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Ok, here goes... in attempts to keep this civil as long as possible, can we leave out WHY we like one type or brand over another and let's just see how big a variety we get. After we get a good sampling than feel free to come back and post why you like a specific brand or style foot gear.

What is your favorite foot gear under the following conditions?
1. Short, or easy terrain hikes
2. Long hikes
3. Tougher terrain
4. Backpacking (20-30+ lb packs?)
5. Cold weather use
6. Snowy hikes

Of course, my favorite foot gear pretty much reads like a broken record:
1. Older pair of Teva Terra-Fi's
2. Teva Terra-Fi's or Terra-Fi 3's
3. Teva Terra-Fi 3's
4. Teva Terra-Fi 3's
5. Teva Terra-Fi's or Terra-Fi 3's with either wool or neoprene socks
6. Teva Terra-Fi's or Terra-Fi 3's with neoprene socks

I've used both... While I want to love boots over shoes, the technology built into today's trail runners compel me to opt for them over boots more and more. I'll still go for boots over shoes under certain conditions but they aren't my first choice anymore; it's strictly "mission-specific" now.

And I love didactic, Liz! Eloquent and elucidating without being vituperative...

I used to be a boots-only guy. Then I took a trip with some folks into Grand Gulch where there was much low-top wearing. It sparked my interest, and I began wearing first low-cut Chaco trail shoes and now (since the Redrock Mesh has been discontinued) Columbia hiking shoes on pretty much all my hikes. I love it, as many who have hiked with me can attest. However, I still prefer boots for A) cold weather and B) cross-slope work on steep angle stuff.

I like Teva sandals, too, and hiked the last 25 miles of the Pt. Huitzil/Royal Arch loop in them, due to toe issues with my Lowa boots. I have bought a new pair of Vasque boots since then, and they fit better. I have tried on only one pair of shoes that seemed to fit me--they were Salomons. I may buy them eventually, if they still run narrow. I have bought NUMEROUS pairs labeled narrow and sent them back. Tevas are great, because the straps adjust.

Recently bought a pair of Chaco sandals. I agree with Teva Joe, it's like walking with a brick on your foot. They look kind of cute on my feet, so I wear them around town. When it isn't snowing, that is. I will take them on next year's river trip, also. They do break in a little bit after you wear them awhile, but not much. They have a huge lump in the middle. Oh, I know, it's supposed to be for arch support, but not everyone needs that much arch support.

PLC92084 wrote:And I love didactic, Liz! Eloquent and elucidating without being vituperative...

Well, ya know, we have all these great words available to us. Why not use them?

After spending years in hunting boots (most of my hiking was done while hunting) I prefer 8" leather boots. Tried Rogers with shoes, and after twisting the same ankle numerous times, decided that was the last time for shoes. With Christmas around the corner, I will be asking for REI gift certificates to buy a new pair of GOOD boots.

Keen Voyager mid boots or Merrill Mesa Ventilator mid for almost everything. I have a bad ankle and like the support. Also have a low cut pair of Keen's, they are great if I'm not on rocky terrain.

Just bought a set of Superfeet green insoles at REI with 20% off of regular price of $49.95. I can recall that it was not that long ago they cost much less. They still work for me and when I started using them there were very few insole choices. Looking for insole suggestions for the next time I buy.

Merrill insoles. $10

@trekkin_gecko Thanks Kelly. I just checked them out online. They look like the insoles that come with a new pair of Merrell shoes. At 215 lbs I don’t float over the trail like you do! I need some more foot support plus I have 2 knee replacements.

Protalus ET75's in my Olympus 4's ($40). I use the Protalus M100s in other pair of Altra's which also work well ($60). Expensive, but I am sold on the product. I have a pair of superfeet in my Oboz, not bad but not quite what I need.

The Merrell insoles are pretty good, and they are definitely a step up from the ones that automatically come with the shoes. They have two different styles at the outlet stores. $10-15. I've bought both kinds and liked them both.

My favorites though are Powerstep Journey Hiker insoles. They are usually $35-40, but have good support.

Sun_Ray wrote:They look like the insoles that come with a new pair of Merrell shoes

the insoles that come with Merrell shoes are not much better than a piece of cardboard

I use Spenco and Powerstep inserts along with others and actually sometimes build my metatarsal support as most generic arch supports don't have them. I have grotesquely flat feet and it's a balance between keeping my instep off the ground just a little and getting a blister on my arch. Grotesque is how several foot and ankle specialist' have described my feet. Most just shake their head that I am able to walk. I love chaco's for just general running around, not enough protection for me to hike in. Teva sandals don't have enough support for me. Right now old Garmont boots work for wet or sacrificial hiking ( wading in nasty old mine water) and I like my hoka one one tor's ( old style) for most of my other hiking. Both have pretty good traction in most conditions.

I've had very good results with PowerStep insoles as well. I find them to be way more comfortable than Superfeet and their version with a met pad completely eliminated the metatarsal pain which used to ruin my day. They have a money back guarantee so there's no risk in giving them a try.

For: Backpacking Salomon GTX mid's
Hiking Hoka Speed Goats. These babies have a legit Vibram sole
The best for water is a breathable shoe. Then put on aqua socks with a pair of wool socks over the top. This comes from canyoneering community.

Ten years later still have 9 pair of the vibram VFF kangaroo leather treks left from the $30 a pair close out. They are my preferred hiking all distances including backpacking shoe. Still get over 1000 miles out of a pair and then they become the daily runner until I wear through the sole or the toe can’t be duct taped. I like Xero Ztrails sandals and have worn out and warrantied 4 pairs so they get replaced for $39. First three were free or minimally priced (cost of sending in warranty pair.) They make me send them in, but they don’t change the issue so I keep warrantying them. In the winter I run and hike in a pair of Softstar primal runamocs with a pair of wool socks or wool socks with a goretex over sock if it is wet or extremely cold. I got my first running/hiking related foot injury sans frostbite in 14 years of barefoot shoe wearing thanks to running regularly this winter in stupid Atra superior pieces of crap because of how cold our winter has been. Turns out their toe spring WTF? or curved up toe even though they claim zero drop etc. causes issues for people that don’t and haven’t worn foot coffins in a long time. Switched to Softstar’s and the issue is slowly resolving itself.

Superfeet Orange insoles work for my flat duck feet.

Is this a regular thing? Are there people here who pile up a few hundred miles a year on whatever their shoe comes with?

@chumley
Me.

@sneakySASQUATCH
How are your feet in general now? Do you have any lasting effects from the frostbite?