Hiking Boots

[HoboWithAK]

Here's the criteria-

Must be a mid sized (i'll be leniant on this) boot.
Must have a Goretex or Goretex XCR lining.
Must be less than 130$
Must be able to accept aftermarket footbeds.

What do you all wear? I'm looking at some Merrell Reflex Mids, but i'm curious what you guys suggest.

[TuNeRsHaRk]

http://www.shorelinesurf.com/reef-sandals/mens/reef-s04-mophotos/leather-slap.jpg

[HoboWithAK]

Har har nancy boy. If people saw the hair on my unusually long toes they would probably seize up and collapse.

[scrybe]

Danner Danner Danner.

[Skeletor]

My Columbia triple peaks have served me well.

[stuntman]

Boot=Men's Merrell Chameleon II Gore-Tex XCR

http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?type=brand&brandid=9&brandcatid=47&gen=m&pcid=23925


Price= $109.95 on the Merrell website, but I got them for 89.99 at the tentandtrails store here in downtown Manhattan. But check their website it might be about $10.00 more but still with in your budget.
They are very comfortable they are very breathable, and they have the xcr lining that you asked for. I was warned that they might not be very warm on a very cold day, but I found that if you wear a polypro liner sock with mid or heavy weight(hiking,wool type) sock you are good to go.
In case you find them to low they sell them with a higher cut. the only thing I would warn you about is, walking on any type of metal while the metal is wet. But not walking on metal wile it is wet is just good sense period!
ANd they come in a few colors...

http://i.onlineshoes.com/images/br009/32093_450_45.jpg
http://i.onlineshoes.com/images/32085lg.jpg
Hope that helps.. I absolutly love them.. And they size like a sneaker not a boot so buy your sneaker size.

[DE_Six]

http://a1072.g.akamai.net/f/1072/2062/1d/gallery.rei.com/media/667406_9194Lrg.JPG

Those. (http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=8946576&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=LT%20BROWN/SAND&img=/media/667406_9194Lrg.JPG&view=large)

About to go through my second winter with 'em. They're perfect.

GTX. Lightweight, but sturdy enough for moderate backpacking. REI list them 155$ though. But it's worth the extra 25$ IMO.

[Mark Sman]

Danner and Vasque both rock.

But my knuckles drag the ground, so I like Red Wings.

http://www.redwingshoe.com/shoe-zoom.cfm?style=6681
http://www.redwingshoe.com/shoe-zoom.cfm?style=8581
http://www.redwingshoe.com/shoe-zoom.cfm?style=8681

Don't laugh about the knuckle thing either, 'cause I leave three furrows on the trail. Just saying.

[percell_086]

Lowa, but tey might be a bit mre expensive. I have a pair and it are are by far the best hiking shoes I've ever walked with. And I'm not an FNG when it comes to hiking.


Percell

[pathfinder82]

Well, you'll get a pair of functional boots for $130, but it will most likely be one of those sneaker/boot hybrids which I cant stand.

My advice, spend the extra bucks and get a dual use pair. My boots were near $500 but well worth it. They are a hard shell mountaineering boot that double as an all weather hiker. So I'm covered in the mountains and on the day hikes. They are lined with a hybrid membrane similar to Gor-tex. I wore them on Mckinley and the were beauties.

I personally think gore tex lined boots are a joke. Ive owned 2 pair and they always failed in a wet environment. They were descent for snow if you brushed off the caked on snow, otherwise your feet will get wet after a few hours no matter what. I also never saw the difference with the breathable membrane as far as wicking of moisture away from my feet. You also have to keep em clean and wash them in tec to keep the gor-tex wicking ability.

To be honest the best boots Ive owned were cheapies. Just a thick rubber sole with good stitching to the upper and a good pair of gaiters will keep you dry.

Go to a place like REI that generally employ people with outdoor know how. Also they have a great sale during the spring if I can remember correctly. That's when I used to buy my big ticket items. I got a pair of $300 snowshoes for like $60 a few years back.

[drGreen]

Hanwag are the best for my feet, I use the Yukons for hiking, it has no Gore Tex but I don't really need that..

http://www.hanwag.co.uk/acatalog/YUKON-MARONE.jpg