's shoes. I sell them at work.

Skimaxpower - I like your recommendation except for one factor. Wouldn't they be a bit hot in summer? I run round barefoot most of summer (apart from when we hike and then I throw on a boot) and can't really imagine wearing a shoe as an everday thing. I was planning on taking one pair of boots and one other something - that something probably being the Newport sandal....until I saw the pretty one. And now that you've shown me another I missed I am stuck wondering if I should just take the one and forget the boots altogether!
I know it seems inconsistent to buy a made-in-China-keens and then a locally-made-with-leather-that-grew-up-in-this-country boot, but I was kinda happy about supporting a local industry for my boots.
http://www.bootznz.com/hiking-boots.htm
I guess you'll tell me I should stick with synthetic boots coz they're lighter! But the weight doesn't bother me coz they'll be on my feet every time we're on the move.

Thanks for the advice. Calistoga now ruled out!

Only you can tell whether you will overheat in a suede shoe in the summer.

I only suggest it because:

Travelers do LOTS of walking

Keens are really comfortable shoes for walking and standing.

I love my Newport sandals a ton. They're the most comfortable sandals I've ever owned. They even provide enough support for carrying a heavy backpack (on even terrain.) But they are not (and never will be) as supportive or comfortable as a shoe for long walks.

So I suppose you have to decide which is more important to you: temperature control or comfort/support. I can't decide that for you.

Regarding the Boots. I love leather boots. I love leather shoes. I would never suggest that someone looking at burly hiking boots go for a synthetic upper. But those boots in particular look very 1940s.

The industry has changed, and there are lots of supportive, waterproof leather boots that don't have, you know, two pounds worth of rivets.

The best call, of course, is to try them all on and buy based on FIT rather than based on style or nation of origin. After all, you'll be buying lots of foreign-made products on your trip.

The best winter footwear for living in bleepin cold places is what´s available locally. although they are not the boots you would probably be traveling with once you leave. The black market in UB is beyond huge and it is cheap. That said, I wasn´t looking for kids footwear when i was there.

I´d email your Mongolian host and see what they do for their kids shoes.

quote:

Originally posted by Mama-to-many:
I guess you'll tell me I should stick with synthetic boots coz they're lighter! But the weight doesn't bother me coz they'll be on my feet every time we're on the move.

Whether they're on your feet or in your pack you are still moving their weight with every step you take. If you prefer super substantial and heavy boots then that's fine but realize that a heavy shoe does make a difference to your feet, ankles and legs if you are walking around all day.

One other thought, if you or your older kids have big feet their shoe size may not be available in Mongolia.

Thanks for all the advice......we went out to the few stores around here today and I tried on every single boot that they had in my size (so that made a grand total of two boots from four different shops - sigh).

The one that FIT really well was this, but I've got no idea what longterm quality is like. Anyone tried them? Had trouble with them? They're at the low end of prices so I'm a bit skeptical!

As for size, I took a 42, so yeah, not small! Hubby's are way bigger.

quote:

Originally posted by Mama-to-many:
The one that FIT really well was this, but I've got no idea what longterm quality is like. Anyone tried them?

First, fit is the most important thing. If they're not comfy, then you will be unhappy.

Second:
"Steel shank for rigidity"
"Waterproof nubuck leather upper"

A steel shank in a hiking boot is overkill unless you're attaching crampons. I'm pretty sure you're not. Also, there is no such thing as waterproof nubuck. If you want waterproof boots, look for the word GORE TEX. If waterproofing is not important to you, ignore any claims regarding it in the first place.

Where does that leave you: I'm not sure. I'm not a huge fan of Hi-Tec. They're not bad boots, per se, there's just a lot of better stuff on the market. My recommendation: Keep trying stuff on. Go to a different store.