| Backpacking boots or any of the traditional hiking boots | | | | switched to running shoes and lightweight socks years |
| may have their place. That place just isn't on my feet. | | | | ago, I stopped getting blisters, and I don't mean fewer |
| If you don't have specific problems with your ankles, | | | | blisters. I mean no blisters. I haven't had one blister |
| there isn't snow on the ground, and you don't carry | | | | since I switched, not even after a 110-mile 7-day trek |
| more than thirty pounds on your back, try running | | | | in the Rockies, for example. |
| shoes. You'll be so happy that you did. | | | | For socks, I have used nothing but thin nylon dress |
| Backpacking or hiking boots are heavy, hot, stinky, and | | | | socks for years. They are cheap, and they weigh less |
| stay wet forever. Decent running shoes can be as light | | | | than an ounce per pair. That makes it easy to carry |
| as one pound per pair, while most hiking boots top | | | | enough fresh socks. They also can be easily rinsed |
| three pounds. Army research showed that a pound on | | | | out and dried quickly. My feet won't tolerate hotter |
| your feet is like five on your back (some say six), so | | | | socks now, although I do bring a warmer pair for |
| three-pound boots naturally leave you more tired at | | | | sleeping or for cold weather. |
| the end of the day. | | | | Unless you have size 13 feet, you should be able to |
| Backpacking Boots And Ankle Support | | | | find good running or hiking shoes that are under two |
| Some backpackers argue for the necessity of ankle | | | | pounds per pair. Carry a kitchen scale to the shoe |
| support, but throughout history people managed | | | | store if you have to. Unfortunately, catalogs |
| without stiff ankle-supporting boots. Even if you are | | | | sometimes don't show weights, so you'll have to guess |
| carrying thirty pounds on your back, consider the fact | | | | which hiking shoes are lighter based on the description |
| that there are people walking around that weigh 60 | | | | and photo. |
| pounds more than you, and without problems. It is an | | | | The higher quality shoes have soles stitched to the |
| issue of weak ankles, not a lack of support. To solve | | | | uppers. Look under the insoles to check this. A |
| this problem, try walking a little each week on uneven | | | | removable insole is another sign of quality shoes. |
| ground (not in the mall). | | | | Usually you can find a good pair of running shoes |
| While some may really need hiking boots, why not be | | | | under 28 ounces and under $80, or half of that on |
| sure your ankle problems are not just due to a lack of | | | | closeouts. |
| exercise before you settle for backpacking in heavy | | | | Until you try it, you won't know how liberating it is to |
| boots. It is true you may need hiking boots if you carry | | | | ditch the heavy pack and heavy boots and hit the trail |
| more than thirty pounds when you backpack. The | | | | in running shoes. Go more miles more comfortably. |
| solution to that is to cut the weight down. | | | | Run up a hill just to see what's there. I haven't yet met |
| Why Running Shoes? | | | | a person who has tried backpacking in hiking shoes or |
| Your feet will stay cooler in a good running shoes than | | | | running shoes - and then returned to backpacking |
| in hiking boots, and this means fewer blisters. Once I | | | | boots. |