I wore boots my entire hike and it worked well for me. I stepped around water, was mindful of when I hiked in the rain, and used flip flops for river crossings. What I liked most was the support for my feet and ankles and how warm and waterproof they were. In my experience with wearing boots I didn’t ever sprain my ankle like many do without boots. I’ve worn many type of shoes from chacós to trail runners and I have had success with all of them, but mostly boots and trail runners. I wore 1 pair of boots for my hike which cost me $109. Where as hikers go through around 4 pairs of trail runners on the A.T. which can cost between $300-$400 for a thru-hike.
Did you hike the AT with boots? I am interested because I really like my low Iowa Renegade GTX, but it takes 3 days to dry when they get wet. How did you manage hiking in rain?
When I started hiking (a long long time ago) I chose boots because I was always rolling my ankles and figured I needed the extra protection….even w the rigid boots I ended up severely rolling an ankle and headed to a sports Dr. He gave me advice that changed my life. Instead of using the heavy boots which caused a huge amt of foot, ankle, and leg fatigue which then led to falls and strains, he told me to try trail runners, increase my hiking time very gradually and build up the natural physical support and strength I lacked in my ankles. Since that epiphany, I have only rolled an ankle once in 10 yrs (when I slipped on wet rocks.) The ONLY time I put on heavy boots now is to do mountain summits where temp is an issue. BTW….everything you said in this video was SPOT ON! All you beginning hikers….pay attention and listen!
or..... you could have built up gradually STILL WEARING BOOTS and ended up with stronger muscles AND protection of boots to prevent rolling. As you HAVE an inherent issue you shoul be taking MAXIMUM care. So says someone who didn't and had to ice their feet and ankles for over 20 yrs after accumulated injury and stress led to crippling pain - issue, weak ankles, ie, foot rolling over
Dixie, great video. I started with boots. You are so right about boot being durable. But when they get wet from sweat or rain they suck. They will not dry out to be on the trail the next day. I switched to Altra lone peak and last year the Olympus. Love them. They dry easy. And they are comfortable and perform well. I switched to them partly because of bunions. I have not done a thru hike yet. Howev, I have done plenty of ten to 15 milers. And a couple 50+ milers. Performed great. Also, right again. Don't be cheap on socks.
I have been using heavy leather boots on all my outdoor endeavors for over 20 years. Hiking, camping, working, bush crafting, scouting, winter survival... They offer superior protecting, longevity and comfort. I also never had any problems with overheating. I find the current trend of putting weight first in every aspect of the outdoor gear industry very disturbing. Many good mountain guides will not take you up a mountain if you aren't wearing proper boots. That being said I absolutely think that footwear is an individual choice and everybody shall use what he likes most. I just don't think that the extreme popularity of trailrunners over boots (that I believe is caused by the industry) is beneficial to the majority of hikers.
The boots I had for the last 20 years were about double the weight of my new ones - and the new ones are better in many ways. Most thru-hikers are pretty close to ultralite so their packs are 10-20lbs at most, trail runners may work for most of them. Most weekend hikers are going to have 25-40lb packs which is where boots are probably a better option. I use hiking shoes for day hikes, they are great with a 6lb pack but boots for backpacking. No matter what, your sock system is critical to not getting blisters - I haven't had one in over 20 years using a liner sock inner and a thick wool sock outer.
I think if your sticking to trails trying to go 20 miles a day, then trail runners are great. If you spend any amount of time off trail bushwhacking and exploring rougher terrains then you really should wear boots.
@@danpedersen3311 I've tried liner socks and what I noticed is that there is some "slippage" or movement between the inner and outer socks. Especially while going downhill. My toes don't touch the front of the toe box but what ends up happening is that the inner sock causes my foot/toes to slip forward to where the outer sock stops the forward movement. It feels like my toes are hitting the toe box, but they aren't. Have you come across this issue and if so, what did you do to correct the problem?
I love how you talk about what works for you but fully acknowledge how all bodies are different. I could never hike in shorts like you do... I sunburn so easily and bug bites get me down. I'm MUCH happier in full length pants. Same with no show socks... too much opportunity for something to get in my shoe, so I go with crew. We all HYOH though and everyone is happy. I am very lucky in that Altras worked SO well for me out of the gate, I didn't struggle with blisters or plantar facsiitis or anything. You can get knock off Lock Laces from Ali Express for about a buck a pair. I have STOCKED UP although I have recently learned about lock lacing with that extra hole on the runner and it's a game changer for normal laces.
