to wear trainers instead of walking boots?

[cheesecrackerz]

Meeting some friends for a longish (few hours) walk in the Cotswolds (probably around Burford if it makes a difference)

AIBU to wear trainers instead of walking boots? The only walking boots I have are heavy Timberland boots which give me blisters.

It's forecast to be 25c and sunny

Haven't been to the Cotswolds before so not sure what the terrain is like

Hopefully they give reasonable support (ie not Converse) but I’m sure you’ll be fine, it’s not technical or high level hill walking around there. At worst you’ll probably get wet feet.

Aa long as they're trainers made for sport then you'll be fine

You need good grip and support. Even if dry the path might be uneven. Fashion trainers won't cut it.

Yes, sports trainers - definitely not fashion trainers!

A few hours should be fine. You need walking boots that fit properly. The last pair I got was from Aldi and they were as good as any I've had.

@Ponoka7 we live in a city so don't generally have the need for walking shoes. But probably should invest in some good walking shoes for times like this

I bought a pair of trepass walking shoes for £17 last week. Down from £60. Kids section.

Take plasters and extra socks, even if trainers are comfy and well worn, uneven ground can cause contact in areas that the trainers do not usually touch. TBH it wouldn’t even be worth buying new boots unless you have time to wear them in.

@poorbuthappy kids section not an option with my whopping great feet

My trainers are much more comfortable than my walking boots. I’d wear them for pretty much all walks. As long as they’re reasonably water proof it’ll be fine.

They'll be fine. After all ultramarathon runners, run many KMs over hill and dale, in just trainers.

I walk up 900m mountains in my trail trainers. Better grip than the rest of the family have in walking boots and much better grip than my old cheap walking boots.

I have road trainers that would suck off road but I now choose road shoes with some grip.

😂😂

As long as they're not flat casual trainers (stan smiths, gazelles etc) you should be fine.

I’d never advise walking boots unless you need something you can attach a crampon to. They reduce your mobility by restricting your ankle movements. Take a look at all mountain races and I’ll guarantee nobody is wearing anything other than very grippy trainers.

I climbed Snowden in trainers, I'm sure you'll be fine!

I did a munro in Nike trainers and it was fine. I hate walking boots. I did get a pair of sort of walking trainers from Decathlon and they're pretty good, they're light to walk in like trainers but much more waterproof. For 25 degrees and sunny I'd be wearing trainers though.

We were up Kinder Scout last week and I saw as many people in trainers as I did walking boots, so you should be fine.

Personally I think some good quality, well-fitting waterproof walking boots are worth having. I wear mine in bad weather (more comfortable and warmer than wellies) and they’ll last for years.

I think you'll be fine this week, but I'd invest in a pair of walking shoes for another time.

I bought a pair of Decathlon walking shoes in France years ago for 12 Euro and they are lightweight and comfortable. Still wear them now. I can't imagine similar ones today would be more than £20 for their basic range, so maybe something like that for future?

Very similar to these ones

@Whycangirlsbesonasty

I’d never advise walking boots unless you need something you can attach a crampon to. They reduce your mobility by restricting your ankle movements. Take a look at all mountain races and I’ll guarantee nobody is wearing anything other than very grippy trainers.

This.

I do sometimes choose boots because I have weak ankles with many old injuries that sometimes require extra support, but I vastly prefer trainers, or trainer-style boots at the maximum.

(and I grew up in the Lake District, frequently scraping hikers with "all the gear but no idea" off the mountain side, whilst the locals were in good trainers...)

I've got Karrimor walking shoes. Trainers can be okay, but it depends on the style and particularly the grip.

I live around there and you'll be totally fine! Maybe if it's going to be rainy and the ground will be muddy then trainers wouldn't be the best, but it's not the kind of terrain that needs proper hiking boots.

Trail running shoes are a good happy medium. I regularly run off road and up and down hills and these are great. They are light and breathable but have great grip as they are designed for mud and uneven ground. They aren’t waterproof however which is why I wear my walking boots when walking if it’s wet or if it’s been raining. Most other times I wear my trail shoes for walking. Have fun : )

@Purpleavocado

I climbed Snowden in trainers, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Exactly what I was going to say!