Kilted Hiking

[David H]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but I was actually going to ask a hiking question tonight.

I may be moving to the piedmont area or the northern mountain area of Virginia soon. I am actually going on vacation up there in two weeks. One of the things that I want to start doing is going on hikes. I have been working out my entire adult life, so I want to start and do something a bit different.

I would like to know, what type of boot most of you use when hiking some of these trails? I will not be doing anything heavy in the sense of climbing mountains. I would like to hike basic trails and up and down the hills.

I was thinking of getting some sort of lightweight proven mountain combat boot instead of going to one of these outdoor sporting good stores.

What do you think?

[lucienrau]

I would like to know, what type of boot most of you use when hiking some of these trails? I will not be doing anything heavy in the sense of climbing mountains. I would like to hike basic trails and up and down the hills.

I was thinking of getting some sort of lightweight proven mountain combat boot instead of going to one of these outdoor sporting good stores.

What do you think?

I've done quite a bit of hiking in my youth and recently and here's my 2c. Combat boots, while ok don't match the ankle support of a good hiking boot. There's also less padding which will cause some extra wear on your foot (blisters etc...). If you're going to be hiking regularly even just over easy trails, hiking boots make a big difference at the end of the day.

It's worth getting a good pair of boots that fit your foot well, a good outdoor store will help fit you to the right boot, take your time though. Fitting should take at least 20 mins if not more with the person helping you having you try it out on stairs, inclines/declines. A bad boot will greatly lessen your enjoyment. Beware some chain stores though. REI generally will have good staff that can help you (look for the old guy.) I've had terrible luck at EMS and Mountain Research stores. Also be aware that the brand that fits you greatly depends on your foot. Vasque makes excellent boots, some people swear by them, but they only work for narrow feet, which makes them unusable for me.

Sorry for the thread hijack.