One thing I notice is the disappearance of the “fell boot”, once very popular in Europe. A really good reason for high top styles like this is protecting your ankle bones,a miserable injury amongst the rocks.
@@not-a-raccoonnot to mention bugs going into low top shoes. After watching this video it's solidified my opinion that boots are the best footwear for all occasions 😁
A LONG time ago when I still backpacked it was almost "required" that you needed heavy 5 lb boots or you'd break an ankle. One year I'd crashed my bike a week before a backpacking trip and had sever road rash on my shin going down to near the top of my foot. Needless to say I couldn't wear the boots. I got a pair of low cut hiking shoes and they worked so well I never went back to boots.
The more ankle support there is the higher the probability of a break because it reduces flexibility and gives the bone something to break against. Like breaking a long stick is far easier against your knee than by holding the two ends and using muscle 💪
You are so right for me after multiple broken toes an ankle and a foot for me boots are the only thing I will wear hiking but that is me, each person is different only you knows what you're feet need.
Because of you I am trying TOPO shoes because of the vibrant soul. I do love my ultra lone peaks though. My first seven years of the AT I went through 7 pair of boots they tore my feet up it wasn’t until I start using ultras that my feet got better.this is my 13 year 268 mile to go.😁 thanks for great info
Adding to your comments on heel drop - I love low stack, zero drop shoes for walking and hiking. When I started running on pavement, I bought similar running shoes. I had a lot of tendon and calf problems. I took a chance on a pair of high drop shoes. Fixed those problems immediately. Point is, just because one shoe profile works for one activity doesn't mean it works for others.
Dixie , since watching you I have been planning my AT hike. I start April 1st. I think it was your buddy Perk who said “if you can walk and quit your shitty job for 6 months you can do it “ that’s all it took for me to hear and now it’s time
Valuable suggestions Dixie. One more to add to the fitting footwear section. Try on your footwear late in the afternoon. Your foot will expand up to one full size from the morning until the afternoon. I worked in an outdoor outfitter and had many a customer arrive in the shop wearing flip-flops at 10:00 am wanting a new pair of boots/shoes for a hike that afternoon. Another tip is to bring the socks you intend to wear with your footwear while trying them on.
Yeah, this is true. I'm a construction worker, so I can go 6-7 hours at a time without sitting. I've noticed my shoes rub in spots in the afternoon that weren't rubbing in the morning.
Once I hit ROCKSILVANIA to KATAHDIN I switch to my old army jungle boots for the ankle support and the awesome tread grip that only those boots can give. Mostly a light cross country running shoe. Flops in campsite.
Rather in two minds about those altras. The zero drop has, I think, added to inflammations in my shins and achilles tendons. They enforce a different gait, with shorter and more frequent strides required for the same speed, so a higher energy consumption for the same distance. They wore out very quickly, fabric deteriorated noticeably within 200 kms, soles lost thread. But they were lightweight, airy, and (best thing about them) had a nice wide toebox. So, for me a sturdier trail shoe with a normal heel drop and the same wide toebox would be perfect.
Camp shoes - Discovered Bedrock Sandals. Light, compact, and actually VERY comfortable with a good retention strap and tread. Dry super fact too. Perfect for a shower shoe that you just wear the rest of the night.
My go to footwear in the summer are a pair of Keen Newport sandles, over boots or walking shoes. They have good grip on rock and toe protection, the sole is cushioned so the extra weight of a rucksack is ok.
I did a little over 100 miles along the Tn N.C. Border in 1974 before the tops of many of the mountains had been mined. We wore boots because nothing else was available. But I know can tell you everyday from about 3pm on everything we owned was soaking wet and muddy. Especially our shoes. A good quick drying show would have been really appreciated.
We were in NH on Washington Mountain years ago when a group of day trippers came along following the AT. I noted that the two girls were wearing sandals and the guys had on what looked like deck shoes. Mt. Washington is 6,288 ft. above sea level.
