AIBU?
Wearing trainers on a hiking holiday - AIBU?
RangeTesKopeks · 23/07/2017 14:42
Hi everyone,
I'm on a hiking holiday with friends at the moment, although it's all very relaxed and we can do our own thing if we like.
Everyone else has walking boots that they've brought with them and i haven't. I own a pair, but couldn't get it before the trip (long story, but it's somewhere in my parents' house, which is 6 hours' away from where I live).
I've brought a pair of trainers instead with me, but am a bit worried about hiking with these on. (All of the other people in the group are really keen walkers, and I'm not really).
AIBU to wear trainers on the hikes instead of buying another pair of walking boots? I don't go on walking holidays at all really, and don't really want to pay for another pair of boots as they're quite expensive. But I don't think it's very safe to walk up mountains in trainers and I'm quite nervous about the walking aspect in general (scared of heights etc.)
WWYD? Would you buy a new pair of boots?
MrsHathaway · 23/07/2017 14:46
You wouldn't have time to break them in. New boots can shred your feet. I'm assuming you mean proper sport trainers and not flimsy fashion trainers?
So no I wouldn't. But when I realised I couldn't get my own boots in time I'd have bought some last week and broken them in gently over the week. And taken my trainers as well just in case.
TabascoToastie · 23/07/2017 14:49
I used to do a lot of hiking and I've often hiked in trainers. I do own proper hiking boots and even crampons as well, but for some terrain I actually prefer a less bulky shoe. I climbed Ben Nevis in Converse. It depends on the weather and the terrain, and how comfy they are. If you aren't going to be going on very demanding hikes, and in good weather, it should be fine.
I would not buy boots for one trip, unless you plan to do very demanding or bad weather hikes.
RangeTesKopeks · 23/07/2017 14:53
Thanks everyone for your replies. The trainers I've brought with me are just an average pair of old trainers. I see from your replies that I should buy a pair of walking boots, although I'm a bit worried that I won't be able to break them in properly (my fault - didn't think of this).
I'm really nervous about the hiking bits (also worried that everyone will leave me behind etc or get annoyed with me) But it seems such a shame to miss out on the hiking.
I'm too also not having a great time in general. Staying in a (fairly nice) cottage with a couple and another guy (this holiday is first time I've met the other guy). Another guy (who the couple and first guy both know) is meant to be coming tonight. I just feel a bit left out and like it's a bit left. And there's only one key for everyone, so I can't leave the house when I'm on my own (like today).
Sorry - any reassurance would be nice.
BarbaraofSeville · 23/07/2017 14:53
Depends on the terrain. If it's not particularly steep, rocky or muddy, you'll be absolutely fine if your trainers have decent grip.
I did the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in running shoes, as did all the group I was with and we were all fine, and that's 25 miles of steep up and downs, but there wasn't that much mud. At other times of year, proper walking boots would be essential due to all the water, mud, ice etc.
Proper heavy, waterproof walking boots are often unnecessary as too heavy.
MrsHathaway · 23/07/2017 14:55
Not breaking in like old fashioned pissing on the leather to soften it methods but moulding the memory foam to your foot shape or even just basically being sure it fits in the right places, readjusting lacing patterns, working out which sock combination fits best, etc.
Wearing them brand new out of the box on a big proper walk is a terrible idea.
RangeTesKopeks · 23/07/2017 14:55
Boots these days don't need breaking in
Thanks Spikey - I agree with you, as a few years I went hiking for the Duke of Edinburgh's award, and didn't have to break in the boots i wore then. I'm hoping it'll be okay if I just buy a pair of boots.
LeakyLittleBoat · 23/07/2017 14:59
Agree, most new walking boots don't need breaking in, also, unless you're hiking in the Himalayas or the Andes and your hiking experienced friends are making allowances for your inexperience, ie not dragging you over the roughest toughest trails, you should be able to get by with good quality walking trainers.
SomewhatIdiosyncratic · 23/07/2017 15:02
It depends on the trainers and the terrain. My trail running shoes would be fine, some of my road runners and gym trainers wouldn't be. Then again my ankles are also used to running around on uneven ground.
DH has had to buy emergency boots at ASDA on the way to the Lake District. Fabric boots are easy to wear straight away for most people. Leather does take longer.
Where are you? How available are walking shops?
As a teenager I walked in the Alps in standard trainers, but mainly stuck to the easier tracks. The DCs hike in their school shoes as they have good support and grip and it's not worth buying walking shoes for a few wears while their feet grow rapidly.
honeyroar · 23/07/2017 15:12
Ive walked a fair bit in the past without walking boots. We live in similar terrain to the Lakes and our ground is pretty dry. It would depend on the walks you're doing - if 15+ miles of hill climbs etc then I'd get boots, if shorter walks on easier terrain I'd give my trainers a go for the day and see how I went on before buying new boots.
RangeTesKopeks · 23/07/2017 15:15
Also (and this is incredibly petty of me, I realise!) I got a bit frustrated with a member of the couple yesterday. We were all out shopping for food for the week, and I was looking to see if I could get a couple of avocados and mangoes. I asked her if she knew where the avocados were, and she said: 'oh I've cleared them all out, I'm very protective over my avocados.' I asked her if I could please have one of hers, as there were none left, and she just repeated that she was really protective over them.
Sorry - just feeling a bit low and left out as I'll be a bit like the fifth wheel. There's the other couple and two other guys (the first guy is already here and seems nice, second guy coming tonight). They're both sharing rooms (two to a room). It is really nice to have my own room, but I just feel like I haven't got anyone to chat to or relax with.
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