Hiking shoes? ANYONE?

[taximomfor4]

Never owned a pair in my life. I've gone to NM to visit mom several times, and went hiking each time (several-hour hikes, not overnighters). The next time I visit, she's taking me to the Grand Canyon to go camping...and hiking I guess. Her dh recommended I get some hiking shoes. I just have used normal athletic shoes in the past. I am on a STRICT budget, so don't want to spend unnecessary $ -- advice, anyone?

Beth

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I have never worn these but my husband and a lady I worked with swore by them. She wore them to work in the winter. (We do home care.) My husband says they are very comfortable. Merrell

As much as you hike I think it would be wise to invest in a pair if your feet have stopped growing. I think these were in the $80 price range at Dicks.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

If you're just day hiking (not wearing a pack of any great size or weight) then you just need a comfortable pair of hiking shoes with a good grip and some support. I wear Merrell Ventilators (I wear the Moabs - but there are several different types) - they're more of a cross-training shoe, but one that has some ankle support and grips the trail pretty nicely.

If it's warm out and I'm not carrying any weight (besides a light day pack) I will normally just hike in my Keen Arroyo sandals.

It's only when you're carrying a big overnight pack that you need anything more serious than that - your hiking boots actually help support the way that you carry a pack. So, I wouldn't let someone at a store try to talk you into more than you want to spend. For day hiking, you want something comfortable with a good grip, but I wouldn't stress myself with more than that.

 

[taximomfor4]

thanks everyone! It's hard to spend $90 with no clue on what I should look for, to wear for a week per year, lol.

Beth

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

another thing to think about is that even if you are day hiking, your ankle support is very important, you may want to get some higher boots to support them if you are doing a lot of uneven trails.

it can help you from tweaking or turning your ankle.

Like a PP said, merrell's are good, but I have also worn danner brand and bates brand.

another thing is to get them at least a month or two before the trip and break them in by wearing them around the house and or on walks,etc.!

have fun!!

 

[laurie31]

If you have a Bass Pro Shop (or other outdoor type store) near you, they can help you find the right thing, and the one near us even has a fake "trail" inside for you to walk around on when you try them on.

I have bought them online too, but now I know what I'm looking for. But you never know how it's going to fit, or feel as you walk. Also, you will want to break them in before you go, so get them several weeks before your trip and wear them to walk around the neighborhood and such.

 

[Silent1CB]

I've owned pairs of women's Merrell and Keen. Keen is better for me because I have wider feet. Just much more comfortable. You really need to try them on. A good outdoors store will also have a ramp you can try walking up & down on to see if you slide inside the shoe.

And don't forget the hiking socks.

I don't think there is such a thing as budget hiking shoes.

We've bought ours at EMS & REI.

 

[EdiePA]

When I was going hiking in Alaska last summer, my son told me that Hi-Tec made the highest rate women's hiking shoe. I purchased a pair and love them. I have very high arches and narrow feet and they fit great.

I also have a pair of hi-top Merrell's, which are good, but took a longer period to break in.

Edie

 

[dis-happy]

My whole family hiked the Grand Canyon in regular tennis shoes a few months ago. The trails are well maintained. Wouldn't bother with hiking shoes if you don't want to spend the money. A hiking stick might be nice though.

 

[Darsa]

Oh oh!!

DH, DD and I all hike, and our poor, worn out shoes that we swear by are found right here: http://www.llbean.com/

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I wear Merrells, too. I love them.

 

[karenos]

I wear Merrells, too. I love them.

Another vote for Merrells, they are great day-hikers.

karenos

 

[kristilew]

Another Merrell lover here, though I also like Vasque.

It's important when you try the boots on to test for toe-box room and variability in how tight you can lace them. When you hike downhill, you want to be able to keep your feet from sliding too far foward in your boots, causing toe issues. A good store will have a little ramp for you to walk up and down while testing the boots: Use It! You want to walk in them up, down, and sideways up and down, as well as just around the flat floor of the store.

eta: oops! didn't see the pp already covered that, sorry!

Also, if you're mostly hiking in the southwest where it's dry, you probably don't need to pay for gortex, and it will just make your feet hot.

If you want an exhaustive discussion of hiking boots, the Adventures By Disney forum has several threads, as we all go a little nuts over our choices before each adventure

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

JUST an fyi, we have merrills low tops and wear them around Disneyland and when we go to WDW!

it helps when you are pounding the pavement for hours on end!

 

[debknight]

I am looking at the Merrell Moab Ventilator on-line, some reviews are saying they run small. Those here who have them, what is your opinion?

 

[kristilew]

Maybe half a size small. Especially if you're wearing hiking socks. (Be sure to get some good thorlo or smartwool socks!)

 

[dancingdisneygirl]

Another vote for Merrells!!!!!!!!!!!!!