Hi, totally agree with your advice. I have a pair of Salomon GTX boots but switched to hiking shoes. The boots were too hot for the summer months and ended up with the athlete's foot (Tinea Pedis) which was really unpleasant. Switched to Adidas Terrex, which is much more breathable and the athlete's foot has cleared up, thankfully. GTX is overrated!
Try the Columbia Montrail insoles. I used to get fancy Superfeet custom insoles and on a recommendation tried the Montrail and was pleasantly surprised at just how well they worked. At $35 they are not cheap, but I've done some long hikes with zero issues and they dry out pretty well. My favorite setup is now a Merrell Moab shoe (low vented in summer and high gore-tex in winter) with the Montrail insoles.
Approaching 70 years old now. Been using the same pair of Kastinger leather boots since 1976 (46 years). Cost me the astounding amount of $75 back then. Resoled them three times. Maybe lighter is better though.
It's a bit of a fallacy to think that footwear material above the ankle is for ankle support. In some cases that's part of it, but many of us do not need or desire ankle support. How we backpack, meaning that we go beyond just the nice groomed trail, makes ankle PROTECTION very important. Additionally I go for footwear that keeps the dirt and crud out. That's the stuff that would destroy my feet, not a little sweat. Anyone who has seen the feet of those who prefer the flimsy ninja slippers type shoes knows what I'm referring to; no thanks for me.
@Nooneinparticular987 Having to be rescued when they have preventable accidents on snowy mountains. Yes there are athletes who chose to use scenic trails to get their satisfaction instead of real competitive races. That's fine. Good for them, but others not at those levels of fitness ignorantly try to mimic what they see glamorized and then they get themselves hurt in the process. Thankfully, the trend seems to be shifting so that more people can return to hiking their own hikes by rejecting the hype of recent trends which have passed their high water mark.
@@paulrevere2379 Like the pressure to lower base weight. Is a lighter pack better? Yes, as long as you have everything you need. But so many people make the lowest possible base weight their goal, not the hike.
@@philsmith2444 Those who go out to the wilderness prepared only for ideal conditions are not prepared for the wilderness at all. If a person drives their car 50,000 miles/80,000 km without ever wearing their seatbelt and never having an accident does that mean that seatbelts are just for ignorant nubes? That's has basically been the message. It's based on entitlement thinking and making it all about miles, hence the weight, is largely an ego thing. Mountains don't care and more and more hikers don't care either about those silly trends from actual nubes demonstrating the Kruger Dunning effect to the extreme.
@@philsmith2444 btw if and when I even refer to the weight I carry, to me it's my kit weight, the amount of weight above my body weight that I have to tote. That's what matters because unless something really bad happens I will always have food and water. Occasionally I may use the term basic weight which is a rough average of my kit weight closer to the recently resupplied end than to the soon to be resupplied end. My basic weight varies but I like to keep it around 65 pounds which brings my total weight on the ground close to 50% of my lean body weight if I have an excess of body fat. A better weight shedding idea then becomes that of shedding body weight, sometimes.
I wore boots by Zamberlan, with super feet insoles and I used good wool blend socks with a pair of light liner socks underneath. I never, ever got a hot spot or blister and they were so comfortable that I rarely took them off at camp. I did, at least twice a day, wash my feet and put on foot powder. My friend used trail runners and slipped and fell going downhill onto his but so many times that one time he broke down in tears from the pain. Saw people using tevas and when we hit New Hampshire their feet were shredded so bad they had to take two weeks off. Two girls I saw frequently that used light weight hikers had to go to the hospital with bad foot damage. For short hikes without a big heavy pack, trail runners, tevas, hiking shoes may work, for a 2,000 mile hike with a heavy pack up and down all of those rocky mountains you probably want a good fitting, supportive, light pair of boots.
Dixie's mention of 'Lock Laces (16:41) may be a solution for independent adjustment of the tension of lacing at multiple points on a shoe. - Has anyone seen the need or tried this? With most shoes, the lacing tension may be fine near where the knot is tied, but further down the shoe, the tension is inadequate. A brute force solution would be multiple laces (&knots) per shoe, say, one near the toes, a separate one for the arch, and finally, one for what's left. I find most shoes don't keep an adequate proportion of the tension on the arch, resulting in the toes moving around too much on descents. Using 2 or 3 lock laces per shoe seems like a good prospect.
