Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next issue? No, really. Hiking or running shoes are better for most backpacking trips, at least during late spring, summer and early fall. Boots are heavy, hot, stinky, and stay wet forever. A pound on your feet is like five on your back (some say six), so three-pound boots leave you much more tired at the end of the day.
Hiking Shoes And Ankle Support
You may have heard arguments for the necessity of ankle support, but throughout history people managed without stiff ankle-supporting boots. The problem is weak ankles, not a lack of support. You can solve this by walking a little each week on uneven ground (not in the mall).
Some may need boots, but be sure your ankle problems are not just due to a lack of exercise before you settle for backpacking in hiking boots. You may also need hiking boots if you carry more than thirty pounds when you backpack. Cut the weight down, though, and you'll be more comfortable anyhow.
Why Running Or Hiking Shoes?
Feet stay cooler in a good running shoes than in hiking boots. This means fewer blisters. After switching to running shoes and lightweight socks years ago, I stopped getting blisters. I don't mean fewer blisters. I mean haven't had one blister since I switched. Not even after a 110-mile 7-day trek in the Rockies, for example.
How To Choose Your Shoes
Try to keep below two pounds per pair, unless you have size 13 feet. If the weights are not shown in a catalog, you'll have to guess which hiking shoes are lighter based on the description and photo. Quality shoes have soles stitched to the uppers, so look under the insoles (a removable insole is another sign of quality shoes). You can usually find a good pair of running shoes that weighs less than 28 ounces for under $80, or half of that on closeouts.
There's nothing quite as liberating as ditching the heavy pack and heavy boots and hitiing the trail in running shoes. You get to go more miles, and in comfort. You get to run up a hill just to see what's there. I have yet to meet a person who has tried backpacking in hiking shoes or running shoes - and then returned to boots.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of ultralight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheBackpackingSite.com
Yes, it's real. There is a place called Timbuktu and... Read More
Phillip Island is a small island and nature reserve off... Read More
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
How many of you take the time to just relax... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More
Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
For the fortunate few, life isn't complete without a backpacking... Read More
Take a captivating trip through the Cape Cod National Seashore... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience,... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter... Read More
Costa Rica's mountainous topography and copious rainfall are both responsible... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
White-water rafting can be one of the most exhilarating experiences... Read More
Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More
Organized river rafting trips are a good idea for novices... Read More
There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More
You aren't lightweight backpacking if you are carrying twenty-five pounds... Read More
Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II ship are major attractions... Read More
Perhaps you have wondered about taking an RV vacation. It... Read More
Have you taken up hiking as a new form of... Read More
Some people have fought many years of their lives to... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
Soon, the busy summer tourist season will be over in... Read More
Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
Camping for fun is a great way to enjoy the... Read More
We think that Cape Town has some of the best... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
Malaria is endemic to most of the areas in Africa... Read More
We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the... Read More
Having traveled from state to state and every city in... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
|