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Friday, August 5. 2022

Hiking footear, update

Light-weight sneaker-style footwear seems to be the thing these days. Makes sense to me.


Also, I do not want waterproof. It does not work.


Also, I am never hiking with a 40+ lb. backpack. 


I do enjoy bouldering and that sort of rocky thing where the old-style heavy leather boots work well, grip like ticks, but I see kids around me bounding like Mountain Goats on boulders in sneakers from Target. Probably not necessary.


Best hiking shoes from Clever Hiker. 


(Yes, Mrs. BD and I are preparing for a 9-day hiking trip - no steeps but plenty of rain probably. A hilly 9-12 miles/day, but nights in Scottish-style "luxury".) 




Posted by Bird Dog in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 12:13 | Comments (13) | Trackbacks (0)

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For walking on established and maintained trails, you can get away with light footwear. But for scrambling-type rough climbing I'll take the heavy vibrams, Norwegian-welted boots any day. I've never seen the point of water-proof shoes either. What for? If they're only 2" to the top anyway, water proof ain't gonna help anything.

Hope you and the missus enjoy your trip - please let us know what you decided for a personal cargo solution!
#1 Aggie on 2022-08-05 13:14 (Reply)
I love my merrells. I have both the “gym” show looking shoes and the full high tops made for bouldering. They’re fantastic and comfortable
#2 George milonas on 2022-08-05 13:28 (Reply)
I have found that "waterproof" means that they stay full of water for a long time.
#3 bobby b on 2022-08-05 15:29 (Reply)
And waterproof also means it is harder for transpiration to get out, making shoes uncomfortable on hot days and your feet more prone to blisters.

The sturdy ankle-enclosing hiking boots are of great value on gravel or loose rocks, where the additional support prevents injuries, esp. at the end of a tiring day.

Sneaker style hiking shoes can still come with a very sturdy sole, for use on rocky paths, or with a more flexible sole and inlays for regular paths.

My latest pair of hiking shoes is optimized for the low lands. Climbing a mountain trail wasn't an issue, but on the steep descent the tongue and laces were not able to prevent my foot from sliding forward in the shoe and my toes hitting the front, make for an uncomfortable afternoon.

All in all, if you know what terrain and weather you are likely to travel a knowledgeable sales person should be able to direct you to the proper style of shoe.
#4 Freddo on 2022-08-05 16:52 (Reply)
Used to be able to put my foot in my ear... it's been a while ;-)
#5 The Distributist on 2022-08-05 23:08 (Reply)
Picked up North Face shoe/hiking boot combo in the spring that have many miles on them.
Water resistant but not H20 proof.
I'm sure it is a WOKE company but sandals made from old tires just won't get it done.
#6 The Wayfarer on 2022-08-06 01:44 (Reply)
Pardon me if I've asked this before: has anyone here done hikes to any of the Huts in the Clouds in New Hampshire? I'm interested.
#7 Maniac on 2022-08-06 08:03 (Reply)
One of the best hikes in the NE is the Gulfside Trail
from Madison Hut to Lakes of the Clouds (either way).
If you have the energy you can get Madison, Adamses,
Jefferson, and Mt. Washington, or more likely not.

After school starts in the fall the availability goes up
and you can usually get in on short notice after you see
the big H moving east on the pressure maps. If you
don't have spare car and driver there is the AMC shuttle.

I did Lakes to Madison in as much as 3/4 in. of fresh slush
on a July 22 -- never saw more than 10 feet ahead the
entire day. I learned from this that committed schedules are anathema for hikers and that high boots keep the slush out.

If you get to Lakes and are burned out, you can take the
Cog Railway down from the Mt. Wash. summit.

We all wish BD and the Mrs. best of luck on their trip.
#7.1 NH4Kx3 on 2022-08-06 11:22 (Reply)
Easy to find good fitting uppers but not easy to find durable soles that take on rocky terrain. Heavy duty Vibram is best but not much choice available.
#8 rocdoctom on 2022-08-06 09:13 (Reply)
If you gave yourself a recovery day and upped the weight on your deadlifts, the 40# pack would be a piece of cake.

JK
#9 mike on 2022-08-06 21:55 (Reply)
Articles like these always interest me as I would really like some good walkers, but after looking at 6 of the different shoes, most are not available in wide at my 10-10.5 size level. When available I always go for 4E width, but this is not easy to find.
#10 sch on 2022-08-06 22:23 (Reply)
I have to disagree with you on the waterproof boots. I've had mine 10 years and they still keep the water out just fine. They're from Red Wing.
#11 jdgalt1 (Link) on 2022-08-07 10:51 (Reply)
One important thing to keep in mind. Hiking in wet weather has a risk where you find clay or silt on the road and it is especially treacherous going up or down hill. A good reason to carry a hiking staff and to be careful. What often happens is a mile or two of safe footing and then unexpectantly a slippery section sneaks up on you. So be aware of every step. If you want to look at the scenery stop first.

Looking forward to your after hike reports and pictures. And since I'm a foody as well as a hiker I am looking forward to seeing your meals. Watch out those sneaky Brits eat some strange things LOL.
#12 OneGuy on 2022-08-07 14:10 (Reply)

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