I personally use boots, just my preference, but I generally always use woollen socks now. Had problems previously with blisters, with synthetic socks… Since switching to wool, the only time I got blisters, was when my boots were on the way out , the soles were breaking down…
I have been scared to go to the trail runner from my gtx boots but I have fell in love with the Hoka Anacapa mid gtx boots. They weigh about 16oz per boot and they have a tremendous amount of cushion. Both me and my wife love them!
I tried trail runners but just no support and I constantly twisted my ankles. plus they all had really thin soles so every sharp rock had me howling in pain. I may not use full steel shank boots any more but I still prefer the extra support and stiffness boots give. They are goretex but most of my hiking is not on trails and walking through long(wet() grass and heather with a lot of small stream crossing where the water doesn't get above the boot, so for me they work. But I get that in a drier climate breathability might win out. (And I wish we had an REI-like supplier in the UK who would accept returned boots that have been worn outside!) I use gaiters if I'm going into tick country, long ones that come up to below my knees. They look weird with shorts but they keep those ticks away! And they are goretex for breathability. But they also make a good waterproof kneeling pad or sitmat and wrap my clothes into a pillow for nighttime so super versatile. For camp shoes I just use a dry bag over my nighttime socks and inside my wet boots... Lightweight, packs small and keeps feet dry and comfortable when out of the tent.
@@paulrevere2379 With the highland midge(and horseflies) at large I tend to swear at them rather than by them! Shorts (or zip-offs in practice) cover the essential parts while still being cool! :-)
@Nooneinparticular987 I've used both Salomon and Merrel MOAB (lo rise) shoes. I got the Merrels after using the MOAB boots which I find a good compromise for comfort and weight. Turning an ankle is easily done when the rocks are loose and liable to give way or a mix of rock and bog where the ground on the side of a rock sinks leaving one side of the foot high and the other falling. The sole thickness in each case was probably around 8-12mm. My Merrel MOAB boots have around 12-15mm and they provide the minimum level of protection from sharpies that I can tolerate. My most comfortable boots were Brasher Hillmasters but they had a 3/4 length plastic shank and about >15mm thickness. Sadly, no longer built to the same design. The Altras that Dixie favors are hard to track down over here so I have never seen them for comparison (and I never buy footwear online!). I've also tried Innov8 runners in a store but they were too tight and the sole made even walking up the ramp in the store painful! How people run in those things defeats me!
Switched to trail runners about 6 years ago and will never go back. That said, had a friend that slipped down a slope and shattered his leg. He was wearing very high-end boots. The medical people said his whole foot would have been ripped off if he was wearing trail runners. So, the protection is sometimes needed...
@Brandon Letzco I've definitely debated a switch to hiking sandals... But I prefer a fully enclosed shoe for the additional protection... I hike in the desert a lot so its nice to have that protection... One cactus spine will ruin your day with sandals...
@Brandon Letzco I recently fell I love with the Nike Wildhorse trail runner... It drys 10 minutes out of the water... even faster if your moving... Overnight they are dry as a bone, with a built in gaiter! ... extra comfortable and great support on uneven terrain... I think I will definitely give hiking sandals a try as I've heard they are the best for deeper sand terrain as well... Thanks!
I think that rule about "one lb on your feet is 5 lbs on your back" is an internet myth. 5 lbs on your stomach is 1 lb on your knees. Army men all wear boots, not trail runners when they do their 12 mile hikes.
Yes we would do well to dispell that myth. btw for kit weight purposes I only count the weight of one of my hiker foot things (pretty much a boot, but not quite). One of them is always supported by the ground at all times after all. Anyway, to be fair and honest, and to show I'm not closed minded, there actually are now some modified military boots approved for some duties. These have barefoot style, zero drop soles, but they are still higher on the leg than the popular flimsy hiker things. I think this is a good thing btw. One thing known to some real old-timer military types, but otherwise hardly known at all, is that the worst thing in modern (50 years) footwear is all the cushioning underfoot. The old guys who knew their stuff went for a cushionless boot that had a stiff sole to protect the bottom of your foot and to allow consistency on a wide variety of often very rough terrain, in addition to being able to handle forced marches. Those were all leather boots btw which were much more flexible than most modern footwear made with all kinds of crazy layers of synthetic material stitched together thereby taking away most of the flexibility, breathability, etc. The popular flimsy things brings back breathability and flexibility but they sacrifice foot protection, durability and and they don't keep crud from getting in.
