<p>I'm going on a hiking trip in a few weeks, and I near a pair of boots. Now, would it make sense to just drop $80 - $150 for durable shoes, or buy a cheap pair, see how I like hiking, and buy a more durable pair if I feel like it?</p>
<p>thx</p>
<p>ha! i was in this position 2 weeks ago. go to sierra trading post and look up "hiking boots"</p>
<p>i got mine for 30 bucks, shipping included. They were originally 90</p>
<p>Go to a store and try them on, find the most comfortable ones! You should be able to find ones in a reasonable price range 60-80 if you aren't too serious. It is critical that you have a good fit or else you will hate hiking. Also, make sure to break the boots in to prevent blisters - walk around town an hour a day for a few weeks.</p>
<p>L.L. Bean is the king of hiking, and lifetime guarantees mean that you can return the nastiest pair of beat-up shoes and get the full price back (in store credit, but still). IIRC L.L.Bean has some really good ones for $80 or $90.</p>
<p>IMO if you buy the cheaper shoe, it's more likely that you'll have a bad time hiking. Cheaper shoes aren't just less durable - they can also have imperfections which, unnoticeable at the store, become very annoying after 5 hours of hiking. If I were you, I'd buy a good [but not TOO expensive; say $70] pair. </p>
<p>Here's more info about hiking boots: Expert</a> Advice: How to Choose Hiking Footwear from REI</p>
<p>[Note: I didn't buy my shoes from REI, but the advice applies]</p>