hiking shoes?

Merrell.

The discussion begins and ends there. You will absolutely LOVE any Merrell's that you buy.

True that!

Merrell.

The discussion begins and ends there. You will absolutely LOVE any Merrell's that you buy.

Wrong - Keen is where the discussion begins and ends my friend!

Do you prefer a boot or lower rise shoe? And what are the advantages for both?

Boot will protect your ankle especially if you are a beginner, other than that it will also provide a bit more protection from my plantation, possible insect bites and water crossing.
Lower rise shoes are lighter, better for hot weather conditions, more comfy but usually are not a recommendation for inexperienced or clumsy hikers

Merrell, Keen, Salomon - the holy trinity of everything trail.

^ This ^ You can't go wrong with any of these brands.

Make sure you get a good pair of hiking socks. Avoid cotton.

I have a pair of berghaus hiking boots that I use when walking the dog up some of the steeper trails, I also have a pair of Salomon Trail Running shoes for when we're running the trails (having tried runningin the boots I wouldn't recommend it).

It's really personal choice, go to a proper store (Cotswold, Tiso are good UK ones, but there will be lots of specialist shops if you have mountains close to you), try on Boots and Trail shoes, most stores have a 'hill' that you can climb to get an idea of how they feel (they're only about 3 steps long).

If you're looking for waterproof they will be more expensive as the chances are they will be goretex (both of my pairs are goretex and I love them).

If you are hiking in the long grass or through forests where there is wild-life you do have to think about ticks (boots and long trousers are the best protection)

More important than the brand is the fit. Make sure you get a pair that fits really, really well and is 100% comfortable in the store walking around (no rub issues, no hot spots, good spring in your step, etc...). And if you use orthotics, bring them along to try out in the store. Don't be afraid to try wide, narrow sizes (if available) to compare with the "regular" cut.

I'm on my 2nd pair of Merrell boots (1st pair lasted 10 1/2 years!!!!) that I just bought this winter. I tried on several Keen products, Salomon products, and a few others before narrowing it down to what felt the best on my foot right out of the box that met my needs. I went with the men's Phaser Peak model as I, too, needed a pair to handle snow, ice, mud, wet well and still be a great light weight hiking boot. That's not an exclusive endorsement for Merrell because the #1 priority is getting a pair that fits well.

Check various manufacturers websites and reviews for particular models.

^^^ This! Personally I have been using a set of North Face hybrids that I like a lot -- it is all about the fit.

Separately, the question of waterproof or not depends on where you will be hiking. If hiking through the water is inevitable -- i.e. you will be fording streams -- you do not want waterproof. The water will get into your shoes through the top and then the waterproof shoes will be like walking in buckets full of water. But if all you are talking about is muddy trails / shallow puddles then waterproof shoes can be really nice.

All of the brands mentioned are great, but shoes are very personal so try on different types and get what is comfortable for you. Definitely wool socks at least as high as your shoe to stop rubbing. They will need quite a bit if use to wear them in, so buy early and get wearing..

Note: I have strong ankles and really struggled with a pair of high boots I purchased.. now only use them on mostly flat terrain.

I own a low pair (so trail shoes instead of boots) of Keens that are wonderful, and for a hiking boot I have a pair of Lowas - which are so amazingly light!

Merrell.

The discussion begins and ends there. You will absolutely LOVE any Merrell's that you buy.

totally agree. I hike A LOT, and for long hikes I wear my Merrells. For short fitness hikes and trail running I LOVE my New Balance Minimus Vibram shoe. It gives me great traction on slippery surfaces, and it is super comfy.

I started hiking last summer and just wore regular shoes. This year I plan to hike a mountain every weekend as soon as the weather turns around. I am looking for any tips on picking out a good pair of hiking shoes/boots. All I know now is that they will need to be water proof because last year the trails were very wet early in the year.

So what brands and styles do you like and dislike?

It all depends on your terrain, support you need, comfort level, etc. Personally for me I like a boot over a shoe and I want light weight and waterproof which is why I went with the Salomons that I posted. I own two pairs of Merrells shoes but IMO they're not good for rougher trails due to ankle roll. Yes they make boots, but compared to other brands (such as Salomon) they're way heavier.

I don't personally like Keens because they're a bit more bulky than most (again just my opinion from the ones I've owned). If you're going to be doing casual day hikes, you probably don't need anything crazy so a pair of mid high Merrells that are waterproof are probably fine.

Your best bet is go to an outdoor store like Rei or EMS and try on a bunch and see how they feel. Don't forget you're going to be wearing them for a while when hiking so if you think they feel too uncomfortable or heavy in the store, remember you'll most likely have them on your feet for a couple hours at a time in uneven terrain when hiking.

Merrill boots are my favorite. They are comfy, supportive and last. I worked as a naturalist and hiked frequently as recreation so I wore my first Merrell boots constantly for probably six years before they bit the dust. And I love Smartwool socks. They're pricey but last. I wear them year round with all shoes.
Just like with running shoes, make sure they're comfy in the store, whatever brand you end up with. They might feel awkward if you're not used to boots but they shouldn't hurt.
Enjoy your hikes!

As a footnote (see what I did there?), the reason I don't care for Keens has been previously stated: they feel more bulky on my feet. I prefer Merrell due to being lightweight with the awesome vibram outsoles.

I don't find my keens any bulkier then my Merrills, or Asolo's ever were.

Maybe you are looking at the wrong keens!

ETA : aren't opinions crazy sometimes

I finally realized that there wasn't one pair of hiking foot wear that would do everything, and sucked it up and bought a good pair of trail runners AND a pair of hiking boots. Hiking shoes are very idiosyncratic - the best ones are the ones that fit you best. My new favorite brand is Vasque, for both excellent trail runners and quality reasonably affordable hiking boots.