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| For the adults at least: Two brands that are popular, good to high quality, and can accommodate a lot of needs because of diverse models PLUS a choice of widths (choice of width becomes all the more important when you move to a higher, stiffer boot):
Lowa (https://lowa.ch/): made of (mostly) European material in Germany, Italy, Slovakia (and perhaps Bosnia). The Lowa Renegade is very popular for easy to medium mountain hiking: light and flexible but ankle height, waterproof, rugged sole (not Vibram though), decent price and warranty. Allows a very smooth transition from running shoes/trainers.
Meindl (https://meindl.de/model-filter/?lang=en for the handy model finder): made in Bavaria. The Meindl Bernina 2 is a nice step "up" from the Lowa Renegade: leather (nicely waterproof), banded bottom for protection in rocky terrain, Vibram sole, can be resoled, good warranty. These are still easy to transition to, and will take you pretty much anywhere that does not involve climbing with your hands.
Finagling, you will find complaints online about decreasing quality for these brands and models, especially from people who have had earlier versions for many years. But that's true of essentially any brand, and comparatively these are reliable and quality-minded in their price range. For instance Lowa had some trouble with soles (especially the tips) delaminating a few years back, but that seems to be decisively fixed.
One last thing: If you are moving to hiking shoes, at least for the adults, insoles can make a difference. No point in getting custom insoles for regular hiking, but insoles can help with fitting, comfort and durability. | |
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Can subscribe for this 100%. Had Meindl Island shoes for 10 years (look exactly like that Bernina ones), they can handle anything - alps including summer 4000 ers, Himalayan passes up to 5500m easily. Skin is thick, with proper treatment you can walk in the water or wet grass and feet stay dry (impossible in lightweight shoes). Can handle basic crampons, and while sole is pretty stiff initially, after some time it becomes very comfy. Wide feet (for those who have those).
That said, they are a tank and weight like a tank. They lasted me 10 years (500+days of tough usage) and what finally gave is sole which disintegrated, skin is still OK. Instead of shoe heaven I had soles replaced back home and still use it in High Tatras back home on tougher rocky scrambles.
For normal usage I can second Lowa Renegade, the shoe I started using after my Meindls above disintegrated. They are full leather but super lightweight, often on par with more solid low ankle shoes. Compared to those, they offer much better stability and even in easy hikes you often have few bits which are more tricky, don't underestimate this aspect. Very comfortable, especially if you have wider foot. Can handle light rain / a bit of wet terrain if impregnated properly, something you will appreciate more than once.
One drawback - they are not as durable, rough terrain like sharp rocks will destroy them much quicker (not a surprise since they weight 50% of Meindls). Stitching gave away on both shoes multiple times on exactly same place (where toe pinky is), but that's easy to fix in any boot shop for few chuffs.
After some 5 years of tough usage I bought... next pair of Lowas
Can't beat the weight saving and comfort, they say weight on feet is cca 5x the same weight carried in the backpack. Or roughly every 100g takes away 1% of your VO2 max
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