Boots - Heavier vs Lighter

imported
#1

I was working in a pair of Asolo FSN’s. Having two different size feet, I got a heel blister on the right foot twice - once with liner, once w/out. Returned to REI and got Merrell Phaser Peak http://www.rei.com/product/748502 (3lbs). Picked a 1/2 size bigger than my normal shoe size and am using heavy wool socks. Based on plan, not much break-in time available and they feel heavy. Generally, people say get stiff soles for bpacking which means full boots. Some prefer very lightweight, softer shoes that require little to no break-in time. I’m 5’8, 160, no knee problems, taking poles, need to decide best course of action quickly. Any comments are appreciated

mark

#2

I think its all personal preference. The heavier boot is…well heavier BUT it does gives stability to the ankle and foot. The lighter weight trail runners hiking shoes are light but rarely hold up like the heavier boot. Also less stability in fording rivers and streams. Personally, depending on the area, I’d use both…the light for trails you can make good time in which is usually without much rocky terrain and/or hot weather(where you’re hiking)or in an area where there will be much rain (heavier boots are a pain when wet and you don’t WANT 100% waterproof ones, you’ll en d up with Fungus city). Use the heavier ones in the other areas. Hot weather can support heavy hiking boots with good wool and yes, thick, socks and liners…because they soak up the sweat but you do need to change them once during the day in fact many hikers only use them during this time. If you have a weak ankle or a bit overweight or considering rocky terrain or stream crossings, or if you’ll be hiking NOT AS A GO-LITE, which you shouldn’t if you aren’t an experienced hiker (meaning one who has hiked many terrains and over 500+ miles) I’d go with the heavier boot. If your a lightweight person, on a short weeklong hike, and carrying a light weight pack…try the lighter weight shoe…One thing to remember is that the insole of ANY shoe is the key plus the quality of the shoe. Dont expect a lightweight boot to hold up under all conditions for a long time…a heavier boot will have better stitching NOT glue hilding it together. Truthfully, these are hard to find anymore. You may have to actually buy a shoe, try it out, if it works, go back and get several pairs and work with that. The days of a boot lasting more than a year of daily wear is history! (obviously with some exceptions but for the most part so). Good luck. If you’ve got the time, buy leather boot with stictching and wear often and break it in before hiking…it will be a great boot no matter what you buy but if not the time, go with the lightweights. The leather STICTHED will last much longer and take more abuse than the lightweights, but if you like having new or the latest (nothing wrong with that either) shoes often, the lightweights are cheaper and typicallydon’t last as long. Don’t assume you can buy a pair and them last forever…your foot will change shape every 10+ years and they essentially deteriorate. There are few shoe sole replacement stores anymore either. When shopping, wear sock liner, heavy wool sock and go in the evening after your feet have swollen to full size, try them on and walk/stand in them for 20 minutes. If it hurts ANYWHERE now, it will be worse later! You want no leway of foot movement if leather cause they will stretch slightly enough to fit your foot comfortably. Canvas boots WON’T so buy a perfect fit NOW. When at home, wear them around the house on CARPET before you take tags off for hours on a sunday…you’ll know if they will be o.k. Sitting at computer is a good simulation of climbing rocky terrain. Good Luck! Remember, there really is no perfect shoe or perfect method of buying one. The only way you’ll know if you got a good one is AFTER you bought and have worn it and there is no getting around that.

CVWL

#3

Here a few things to consider when making your choice between boots and trailrunners. The boots will require a lot more energy to pick up and down with each step. And that adds up over the course of a day! Common wisdom says that it takes the same amount of energy to carry an extra pound on your feet as it does to carry an extra five pounds on your back (it’s a leverage thing).

The boots are also much more likely to give you blisters due to their relative inflexibility. Moving foot parts plus non-moving shoe parts equals pain.

And contrary to what most hikers repeat as if it were some sort of cult mantra, the boots are not any more likely to prevent ankle sprains than low-cut trailrunners. Sprains are the result of an abrubt but very slight displacement of the ankle. Plastic ski boots are stiff enough to stop the roll, but soft leather surely is not. Don’t drink the kool-aid on this one.

You will feel a bit more of the trail beneath your feet with trailrunners. And you will also occasionally kick a rock or root with your toes resulting in an impromptu curse word or two. But these minor discomforts are vastly outweighed by the lightweight comfort enjoyed with other every step of the day.

Most long-distance hikers eventually switch to trailruners and never look back. If you give them a try, I bet you will too! Good luck on your trip with whichever choice of footwear you go with. Happy Trails!

Matt

#4

I’m mostly an AT/FT hiker, and I rarely see boots these days. I can’t imagine wearing them myself. Trail runners are the only way to go. Both of my ankles were injured many years ago, so I would be a candidate for boots if the support idea were true - ankle strength is the answer, not ankle support. You cannot build ankle strength in boots.

Duffy

#5

Are there any older diabetic long distance hikers who would be willing to weigh in on the shoe/boot debate? I’m a beginner. The post talking about stubbing the toes is the reason I wear boots. When I’m tired, I stubb more often. I can’t risk foot sores because of my diabetes. The blister idea would make me want shoes. Are there significantly less blisters in shoes?

Lisa

#6

Lisa - I’m not diabetic so I gladly defer to anyone else who can speak directly to your experience. That being said though, I can say that the stubbed toes I mentioned earlier are rather infrequent (maybe one or two per week of walking) and they have never resulted in anything more serious than the aforementioned curse word. No blood, no swelling, no bruises whatsoever. Just an unexpected and soon-forgotten knock on the foot (and usually the side of the foot rather than head on the toes).

As for the blisters, they are certainly less of any issue when wearing shoes, especially blisters of the heal variety. Trail runners flex more with your foot and definitely reduce the friction that causes troublesome hot spots. Some joggers routinely put in the same mileage we backpackers do on any given day. Yet I’ve never experienced blisters as a runner or heard of other runners who did. There has to be something there to ponder and learn from, no?

Matt

#7

I think the most important factor is not “is it a boot or a shoe” but “does it fit?” Anything you wear will work pretty well if it’s a good fit and has the right support for your sole.

Me, I am currently in a pair of heavy boots because they actually fit me. I’ve worn many pairs of trail runners and most of them have given me nasty blisters. For me, having my shoe flex didn’t work out, blister-wise. I did love having lighter footwear because it made my legs feel so much better at the end of the day.

On the other hand, I almost never get blisters in boots but my legs get much more tired. And my feet hurt even though they’re not blistering! The less flexible sole isn’t very kind to my foot in some ways. It’s a trade off.

I’d say try very hard to find an expert boot/shoe fitter, whichever form factor you decide on.

Amy

#8

It is VERY much a personal decision. For me, whatever I wear…above all…has to be stiff across the ball of my foot. I have adhesions there, and if the boot/shoe flexes too much they tear loose and it feels like I am walking on never-ending fire. Not a pleasant hiking experience.

After many, many tries: light weight boots, medium weight boots, heavy boots, hiking sandals, hiking shoes, jogging shoes - you name it - I’ve settled on a boot that probably clocks in at the upper level of mid-weight that has a VERY stiff, rocker sole and that is all leather.

This is the only boot I have been able to find that both fits my feet AND doesn’t flex at all across the ball of my foot.

Karen Turner

#9

I have hiked only in boots. I do not know if they are considerd light or heavy. I wear LL Bean Cresta Hikers. I love them. I do not consider them heavy at all. My feet do not hurt in them and my legs do not get tired. I will add that I wear them all the time even when I am not hiking.

Brown Bear