Are North Face shoes worth the money?

kaji

I'm looking for a pair of shoes that I can use for walking on general trails- at home and abroad, nothing extreme but versatile enough to go from footpath to stony paths, etc. I've my eye on these- are they worth the price? (I know this is a bit like how long is a piece of string!)

http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/product_info.php?cPath=232_31_136&products_id=189053

If you're just on footpaths or stony paths, that seems like a lot of money. I'm sure they are great, but that's pricey. I started trail running so now often go for a running shoe rather than a boot even if going cross country, but the shoes would be a lot cheaper than €130, I wouldn't even pay that for a specialised mountain runner, and wouldn't pay much more for a good brand proper hiking boot. You can pick up out of season trail runners in a place like the Asics outlet store in Kildare in the €30-€40-€50 bracket. If its an issue for you watch for waterproofing of course, it doesn't bother me and a lot of trail runners are designed to let water out quickly 'cos you may be wet after the first puddle, you just don't want it sloshing around.

FrostyJack

kaji wrote: »

I'm looking for a pair of shoes that I can use for walking on general trails- at home and abroad, nothing extreme but versatile enough to go from footpath to stony paths, etc. I've my eye on these- are they worth the price? (I know this is a bit like how long is a piece of string!)

http://www.greatoutdoors.ie/product_info.php?cPath=232_31_136&products_id=189053

I bought a pair of these abroad for walking in arid regions. Were head and shoulders above runners for hiking on rough stoney ground. Very light and grippy. The sole does not wear as runners do. Though first hike back here in them I went off path and put my foot in a puddle and my sock was drenched. On tarmac there are uncomfortable to run in but on a trail they are great. Never been in them in a heavy rain shower so can judge them there. No substitute for a good boot off trail but if it is just the likes of Wicklow way they are great. I got them a little cheaper so I am happy, don't know if they are worth 130 though.

kaji

Thanks for all the advice guys I'm gonna go into a shop and try a few pairs on to see if they are comfortable. Hopefully I'll get something thats less than €80 ish.

carav10

I'm a big gtx hedgehogs fan, have had three different pairs over the last 6/7 yrs. Use them for lowland hiking on trails, general walkabout, beach, travelling, walking dogs, mountain biking etc. They're my general all rounder. They're usually the only shoes I take with me when going away at weekends on a 'general outandabout with a bit of outdoors' trip.

Saying that, the last pair didn't last as long as I expected, I don't know if it was a bad shoe or I used it more than my previous pair but I was a bit disappointed and when buying a new goretex trail shoe 2 weeks ago, I got persuaded to try a Merrell goretex trail shoe. A lot lighter, not as flexible a shoe but still nice. Wouldn't run in them though unlike the hedgehog. I really like them but think I'll go back to the hedgehogs again next time.
Expensive but worth the money imo if you think you'll get the proper use out of them. They are pricey so Christmas sales....

Keep an eye on Sports Pursuits, a site that channels some of the better pop up sales.

It has a sell through of outdoor footwear at the moment, much of it half price, including Garmont.

http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales

SomeFool

another +1 for the hedgehog gtx shoes, had a couple of pairs which were indestructable, great summer shoe for hiking here, great in the alps for lower walks or via ferrata, great on the mtb too, still wearing a five year old pair on the farm. that said I'm currently using a pair of adidas kanadia I got on sports direct for €35, not as comfy or good in the wet as TNF ones but an excellent budget option if you can get them for that price!

Mac2010

i own a pair of hedgehog and found it's bit hard protective feeling when you walk which is quite useful on rough terrain.havent worn under heavy rain but the GOre tex XCR linig should work pretty good. i paid just 55 euro in northface outlet kildare village 2 years ago. i see lots of hedgehog III on special offer in shops such as 53degreesnorth etc. moslty odd sizes. check on ebay. for Hedheg paying 130euro is bit expensive once if u have experience with online shopping check out major online outdoor retails based in UK as well as ebay amazon etc. most popular sizes tend to be closer to RRP price while strange sizes are often on offer. last 2 cent North face hedgehog gives you decent protection against your feet and not very flexible if you are in to running. ok for walking on rough terrain.

Hugh_C

I have the non-GTX version of this shoe and find it great for dry weather stuff: general day use and (dry) mountain trails - climbed all over the Sierra Nevadas in Southern Spain in October in them. Grippy and sufficiently supportive. Not good in the wet, and I can't comment on the GTX version in this regard. I don't run so can't comment in that area either However, I really like the shoe.

H