I need some advice on hiking gear for my 17 year old. We are not outdoorsy people! But, he is going to a leadership camp (leaving the end of next week ) and I just found out they will be doing some hiking, and he needs to bring “boots for hiking.“
He literally owns one pair of sneakers that are extremely lightweight. I’m pretty sure those will not cut it. What should I get? I have read that you should not wear a pair of hiking boots that have not been broken in, so I’m not sure I can even get him anything that will work in the time we have. Also, I don’t want his feet to be sore, but I also don’t want to spend very much because he will never use them again if he can avoid it.
I have Keen hiking boots, which are a little bulky but incredibly comfortable and supportive. I bought them through LL Bean. But you’re probably better off just going to your local REI or sporting goods store and trying on a few models. Look for comfort and ankle support. But unless he’s doing really long/rigorous/technical hiking, you don’t need to overthink this (and you don’t need to spend a fortune). Don’t worry about breaking them in – I always break in new hiking boots by hiking in them! Not a big deal. Bring a few band-aids or moleskin for blisters if necessary.
(And you never know – he might well use them again! Hiking can be addictive.)
Go local and go today. This kid needs to walk around in whatever you buy him…to make sure they really are comfortable. REI, LLBean all have a hiking sneaker type of shoe…light weight but with decent support and tread. But the key is…comfort.
Over the years I’ve had great luck with Keens, Merrills, and more recently OnClouds. I generally go to the Rack and get whichever of the three I can find on sale.
Lightweight hiking shoes should be fine. My husband wears Keens as his daily shoe, sturdy and supportive and fine for short and medium distances. No break in required. I wear Merrell hiking boots for actual hiking and light backpacking, also no break in required. REI, EMS (not sure where you’re located) and places like Dick’s Sporting Goods should have you covered.
You don’t need to break them in…but you do need to make sure they fit right. How many times have you bought shoes that felt fine in the store, but weren’t actually as comfortable once you wore them? For a hike situation, this just wouldn’t work. Thus my suggestion of really getting something very soon.
He might want to clarify what they mean by “hike”. If it’s just walking on a dirt trail, then trail shoes will be fine - those are essentially very rugged sneakers. That kind of “hike” is fairly typical for random non-hardcore people brought together for a group event.
If it’s actual hiking on broken, rocky, uneven ground, then you’d need the boots with ankle support.
I kinda doubt a camp full of random people would get taken on a rugged hike, but I guess stranger things have happened.
Anyway, I’m not much of a hiker but I use Merrell trail shoes for my “hiking” in Sedona, which is generally dirt trails and gentle “mountains” like Bell Rock. I do have a pair of hiking boots with ankle support but rarely use them.
I prefer boots - whether I have a pack or not - but have had a whole host of injuries to my ankles over the years so I want that support.
My 25 year old has both hiking boots and hiking shoes and still often hikes in runninh shoes!.
This is all to say that as long as your son has shoes that fit and have some tread, he should be fine. Do try them on! Hiking shoes are one way to go. Trail running shoes may also be a good option. I find the main difference is flexibility of sole and weight, but in a store like REI, you can compare yourself.
Agree with whoever said to find out how vigorous the hiking will be. My 60yo knees and ankles were fine in my cross-trainers recently at 11k feet. Would I have preferred hiking boots? Yes. But if you really think he’ll never use them again I’d find out whether he really needs them in the first place.
My kids all love ‘trail runners’ … a hybrid sneaker with a more substantial sole. They are also easier to break in than traditional hiking shoes. If he doesn’t have ankle issues and need the higher support, that is what I would recommend.
And while ‘waterproof’ sounds great - in summer, that also means ‘does not breathe and hot feet’.
I am a Keen devotee. I have had a broken foot and ankle issues and they fit me well - my feet are very happy in them. But I like a traditional hiking shoe and trail runners don’t have enough support.
If you can get to a REI, that is the way to go. (and don’t forget a few good pair of socks!!!)
I agree to see if you can determine the type of “hiking”. These days that could mean anything from climbing a mountain to taking a 2 mile trail walk at a MetroPark. Might it be muddy? Is there tall grass? There are hiking shoes that won’t be too different than sneakers (but better tread) and maybe he can use them again. As opposed to a full on beefy hiking boot!
Here the mid-height trail boots I’ve been re-purchasing every 2,000 miles or so for many years. The nice thing is, it even comes in “wide” sizes if your son should need that. You can find them in local outdoor stores, including REI.
It’s not a heavy boot, and breathable, and sufficiently water resistent for a rainy day. And he can use them for other times where sneakers just won’t do. Yes, it’s a good idea to wear them for a day, to make sure there are no “hot spots”, but generally, I’ve worn out-of-the-box sets of these boots for 15 - 20 miles without problems:
There also is an all-leather version that’s more water proof and will work extra well when having to get around in the occasional snow storm or just shoveling the drive way:
PS: I combine them with these socks (yes, even in the heat of the summer, for all-day hikes). Cushy socks that wick away sweat and are forgiving if water/snow does get into the boots (e.g., from the top), are the other part of the equation to being comfortable in hiking boots all day:
I recommend Hoka speedgoat trail runners. They’re great on dirt and on rocks/roots/slab and steep terrain. Very grippy, though they wear fairly quickly, especially on rough terrain. My kids like the saucony peregrine; I thought they weren’t roomy enough in the toe box. My husband likes his merrell boots. (I find that boots construct my ankle too much, though the Hoka hiking boots are good, if sweaty for summer—they’re waterproof.) I guess knowing where the hiking will be would be helpful. Good luck!
These tips are helpful! Unfortunately because of our schedule we can’t get to REI until Tuesday. But I went ahead and bought some of the recommended shoe brands/types from Amazon (try before you buy) and Zappos. They’ll get here tomorrow or Monday. If they don’t work, we will at least have a better idea of what he likes and doesn’t like when we go to the store.
I also bought some of the good socks recommended, and some mole skin. Like people have suggested, if I had to guess I would say it’s going to be more of an outdoor walk than an intense hike. But I don’t know for sure because the info just said “we’re going to be hiking one day, make sure you bring hiking boots.“
) and I just found out they will be doing some hiking, and he needs to bring “boots for hiking.“