Hiking Shoes or Boots?

imported
#1

I plan on hiking the Georgia section in may. What is the best to buy shoes or boots? And what type?

SmokeEater

#2

Shoes. New Balance.

Bilko

#3

I agree to Bilko’s answer.
Thick merino wool socks and heavy boots with big gaiter cause hot and wet condition on your feet. Never choice these combination.

The Oyster

#4

shoes like merrells or something, or even better sandals like tevas or chacos

Smack

#5

I agree with all of the above. I’ve always faired better with trail running shoes or even sandals. I’ve been on backpacking trips when I’ve had to resort to hiking in my “camp shoes” because the boots had done a job on my feet.

Leigh

#6

There’s no pat answer. Whatever works for you works for you; whatever works for someone else works for them.

Nimblefoot

#7

Really it depends on the strength of your feet and ankles, where you’re hiking and how much you’re carrying. Some people need more support that running shoes can give. Others do fine barefoot. My husband is miserable if he hikes more than five miles in runners. (He has high arches.) He wears lightweight boots and is happy.

It also depends on how heavy your pack is - if you’re carrying a big load, you might need more support. Then there’s the trail issue: I wear running shoes on good wide trail, but if I’m on really rocky trail or bushwhacking through talus, bog, or tundra, I want more support than runners give me.

I suggest you try hiking in runners over the next few months. See what happens when the mileage goes up. See how durable your shoes are (i.e. I had some Merrills that began falling apart 200 miles into a hike this spring. I had another pair that were still doing fine 300 miles into a hike.)

Ginny

#8

I tried hiking shoes for a year. After trying several models I decided that they were not for me and went back to light weight boots. I found that I needed the ankle support found with the boots and the greater cushioning in the foot bed that you only get from boots. I still occasionally do day hikes in my trail runners but if I have a pack on its boots for me.

Big B

#9

Depends on conditions, in my experience. Warm weather, terrain not too rocky, I go with good hiking shoes (Merrils being my favorite). For cooler to cold weather and really rough, rocky terrain, I prefer boots. I climbed the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to the summit of Washington and descended via the Lion Head Trail two weeks ago and I wore my Merrils (shoes), and I wish I’d worn boots. That terrain was just too much for shoes, even the high quality pair I was wearing. The hike was much harder on my feet than I’d realized.

I’ve hiked all of the AT in Georgia, though, and I’d go with a good pair of hiking shoes for that stretch of the Trail (unless the weather was going to be really cold and icy).

PhilOchsLives

#10

I definitely found i had an extra bounce in my step when i changed from boots to sneakers/shoes. I also agree that it depends upon your build, height, gait, and pack weight as to whether or not they are right for you. I’m a small guy (5’5") but pretty solid, i have no problems. My boss is 6’6" and he says he needs the ankle support. I guess it would be wise to try a pair out on a day hike or something, maybe packing your trusty boots along just in case. Good luck!

Cheers

Cheers

#11

I started in boots, but for me, the Goretex membrane caused excessive sweating and persistent blisters. I saw a specialist who recommended that my pronation problem be addressed with a pair of Inov8 Terr-Roc 300’s , a mesh trail runner from Great Britain, that is now standard issue for training their armed forces. I know people are recommending new Balance, but I demolished the soles on a pair of their rugged 908’s in just two weeks. The Inov8’s lasted me about 700 miles before the forefoot gets too thin for comfort. Zappos.

Uncle Tom

#12

If yr. ft./ankles can take it, shoes can serve U well; I got big mileage from my Innovates (Brit shoe, made in China). For the AT, you might consider boots for the tougher parts of PA and for NH/ME ('til U’re thru the Bigelows), then shoes again, or NOT! Skip the Gore-Tex and save some money; it worx well for day-hiking, when U mite 4go a hike due 2 impending rain; i.e., it’ll help get thru some wet earth/plants, but in rain will likely get wet and take longer 2 dry. Light, light, light on yr. ft. Happy Trls., Rodknee Dangertrail

jon phipps

#13

yep…i think bilko was right…new balance (my foot size calls for about a ladies 9 i think, but i get men’s 8 1/2, 4E!)…THEY DO MY FEET JUST RIGHT!..the toe box in new balance is nice and room-y…good for ‘wriggling room’ and good circulation…but my foot doesn’t seem to slip around in there…running shoes are less heavy and dry out quicker than boots…you can even sleep with them in freezing weather, but i don’t think you’ll have to worry about that in may …

maw-ee