"hiking" shoes

[Guest]

This is difficult to define, but let us take this to be chukka-height boots with lug soles and 4 or more lace holes. The EG Halifax with a lug sole, if you will. It must be constructed of something really durable, heavily waxed calfskin. I read a reference to the great dandy Agnelli's favoring this shoe with suits. Can anyone identify the archtype, the sine qua non of the "hiking shoe?" Not a pop quiz, I am interested in viewing the "best of breed." I imagined Gokey of Orvis would have made something like this, but they don't.

[Mark Seitelman]

It depends on who you are asking.

If you were to ask an outdoorsman about the best hiking boot you would get answer to the effect that "the Okram 242 has been tested on Mt. Everest and is waterproof and can protect up to 50 degrees below."

If your were to ask a dandy you would another answer, such as "last weekend at Barneys I saw a chap wearing the new Green Mt. Hick model which is the most elegant hiking boot that I have ever seen."

[rjman]

Bresch:

I would try Heschung for something like that. However, I'm not sure how many other men besides the late Agnelli could pull off a lug-soled, waxy leather apron-front chukka with a suit. Those of us with less style, charisma or innate elegance -- most of us, then -- may best be served by a dress boot with an elegant profile. Perhaps a special order Green Shannon boot? They could do it in a country calf, Norwegian welt and rubber sole.