Wearing trainers on a hiking holiday - AIBU?

[RangeTesKopeks]

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?

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I'd buy another pair, hiking in trainers will be agony for your feet and I'd feel safer too.

[OliviaBenson]

I'm sorry but yes you do. I'd be annoyed if you slowed me down by having inappropriate footwear. Given how wet it's been I think you will need a boot.

[Salmotrutta]

I'd either buy proper walking boots or not do the hiking stuff.

I don't think trainers are suitable for hiking over potentially rough and uneven ground.

[MrsHathaway]

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.

[anditwasallgoingsowell]

You would need to break them in though. I wouldn't go off on a big hike in a new pair of boots.

[Marmite27]

Are they running trainers or lking trainers? Because there's a massive difference.

Walking trainers are walking boots without the ankle bit and would be fine. Sports/fashion/running trainers wouldn't have enough support IMO.

[MrsFionaCharming]

If they're sturdy sports trainers, I think stick with them. If they're primary fashion trainers, you'll need something else, but hiking shoes will be cheaper and not need as much breaking in as boots.

[Spikeyball]

Boots these days don't need breaking in.

[LloydColeandhisCoconuts]

I agree with the pp. If your friends are serious walkers then I'd get some boots. Even fairly easier walks can be quite scrambly and proper walking boots will protect your ankles at most and be comfortable at least.

[TabascoToastie]

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.

[nocoolnamesleft]

Walking trainers, you could probably get away with, though sub-optimal ankle support. Running trainers, would be daft. Though you'll have blisters on top of blisters on top of blisters wearing non-broken-in walking boots.

[FatCatFaces]

What sort of trainers and where are you hiking?

[RangeTesKopeks]

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]

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.

[BarbaraofSeville]

Can you find a nice undemanding route if you're not equipped or confident about 'proper' hiking, or join an organised group if you're worried about getting lost?

[MrsHathaway]

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]

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.

[MrsHathaway]

Crossed. That sucks that you're stranded if you aren't with the group.

[LeakyLittleBoat]

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]

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.

[RangeTesKopeks]

Thanks everyone :) I'm in Ambleside (in the Lake District), so there are quite a few shops here which sell boots. I'm going to pop out now to see what I can find :)

[TheFrendo]

Nowadays I just wear trainers or approach shoes for hiking, give it a try. Allows me to run if I feel like it.

[Lucked]

I would buy walking trainers/shoe like merrell or something if I already had s pair of boots . Can you ask the group organiser what the toughest hike will be as the staff in the shop will have a good idea of the terrain.

[honeyroar]

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]

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.