Hey guys, I don't mean to sound condescending but after years of snowboarding, working in the industry, backpacking, skating, and general life in New England and now California I've found that
Nike's ACG line contains without a doubt the best outdoor shoes in terms of weight and comfort. They are all pretty durable and well thought out, with many options. Gore-tex, Vibram, 600D canvas, 0.44 Sticky Rubber, 3xDry (wicking that outdoes anything by Merrel or 5.10) Zoom sole, air cushions, Lunarlon, wide/narrow options.
Obviously the quality isn't as 100% as Merrel and the product isn't as ethical as New Balance, but I find
Nike seems to have a better idea about actually walking, running, planting/gripping and keeping your feet dry (from sweat) than the hiking shoes people seem to gravitate towards in disc golf. Not to mention you can usually find a
good looking shoe you're
used to
wearing but ruggedized. No transition, just high and dry. Lately
Van's has been dabbling with the some Vibram/rugged options on the
OTW Line. For all the dudes who stand by the waffle sole, there you go!
I'm telling you guys. Disc golf is still golf. You don't need to sacrifice comfort, and wicking power for some 200$ shoes that honestly weren't made for walking through fields.
Nike ACG's are the closest thing to golf shoes you'll get to while still holding up well when you lose your disc down a muddy ravine.
I use these
badboys for now. They've kicked ass in the summer during rainy afternoons. The sticky rubber grips muddy hillsides like no other.
Shoes are a consumable. Don't spend $$$ hoping they'll last 2 years. They probably won't, and if they do, they'll wear at some point and hurt your stride (and whole body). I have hip problems from wearing worn skate shoes for 15 years. Complaining that your shoes lost their waterproof-ability is for suckers. Buy some beeswax waterproofing and reapply every few months. Gunk it in the seams.
Compaining that your sole is falling off or something is also for suckers. Buy some ShoeGoo and get on that...
5.10's are extremely heavy and the rubber dies quick. Sole separates a lot, still they are great shoes. New balance has some sweet options for the ruggedized sneaker as well. Sacouny, and all the trainer shoes brands can also be waterproofed. Save money. Don't sacrifice sneaker/trainer feel for hiking boot ruggedness when the primary mode of transportation in your game is walking through grass or dirt.
I have lived most of my life where having dry and comfortable feet is do or die. In New England you often go through 4 seasons in one day. I also worked in the footwear industry for 2 years and have tested the techniques and materials most companies use.
Remember: you have to actively tend to your shoes to get the most out of them. Even with materials like gore-tex you need to reapply waterproofing often. Fix tears early with shoe goo. Wishing is for suckas. Do something.
