Remember real hiking boots? Classic 80's footwear

[MaximRecoil]

[missioncontrol]

we allways wore unlaced Adidas hightops with the tongue hanging out..........

we were RAD

[GGKoul]

I had Wolverines!!

[Ed_McCarron]

Black Nike Vandals, with the silver velcro ankle straps.

Or, alternatively...



Circa 1982-ish.  Think I was in 4th  grade.

[paigeoliver]

Black Nike Vandals, with the silver velcro ankle straps.

Or, alternatively...



Circa 1982-ish.  Think I was in 4th  grade.

I had the cheap "Venture" knockoff of those shoes in 1985 and 1986.

[missioncontrol]

I had a pair of those

[quarterback]

Black Nike Vandals, with the silver velcro ankle straps.

Or, alternatively...



Circa 1982-ish.

[MaximRecoil]

None of you had those hiking boots? They were everywhere around here. The good ones were from Dexter Shoe or any comparable American shoe manufacturer that used real leather, Vibram soles and Goodyear welt construction. The el-cheapos from Ames or K-mart were popular too; though they sucked.

Maybe you guys don't have 9 months of winter like we do in Maine?

I'm glad that someone is making those again because those are just about the coolest design of boot ever IMO. They were around for a long time before the 80's; they were a standard design that no one company really owned, like wing tips or penny loafers; but they actually became a "fad" in the 80's; a must-have item.

As far as sneakers go, the "Vans" thing never really happened around here. It was all about Nike Blazers/Bruins and Adidas Pro Model/Superstars; with the high top versions (Blazer and Pro Model) having a decided edge in popularity:

[NoOne=NBA=]

They never QUIT making them.
Maybe you should check out an outdoor catalog now and then.

I'm actually partial to full-length (9") Danner's myself.
They're more expensive than most everything else out there, but worth every penny.

Most of that style of "hiking" boots don't break in properly for actually hiking with them, and are too short for shallow wading.
I put HUNDREDS of miles on my boots, so cost isn't really a factor.
I need comfort, quiet, and flexibility.

[MaximRecoil]

They never QUIT making them.
Maybe you should check out an outdoor catalog now and then.

Let's have a link. I haven't seen them anywhere from anyone in at least 15 years. I could easily find out when Dexter Shoe dropped them since I know so many people who actually built those boots (long before my time there).

Keep in mind that I have a good eye for detail and I know the construction of shoes/boots like the back of my hand, having worked at San Antonio Shoe and Dexter Shoe for a combined total of 5 years. I can state with absolute certainty that Dexter shoe has not made them since at least the late 80's and they certainly were not in the lineup during the two and a half years that I worked there (2000 to mid 2002).

If you know of other places to get these boots (other than $240 Danners) then let me know because I'd like to compare prices and shop around.

And I'm not interested in actually hiking in them BTW. I would use them as general purpose winter footwear, like everyone else did in the 80's.

[quarterback]

None of you had those hiking boots? They were everywhere around here.

They still are.  I still see boots just like that in shoe stores.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Dexter may have stopped making them, but others continued.
I don't know who specifically has been making them during that period, nor what quality they were, but I've seen them at the shoe outlets that I buy all my athletic shoes at every time I go there, and at local sporting goods stores, for years.
The shoe store I go to most is Famous Footwear, but I can't remember the name of the other place (I think it's Factory Shoe Outlet, or something like that).

I don't know what store chains you have on the east coast, so I don't know where to tell you to look out there.
It may also be a regional thing, where they weren't selling in your area so people stopped carrying them, but they sold enough out here to keep carrying them.

[MaximRecoil]

I can't speak for the entire country but they definitely fell off the radar around here. The last time I saw anyone wearing a pair of that style of hiking boots was around '90 or '91, my cousin's almost worn out Dexters. My father had a pair of Dexters too that he got for free (because he worked there) in '87 but they were worn out by the early 90's. I don't frequent shoe stores but if you haven't seen anyone wearing something for 15 years, it is a good sign that they aren't in many; if any, stores in the area.

The same kind of 80's fad and then disappearance happened to "Boat Shoes" too; the original ones with white rubber shallow wavy tread-pattern soles, and moccasin-style uppers. You could probably always still get them if you looked hard enough but I haven't seen anyone wearing a pair since the late 80's.

That reminds me of a common sight in '85 or '86; high school jocks wearing boat shoes, no socks, "Jams", Joe Cool sunglasses, a "mullet" (they weren't called mullets back then) and zipping around on Honda Aero 50 scooters; or in Pontiac Fiero's if they were really lucky.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I still see people wearing them all the time here--at least during fall/winter.

[MaximRecoil]

Where you see them for sale, how much are they? $140 is too much. They used to be $70 at Dexter Shoe.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I don't know, I'm just passing them on the way to the light hikers or basketball/running shoes.

[Patent Doc]

You've got to be kidding.  You haven't seen hiking boots in 15+ years.  Just go to any camping/mountaing climbing store (not read sports authority).  For example these took me 10sec to find on REI's website

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?productId=47595279&storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&langId=-1&color=CHESTNUT&img=/media/693828_569Lrg.JPG&view=large

I think even LL Bean carries hiking boots...just checked ...they do.

