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SwingLow
05-23-2010, 00:08
I bought a $30 pair of walmart hiking boots that are water proof and look durable, but they give me blisters. I am thinking about going to Bass pro and getting a more expensive pair of boots. I saw some people hiking in tennis shoes, but isn't spraining an ankle a big concern? What does everyone use?

Mountain Wildman
05-23-2010, 00:40
Most common are either Hiking Boots or Trail Runners.
Not sure what Bass Pro carries but you may be better off going to an outfitter like REI or Mountain Crossings if they are not to far from you.

Roland
05-23-2010, 05:37
I bought a $30 pair of walmart hiking boots that are water proof and look durable, but they give me blisters. I am thinking about going to Bass pro and getting a more expensive pair of boots. I saw some people hiking in tennis shoes, but isn't spraining an ankle a big concern? What does everyone use?

As you discovered, a cheap pair of boots can give you blisters. Buy a more expensive pair and you may discover they, too, can give you blisters. Fit is critical. Spending $180 on boots isn't necessarily going to make your feet happy.

For many people, finding the right boot/shoe requires some time/effort. Some folks get lucky and are satisfied with the first pair of boots they buy. For many, finding the right fit means trying on many different boots/shoes, from a variety of manufacturers. This often requires visiting multiple stores. But the time you invest finding the right shoe will pay off in comfort and maybe even durability. Ill-fitting shoes can wear-out prematurely.

Some things to be aware of when you're trying different boots/shoes:

1. Length: With the shoe fully unlaced, move your foot forward until your longest toe touches the front of the shoe. You should be able to insert a finger between your heel and the back of the shoe.

2. Width: With the shoe fully laced, you should not have heel-lift when you walk. Movement in the heel is a great contributor to blisters. Try different brands to find one that matches your foot. Additionally, ensure you have sufficient width in the toebox. If your toes pinch together, you will get blisters.

3. Arch Support: Step out of a swimming pool and look at the wet impriint your footsteps leave on the concrete floor. That is a good indicator of the arch of your foot. If the imprint narrows dramatically in the center, you have a high arch and may need additional support under your arches. Insoles, such as SuperFeet are commonly used. Conversely, if you are flat-footed, SuperFeet may be painful, because it raises your arches in an unnatural position.

Boots vs Trail Runners:

For years it was believed hiking footwear needed to provide good ankle support, to prevent injury. Now, it is argued, that unless the boot is as restrictive as a ski boot, one could still roll an ankle. Since hiking in ski boots is not very practical, many believe that strengthening the ankles is the best protection against injury. They say that low-cut shoes, which provide little ankle support, allow the ankles to become stronger therefore less prone to injury.

There is no right answer to this question. There are advantages to boots, as well as advantages to trail runners. Use what you prefer. That said, I have seen many more people who started hiking in boots and switched to trail runners, than the other way around.

juma
05-23-2010, 06:59
I bought a $30 pair of walmart hiking boots that are water proof and look durable, but they give me blisters. I am thinking about going to Bass pro and getting a more expensive pair of boots. I saw some people hiking in tennis shoes, but isn't spraining an ankle a big concern? What does everyone use?


Next time you hike with any shoe, tape over the points of blister after they have healed with waterproof athletic tape or leukotape. Sense carefully for new pressure points and tape over before they blister. A big pack and steep climbs or fast flat hiking will bring out the blister for anyone starting to hike. Some of the blisters I saw from Springer to Franklin this year were awesome.

Blissful
05-23-2010, 09:03
Ankle sprain in a trail runner is a misnomer. Boots don't do a better job of it either (I used both in '07). If you keep your pack weight reasonable (under 35 lbs is good), trail runners are fine for the AT, dry quick and I find I can negotiate rocky terrain better. But poles also help stabilize you

Dogwood
05-23-2010, 12:26
Throwing more money at the issue of getting blisters may not be the solution. You may be getting blisters for a variety of issues. The fit of your shoe is only one possibilty.

There are several decent hiking gear outfitters in the Atlanta area. Go to one of them that specialize in hiking shoes and fitting those types of shoes to your activity - hiking. Seek out places to buy hiking shoes that have a comprehensive selection of approprate fitting hiking shoes and experienced foot specialists that are willing to spend time with you to find what's right for your hiking needs.

J-Fro
05-23-2010, 12:39
Go to REI and try on different shoes, fine the ones you like. Order from online store to avoid sales tax along with free shipping and lower prices.