Boots with heels really aggravate anyone's plantar fasciitis condition. A flatter shoe with a $8 PF insert from Walmart can save a lot of suffering. Companies like to overbuild boots to make them seem more tacticool
What about barefoot? I knew a guy who grew up in West Virginia, had almost an inch of callus on his soles, I have no doubt he could do the AT barefoot.
Trail shoes make my feet sore - particularly hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains on muddy trails and a lot of granite boulders and slick wet roots/branches. I wear boots - often a lighter hiking boot - but I need a firm sole and better support than I can get with a trail shoe. That’s what works for me.
I met quite a few newbies on the trails in the last 2 yrs. Many of them were using trail runners and trekking poles because that's what youtubers told them to do. Another thing, companies should start making hiking boots without GTX again. It is almost impossible to find boots without GTX or other waterproof liner. WTF?!!
Based on your excellent advice, my wife (Grammy) switched to trail runners. She has never looked back. She is more willing to go hiking since. Thanks Ms. Dixie!!
In mountaineering classes, we discussed footwear, because if your feet don't move well you don't move well. Prior to a long outing, go hiking in inclement weather (rain, snow, wind) to learn what gear performs best, and learn how your body responds to different conditions.
I bought some B2 boots for the Scottish winter and have only wore them once since i bought them in April. It's like wearing ice skates on regular ground but need to break them in some what. 😅
The top piece of advice I heard only once - and it took a really honest and patient salesman to admit it - is; the only way to find the right shoe or boot is to try everything in the store. That's what I've been doing ever since. Takes a while, but I haven't had any problems since.
Odd thing is there are some hybrid trail runner/low cut hiker or high top runners that people use. If my brother could run and not have a rather bad Asthma for life, due to his big body size and foot shape he would use Merrill Moab Low cut hikers first designed for the Moab 240 running race originally with the more leather version before trail runners were able to have mesh hold up better in regular trail shoes. My brother using the wide but the more mesh lite/light versions of still made more for hiking since he uses the High Top version Merril Moab Hiker II for everyday use and has a low top/II as a standard shoe he wears less. Depending on the terrain and season I would use either some old trail runner shoes all Brooks Cascadia models no longer good for running but for other less high impact for hiking due to the rock plate or my Timberland model of shoes but only if winter due to the upper being all leather so the cold can't get in yet have both my chain, Ice Chains from Yak Track and no brand higher quality spiked slip on traction. Xero Shoes has some super minimal that the least durable trail models including trail running shoes and sport shoes will last enough to go from LA California to DC and some can go LA California to DC and back to LA in distance due to the type of rubber used with no midsole at all just a sock-liner that can be replaced/removed.
I hurt both my Achilles tendons with zero drop shoes. Took about 6 months to develop but had to switch back to trail shoes to get the heel stack back. Was hoping they'd work but... oh well. Words to the wise, break in to zero drop slowly .
Used leather hiking boots for years with a goretex liner as a construction/hiker boot. After trying trail runner lonepeak 3.5 I was hooked.., well , until I purchased the lonepeak 6.0 … Something in the shoe has dramatically changed. My ankles and the tops of my feet hurt some where b4 my feet were happy and raring to go hiking. I Dono, I still have my old lonepeak 3.5s that I use for loafing around the house or driving, but the new ones just aren’t the same……..
great video...being someone who intends to do alot more hiking, maybe even on the these tips are welcomed. I always thought boots were the only way to go..but I will give some of these trail shoes a shot...and the socks...womeding what tents you use ?
