Cube

Howdy,

I like timeless questions and answers. Good for new and old readers alike.
What kind of shoes do you use to hike and backpack?
Do you use different styles and types for different activities?

Just as important to shoes is socks.
What do you use? One pair or two?

And while we're here, what about gaiters and other accessories?

Take care all,

Cube

And to be a good sport, I'll play first..

I have three different types of boots I use when hiking. All of mine have to be hightopped because of too much high school football and not much lateral stability left in the ol' ankles.

First I like the hybrids, half running shoe and half boot. For light loads and short trails, these are impossible to beat. My latest pair are Nike, part of the ACG line. At $50 from Academy, can't beat'em.
Second, I like the Coleman waterproofs. Not real heavy, but a good solid boot for everything but treks. I have three pairs of these that I rotate out. Great boots and a bargain at $35. I think Coleman has rebadged these as a lessor brand, like Rockway, but I haven't needed them yet.
Third, my least used and most expensive. Danner leather boots... heck, I wore them to Philmont almost 15 years ago, paid over $200 then. But if it's a trek under heavy pack, the old dogs get brought out and they work as well today as they did in 1990.

I'm still old school on the socks, but am looking for information and opinions. I use a thin poly liner and a thicker outer sock. I take a bunch of liners. Anybody using new tech socks solo?

And I don't use gaitors, but I'm looking at them. Seem like they'd be a good idea if they don't chafe the leg and create circulation problems.

That's about if for now.

lost_but_found

I use a trail running shoe for all of my trips - Salamon XA Pro w/gore-tex and quick lacing system. I have really strong ankles and I use the pivoting in the ankle for a huge benefit in balance. Hightops just feel like they are restraining too much movement for me. I like to be able to move my ankles and adjust to the terrain under my feet. Plus they are extremely lightweight and far more comfortable than any boot I have ever tried. And that just seems to go a long way for me on the trail.

Socks are something I am playing around with more. My feet sweat far too much!! Yuck, I know. But the sweat will soften the skin and make it more vulnerable to blisters. So I have been trying thinner socks with "moisture wicking technology." But I haven't noticed too much of a difference between non-wicking and wicking. The thickness has proved to help a little. The only trade off is, I don't have as much cushion with a thinner sock. So I am considering looking into an insert to make up for that lost cushion. It's a win lose thing I guess.

ploddinTod

Only have one pair of hiking boots. Actually they are a hybrid (light hiker) by Hi-Tec (Sierra Lite). I use them for day hiking and backpacking when I'm carrying 35 - 40 lbs. I don't have any issues with my ankles so hightops are not necessary. I'm like you, Cube,----old school when it comes to socks. Use poly liner under a wool sock. But I do have two pairs of new tech socks (Thorlo's) that seem to work fine also. At first I was hesitant to try the Thorlos because I didn't want to risk blisters. My fears were unfounded and the extra cushion was a plus.

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PloddinTod

Fub

I like my Hi-Tec Inclines. I like hi tops because they give me more stability. Those Hi-Tecs are cheap, durable and very comfortable. They made it though Yellowstone twice, multiple day hikes here in Texas and for some short jaunts on the AT. Very comfortable.

I've got a pair of Brooks Trail Addictions for day hikes/trail runs.

As for socks, I really like Thorlos. I've got the mid weight hikers as well as multiple pairs of short mini-crews for running on pavement. The cushioning is great. When hiking I use a liner to make sure the blisters dont appear but I usually dont have that problem anyway.

toejam

Thorlos are great socks. I think all my current thick socks came from Wal Mart. A thin liner sock and thick non-cotton socks work well, although I currently have black nails on the #4 toe of each foot from where the sock seams put pressure on them. I'll be looking for liners with flat seams!

I got some OR Crocodiles gaitors a few years ago. They are great in rain or snow or bushwhacking, but bad hiking a trail because they don't breathe well. A lot of people like the very short gaitors for trails to keep small rocks out of your boot. I'm o.k. without them.

campcookie

I've heard so many people praise trail shoes/trail runners and last summer I jumped on the wagon and bought a pair of Montrail Vitesses.

I broke them in religiously for several months before my first trip out with them. Two days down the trail, my left foot was so swollen that I was having trouble squeezing my foot back into the shoe in the morning, and I had lost two toenails on my right foot. Long story short, we cut out early, and I made it out in time to get to the doctor with red streaks up my leg and 102 fever.

Okay, so this could have been a freak thing, right? Gave them another chance after I healed up - lost two toenails on the other foot. Anyone had any experience with these shoes in particular? Have to admit, I'm sticking to tried and true boots from now on.

toejam

That sounds more like a fit problem to me - not enough room in the toe. I've hiked in running shoes several times, but I roll my ankles a lot. So it's boots for serious hikes.

ploddinTod

I always thought that the trail runner/trail shoe was for the ultra light hiker---one who carries 25 lbs or less. The shoe doesn't have the support structure to accomodate a heavier load, so yeah you would have foot/toe problems if you backpacked a heavy load.

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PloddinTod