[gemini2k]

I need to get some boots to go Hiking in in New Zealand, but I'm also hoping I can get something to double as Biking boots. Preferably something I could get at REI cause I leave in a week

 

[BurlyShirley]

You mean clipless? Good luck w/ that. If you run flats, it wont be an issue. 5-10 hightops

 

[Changleen]

FYI It's bloody cold over here right now. Most of our mountainous regions and most of the South Island is snowbound. Buy something WARM.

 

[Changleen]

The South Island, a couple of days ago:

There's been more snow since then. The centre of the North Island is looking similar.

 

[Westy]

I've been looking for a new set of boots for a backpacking trip to the tetons and I can't find (in a store) a set of nice leather boots that don't have gore-tex in them. I had some gore-tex boots a few years ago and they sucked. Feet sweat too much and they weren't any more waterproof than a nice pair of leather boots, what gives?

Sorry, I offered no help to you gemini2k. If you are riding in the cold I would just go for a nice pair of boots and flat pedals.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Westy I have some Merrell's that are non gortex . Theyre great. Pricey tho.

 

[Changleen]

I rock the Merrell 'Ice Riders' or something. They are great boots.

Those but in dark green.

 

[maxyedor]

I like my Hi-Tec lightweight boots for trail running/ hiking/ mild riding, but man would they suck in NZ right about now, as they are very well vetilated. You won't find much that works in the current NZ weather and works well fo riding, the two uses are just very different.

 

[sneakysnake]

My pair of Vasque's is great, they have gortex, so they're waterproof. However they are not too hot at all, they're about as hot as my regular running shoes to wear around.

www.vasque.com

 

[Toshi]

i love my asolo boots. look quite like these ones, perhaps not the identical model due to being a few years old now:

http://www.asolo.com/content.asp?L=3&idMen=324

 

[gemini2k]

how soon is the south island rideable? I'll be in christchurch. I thought the forecasts were saying like highs near 50 or so... Flat pedals I mean FYI, i'm not a big enough man to go clipless

 

[Changleen]

how soon is the south island rideable? I'll be in christchurch. I thought the forecasts were saying like highs near 50 or so... Flat pedals I mean FYI, i'm not a big enough man to go clipless

No idea - I guess it depends how hardcore you are. Right now ChCh is snowed in pretty good.

Keep an eye on this:

http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=christchurch

and I suggest you post on www.vorb.org.nz to ask some locals how bad it actually is.

 

[gemini2k]

I'm pretty hardcore, well more stupid than hardcore. Yeah i made an account there I'll start posting soon, I saw the main trails around Chc had closed for now, but I'm there for 4 and a half months so I hope I'll get at least 3 or so of riding.

 

[Changleen]

Ah, Cool. You'll prolly be able to get some good skiing/boarding in too if you're into that. ChCh won't stay snowed in too long, it's too close to sea level.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Whatch out for the Auks.

 

[Westy]

Westy I have some Merrell's that are non gortex . Theyre great. Pricey tho.

The problem is none of the stores around me carry anything like that. Boots aren't something I'll mailorder. My old Garmonts will last another long trip. It is getting too late to break in a new pair anyway.

 

[Changleen]

@ Burly: You mean Jaffas.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Arent Auks extinct?

 

[Changleen]

Arent Auks extinct?

Are you talking about Aucklanders or Orks, the dumb evil creatures from that dumb movie?

 

[BurlyShirley]

Are you talking about Aucklanders or Orks, the dumb evil creatures from that dumb movie?

An Auck is a bird. I thought thats what Auckland was named after, the extinct bird.

 

[BurlyShirley]

Nevermind. I thought it was a southern hemisphere bird, but I had it wrong and mistakenly made a correlation. Oops.


http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/English/greatauk.htm

 

[Changleen]

I know very little about Kiwi natural history. I have no idea of the genesis of Auckland's name either.

 

[Changleen]

Looking at your link, that does look like a Kiwi sorta bird. Most of the native avain species here have evolved themselves into a dead end. Birds without wings which are un-afriad of humans = dead.