Hulver's site || Comments || Today, the Middlesex Fells

hiking shoes by StackyMcRacky (4.00 / 1) #5 Thu May 08, 2008 at 12:57:26 AM EST

not just the shoes, but get a pair of wool hiking socks. they keep your feet nice and cool and sweat-free.

also - great to hear you found some good mental space.

Thanks. :) by toxicfur (2.00 / 0) #8 Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:09:30 AM EST

Finding good mental space was becoming a necessity.

As far as socks go, I at least know enough not to wear cotton (been there, hobbled for days afterward). I don't have any lightweight wool socks, though, and these socks I was wearing are 2-layer to prevent friction and are great for short (2 miles-ish) walks around my neighborhood. I did know that they weren't going to actually work for the longer hike, especially with my Doc boots, though. I was looking at Merrell Moab boots for summer hiking. Any opinion, especially since you live and hike in a warm climate?
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To Rollins lesbians are like cuddly pandas: cute, exotic, forest-dwelling, dangerous when riled and unable to produce offspring without assistance.-CRwM
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Polypro socks by wiredog (2.00 / 0) #11 Thu May 08, 2008 at 07:49:00 AM EST

They wick water away from the feet. Wear them under a pair of tough leather boots and your feet can take on anything without becoming chemical weapons.

Earth First!
_{(We can strip mine the rest later.)}
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shoes by StackyMcRacky (2.00 / 0) #15 Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:04:09 AM EST

as far as shoes/boots go, you have to go try on a bunch to see what works for your foot. The dudes at REI are awesome at making sure you get a good fit.

As for those particular boots - I have the regular shoe version that I wear for my day-to-day activities. I love them. Merrells just work well with my feet!

You may also want to consider just some regular trail shoes instead of boots. They're much lighter and airier. For me, I like boots when I do "real" hiking - I tend to kick up rocks back into my shoe (I guess I just walk weird), and the boots help keep the rocks out.

Oh - and my regular boots aren't all meshy, and I've never had a problem with my foot being overly hot as long as I'm wearing my good socks.

One more thing on socks - I personally love the Thorlios. They have extra stretchy bits in the arch which feel like they massage my feet while I walk.

I can hike all day in my Merrell boots and Thorlio socks and not have achy feet!

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*takes notes* by toxicfur (2.00 / 0) #17 Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:14:28 AM EST

This is really good information, and I'll look for the Thorlio socks (actually that might be the brand of one of my pairs of socks - they're labeled "left" and "right" for the extra arch support). The Dr. Martens I have are far too hot and too heavy for longish hikes, especially as it gets warmer here, so I think I'll end up getting something else. I have kind of weak ankles, and I worry about twisting one if I wear shoes, but it's something to think about.
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To Rollins lesbians are like cuddly pandas: cute, exotic, forest-dwelling, dangerous when riled and unable to produce offspring without assistance.-CRwM
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socks and shoes by Merekat (4.00 / 1) #18 Thu May 08, 2008 at 10:31:11 AM EST

Another sock brand worth looking at is Bridgedale ime. Also, I very much agree with you on the ankles thing - I have a habit of turning on mine and even if you do, the boot will support it til you get somewhere to rest.

Bootswise, I currently have Meindl (mens ones as I have wide feet), with gortex lining. Here they often label boots A, A/B, B, B/C etc., A being lightest and D being worn with crampons on ice kind of thing. A/B is what I've normally gone for coz I'm a weekend hobbier rather than anything serious.

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weak ankles by StackyMcRacky (2.00 / 0) #23 Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:00:16 PM EST

hiking boots don't really support your ankles - they're not like ice skates. at least, light & midweight hikers don't. they protect your ankles from rocks, brush, etc. (my ankles would have been totally torn up after hiking through the canyons on our honeymoon if i hadn't had on boots).

if you're really worried about ankle support, you should get a pair of hiking poles (they look like ski poles). it's amazing how much extra support the poles give you.

i forgot to mention earlier, if you want full-on summer shoes for hiking try the Keen sandals. clock and i have put a TON of miles on our shoes (on trail and off) and they're just awesome. when i was pregnant and none of my shoes fit me any more, i got a pair of Keen mary-janes that worked for fat feet. they were the ONLY shoes I wore from my 4th month on, and i didn't have ANY foot problems while pregnant (other than terrible fluid retention); remember, I put on 60 pounds!

a few years ago i got tendonitis in my foot so i take shoes seriously. i have 4 pair of Docs (2 mary-jane, 2 boots) i wear in non-summer weather, Merrells for sport shoes, Merrells for hiking, and Keen sandals for hiking & daily wear. all of my dress shoes have low chunky heels. Foot injuries suck!

in conclusion, go to REI and tell them what you want to do and let them fit you for shoes.

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: Thanks for all of this. by toxicfur (2.00 / 0) #24 Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:12:23 PM EST

I've never owned a pair of proper hiking shoes or boots, though my typical shoe selection is definitely based on proper fit and comfort (lace-up Doc shoes for spring and fall, Doc boots for winter, Birkenstock sandals for summer, properly fitted running shoes for running and walking). I think I will go to REI and see what they fit me out with -- I just don't want to spend a pile of money on shoes that I'm only going to use for short hikes during the short New England outdoor season. Even for that, having the right shoes will be good.
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To Rollins lesbians are like cuddly pandas: cute, exotic, forest-dwelling, dangerous when riled and unable to produce offspring without assistance.-CRwM
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: Ankle support by Merekat (2.00 / 0) #26 Thu May 08, 2008 at 02:16:50 PM EST

Properly no, you're right that light boots don't support your ankles, but I do find having something around mine stops me from going over sideways on them.

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