walking hiking boot

[Woodworks]

7 minutes ago, Vespasian said:

After many hrs of research it dawned on me that what matters is comfort over anything else..

 

In that regards I'd go for running shoes.. proper ones.. very breathable to help sweating feet and comfy as well.. dry easy to boot..

 

Its a misconception that boots are better, its just an old school argument that hasn't gone away...  how many times has anyone ever seen someone walking down a hill with a broken ankle?...   like that swan that breaks your arm..

 

 

For a short rough walk I would agree but a day of mountain walking? I can pick a good route for the feet for few hours but as the day goes on I get less nimble and the support a protection of a boot comes into it's own IME.

[Vespasian]

1 hour ago, Woodworks said:

For a short rough walk I would agree but a day of mountain walking? I can pick a good route for the feet for few hours but as the day goes on I get less nimble and the support a protection of a boot comes into it's own IME.

bear in mind your boots are what make you less nimble to begin with, even a few ounces extra make a difference at the end of the day...  

 

Its why for the most part most hikers on the Appalachian Trail have discarded boots in favour of running shoes...  and the Appalachian way is a couple of thousand miles over vale, hill, and mountain.. 

 

It seems to me that Boots are a hangover from last century, when other footwear just wasn't available..   time to move on with the times and get something extremely lightweight and versatile.. 

 

 

[Woodworks]

Each to there own I guess. A well walked and maintained trail is one thing but rough mountain walks with loose screed I will take boots all day. I have tried trainers and approach shoes but found it tough on the ankles.

Edited October 30, 2017 by Woodworks

[Vespasian]

you might want to strengthen your ankles then..  sounds like they're not up to the job..

 

My advice is do all you can to lower your weight when in the hills.  clothing footwear and peripherals..  less chance of injury if your minds on the walk and not on how nackered you are because you're overladen with heavy boots and clothing..

 

 

[spudulike]

It all depends on: -

1) Typical distances you walk.

2) Your budget.

3) Typical terrain

4) Time of year you walk

 

I have a friend whose boots cost five times mine and he gets whacked after two miles! I don't tend to wear mine much and use decent leather trainers (well worn in) during the summer and wellies or walking boots in the winter depending on distances and terrain. Our typical walk is 6-12 miles though so probably not mega £££ footwear territory.

[drinksloe]

Really can't understand the trainer argument, how do u walk through wet ground? cross throu burns?

 

I've just fairly recently bought a pair of gore tex trainers and there great for walking the dogs etc even on slightly muddy tracks, but that would be there limit. 

But there is no way u can compare them to a decent pair of boots for any rough walking.

 

If ur struggling to walk because ur boots are too heavy mibee u should get out more so ur used to ur boots

 

[spudulike]

My trainer choice is a summer one - if the ground is generally good and it hasn't been raining then they are comfortable and lighter than boots. I wouldn't be wearing them in the middle of winter on rutted muddy ground but would on the costal walks we do in the summer!

[drinksloe]

No I was talking about doing proper off road walks/hikes, u just wouldn't do it in trainers.

 

I do a bit of stalking, shooting and a lot of picking up with my dogs I'd never dream of wearing trainers even waterproof 1's to go most of the places I go, esp on the grouse.

[Vespasian]

10 minutes ago, drinksloe said:

No I was talking about doing proper off road walks/hikes, u just wouldn't do it in trainers.

 

I do a bit of stalking, shooting and a lot of picking up with my dogs I'd never dream of wearing trainers even waterproof 1's to go most of the places I go, esp on the grouse.

 

If your walking around half the day grousing I suppose a pair of wellies might suffice, but if your talking distance then running shoes or hiking sandals..  with sandals, you get your feet pissed through an five minutes later they're dry again..  try drying a pair of boots out in five minutes?..

 

If you walked forty miles in a day in a pair of boots, might of added half a ton of weight to your trip by the time you've done...  

 

Unless I was doin  nothing more than half a dozen miles I'd plumb for running shoes over boots every time.. 

[Stubby]

If you treat your boots with Leader Gris or Nike Wax or similar they wont get wet as the water just runs off ( ducks back style ) .