Does anyone have advice regarding boots versus sneakers? I plan to be out about 15 days doing around 10 miles a day with a few rest days.
nichole
Boots vs shoes - The Long Trail - Vermont
system
#2
What kind of pack weight are you looking at carrying? If you’re a fairly average build and carrying under say 35 pounds, you could go with whichever you’re more comfortable with. Get much above that and I’d recommend looking at a mid cut boot. Hiking with a pair of sticks will let you go with a little lighter footwear too. If you go with shoes, use ones that have a relatively rigid sole - easiest way to tell is grab the shoe with one hand on the heel and one on the toe and twist along the long axis (not the way it’ll flex when you walk.) I like hiking in sandals or trail runners because they’re ligher on your feet, cooler, and dry out a lot quicker than boots. I stay away from goretex lined footwear for the same reasons (plus cost.) One thing I always recommend with footwear and backpacks is to get them from an outfitter so you can try on all your options. Footwear especially is one thing you’ll run into a LOT of different opinions on, so do whatever makes /you/ happy!
Skittles 03
system
#3
i, myself, hiked the AT in light hikers - which merrell said i “shouldnt be wearing!” get whatever you like to hike in. for some its heavy boots, some its sandals, and some wear nothing at all. figure out what works for you (it may be painful, time-consuming, and expensive), and then stick with it.
– megabite
Megabite
system
#4
…and some wear nothing at all. I vote for Megabite’s answer.
For footwear however,myself, I wear Lowa’s trail shoes…but wear whatever feels good on your feet.
SweetAss
system
#5
I would have to recommend Ray Jardine’s Book, “Beyond Backpacking” for anyone with this question. He has a great discussion as to why running shoes are better. Quite biased but he does have good reasons I think. Check it out!
Tell it like it is
system
#6
I like trail runners a lot and have backpacked through the White Mountains (in NH) in them.
Several considerations beyond comfort are:
- Get something that will adequately absorb the impact of your many steps. This need not mean a boot - but stress fractures and tissue damage due to the impact of many miles are potential problems (some boots don’t absorb enough impact).
- Be sure to get something that will adequately grip the trail (including wet rock). I switched from trail runners to boots at Franconia Ridge during a hike of the NH AT because of poor traction in the pair I selected. There are trail shoes with great traction, but you need to be more selective than with hiking boots.
pedxing
system
#7
I have switched from columbia hiking boots to a pair of merrel trail shoes. My experience last year section hiking the LT taught me something,about this topic. I was doing the section between Clarenden Gorge and Jonesville when I got hit with rain on my second day. No matter how water proof the maker says their product is rain is rain. My boots got wet,end of story.So for 6 days my feet were wet,and to top it off the boots were now much heavier.
The last section I did to complete the trail was the northern section of the trail,which is alot more rugged.This section I did with my trail shoes,much lighter thus happy trail days. The times my shoes did get wet,no big deals since shoes didn’t get that much heavier because of this,also they took much less time to dry.
Just my 2 cents worth .Happy trails
Radwalker
system
#8
This is a good subject that has been brought up before, but warrants being repeated. Hearing what you all are wearing currently is helpful.
I’ve backpacked about 120 miles on my Salomon trailrunners and I am totally satisfied. The shoe is very lightweight, wears extremely well, hugs the foot with great support, the sole has great absorbility and gripping ability, feet stay cool and dry.
Check them out at www.salomon.com.
Peep