Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next issue? No, really. Hiking or running shoes are better for most backpacking trips, at least during late spring, summer and early fall. Boots are heavy, hot, stinky, and stay wet forever. A pound on your feet is like five on your back (some say six), so three-pound boots leave you much more tired at the finish of the day.

Hiking Shoes And Ankle Support

You can have heard arguments for the necessity of ankle support, but throughout history people managed without stiff ankle-supporting boots. The problem is weak ankles, not a lack of support. You may solve this by walking a little each week on uneven ground (not in the mall).

Some might absolutely need boots, but be sure your ankle problems are not just due to a lack of exercise before you settle for backpacking in hiking boots. You might also need hiking boots if you carry more than thirty pounds when you backpack. Cut the weight down, though, and youll be more relaxed anyhow.

Why Running Or Hiking Shoes?

Feet stay cooler in a sizeably successful running shoes than in hiking boots. This means fewer blisters. After switching to running shoes and lightweight socks months ago, I stopped grasping blisters. I do not mean fewer blisters. I mean havent had one blister since I switched. 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 13 feet. If the weights are not shown in a catalog, you will have to guess which hiking shoes are lighter based on the description and photo. Quality shoes have soles stitched to the uppers, so look under the insoles (a removable insole is another sign of quality shoes). You can usually find a grand pair of running shoes that weighs less than 28 ounces for under $80, or half of that on closeouts.

Theres nothing quite as liberating as ditching the heavy pack and heavy boots and hitiing the trail in running shoes. You get to go more miles, and in comfort. You get to run up a hill just to see whats there. I have yet to meet a human who has tried backpacking in hiking shoes or running shoes - and then returned to boots.