1. Garmont Eclipse III Hiking Shoe

by Howard E. Friedman DPM

The Garmont Eclipse III is a hybrid between a sturdy, durable hiking boot and a lighter-weight, less bulky trail shoe. I have been wearing and testing this shoe for one year, hiking in New Jersey, the Catskills and points in between, as well as wearing them as everyday shoes. The shoe has performed well and shows minimal wear, with only one stitch just beginning to fray. The shoe is low cut, like a sneaker or trail shoe but has a high quality Vibram sole and very substantial polyurethane mid-sole. This material is much more durable than what is used in many shoes ( a material referred to as EVA, ethyl vinyl acetate). The front of the shoe has a rugged rand, which I can attest, prevents  bumping toes into rocks and roots. The outer sole has performed well even ascending and descending smooth rocks and boulders. The upper portion is Nubuck leather and fabric. The shoe comes with or without a waterproof Gortex lining. I have been using the Gortex version, which has kept my feet dry when stepping into puddles and shallow brooks. The shoes lace well, due in part to the metal hooks at the top and the oval shape leaves plenty of room for the toes. The only downside is at more than 2 lbs. per pair, they are still heavier than some trail shoes, but, they are definitely lighter on your feet than many high-top traditional hiking and backpacking boots.

2. Danner Station/Office Romeo Boot

by Howard E. Friedman DPM  (reviewed April 2012)

These boots are very versatile footwear which can accomodate a variety of foot types and provide all-day comfort for standing and walking. The Station/Office boot is made by Danner, a highly respected bootmaker headquartered in Portland, OR. They are known for high manufacturing standards and re-craftable boots. So, once the sole wears down, which will probably take a long time, you can send them back to Danner to be refurbished. The boot is roomy especially in the toebox so it will accomodate people with hammertoes. The liner is removeable so the boot will easily accomodate either full length or three-quarter length orthotics or arch supports. The neck of the boot has two elastic panels which make getting the boot on and off quite easy, and that job is made even easier by two sturdy boot pull loops. Slipping these on is a quicker process than lacing up a pair of shoes. The midsole is made of polyurethane, a syntheitc material I favor over EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) because it is more durable. The construction is stitch-down meaning that the leather is actually stitched, not glued, to the soling platform. The boots are about 6 inches high and weigh about 45 ounces per pair. Overall I highly recommend these boots. They can be ordered directly from Danner. When you call you will notice that their customer service is also excellent.