Schoolhouse, I'm not Nicole but I do a lot of hiking and have a lot of trouble with hiking shoes causing pain and numbness. After six hikes with a pair of Merrells I bought at REI, I returned them last week (as they encourage you to do if the shoe is a problem) and got New Balance WW955GT in their place.

I then put them to the extreme test this weekend with a nine hour hike that involved not only walking uneven trails but transversing a river and scaling class II boulders. They didn't fail me once.

Jodi-

Here is a link that might be useful: NB hiking shoes

Oh my gosh. That's the model I exchanged mine for - I sent the others back and ordered the WW955GT. I love the free return/exchange policy of this company.

I think I'll like the color better too, besides the others pinched the front part of my foot and I kept thinking I was going to turn my ankle in them for some reason. Walking on a flat surface was fine, but even across the yard was weird. Thanks for your input.

Do they come in high heels? Are you kidding me?? I'm a city-slicker not gonna be doing any hiking anytime soon. I applaud those of you that do though!!

I do hike a lot!!! :0) I'm wearing Merrells. They are only comfortable "IF" I wear my 100% heavy wool socks, which have a finely cabled design. DH has New Balance hiking boots and the soles are not very agressive. He also has vendramini,soloman and High Tech.

I have Rockport, all leather hikers, Merrell Jungle Runners, both I "dislike".

Some of the boots I mentioned for DH cost $250.....the one pair of solomon's have a zippered gortex flap that covers the lace ups for winter hiking.

I joined two local hiking groups last summer. The consensus was Merrell's.

I used to run with a girl who was sponsored by New Balance. She got a new pair of shoes "free" once a month.....she said they were "ok" and put gel inserts in them....

I'm sure there's different models of New Balance....I haven't tried everything. :0)

I was told by several serious hikers that Merrells were the way to go for sure. They just didn't work out for me. I had the Moabs.

My arches are almost non-existent so I have trouble with any shoe that has good arches in them. It's been that way all my life.

With Merrell, about 1.5 miles into a hike my feet would go numb. By mile 2 or three, I'd get horrible shooting pains in all of my toes. I tried gel inserts, regular inserts, two pairs of socks (always high quality Thurlos) and nothing helped. To make matters worse, the sides of the Merrells were just at the height that they rubbed the scar where I shattered my ankle ten years ago causing a lot of discomfort. I'm just happy I didn't have to toss $95 shoes and buy new. REI's return policy is so good.

Jodi-

I just asked DH which boots he liked hiking in. He said, Vasque. He has new Merrells, he wears them grocery shopping, not hiking. :0)

Keen are the cool sandals he has. :0)

Here is a link that might be useful: Vasque hiking boots

Jodi, forgot to tell you that I received the WW955GT New Balance hikers last Friday (23rd)and as soon as I put my foot in the shoe I knew they were the ones. Completely different feel from the other ones I sent back. Don't seem as high up on my ankle and not as stiff. The only problem I'm having right now is that the shoe strings don't stay tied or maybe it's just how I'm tying them. Love the color, too.

That company is the best. No questions asked about returns and fast delivery.

I LOVE Keens. They are so comfy. If you have a REI near you, buy your hiking shoes/boots there. You can bring them back for any reason, even if they're just uncomfortable and you've worn them several times.