The reason your boots didn't work was because your heel and Achilles tendon were rubbing against the back of the boot which leads to tendonitis. The boots need to be laced up and/or tied differently. The heel needs to be snug in the back of the boot. ---I learned hiking/backpacking in the '60's when all we had were those big Frankenstein boots. Had to learn how to make them work. That said I prefer my low-top boots- not really trail runners- because they are snug and protect my feet better that the minimalist Trail runners. Just my thing. Tried trail runners and returned them to REI. Everybody is different.
I've been going to trail runners just for the weight. I remember an old rule that "every pound on your foot is worth 5 pounds in your pack". I used to have those heavy Goretex boots and after dealing with blisters and other issues, it's trail runners for me. I've been a fan of Altra and on my second pair. Merino wool socks are awesome for reducing blisters and keeping my feet cool. I've had good luck with Smartwool.
If I didn't hike with trekking poles, I'd probably need hiking boots because I tend to be incredibly clumsy hiking on rocky terrain and I've had a lot of close calls when I haven't brought at least one pole along.
@Nooneinparticular987 The way those Vapor Gloves contour around your foot as you move seems to me like it would make a big difference. I've never used anything like those myself, I have Hoka Speedgoats though and I really prefer the high layer of padding at the bottom of them when I'm walking.
I used to hike in boots but I switched to trail runners about five years ago. What a difference it made I felt so much lighter. As for socks I used to wear smart wool but I tried darn tough and Farm to feet. I'm with you Dixie about Farm to Feet socks. I really like them. One thing you did not mention was "Waterproof socks". Pacifier was hiking the trail this year. She tried the Randy Sun Waterproof socks and they worked well keeping her feet dry and warm. The socks were cheaper than the named brands. I know one thing is not to hang them by the fire to dry. Darwin on the trail melted his when he hiked the PCT.
Great content! I used to wear a low cut walking shoe/trail runner but discovered that after about 10 miles of walking that I develop blisters in the Achilles tendon area and switched over to mid height shoe/boot which seems to have solved that problem. So, as you suggest, go with what works for you. Everyone is different and there is no one solution. I've been using the Superfeet insoles for many years now, but will be trying the Dr. Scholl's and see how they compare. Yes to the Crocs for camp shoes!! As for socks, I've tried many different manufacturers for wool socks and only recently started wearing Silverlight socks. For me, these socks have been the best invention since the shoe. They are pricey, but for me and my feet, they are worth every penny. They are made for right and left feet so one has to pay attention to the toe box when putting them on to make sure the right sock is going on the right foot. ;-) I'd be curious to know if you or any of your subscribers have tried these socks and if so, what was their experience.
I always thought I needed hiking boots and that's what I used for a long time. It wasn't until seeing you talking about trail runners that I realized I didn't HAVE to wear big old boots. My trail runners are the best hiking purchase I've ever made!
I was told years ago "No shoe/boot is waterproof as long as they have a hole in the top of them." I used to own a pair or Goretex boots. My feet sweat profusely in them and I got rid of them fairly quickly.
Great Video. I'm making sure my wife and granddaughters see this. I have been backpacking since the 1970's as a Boy Scout. Spent several years in the Army (where they called it something else). In my 60's I'm still hiking and backpacking with my family. I have used Army surplus gear, Army gear, and garage sale gear. THE ONE THING I DON'T SKIMP ON IS FOOTWARE! I prefer thin, white wicking socks next to my feet with wool socks over them. Rarely have an issue with blisters or other problems. I am a "tenderfoot" with weak ankles so I prefer boots. But my wife prefers rugged trail runners. But she also does the 2 pair of socks method.
Speaking from expiriance with rain gear taller boots are better about 8" tall is what I find perfect. You put your rain pants over them and no water gets to your feet. Also merino wool socks are pretty god tier.
I only do days hikes. But have done Mt Washington 12 times. I also have done Highline Trail, Franconia Ridge and Katahdin. I have done some rugged, difficult day hikes. I use a cheap pair of Wal-Mart trail runners approx. cost 40$ and have never have had any issues with my feet. Maybe I am just lucky.
Love my Altra's! I've been ultra running in Ultras marathons for long while and even when hiking wear the Altra's. The mids you mentioned are really awesome shoes specially in sandy areas with a gater. You hit on all the points really great video to guide someone in the right direction for shoes.
Even gaiters can't stop water from wicking into your shoes... if not from the ankles, it'll wick in from the laces or the tongue, but it does slow it down.