[Stingray]

Mine aren't Dexters, but I have a pair of hiking boots nearly identical to those. I don't think I've ever beern without a pair of that style of hiking boots. They never stopped selling them around here.

-S

[DrewKaree]

I think everyone's missing the fact that he's prattled on endlessly about "Dexter, Dexter, Dexter", and I'd bet subconciously, he KNOWS there's others out there, but he'll always be comparing them to Dexter's, and they just won't live up to his specs.

I think what he WANTS to ask, but isn't realizing, is "Does anyone know where he can find DEXTER hiking boots"

Or maybe it's just the endless "Dexter" insertions that are leading me astray, because you'd have to live underwater or try NOT to find these to know they've made them during the past 15 years.

[digitap]

I was a bit younger in the 80's, so my footwear grew from Roo's (with the secret velcro pocket) to the "turf shoes".  I was super cool when my sister bought me a pair of converse that had a clear plastic window in the shape of the converse logo and you could put different colored plastic pieces in them!

[missioncontrol]

I was super cool when my sister bought me a pair of converse that had a clear plastic window in the shape of the converse logo and you could put different colored plastic pieces in them!

I had a pair of shoes like that (don't remember if they were converse or not) supposibly you were supposed to put your school colors in them(I never did).

[Bones]

Coolest footware on the planet.

[MaximRecoil]

You've got to be kidding.

[DrewKaree]

I worked for Kinney's.  They sold a suede version, and they sold your leather version in black or brown.  $70 for the suede's, $90 for the leather.

Sadly, Kinney's is no longer in business, or I'd head over there to take a friggen picture, but they certainly did not go out of business 15 years ago.  The last one closed up I think about 2 or 3 years ago. 

Same features on the leather ones, less sturdy materials for the suede's such as no Vibram sole, and the things were suede, for Pete's sake   Big fat red laces for that pseudo-lumberjack look too.

Do you wish to purchase a pair of these? 

[MaximRecoil]

Do you wish to purchase a pair of these?

Yeah, I want a pair, but $140 from Cabela's is a little steep, and $240 from Danner is way too steep.

I remember the suede ones, Dexter had suede ones too (rough side of split leather actually which is often mistaken for suede; suede has extra finishing processes), though they all had the vibram sole; as did all of them from any reputable manufacturer that I ever saw. The knockoffs from Ames and K-mart didn't of course; plus they were fake suede.

The prices you mention sound right though.

BTW, the only Kinney's in my area (Bangor Mall) was gone in the very early 90's; though it had been there for a long time before that.

[DrewKaree]

I dunno if they still have them, but Kinney's was shut down and (owned by Woolworth Corp) depending on your area, Foot Locker, oddly enough, might carry something, or look for a Footquarters (dunno if they're in business yet) in your area.  All are/were owned by Woolworth, and their buyers often purchased very similar but differing grades of the same item.

Does Kmart have an online presence?

[MaximRecoil]

I dunno if they still have them, but Kinney's was shut down and (owned by Woolworth Corp) depending on your area, Foot Locker, oddly enough, might carry something, or look for a Footquarters (dunno if they're in business yet) in your area.

[billf]

We had a "fad" if you will, with hiking boots.

[MaximRecoil]

We had a "fad" if you will, with hiking boots.

[billf]

Then those are the ones you are refering to correct?

[MaximRecoil]

Then those are the ones you are refering to correct?

[GGKoul]

Then those are the ones you are refering to correct?

[billf]

Then those are the ones you are refering to correct?

[MaximRecoil]

BINGO!!

[Patent Doc]

misunderstood how intent you were on finding a shoe with a Norwegian style last in suede.   I understood you more to be refering to hiking boots not existing...sorry...anyway how about this

http://www.bluecollarworkwear.com/boots.php

some of these are close. 

[MaximRecoil]

misunderstood how intent you were on finding a shoe with a Norwegian style last in suede.

[shmokes]

Check out boots made by Dickies.  They tend to have a pretty no-nonsense design in all their stuff.  This picture is from like a $40-60 boot.  I'm pretty sure it doesn't have the sole you're after, but I'm only willing to give you a lead.  You'll have to do the research yourself.

Also check out a company called Chippewa.  They absolutely make your boot, but they're also pretty expensive.

www.bootbarn.com  has a big selection.

[MaximRecoil]

Chippewa has some that are pretty close, but not quite. They look like a cross between the classic hiking boots and a pair of work boots (Style: 25940). They added/changed a couple of things to the classic design; i.e. they added a large padded collar that looks like it was lifted straight from a pair of Herman Survivors, added a larger heel piece, used a different last, different style tongue, they are insulated and the sole is not a real Vibram.

[shmokes]

This kind of pickiness leads to one conclusion.  Pony up the $140.  It seems as if you came in and said, "I really like this Lexus, but it's $37,000 and I'm not about to pay that amount.  Can anyone point me to a similar car that's cheaper?"  But then in response to every suggestion you say, "That one doesn't have leather seats." or, "Nope...there's no navigation system in that one." or, "Close, but there are no wipers on the headlights on that one." 

It sounds like if you want the Lexus you're going to have to pay for the Lexus.  If you don't want to pay for the Lexus you're going to have to deal with differences.

[MaximRecoil]

This kind of pickiness leads to one conclusion.