I have two trips this summer that will include a day or two of light/medium hiking, but do not currently own any hiking boots. I figured they would be better on my ankles than tennis shoes (6'3" approx. 230).

What is your opinion on a decent, cheap hiking boot that would meet my needs? Is there a good place to go to get them cheaper? They should only get occasional use, so there is no need to get high-priced ones.

TIA

campmor.com

www.sierratradingpost.com

Don't skimp on boots. You can walk a mile or less in poor quality boots and ruin the rest of the trip.

The REI brand boots are decent for your needs and cost less than some of the name brands.

[This message has been edited by Pacing The Cage (edited 5/10/2010 4:02p).]

Your boots are your most important piece of gear. Try them on in a store. I would definitely check out the REI brand boots as well. Go with a lighter weight boot that suits your purposes. One pound on your feet equals ten on your back.

what is light/medium hiking to you?

If its only a few miles on a relatively smooth trail without a heavy pack, you should be just fine in tennis shoes, assuming you don't have any current ankle problems

http://www.geartrade.com/browse/105/773/366

Site is worth its weight in gold. Backcountry.com sells all their returns and slightly damaged merchandise there. Their seller name is Backcountry and they have amazing deals, just read the descrip carefully.

Ordered 2 pairs of hiking boots from their and both were perfect, but still 80% off retail. I like it more than campmor or sierra trading post, but that's just me.

The outlet sections on REI and Backcountry.com are usually alright, but by far Geartrade.com is best

Edit to add that once you find a shoe that fits, google the model and check for reviews. If you're smart about it, buying shoes on the internet is a fun and enjoyable experience. Just do your research.

Or find what you want on Zappos.com or REI or somewhere and check geartrade to see if they have it. Best of luck

[This message has been edited by c0rn_d0g (edited 5/10/2010 4:40p).]

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what is light/medium hiking to you?

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General trail hiking, day trip, no pack (probably camelback) to more of an elevation climb like a mountain, but on a well-groomed trail

It is probably more light to hard...I've never really hiked beyond the easy day trip, so I am quite a novice at the needed footwear. I agree with what is said here about the boots being very important. Any help to the brand/style/whatever of shoe would be appreciated. Is it as easy as finding the one that seems the lightest and gives you the most support? I guess I liken them to sports footwear where there are several options that affect price and what you use them for. Is this true as well? I will take a look at REI and the website above.

Here are my planned trips:

Trip 1 - Taking a few hours during a trip to Oregon/Washington to hike trails that are easier and tend to not include a huge elevation change. I am expecting groomed trails with dirk to small rock paving.

Trip 2 - Taking a trail up Long's Peak in Colorado. How the heck do you think this is medium you say? I don't truly know the level, but I am headed there with the gf's family to climb a portion of it. Due to the fact they (including her older mother) have done it before, I'm not thinking they took the extreme route. I know you can make that one as hard as you want to, but don't plan on jumping off any tall rock formations.

Would I need a hiking SHOE...or BOOT...light hiking boot...mid hiking boot...

[This message has been edited by p-wonk01 (edited 5/10/2010 5:52p).]

Unless you plan on trekking through water (i.e. streams, creaks etc) hiking shoes will be just fine. I bought a pair of boots a few years ago and just use a real cheap pair of hiking/tennis shoes for "light" stuff.

It really comes down to personal preference for shoe vs boot. I usually wear trail runners for anything that is not during winter unless I have a really heavy pack. some folks like a boot anytime they leave the sidewalk. If you're generally in good shape/walk a lot otherwise, I'd go with a shoe.

fyi, this is the most popular(and easiest) route up longs.

Thanks ccard. So would you need shoes or boots for that one?

My gf's, mother's maiden name was Keplinger. It's basically a hike to commemorate her great (great?) grandfather who led an expedition there. Pretty cool. I do not believe they plan to take his route though.

pwonk, you are in dallas.

Just go to REI.

I walked over 30 miles in 10 days while in Africa this summer, took a pair of waterproof Merrel's that were awesome!

DVM

quote:

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pwonk, you are in dallas.

Just go to REI.

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That's the plan when I get the chance.

I think I would prepare for that hike up Longs like an alpinist and get boots. Long way back to the car if you twist an ankle near the summit...

I made my first trip to REI today to get some backpacking boots and give them high marks. They brought me several choices, made sure I had the right fit, and even showed me a way to lace them which really optimized the fit. Walked on the fake rocks, they told me what I should and should not feel.

In the end, the right boot for me was the one priced in the middle - they did not push toward the highest $$ boot.

Go to REI. Find the boot that works for you.

I do a lot of hiking and always use trailrunners. I've got a waterproof pair that I use in the snow as well.

And doing Longs Peak is a pretty long day. Are you going to be coming from low elevation?

Good choice on getting the boots. The great thing about REI is that you can always take 'em back...

