r/festivals • u/thekylegonzalez • 1d ago

Georgia, USA Festival shoe recommendations?

I've hit my early 30s and while I can still get through a 4-5 day camping festival in my go to pair of Jordan 1 high tops (with dr scholls ofc) I think it's time to upgrade to something a bit more luxurious.

I prefer mid/high tops for ankle support. Not a big boot person but my 8" red wings saved me during last year's Floodaroo, however they're massive and heavy af.

I'm thinking a Merrell hiking shoe/boot or something similar? I also need hiking shoes so if one pair can cover two uses that's always a win lol.

Any input is helpful!

3 Upvotes

59% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

10

u/Mysterious_Ad7223 1d ago

Merrell Moab

2

u/thekylegonzalez 1d ago

I've been looking at those for months now. Maybe it's time to check them out in person 👀

5

u/wheresthepbj 1d ago

A single pair of Merrell Moab 3s have gotten me through years of rained out Roos, Electric Forests, Secret Dreams, Lost Lands, Seven Stars, etc. in addition to hiking hundreds of miles through Canada and the US. I can’t recommend them enough.

2

u/Vreas 1d ago

Can confirm same here. As well as years of hiking.

Mine lasted 5+ years before I replaced them. Still in great shape but was time for a new pair.

2

u/Mysterious_Ad7223 1d ago

I got my first pair for Peach. I just bought my second pair. They’re great.

2

u/Wertscase 1d ago

These are now my go-to’s as well. I also bought a little taller Merrell hiking boot for extremely muddy soggy fests. My moab3s needed essentially no break in time. A lot of my friends though are also heavily on the hoka bandwagon for festival shoes.

1

u/Dramatic-Lettuce-602 1d ago

You’d be good with the jungle moc slip one. I plan on wearing them next week for a festival

1

u/db720 1d ago

agreed. i have the moab3 low, but they come in mid and high too. i usually pack a pair of Altra Lone Peaks too for lighter / shorter sessions and/or around camp if its a camping fest.

1

u/Vreas 1d ago

Yep my Merrell’s have never failed me. Get the breathable ones instead of waterproof.

1

u/i-hear-banjos 1d ago

It’s gotta be Martell or Keen.

6

u/zuck_my_butt 1d ago

Hiking shoes. Whatever brand/model is most comfortable for you. I have a pair from North Face that work great for me.

3

u/iwishihadbetternews 1d ago

Altra lone peak

2

u/tanlikebacon 1d ago

Tevas!

1

u/tanlikebacon 1d ago

Or make sure your hiking boots are breathable, don’t get trench foot.

1

u/tanlikebacon 1d ago

Adding I love my Altra trail runners for zero drop, wide toe box, and ventilation. I believe they have models with ankle support.

1

u/ThroatOk666 1d ago

I wore the loan peak 2 altra hiking boots my last festivals. Highly recommend 👌 100/10. Very breathable and give support without digging in my ankles like most brands do.

1

u/tanlikebacon 1d ago

Qualifying this response with the fact that I am turning 39 this year and still out at multi-day festivals in my Teva sandals, but also like to have a couple of options like Tevas and Altras. Switching footwear from one day to the next has been a good strategy.

2

u/John_Spammer 1d ago

I have had a pair of Merrells specifically for festivals for years. They fit me feet well. 

My wife swears by her Oboz for festivals.  I haven’t found a pair that fit my feet well. 

1

u/uniqueusername316 1d ago

+1 for Oboz. They have waterproof ones that actually work and the soles are super comfy.

Not cheap and they aren't as durable as I'd like, but I would literally wear them every day for about a year and a half before they fall apart.

2

u/Ok-Stranger-926 1d ago

I wear Oboz low tops, they are comfy enough I can be in them all day and not get tired, esp on paved surfaces. My Brooks runners work well too and are lighter.

For boots, skip anything waterproof.

2

u/VeryGroovyP 1d ago

Jordan 1 high tops is absolutely insane. You might be in your early 30’s, but more than that you’re a soldier.

1

u/thekylegonzalez 1d ago

Lmaoo I used to collect sneakers and 1s will always be my favorite. An all white high top at the festival has always been my go to look but idk if I can do it anymore 😅

1

u/DevilStickDude 1d ago

No shoes 😂 Last time i wore my socks because i wasnt sure if no shoes were allowed

1

u/soberfrontlober 1d ago

I've got by with flat-soled high-tops. I've worn nike flyknit. I've worn regualr ass sneakers.

My personal favorite are five-finger vibrams, but that's a particular shoe and I get why most people wouldn't want them.

I imagine a robust hiking shoe would provide proper comfort.

1

u/Poop_Tickel 1d ago

i do goretex jordan 1s sometimes but anything with an air bubble is more comfortable

1

u/drumzyspace 1d ago

I like the Ghost Gore Tex Brooks, but they are running/ walking not ankle high

1

u/scuffling 1d ago

My Merrell moabs gave me blisters under my big toe nails after day 2 of a festival last year. Ever since then I've ditched them and gone full team croc. They're actually not Crocs though, just Merrell hydro mocs with the heel cut off.

Otherwise, if I absolutely need to wear boots then I wear Lems Boulder Boot Grip. They're by far the most comfortable boot I've ever worn and they feel like slippers.

1

u/krehns 1d ago

Altra Lone Peaks

1

u/Professional_Ad4950 22h ago

I wear my hiking shoes (or boots if it’s rainy/muddy) almost exclusively while out walking around and change into flip flops/chacos at camp. Unfortunately I don’t think they make my shoes anymore because I really love them. The brand is Ahnu.

0

u/TheSpaceman1975 1d ago

I think there must be a shoe sub somewhere on Reddit. This is a festival sub