Hooch
05-23-2010, 12:43
Go to a solid, reputable outfitter and get your foot measured and your shor or boot fitted properly. Since you're not horribly far from Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap, I'd give them a go. They know what hikers need and they know waht works. If you don't want to drive that far, REI usually has very knowledgeable and well trained shoe/boot fitters on staff. PM Bearpaw, he works part time at REI as a bootfitter and can give plenty of insight and excellent advice. Best o' luck to ya.

Feral Bill
05-23-2010, 12:55
Go to REI and try on different shoes, fine the ones you like. Order from online store to avoid sales tax along with free shipping and lower prices.


This again:(. Using the resources of a brick and mortar store to shop, especially for something as staff intensive as shoes, than buying elsewhere is unethical.

Buy where you try, especially if they have a solid returns policy, like REI.

Roland
05-23-2010, 12:57
This again:(. Using the resources of a brick and mortar store to shop, especially for something as staff intensive as shoes, than buying elsewhere is unethical.

Buy where you try, especially if they have a solid returns policy, like REI.

Have you considered that he might have meant order from the REI online store?

Feral Bill
05-23-2010, 14:20
Have you considered that he might have meant order from the REI online store?

No. The price and tax would be the same.

sbhikes
05-25-2010, 10:24
Get your foot measured, but don't let the salesman fit you "properly". They will undoubtedly sell you a pair of shoes one or two sizes too small and then you'll get blisters.

flemdawg1
05-25-2010, 11:52
3. Arch Support: Step out of a swimming pool and look at the wet impriint your footsteps leave on the concrete floor. That is a good indicator of the arch of your foot. If the imprint narrows dramatically in the center, you have a high arch and may need additional support under your arches. Insoles, such as SuperFeet are commonly used. Conversely, if you are flat-footed, SuperFeet may be painful, because it raises your arches in an unnatural position.



Actually the opposite is true. Flatter feet need more support. A good bootfitter will reccomend the appropriate insoles, if neccessary.

DavidNH
05-25-2010, 12:25
I bought a $30 pair of walmart hiking boots that are water proof and look durable, but they give me blisters. I am thinking about going to Bass pro and getting a more expensive pair of boots. I saw some people hiking in tennis shoes, but isn't spraining an ankle a big concern? What does everyone use?

First off, never skimp on foot ware. your shoes are the difference between misery and bliss on the trail.

Second, I would avoid anything that comes from Walmart. The price may be good, but their stuff is usually junk.

to answer you specific question. I use light weight boots and then get well padded insoles (like Spenco). I tried trail runners (which are like sneakers) on my AT hike. They where fine when feet where dry. But when feet got wet, as in with mud puddles or rain or wet grass, my feet were in agony. I bought them in eastern most PA and threw them away at the Inn at the Long Trail in VT. I will never use trail runners again.

DavidNH

ChinMusic
05-25-2010, 12:29
I bought a $30 pair of walmart hiking boots that are water proof and look durable, but they give me blisters. I am thinking about going to Bass pro and getting a more expensive pair of boots. I saw some people hiking in tennis shoes, but isn't spraining an ankle a big concern? What does everyone use?
My opinion: Stay away from waterproof shoes/boots. They may be OK for a dayhike but on a long trip they are gonna get wet. The waterproof ones take forever to dry compared to, say, a mesh-type trail runner. The waterproof ones tend to hold in the sweat from your feet and that moisture can lead to more blisters.

I have gone from standard boots, to mids, to trail runners in the past 10 years. I am sold on trail runners. My fears of ankle injury being unacceptable with shoes were false.

Try some simple trail runners (these are a bit more robust than simple tennis shoes, but not a whole lot more) and see what you think. You may never go back......YMMV

garlic08
05-25-2010, 15:32
...What does everyone use?

It's probably obvious by now that "everyone" uses different stuff.

This poll here on WB from 2007 shows over 60% of responders use hiking shoes: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/poll.php?do=showresults&pollid=501

Sixty percent is hardly an overwhelming majority.

I also saw a poll from a few years earlier that showed a much larger majority using boots. So there appears to be a trend toward shoes away from boots. There's also a trend toward lighter packs, and there's probably a correlation.

When I switched from boots to shoes (after lightening my pack weight substantially), it did take a few months to strengthen my ankles, which may have been weakened from all those years of boot use. I used to occasionally roll an ankle wearing boots, but I never do any more now that I use shoes exclusively.

Shoes work well for many, but some can't use them. You'll just have to find out for yourself what works for you.

SwingLow
05-25-2010, 19:57
Thanks everyone for your help!