Originally Posted by
Traveler
To the OP, over time I have used the three major types of footwear, high top leather boots (Asolo, Vasque), high top synthetic boots (Merrill, Vasque), low cut trail shoes (Moab Ventilator among others), and trail runners (Solomon and New Balance). For most all of this footwear I have walked terrain similar to what one would find along the AT with some exceptions for the Asolo 520 boots that have been in some pretty extreme neighborhoods and continue to surprise me with their durability.
Long ago I started logging every hike on a spreadsheet even if its just a mile off the road to see something. I note the date, weather conditions, time, duration of the walk, footwear, pack, food, and assorted other things that I have an interest in keeping track of. That way I can literally track the life of my gear (in this instance footwear) pretty much from the time it comes out of the box to the moment they lose their mojo signaling replacement.
My experience with footwear is I will get from 1,600 to 2,000 miles out of high top leather boots, about 800 miles out of the high top synthetic boots, about 400 - 500 miles out of the trail shoes, and about 300 - 400 miles (really stretching it) out of the trail runners. I would say most of those I talk to and have seen post in this forum fall inside these ranges overall, with a few exceptions here and there of a few miles less or more, some with creative use of duct tape and zip ties.
Given the mileage one can reasonably expect from footgear, replacment of footwear on a long distance hike is pretty common, which will require some budgeting. Using the rough scale above you can get a pretty good idea of what is likely going to be needed for each type of boot/shoe.
Like Slo-go'en points out, if indestructible is what you are looking for, you will need to look at the high end of the high top leather boot market, which can carry price tags from about $350 to over $700 a pair, much more if you go into a custom made boot. These are much heavier than synthetic high tops and/or shoes and require some care along the way, but are more likely to go the full AT distance than anything else. Heavy boots are not everyone's favorite, ultra-lighters have strong issues with them for example. So, presuming you don't want to get into higher end leather boots of about 4 to 6 lbs a pair, I would use the following to base budgeting on:
Mid-level hightop hiking boots (synthetic) range greatly in their longevity, but as a general rule will run out of walk at about the 800 mile area. That translates to two replacement pairs necessary to complete the AT if started with a pair having about 400 miles on them. Prices on these mid-level boots run from $130 to $200 a pair, so I would budget about $150.00 for each replacement pair and $150 for the starting pair, for a total budget of $450.00 from first to last step.
Trail shoes will probably need to be replaced about every 500 miles, which translates to starting a thru with a new pair and purchasing three more pairs along the way (presuming each pair lasts the full 500 miles which is a gamble). Prices on these range from $70 or so on sale to about $100 a pair, so I would budget at the higher end at 4- pairs for a total of $400.00.
Trail runners will probably need to be replaced every 300 miles (400 if you want to stretch them to the point of discomfort). That translates to about 6 pairs total if you start with a new pair. Pricing on these range from about $70.00 (dirt cheap and look it too) to about $175.00 a pair, so I would use a budget figure of about $130.00 per pair and budget about $780.00.
These are pretty rough budget numbers and may be a little low given the rigors of a long distance hike and damaging terrain and weather conditions that can tear up footgear, never mind the potential for replacement after 50 miles and you find the shoe doesn't work for you and another pair is needed.. However, it should give you an idea of what to expect.
Good luck!