Merrell Sawtooth Hiking Boots & Thorlo Light Hikers: Feet Don't Fail Me Now

I have a hard time finding shoes and boots that fit. My feet aren't oddly long (10 in women's, 8.5 in men's), but I have a wide forefoot. I also wear a full-length cork orthotic, and I like a stiffer soled boot than any of the lightweight hiking boots out there. I must have tried on dozens of boots before finding the Merrells, but once I tried them on I was quite surprised by several features.

1) Solid Sole. For a lightweight hiking boot, the Merrells have an incredibly durable, functional Vibram sole. It's shanked, stiff, and provides excellent traction on the trail. In fact, it has a more stable sole than some of my medium duty hiking boots. The benefit of the firm sole is that when I walk, my foot rolls from heel to toe without excessive flexing at the ball of my foot. This type of movement allows me to walk around all day long without getting sore feet. I've been wearing these boots for at least part of every day for a few months now, and the sole still feels firm.

2) Lightweight. Although the soles perform like a heavier boot, the uppers are made of leather and nylon, so they're lighter in weight, another feature that helps you stay on your feet a bit longer.

3) Priced Right. I thought I had to spend $250 or more to get a great boot for every day walks, weekend hikes, and lots of walking (while traveling). But at $90, the Sawtooth boots are a bargain.

4) Good Fit. I was able to find a men's medium width that fit perfectly. Compared to other boots I own in the same size, they seem to be sized consistently. I think most people will find that these boots are a good fit. There is a groove that runs along the back of the heel that supports the achilles tendon. You'll notice it when you first try on the boot, but after some wear, you won't notice it at all.

5) Socks that Don't Bunch. Thorlo Light Hikers are well-padded, but with a more contoured fit than most socks (some areas of the sock are less padded). So, the areas of your foot that need most protection (the heel and ball of foot) get the most padding. There are different panels of elasticity along the top, arch, and ankle of the sock, so it feels like the sock is gripping your foot. That mean's no slipping or bunching.The moisture-wicking fibers also keep your feet dry. (No photo available).

Bottom Line: If you're looking for light or medium duty boots, try the Sawtooth boots. Merrell is the only company I know of right now who's making such wonderful, stable soles for their lightweight boots (and shoes).Thorlo's Lt. Hikers are one of my favorite pairs of socks.They stay fluffy all day long (and, in fact, for several days) and they hold up well after repeated washings. When I'm traveling, I often wear them for days at a time without washing them, and they don't smell.--E.D. (Nov '03)

Price: $90.00 boots, $14.00 socks.

Manufacturer's Site: www.merrell.com, www.thorlos.com

Buy Online: , Altrec.com,