Unconventional Travel

Merrell Phaser Rush hiking boots (Non Gore-Tex.)

Cost: 170.00 USD in Loja, Ecuador ( In the USA you can buy these for under 100 USD)

I looked up the price of these boots after I wrote the article. Plus I was not sure if they were waterproof. It is hard to find good boots that are size 11 in Ecuador, South America.

Now my beloved boots blew out in Nicaragua, Central America and I was desperate to find a replacement. Being that I usually wear size 11 to 11 ½, finding a pair of quality boots on the road that fit me can be difficult.

Now I’m not sure what these boots cost in the USA, but that was the price I paid after I cried and pleaded on my knees to reduce the price from 190.00 USD. Actually, I used the old trick of visiting the proprietor of the store twice and pretending to walk out after saying that was my final offer. Maybe he was using the old trick of just plain ripping me off. But that is what I had to pay in South America.

But judging from how my feet felt after a 6 hour hike and another 2 hours lost in the high mountains of Vilcabamba, Ecuador. I can honestly say if felt like money well spent.