View Full Version : Boots or Shoes?
I'm planning a thru starting in January (NOBO). I have a pair of boots for winter conditions... Montrail GTX Torres. They've proven themselves on countless winter hikes, but they're kind of heavy. For spring conditions, I'd much rather hike in sneakers like I do on day hikes, but how does this work in terms of staying dry? Do people carry sneakers and boots on a thru? I'm trying to keep my pack weight under 32 lbs.
chknfngrs
11-08-2006, 21:45
I am a reformed boot user. Started hiking with boots, but gave them up recently b/c of their weight. That said, for winter hiking, there is no place for sneakers, unless you like footcicles or have endless supplies of dry warm socks.
You can always start your hike with boots and when snow/ice/cold conditions diminish, send'em out to trade up. You'll find boots insulate your feet better, protect your feet better, and you'll get better purchase in snow when you kickstep up the steeps or skid down the slopes of the AT in winter. Stronger midsold is a good thing.
But, as always, hike your own hike. If you feel like Gore XCR trail runners will cut the mustard, take 'em and see.
I like the stability that a mid rise boot gives... With my bad back, I need to know that my ankles are supported so that my back wont give out on the slightest mis-step... I have cut the weight our of my boots by going with the Hi-Tec V-Lites. http://www.hi-tec.com/category.php?categoryId=18
I have mixed feelings about Hi-Tec... Used them for many years in policing and NEVER had a problem, never had to break them in, and wore them til the tread wore flat! I have several of their hiking shoes and boots... While I LOVE my V-lites, I am not too fond on the shoes...
Try on EVERYthing, find what works for YOU!
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-08-2006, 22:20
I was forced to go from trail runners to boots by ortho injuries - switched to Hi-Tec V-Lites. They only weigh a few ozs more than my trail runners, but give my ankle and midsole far more support because the design of the V-lite and good lacing technique holds the heel in the proper alignment to the ankle.
For people with normal leg function and no ortho difficulties, some additional training to strengthen knees and ankles makes the use of trail runners an option to cut weight and increase comfort.
As for staying dry, you don't in trail runners. However, they dry much, much faster than boots. Even the best boot is going to get wet (and heavy) after days in the rain. My feet never got cold even when wet and in cold weather while I was hiking in trail runners (I switched to dry socks and camp shoes as soon as I quit hiking). I have always used boots in ice and snow for the reasons mentioned by chickenfingers.
They only weigh a few ozs more than my trail runners, but give my ankle and midsole far more support because the design of the V-lite and good lacing technique holds the heel in the proper alignment to the ankle.
You have a sample or can you describe that lacing technique? I still have a little heel slipage that I need to resolve...
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-08-2006, 22:48
Boot heel lock lacing technique (http://www.backpacker.com/gear/footwear/lacing_3/0,6671,,00.html)
Information about lacing methods to help with other problems (http://www.backpacker.com/gear/footwear/lacing/0,6669,,00.html)
You have a sample or can you describe that lacing technique? I still have a little heel slipage that I need to resolve...http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=690482
http://walking.about.com/od/shoes/ss/shoelacingtofit_4.htm
http://www.newbalance.com/techcenter/footwear/lacing_for_a_better_fit.html
SGT Rock
11-09-2006, 03:03
Depends on your level of comfort using shoes. Remember that the Native Americans didn't have full shank gortex mid height boots to walk around anywhere. What they used was about the equivelent of running shoes with gators. But if the thought of that isn't for you, do like chknfngrs said, start with boots and when you get tired of them switch. You don't have to stay with the same gear the entire trip. You already probably plan on starting with more clothing than you plan to finish with because you may hit cold weather - well just think of your boots/shoes in the same way.
Have a good hike and stay safe out there.
I have weak ankles, so I prefer a 6" boot for hiking and work boots. Go w/ works best for you. Also something that I don't remember being mentioned on here when i was doing my research for my long section is that some boots will only last you 500 miles, it depends on the quailty of the boots and how rough you are on them.
fiddlehead
11-09-2006, 08:56
running shoes work for me. boots can get wet too. there's no such thing as dry feet on a thru hike once the rains start. it's east coast weather.
keep it simple. get used to hiking in wet feet, it's not a big deal.
Shoes(trail runners) or sandals(trail runners), never boots again!
twosticks
11-09-2006, 12:38
I'm stubborn and i like the feel of boots. I wear the Sundowner GTX for all my hiking needs and feel fine.
I only hike in shoes... year round. A good pair of waterproof trail runners and I'm good to go. I gave up boots back in the late 80's and never looked back.