Love my hybrids. I used Merrell Vents on my '15 thru and I only needed 2 pairs. I then took one of those pairs that still had some miles left and went to the Camino and put another 500+ miles. I have over 2000 miles on a single pair of those vents.
@@drasticbread249 Keeping it real? About 2000 miles on the one pair and about 1300 on the other. I mean, sure I could have had them replaced earlier, but I wouldn't have worn them otherwise. The pair that has the most miles was new when going through ME / NH, so that helped. The tread was the reason I finally retired them. I had to replace the original soul before the tread wore out.
@@drasticbread249 I will also say that I've had a couple pair in the last 3 years and they didn't last nearly as long, so maybe they've changed the quality
@@drasticbread249 By the time they had 1500 miles, I was on the Camino in Spain. Lots of road walking, and gravel paths where you don't really need new tread. Good pair of inserts and they were good to go.
My Oboz were the best thing I've ever worn for really rocky trails because Im 76 now and the pudgy pudge on the bottoms of my feet is gone. The bottoms of my feet now bruise really easily, and my ankles are weaker now too, so the Oboz just covered both those issues really well. I haven't worn 'em since, but can't bear to get rid of them. So comfy! Big toe box. Purchased at the hiking store beside the RR tracks in Black Mountain, NC. Great little store, BTW !! if you're in that neck of the woods.
Personally for what I hike my leather boots I really like. They give me support and they allow me to comfortably navigate rocky Terrain, muggy or wet terrain. I don't need to do river crossings and while leather isn't the most breathable I have only once had wet feet from rain and that was my mistake because I let my trousers get drenched and didn't keep the wet trousers away from my socks. While the leather can lead to sweaty feet, I wear a breathable lining socks and Merino hiking socks and that mitigates the issue enough for what I Set out to do.
Ya never hear anyone say, remember, you'll be using your feet, ankles etc for another 40 or 50 years, like 2 or 3 x the time most 'sports enthusiasts' have been alive, as that is mostly pre 30's, who haven't had to buckle down and provide for a family, care for family, put work before fun - or loose your job..... So, please comment on that. What is the right choice of footwear if you are looking to avoid joint replacement surgery, stiffening joints leading to crippling incapacity and endless pain, when you're 60, 70.... I believe the answer is BOOTS. So grow up, take responsibility, do what's right for all (your joint replaement, wheelchair etc all going to be paid by public or peoples insurance premiums). Bonus. The extra weight of boots gives you a better workout, keeps you in shape better, that's what it's all about, challange and conditioninig. Sports enthusiasts are'n't just in if for the 'records', the 'goals'. RIGHT !
I’ve broken my ankle multiple times and can’t hike in boots, I like the flexibility of free ankles, and the light weight of trail runners. 👍 (-mud and snow, that’s hard going)
Looking for a few more breaks to finally put you in a wheel chair your retirement years. If you can't hike at all in boots, that probably says DON"T HIKE. Switch to smooth walking paths, urban exploration... I've know far too many people MOANING about how in pain they are EVERY time they get up out of a chair due to life times of over exhertion damage injury
For me there is no question. I worked for a company that required us to wear boots doing some hard walking, pulling, pushing up to 15 miles a day. I will burn through 3 pairs a year. So after 8 years, I’ve tried many boots. They were all hell. Switched different companies that didn’t require boots and started wearing trail runners and aquatic shoes. Never going back.
Great video on footwear! But.. Abusing REI return policy is BS some of the footwear I see on the garage sale rack is shameful. Just because you can return it no questions asked doesn’t mean you should. Be a more responsible consumer keep co-op membership low cost
Slower and more tiring. Yet the AT is being run as an athletic event in four months when it was supposed to be a year. Yet health wise those mild ankle sprains will lead to problems later Injuries not being given time to heal. Typical infantry injuries are ankles, knees, and hips with 20 additional years of wear and tear. But don't worry. Most cave people live into their forties. * Such a different way of showing affection.
I bet all of you trail runner lovers put on a hiking boot, and expected it to be comfortable right from the get go, just as trail runners are. You'd have to walk in boots for 20-30 km before you can tackle some serious hikes.
