A silly question about footwear

[Silverstone]

I don't want to start a debate over boots vs. trail shoes, but my question is, will one pair of well-built footwear last all the way from Georgia to Maine? Or do you have to get a new pair of shoes once you break out of the rock fields of Pennsylvania?

I plan on using Tevas at night in camp and for fording streams, but otherwise, can I make it without having to break in a second pair of boots/shoes?

Silverstone

[map man]

Well built boots could make it. Trail shoes will not. Most folks who wear trail runners, for instance, will go through 3 or 4 pair in an AT thru-hike.

[bigcranky]

I get 500-600 miles on a pair of light trail runners. At $90 each, they are far more expensive (in the long run) than my old $300 Scarpa boots -- but they are so much more comfortable that the extra cash is worth it to me.

[Tenderheart]

I get 500-600 miles on a pair of light trail runners. At $90 each, they are far more expensive (in the long run) than my old $300 Scarpa boots -- but they are so much more comfortable that the extra cash is worth it to me.

Good advice.

[juma]

one of the crew at carter hut told me his biggest challenge is taping up shoes well enough to get to gorham. get new shoes before entering the whites.

[leaftye]

It's about the midsole.

[4shot]

I'm a boot person myself. went through 4 pairs. the longest lasted almost 900 miles, the worst pair only got 300 miles before I shipped them home (recognized the signs of impending failure). All were from top-end, well known, reputable (or should i say, 2 were from formerly reputable) names. I have never had a pair of the very high end, custom made boots but I cannot imagine any pair going 2100+ miles. One piece of manufacturing technique that seems to make a big difference (imo) is stitched vs. glued soles.

[tolkien]

Salomon GTX 4D boots. Mid-high cut. Lightweight (for boots), comfy, goretex lining where the shoe meets the sole. Kinda expensive, ~200$, but I like them. They'd make it the whole way, but you'd probably need to replace them after the hike.

[Day Glow]

Here's my boots... very little break-in needed... no hotspots last year... awesome... I think they'll last me for years...

http://www.nicekicks.com/2009/02/nike-acg-ashiko-boot/