Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Anyone use Hi-Tec boots

There was a short but enlightening thread on another message board that asked this same question. Hi-Tec makes inexpensive, but seemingly quality boots. Do I really need to spend $200 on brand name boots? Yes I'm a serious hiker...yes I hike alot..and yes I both backpack and do "extreme" dayhikes. I know the mantra...it's what fits you best and no 2 people are same, but does anybody use this brand and what do you think of them?

Thanks

Hey, I used to wear those when they were stocked locally. They did great, even on class 4 peak climbs. Other hikers would suffer terribly in their heavy leather mountaineering boots, while I raced gleefully ahead to get back to the cars. Now, there are many brands for such lightweight boots. As long as they fit nicely, they'll do great in the Sierra. Lots of scree running does tend to abrade them quickly, though, and they do get wet from snow hiking. And you can't use crampons with them, but that's pretty rare in the summer in the Sierra.

With as much as I hike, I've been through maybe a dozen of those lightweight hikers, but I get them usually under $40. I check the clearance racks a lot, but nowdays you can spend $100 or more on a new pair. Gore Tex models help to keep your feet dry, but they can run $200.

Hey, I used to wear those when they were stocked locally. They did great, even on class 4 peak climbs. Other hikers would suffer terribly in their heavy leather mountaineering boots, while I raced gleefully ahead to get back to the cars. Now, there are many brands for such lightweight boots. As long as they fit nicely, they'll do great in the Sierra. Lots of scree running does tend to abrade them quickly, though, and they do get wet from snow hiking. And you can't use crampons with them, but that's pretty rare in the summer in the Sierra.

With as much as I hike, I've been through maybe a dozen of those lightweight hikers, but I get them usually under $40. I check the clearance racks a lot, but nowdays you can spend $100 or more on a new pair. Gore Tex models help to keep your feet dry, but they can run $200.

Ouchmyfeet: A friend of mine who is on a mission to summit the 54 14'ers of Colorado swears by Hi-Tek Sierras and goes through a pair or two a year.

Now I don't wish to step on your thread, so-to-speak, but I have a question along those lines...

My Lowa's (love 'em, but they are heavier than I need) are about done in and I'm debating a boot like a Hi-tek vs. a trail running shoe. I do mainly day hikes. Extreme ones, yes, but I don't carry a heavy pack. I understand the issue of scree and loose rocks (figure low gaiters would stop that if it's an issue). Can anyone tell me why I should do one over the other?

There is a Hi Tech outlet store in Oakhurst on the way to Yosemite from the south. So I have many different Hi tech boots over the years. They make glorified tennis shoes that are not too tough all the way to more durable shoes. My heavier more durable Hi Tech shoes have been on the trail 50- 100 miles, including trips up the MR. I wouldn't write off Hi tech just because they are not real expensive.

I've actually been using trail runners and did Whitney last year in them. Went to my local Nike outlet and got a pair of Nike Air Teocelli for $60 and love them. I've went up whitney last year with no foot trouble at all
Been all over San
Gorgonio...in the snow even with no problems.
http://www.altrec.com/shop/detail/13771

Super light..comfortable and waterproof. Traction is not so great on wet logs and rocks though. Otherwise sweet shoes. I'm ready now though to get a pair of higher top boots. I'm willing to spend the big bucks, but I think I'll try to low buck Hi-Tec first. Everything I've heard so far is very positive.

Hi, all,
I have worn Hi-Tec hiking boots for the last 5 or 6 years with great success and no complaints. I have even picked up a new pair on the way to a long, steep day hike and had no problems (not that I would ever advocate buying hiking boots so last minute like that). I haven't bought a pair in about two years but have never spent more then $65 bucks. .

(Note: I think that the Hi-Tec outlet mentioned is in the town of Oakdale.)

My favorite of the "cheapie" boots is Northwest Territory. Chinese made, they don't seem to be available in the US. Second most comfortable boots I've ever worn, and they cost less than $30. Most comfortable boots I've ever worn were Meindls, which also aren't available in the US.

I've got a few pairs of hi-tecs. They're hard to resist when Big 5 puts them on sale for $14.99!

Like many others, I have several pairs of boots/shoes, one of which is a cheap pair of Hi-Tecs ($30 max). Although I usually wear another brand, the Hi-Tec boots seemed just fine. This may also be due in part to the fact that I always size the boots big enough for 2 pair of socks. The extra cushion seems to make less comfortable cheap boots feel good. They might not last as long (though so far they're holding up well), but for $30 bucks I don't mind. I think Hi-Tec keeps improving their boots/shoes. The latest ones look pretty nice to me. As always, a good fit is the key.

-Rick

We have been buying Hi-Tec's for the kids for many years. Good quality, low price for growing feet.

Where do you buy Hi-Tec boots for $30? The least expensive one's are $49.95 on internel.

You wait until B 5, REI, or your local outfitters has a sale, and you pick them up them. I buy a lot of things through www.reioutlet.com - I couldn't care less if my boots are last year's models, as long as they fit well and do what they are supposed to do.

By the way - that's Big 5 - not B 5 - just got back from a killer hike and I'm beat...

I've been very happy with Salomon's Mid Expert non-Gortex. They have a nice padded heal and collar to prevent heal slippage. I've purchased them in the past on sale at REI and ARGEAR.com for 79.95. (retail for 90.00) I see Sierratradingpost.com has them for 49.95. They come in low and mid styles with or without Gore-tex. *** The Non-Gortex will breath better and has the nice padded collar.

I Bought a pair of Hi-Tec excursion II's (at the Oakhurst store), for around $70.00 a few months ago. They're great - I've done some Class 3 climbing and about 150 miles of Class 1 and 2 hiking - so far, on my first pair. No complaints yet.

At the mention of Big 5...they're having a sale on one if the hi-tec models this week.

I'm on my second pair of Hi-Tec Altitude boots. When I bought the first pair, I went to the store with the attitude that I was going to buy the absolute best boot I could find, with no regards to price. After trying on everything there, the Hi-Tec fit me the best. I was sorta sceptical since it was only $60, but I gave them a shot. An awesome boot. The first pair was still going good after 3 years of pretty heavy use, but I got the new pair on super-sale at sportmart for like $30 bucks, and figured I might as well. They have never given me any problems, and generally fit and feel awesome right out of the box. Everyone's foot is different, but they are a great boot, don't let the price scare you!

I just did my third hike up Whitney with the same pair of all terrain running boots that I bought 5 years ago on sale at Big 5. For my first hike I bought more expensive over the ankle boots that produced a strange pain in my right ankle bone that could not be reproduced outside the boot. The Hi-Tec mids have a high heel cover but do not cover/rub my ankle and they are great for running back down the mountain.

Fred

I've had really good luck with other brands, as well. Merrell, Columbia Sportswear, Raichle, and more have all done me so well. I also hike about the local streets and bike trails, to the tune of maybe up to an additional 1,000 total miles a year, and never again get blisters or much hot spots.

You do apparently have to watch the brands, even though so many or all are made off-shore. My old hiking pal had bad luck with New Balance, with pains and then medical treatment for that.

Again, fit is the key. I know people who spend $$$ to get the most costly boots, thinking they will serve the best. That's what greedy sales help will steer you toward. I wish I could show the photos of their bloody feet! My $25 Eco-Hikers (1980's) were so great, I bought two pairs. Wish they had something like that again (some 75% recyclable).