I have been having a hard time keeping my feet cool with our desert climate and over 100 degree temps.

I thought I'd share the two boots I am testing and how they have worked.

The first is the New Balance desert colored repel combat hiker.

They are fairly cool have an excellent insole, and were a bit stiffer than I thought they would be but are well on their way to being my favorite boot.

The second is the Merrill Mojave non-water proof model. The insole sucks beyond that they are comfortable and are very cool.

I had originally ordered the water proof model and they were hotter than hell. Like wearing Gore-Tex shoes.

Yep, gore-tex sucks. LOL!

I have the hardest time finding boots that are relatively cool. I've had good luck with Merrell, however in each case I also find that I need to replace the insoles. Actually, I just expect to do that from day one.

The Merrell Ridgelines have worked superbly well for me, though they are out of production at this point.

The real key for me is to find something without the gore-tex.

I have 3 pairs of Courteneys, they are great for most things but who wants to wear a pair of $350 boots to work in and industrial environment.

That and they kind of suck on concrete.

Both the Merrel and the New Balance are working well.

I've had good luck with Danner RAT for my summer boot.

One of you Texans told me about the Merrels. I am happy with them, but as I said the insoles sucked.

The merrels fit me well, but as stated above i replace the insoles before I leave the store

Is it really possible to have cool feet in 100 degree temps? LOL

The only thing that works for me is dangling my feet in the lake.

I agree, no goretex!

Thanks for the reviews.

Zeje

I am a big fan of Merrel low quarter hiking shoes for hot weather. But it seems like they wear out pretty fast for me.

My last three pairs each lasted about two years (wearing them a couple of days a week, plus hunting trips). Had the sole come off one, and the uppers just split/wore out at the flex point on the other two.

Trying a pair of Keen mid height hikers now, and liking them pretty well so far (two months), though I think they are hotter than the Merrels.

Merrills always wore out too fast for me. The fabric liners always wore out before the soles. That very frustration caused me to go all leather from then on. I've had good luck with Russell's and Courtney's, especially for hot weather. Russell's are custom so you can design them the way you want but I've been mighty impressed with my Courtney Safaris. Comfortable (with my custom orthotics) from day one, light, and they have worn like iron both the leather and the soles. Worn them around the world, even took them to Afghanistan.

While I am not a back pack hunter, well not nowadays anyway, I can add a thing. I am a guy with surgically repaired feet and legs so boots are darn important to me.

I have a couple of pair of Russells. These are good for me as I can control the sole flex. My Phs have more and my high boots have less not unlike a lot of others use. But maybe a bit more in some areas.

But as far as comfort goes this year I tried on a pair of Lowas to back up my Russells should I need them. These Lowas are the most comfortable boots I can remember having. And light to boot too.

The Lowas are sure worth having a look at.

The Lowa Renegades LL (stands for leather lined, non-goretex) are a good hot weather boot. The footbeds could be slightly softer, but I've been real happy with mine. The entire boot is leather, so they're pretty durable.

I also have a pair of Simms that are really cool. The only problem is the prickly pears can poke through the fabric sides, if you happen to brush one with the side of your foot.