AIBU - 22 mile hike in the summer. Hiking boots or hiking trainers?

[milkyman]

I will be doing a hike for charity and dh says I should get boots but I think they will be too hot. Any advice? Also and tips for preparing for a walk gladly welcome! The walk involves steep descents/ascents.

Walk is in 9 weeks - sufficient time to wear in boots do you think? If i get them on saturday?

Yes that's long enough. Get your socks first and try them on with the socks. Back end of day is good as your feet get bigger as the day goes on.

I'd go for boots, too. Thin sock liners (I have some silk ones), thick outer socks - proper walking socks can be expensive, but they have good padding, and it's worth the money.

Double sockIng helps prevent blisters, as does walking-in boots and hardening the feet up, but always have Compeed with you, and use it when necessary. Make sure you know how to apply it - it's not like usual plasters.

Hot feet aren't half as uncomfortable as blistered feet or ankles, though a break by a stream can be wonderful - I would take my boots off then.

If you get boots in a good outdoor shop, they should have a slope for you to stand on when you try them. Do this - it is different from standing on flat floor. Some online stores also have good buying guides, what features and so on to look for.

I've done lots and lots of long distance walking, and for that amount of walking I personally would go for trainers UNLESS I knew I needed my footwear to be waterproof and/or non-slip (up and down terrain). Ooops, just saw it involves steep descents/ascents - definitely boots then.

I also wouldn't wear woolly socks, I'd wear the two-layer versions of thousand miles socks (I found the single layer versions are a bit '9-mile-sock-of-blood').

Whatever you choose to wear, if you have any tendency to flat feet, I would recommend an arch support, as long distance walking is hard on your arches. I use the blue ones from Salford Insoles, and recommend them to patients all the time. They aren't much more expensive than the ones you buy in Boots (you have to buy them online), but they come with a lifetime guarantee.

Never take off your boots or shoes until you get to the end, even if you think you are blistering, as you probably won't get them back on. Use vaseline over your toes before putting on socks if you find you have trouble with blisters during training. Hopefully you are training, because that is the best way to break in/check your shoes/insoles/socks combo, especially if you aren't used to distance walking, and especially as your walk involves steep parts. It probably won't affect your ability to complete the walk, but it will affect your enjoyment of it.

Laces - look online for how to tie your laces so they don't loosen (and then your feet don't move, so less blistering.

Take more water than you think you will need for your hike. I remember relying on the water-stops during a Moonwalk and ended up not able to find water from 18 miles to the end - I'd never had brown urine before :-( Also flapjacks etc for energy - you won't feel like eating loads if you are walking fast. That said, a hike may be less fast than the sort of walking I do?

Other things to take - sunblock (apply sunscreen before setting out) and hat if it is looking really sunny and painkillers just in case. You will love it, have a great time!

Vaseline your feet before putting socks on. Helps prevent chafing. Boots.

If you can, go to a proper outdoors shop (smaller ones not the big national chains) where the assistant will measure your feet properly and ask you what sort of walking you will be doing. They will select the best socks and shoes for your purpose. This won't be the cheapest way, but you will not regret it.

I've found Ellis Brigham to be pretty good at fitting boots properly. I got my first pair from there and used them for 15 years without a single blister. My second pair, I went to cotswold but they didn't seem as thorough and when I'd worn them at home it was obvious they didn't fit well. I ended up going back to Ellis Brigham and bought some there instead. However, it could be down to the individual salesman rather than the actual shop.

For a cliff top walk you shouldn't need boots but to do 22 miles you will need proper footwear that's been broken in.

For the last 3 years I have worn lightweight boots for walking in all seasons - I have a pair of Technica boots that I love and which aren't too hot even in a southern French summer. They are also waterproof and extremely comfortable. But I used to wear trainers (proper mountain walking ones) up and down the Pyrenees so they should be fine on a UK cliff top walk!

Boots boots boots. Go to a proper walking shop, be prepared to try lots on and take their advice. Go up and down the slope as many times as you need (if the shop doesn't have a slope, leave!) and try all sorts of insoles etc if needed. And don't skimp on socks, proper walking socks cost but they are worth it over long distances.

I have Salomon boots, which I love and adore, they are lightweight but sturdy enough for fell walking. But you have to try lots on as it's a very individual thing. Dh loves Brashers but I can't get on with them at all.

Hiking poles can also be amazing for saving your knees on descent. I use just one because I have a bit of muscle wastage on one leg and having a pole in the other hand helps me compensate. Two are better if you aren't as lopsided as me!

Look on eBay for boots if you don't want to spend big bucks.

Got some for my DD last year for a 3 week summer camp. Hardly worn, really good condition for £17.

A bit like exercise bikes, people buy them and then never use them!

Car.

Get boots.

Ive had some berhaus ones that have lasted yonks. They are decent and not hundreds of quid.

Go to a decent shop and take your time finding ones that are comfy. Also take walking socks., don't buy online.

Oh and don't bother with boots blister pads as they are rubbish - it's got to be Compeed.

Personally I prefer hiking trainers/trail shoes unless it is going to be wet or the terrain will have a lot of lose screed type stuff.

Double sockIng helps prevent blisters

Outdated advice.

Single pair of good quality hiking socks is the optimum.

If it's anything like the Seven Sisters clifftop walk (14 miles) you'll be fine in trainers. My feet get hot and unhappy in hiking boots & I have a very nice pair of professionally fitted ones. The only time I've felt they were particularly necessary was hiking the 7 Peaks in Bergen.

You could also contemplate trail running shoes which give you extra grip and more structure than walking boots. We are heading to Canada's Rockies for our summer holiday and I expect I'll mostly wear trail runners rather than hiking boots.

Will you carry a heavy back pack with tent, sleeping bag, food etc, or just a daypack?

If just a daypack, on a coastal walk (which I imagine is either path or grassy, as opposed to wild rough terrain), I think hiking trainers will suffice. Salomon speedcross has a great grip and if you worry that it may be wet during your hike, go for the GTX version (gore tex).

If your gear is transported, bring a second pair, maybe boots for variation. Bring lots of blister plaster, a hat and sunscreen!

Sorry should say trail runners give more grip and structure than trainers.

I've done this sort of walk in boots and trainers, and I'd pick trainers every time (unless you're sloshing through streams). Boots will give you more ankle support, but be very hot and heavy. Trainers are lighter and will give you more cushioning which you'll appreciate after 10 miles. But get ones specifically designed for your feet and suitable for this sort of walking. And padded socks.

I have been a substantial hiker for 30 years and normally wear boots but for any 15 mile or above I go with high impact trainers.

Even my old extremely worn boots rub blisters over that distance and I found well worn in trainers reduced this substantially.

I used to do a challenge where we cycled 26 miles and then walked 26 miles cross country two days running every year. I never completed it in boots due to blisters but never had a single blister in air max.

I have never used hiking trainers but would think they would be better than boots.

And compeed are essential!

Gel insoles work well.