DUB...I just got this e-mail yesterday:

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As most of you know, Dad's grandfather, Lewis Walter Keplinger climbed to the summit of Long's Peak in 1868 as part of Major John Wesley Powell's Colorado Scientific Exploring Expedition. Their primary objective for the summer was to gather specimens for the Normal (Illinois) Museum illustrating the geological history and natural resources of the Rocky Mountains. Lewis was included because he was to use the instruments provided by the Smithsonian to measure altitude, latitude, and longitude. On 22 August, he broke away from the climbing party and discovered a way to the summit. He was reportedly 150-200 feet from the summit when he returned to the camp site in the dark of night. The next day, he led the climbing party to the summit, and is credited for getting the party successfully to the top of a previously thought, impossible summit. At some point, the small lake near the summit was named Keplinger Lake in honor of his accomplishment. In August 1968, many members of the Keplinger family climbed to the summit of Long's Peak on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Lewis's climb.

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quote:

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But generally, we should plan on beginning the hike at approximately 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning (Friday night) to ensure we arrive at a reasonable time and avoid the frequent thunderstorms. (I think we started at 3:00 a.m. in 1968, but that was to the peak at over 14,000 ft.)

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Looks like they intend to hike up to Keplinger Lake with the option of going to the summit. Not sure I'll be ready for that as I am a novice. It's still a cool tribute I think!

Get some Danner boots. You will love them.

thats pretty effing sweet.

some more info on keplinger's route:
http://www.summitpost.org/route/164202/keplinger-s-couloir.html

(in red)

Hiked 50 miles across Peru in September in a $190 pair of Vasques. They were not broken in at all. I had absolutely no problems whatsoever with these shoes. Considering that they were not broken in before the trek, they were fantastic.


TAF

[This message has been edited by RightWingConspirator (edited 5/12/2010 11:53a).]

That last section of the col, to the right of the pinnacle, below "The Notch" looks spicy... 4th to 5th class. The traverse to the left, below the notch looks loose and exposed. Amazing what people have accomplished throughout history with rudimentary equipment...

I've got a pair of Vasques Clarions that have been my mainstay for going on 8 years.

Looked at the Summitpost description...a little bit of sandbagging goin' on... Based on the photos, description, and required gear (ice axe, crampons, etc.), that ain't no simple Class 3, "some scrambling required" backpack - that's a full-on S5/T4 scramble. IMO

cue TexAgs: "Nah, my girlfriend did it in flip-flops..."

[This message has been edited by Pierce County Ag (edited 5/12/2010 7:44p).]

I think it would depend on the conditions at the exit of the coolie. It doesn't sound/look too bad if its dry. 50+ degree snow is getting pretty damn steep though, and that lip looks even steeper. Catch it somewhere in between with a nice coat of ice or something and you might be hating life pretty quickly. Once you hit the homestretch you're into jeans/flip flop girlfriends territory.

Check this site for Long's Peak Info:

http://www.rmnpforums.com/forums/topic/18427-newbie-seeks-advice-on-longs-peak/

[This message has been edited by Pacing The Cage (edited 5/13/2010 11:01a).]

I'm a bit conservative, so (maybe early season or depending on the snowpack) I'd bring my 8mm glacier floss and pickets to protect the steeper, more runout snow traverses with a running belay...

Glossary for the OB:

Glacier floss = a light, usually short, climbing rope (not used for rock)
Picket = a metal stake driven into snow and clipped to the rope.
Running Belay = All party members walking/climbing while clipped to protection (pickets in this case) as opposed to being belayed from an anchor.
Runout = High potential for injury/fatality during a fall.

[This message has been edited by Pierce County Ag (edited 5/13/2010 1:08p).]

more glossary:

conservative - big puss























Its ok, me too.

Old climbers & bold climbers....

>>Go to REI. Find the boot that works for you.<<

Agreed. Whether you buy them there or not, stick to brands that REI sells, in store and online.

I would second the vasques. I bought a pair before geology field camp in 1991 and spent a few weeks wearing them on campus to break them in. Those boots lasted me through 6 weeks of field camp on any kind of terrain, trips to the grand canyon and supai indian reservation the next year, and about another 8 years after I left college going hunting and doing field work. I bought another pair in 2000 and they are still going strong.

I will second those who said don't skimp on boots. That climb you showed is no picnic walk...you want well made boots with good support or you will wind up miserable. I know people that went to Big Bend with brand new Coleman hiking boots they got for cheap, and the soles literally came off the boots within 3 days of starting to hike around out there. Another person wore cheap boots on our trip to the grand canyon and wound up with the entire bottom of their foot basically one huge blister that sloughed off a few days later.

Lastly, whatever you buy...break them in. Wear them everywhere for a week or two ahead of time so they have formed to your feet before you go on a serious hike with them.

I have The North Face trail shoes, and I would not hesitate to buy their hiking boots next time I need a pair. They are great shoes. Give them a look.

EDIT... Good site to find shoes:

www.zappos.com



[This message has been edited by tx4guns (edited 5/13/2010 11:51p).]