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  1. #1
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    Default Shoes or Hiking Boots?

    Some say normal walking shoes (nike, addidas, asics)

    other say boots or sandals.


    If I'm averaging 25 miles a day, what should I wear?

  2. #2
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
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    At that mileage you almost have to wear trail runners by necessity.

    Or a lightweight boot like an Inov-8.

    Think of how many times you pick your feed up walking 25 miles....would be very tough with conventional boots.

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    Not to sound negative, but what makes you think you'll avg 25 mpd on the AT??? any experience? Wear trailrunners.... and hope you can average 15 mpd

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    Normal walking shoes? I'm pretty sure most of us that wear shoes are wearing trail running shoes.

    Why don't you find out yourself? Start walking around town. In the afternoon go walking for 3 hours and do 10 miles. Keep switching footwear until you find something that your feet like. Better to find out now than when you're on the trail and NEED to walk even if it destroys your feet and sends you home.

  5. #5
    Some days, it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
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    Wear the same thing on your feet that you've worn for your other 25-mile days. If you haven't hiked 25-mile days, don't expect to average 25 miles a day!

  6. #6
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    this is the poster that is leaving SOBO sept.

    10-k has done some miles. he should know.
    ,but when you reach the winter months you may want to consider boots. I loss too many toenails below freezing in trailrunners.
    I'm so confused, I'm not sure if I lost my horse or found a rope.

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    You should bring a couple different light pairs of shoes. It depends on the terrain. Sometimes barefoot is the best option.
    David Smolinski

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    Quote Originally Posted by kayak karl View Post

    10-k has done some miles. he should know.
    .
    Hey, what about me, KK? Am I chopped liver?

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    hansome, rich, intelligent, cancer survivor Crazy_Al's Avatar
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    Benjammin, If you can hike 25 MPD, you would not be asking this question. You are a dreamer.
    Crazy Al

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Red Hat View Post
    Not to sound negative, but what makes you think you'll avg 25 mpd on the AT??? any experience? Wear trailrunners.... and hope you can average 15 mpd
    You read my mind Red Hat! lol

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Benjammin View Post
    Some say normal walking shoes (nike, addidas, asics)

    other say boots or sandals.


    If I'm averaging 25 miles a day, what should I wear?
    Shoes/boots......that fit well.Get sized
    Doesn't really matter what you wear, after a long day of walking those kind of miles, I imagine the feet hurt no matter what you wear. I imagine.......

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    I am doing 100Mi Section-hike in Green Mountains VT early October, I am planning to wear my broken-in Merrell Ventilator-Mid, and I'm packing a pair of Asics trail runners, as a back-up. For 12 mpd, I think I'll be good.

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    i seriuosly doubt you can average 25 mpd till you get south of the whites. even the 100 mile wilderness , which is fairly flat(ha,ha), is filled with ankle twisting rocks roots and bogs. 15-18 mpd is pretty good , and the whites maybe 12. whatever shoes you choose, dont think walking on a sidewalk will tell you whether theyll be okay or not. find the most rugged stretch of trail near you to try them on first before you commit.

  14. #14
    Registered User turtle fast's Avatar
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    You have stumbled onto the eternal question which is better boots or trail runners. Usually you will need a few sets of trail runners for the trail 3 or 4 pairs...and average 2 pairs for boots normally as boots tend to hold up better but are heavier. As to 25 mile days its quite difficult...

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