Help, please - Old Style Hiking Boot Source?

R

Rainmaker870

Joined
Feb 1, 2002
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I've been on a mission to locate a pair of the old-style, heavy waffle-stomper hiking boots that were sort of a fashion craze in the late 70's and early 80's. Those of you old enough to remember them will remember the very thick leather uppers, the rock-solid vibram cleated soles, the REALLY stiff shanks, and the fact that it took upwards of a month to get them moderately broken in. You'll also remember that they lasted friggin' forever, that once they were properly broken in they were as comfortable as your favorite tennis shoe, and that you could grab a scary-small piece of rock with the side of your boot and stand up as securely as if you were standing on a 2x4. That Original Style Cleated Vibram Sole was actually stitched on, and could be replaced by just about any shoe repair store.

I had a pair a long time ago, and would probably still have them except for a catastrophic mishap: when trailing a deer through a Georgia swamp, and after finding a high spot and dumping the water out of my boots, the water-soaked leather lost its grip on the eyelets and an entire row of them pulled out as I was lacing the boots back up.

Recently, I was hiking with a buddy in Colorado. I grew up with this guy, and I noticed that he was wearing the same set of waffle-stompers he had 20 years ago (!). I confirmed with him that they were the same set, and that reminded me that sometimes old-school is still a great way to go.

I'm not finding a source for anything that's remotely close. My original pair was made by Redwing and I know there were several companies that made them (Redwing doesn't). If you remember them, and if you know where they can be had in this age of plastic, nubuck suede and planned obsolescence, please give me a hand and point me in the right direction. I'll gladly dance at your wedding - or break the legs of a deserving party - in repayment. ;)
 
My best guess would be REI or Campmor online. I know REI has the boots you want, but expect to pay $200.00 or more for them.
Almost foprgot, Sierra trading post is another source. <><
 
A few ideas. Take a look at Vasque Sundowners. Limmer (spelling?) makes custom boots. A bootmaker by the name of Gary Barlow in Earlville, NY.

I have a pair of Vasque wafflestomper boots I bought in 1975. Still wear them, and they have the original Vibram soles. Very tough and supportive. No cushioning, other than the socks I wear with them. Love the boots, but love my more modern boots more for backpacking and moutain climbing.
 
I second the Limmer boots. I worked at Eastern Mountain Sports for six years throughout high school, college and graduate school. Limmer is the way to go for a custom boot with your specifications. Many companies now simply glue their soles to their boots because it is more cost effective. Stick with the custom Limmers, not the semi-production ones.

Kevin E
 
i bought a few pairs a few years ago when EMS was unloading them on clearance...their "house brand" of that style of boots was made by Alico, i'm pretty sure...and alico's still around so check around the web for them...

in fact, here you go: from sierra trading post:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/se...ndName.Alico/brand.1143/qx/vendor_results.htm

i don't have these - i think mine are the "calico" model, but alico makes some damn fine boots...mine have been going for years...first pair almost 10 years so far...
 
The name of the boot made by alico was the "traverse". Solid backpacking boot that is also crampon compatible.

Kev
 
I had an old pair of HD boots, easy walker sole, but I always ended up grabbing my Asolo's, had them resoled, 3.5 lbs. per pair, light as a t-shoe with ankle support & traction, and did I mention they were almost half the weight of the HD waffle stompers!
Look up Alico boots on Sierra Designs as mentioned already, there are a few models to choose, 4 lb. 6 lb. etc. Take a good look at the Danners, I have worn them for years, great boots and can be rebuilt by the factory. A lot more fleet of foot to so to speak than the waffle stompers.
Remember, a pound on your feet is worth five on your back.

Good Luck.
 
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A few examples of my fav brand of boot.
 
Inbound, for me and Mrs. Rainmaker, are a couple of pairs of Alico Tahoes. I would have preferred the Summit, I think, but the Tahoes were what I could find in my size. Once they're in hand - and if they fit - I'll post some thoughts for like-minded, nostalgic dinosaurs like me. :)

Thanks guys!
 
Those of us of, shall we say, ample girth and flat feet prone
to carry too much too long treasure good boots.
The best boots for me, carrying any weight at all, is a traditional all leather norweigen welt triple sole hiking boot. You will suffer brteaking them in. But then your foot has the ultimate in fit and support. At least, the best for me for heavy going.
Fabiano and even Scarpa used to make outstanding boots like that. I still have a pair of Rios. Meindl of Germany make outstanding boots, but so do Zamberlein and some of the other mountain bootmakers.
But the best I ever saw is Limmer. Peter has Meindl make production versions of his family's design, and they're pretty good, but the custom boots are something else again.
If you can find a Rio or a Limmer Standard, I'd recommend either.

I love the cabelas catalogue too. Lots of Meindl and other really good boots.
 
I believe the sole being sewn on is referred to as a "welted sole". I have a pair of Limmer boots that I'm really happy with. These were bought pre-made from a store, but I know they also will custom make boots for you. They're not cheap, but I think they're worth it.
 
I just got a pair very similar to the pair you are describing made by Iron Age, a bood company that our particular army depot orders from for the civilian workers like myself, they ran about $150.00 and I don't know if you can get them sans the steel toe. however if you have a big feed/ranch store like Big R ranch and feed, or other such outlet they usually have the type boot you are looking for albeit maybe some mods but basically the same boot, also logging boots would fit the bill, like White boot company makes (pricey) also I have seen similar boots to the ones you are describing made by Browning (or at least with the Browning logo on them) in Cabella's catalog. Good luck in your search, I hope you find what you are looking for, as nothing beats a good pair of footwear.
 
Building up a list of links of those boots mentioned...

Limmer http://www.limmerboot.com/

Iron age http://www.ironageshoes.com/

White boots http://www.whitesboots.com/

Browning footwear http://www.browningfootwear.com/

Fabiano: Appears to be out of business http://www.trailspace.com/backcountry/messages/21145.html

Scarpa: http://www.scarpa-us.com/2004/

Meindl http://www.meindl.de/english/modelle/index.asp

Zamberlan (Couldnt find the other spelling... could be a different company!)
http://www.zamberlan.com/

Vasque http://www.vasque.com/


Alico http://www.alicosport.it/

Danner http://www.danner.com/

I think thats most everybody listed...

http://www.redwing.com/

I like my Redwings, but mine are NOT hiking boots. My limited expierence with Danners was that they are hard as bricks... at least for my high arches. The redwings were nice and comfy the minute I put them on, more like a sneaker than a boot, but they are 6 inch steel toes! Of course mine were on sale, Sears carrys some that are labeled craftsman, on sale for 80 bucks VS 170! Dont know if the sale is still running...
:cool:
 
This is gonna sound wierd but I know a store in Harlem (Broadway and 125th st.) that sells Vasque Sundowners. I think its called "Playaz" Apparentely, they have become hip hop fashion.
I have a pair of Mountain Master's by Dunham. Seriously rugged boot, pricey but Im on my scond pair of Vibram soles and the uppers are good as new.
 
I have the real deal, 1980 Vasque HikerII in 10-1/2D #26424 made in the USA. I bought these and used them a few times, In fact they're not fully broken in yet. I've not worn em since 1981. I should either wear em or trade em for knives or something. Contact me if they're your size...
 
I wear Vasque sundowners every day, or I did until I just found out they're now hip hop wear.
 
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