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Hiking Shoes And Thin Socks - A Backpacking Winner
By Steve Gillman, Thu Dec 8th
Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, nextissue? No, really. Hiking or running shoes are better for mostbackpacking trips, at least during late spring, summer and earlyfall. Boots are heavy, hot, stinky, and stay wet forever. Apound on your feet is like five on your back (some say six), sothree-pound boots leave you much more tired at the end of theday. Hiking Shoes And Ankle Support You may have heard arguments for the necessity of ankle support,but throughout history people managed without stiffankle-supporting boots. The problem is weak ankles, not a lackof support. You can solve this by walking a little each week onuneven ground (not in the mall). Some may need boots, but be sure your ankle problems are notjust due to a lack of exercise before you settle for backpackingin hiking boots. You may also need hiking boots if you carrymore than thirty pounds when you backpack. Cut the weight down,though, and you'll be more comfortable anyhow. Why Running Or Hiking Shoes? Feet stay cooler in a good running shoes than in hiking boots.This means fewer blisters. After
switching to running shoes andlightweight socks years ago, I stopped getting blisters. I don'tmean fewer blisters. I mean haven't had one blister since Iswitched. Not even after a 110-mile 7-day trek in the Rockies,for example.How To Choose Your Shoes Try to keep below two pounds per pair, unless you have size 13feet. If the weights are not shown in a catalog, you'll have toguess which hiking shoes are lighter based on the descriptionand photo. Quality shoes have soles stitched to the uppers, solook under the insoles (a removable insole is another sign ofquality shoes). You can usually find a good pair of runningshoes that weighs less than 28 ounces for under $80, or half ofthat on closeouts. There's nothing quite as liberating as ditching the heavy packand heavy boots and hitiing the trail in running shoes. You getto go more miles, and in comfort. You get to run up a hill justto see what's there. I have yet to meet a person who has triedbackpacking in hiking shoes or running shoes - and then returnedto boots.
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