Boot or Shoe for 3/4night 6to10mile/day

[eggybaby]

I recently got a great deal on Ebay for a pair of Montrail Namche hiking boots but they didn't fit
(Montrail, it appears, is notorious for small fitting shoes).
So now I'm back to my (Walmart) Ozark-Trail, lead-sole, shoes (lol).

My footwear is the last element in my gear that I need to prep for.
I'm looking for a boot/shoe that will do well on, say, a 3-4 night, 30-60mile, AT Section hike (my long-term goal).

Is there a brand/model that has worked well for you for a similar 3/4 night hike?
Are you 'Brand Loyal' or did you settle for something on the 'discount' rack?

[Cuffs]

Shoes/boots need to fit YOUR foot.  What works for one may (or most likely may not) work for the next person.  Try on everything. 

Have your foot size properly sized also.  You can expect to wear a size or size and 1/2 larger than your street shoe.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Forget the brand. My advice is to find a good shoe fitter if you can. My parents live near a really good one, and I've gotten sneakers and boots from him for a little while now. My sneakers work wonderfully even with my odd foot stance (inserts), and my boots are the first boots I've ever owned that didn't wear through my feet. They do charge a fee for the fitting, typically, and the prices ARE higher, but it is totally worth it.

[MoBill122]

 My boots are made by Coleman,  ONE size to big and WIDE.  They have like 600 miles on them so far, and wear as well as any $200 pair.    I wear two pairs of wicking socks on most any hike.     Best advice is to be sure you break them in before you go off on a trail.  If you don't, expect blisters and a miserable hike !

[Magic City Matt]

I think it also depends on the hike. I have both boots and shoes and f I know the terrain is going to be REALLY rough wth lots of scree and steep slops I will eat the weight and wear boots. If I know I am going to be on a well marked well maintained trail and the slope s not so bad (I.E. Sipsey) I will stick to my shoes.

[Joshua Szulecki]

As for when to wear which type of footwear...

I find boots to be most useful on muddy or slippery terrain, and on non-level surfaces that are not rock, like tilted hillsides covered in wet leaves. On solid rocks, or on surfaces covered in logs or small foot-sized rocks (common up here) I prefer sneakers because they hurt my feet less, and because I can better feel my footing. For dry, fairly smooth terrain I prefer sneakers as well, for comfort.

If I'm not sure, I'll wear sneakers if I'm going somewhere that should be dryish, and boots if I'm going somewhere wetish, snoes on flat terrain, and boots on tilted terrain. If I need to walk along, rather than up or down, a slope (like Sipsey bushwhacks), I'll stick to the boots for ankle support.

[auwesman]

I've got a pair of Monotrail GTXs and I'm now sold on that brand (I know there are a lot of great brands out there).
My Monotrails had a QUICK break in period, and have never given me a hot spot.

As to when to wear boots or shoes....you should also seriously consider your pack weight.  If your going to have a heavy pack, you probably need to wear at least midlevel boots.  Midlevel boots are the hightest I ever wear, but I've got pretty good ankles.

[lawnmowwer]

 I would recommend going to a good shoe store that sells a lot of hiking boot. At least for the first par. I takes a lot of time and effort to findout how different bands of boots fit. The store will know their boots as they fit them everyday.

I personally wear Asolo Sasslong GTX boots. They are a bit heavy, but I am selfemployed and can't afford an injury to my ankles. I also have a steel screw in my right ankle. I was warned that a rebreak would be very bad and have been a little paranoid ever sense.   

[Joshua Szulecki]

I would recommend going to a good shoe store that sells a lot of hiking boot. At least for the first par. I takes a lot of time and effort to findout how different bands of boots fit. The store will know their boots as they fit them everyday.   

I wouldn't only do that the first time.

Every pair of shoes, just like every pair of jeans, and everybodies feet and butts, is a little different from the next one, even within the same brand. I will never buy shoes without trying them on, preferably with a shoe-fitter, again.