Another voice in support of hiking poles – in addition to good footwear.
I’m a lifelong hiker/backpacker. A few months ago, an accomplished (MUCH better than me) hiker/backpacker/outdoorsy friend brought along two pairs of poles – one for her, one for me – when we met up to do a popular trail. I was amazed by the difference the poles made. I felt lighter going up, and more sure-footed going down. I’m never going hiking without poles again.
Does anyone have recommendations for specific poles? I’ve noticed other people with various poles when I’ve been hiking and a few times, when crossing streams, or going down steep, uneven trails, I’ve wished I had poles for balance.
Try Chacos Z/1. They have a sturdy and supportive sole. I have hiked multiple mikes in the mountains with them. They are worth it. Seirra Trading Post has really good deals on them.
@psychomama, for moderate hikes, basically the most important feature is to be able to adjust the length of the poles quickly and easily lock it into place. The ones I bought were inexpensive, $22, on Amazon. Costco occasionally has good ones for under $30, although you can find even cheaper ones, as well as much more costly ones too ($115+) My friend, who’s “into” equipment as a rule, also uses inexpensive Costco ones, preferring them to the fancy ones she was given as a gift. I’d recommend going to a sporting goods store, trying out some brands, seeing which extension/locking mechanisms you like, then maybe looking for the same things for less online. REI has nice ones, but I found them a bit pricey.
I agree with trying on several different brands. Besides comfort, what was important to me was that they were LIGHT! I didn’t want anything that felt heavy on my feet, and for me, both those criteria were met by Ahnu hiking boots. They are about the most comfortable thing I have ever put on my feet, so I then started buying some of their other stuff, like sandals, etc., and I love the brand. The farthest we’ve ever done in one day is about 10 miles, and my feet never hurt for a second.
When H, Ds and I were in AZ last month, D1 was the only one who didn’t have hiking boots, and was the only one complaining about her feet hurting, so I took her into an outfitter store in Sedona and had her try on several pair; she also went with a pair from Ahnu. When you try them on, make sure you have on a GOOD pair of Smartwool or Wigwam socks.
Oh, and I have somewhat of a bunion on one of my feet, so I also need a wide toe box and Ahnu works for me.
Birkenstocks can be bought wide, and they actually make hiking boots now. They might not look light and stylish, but I swear after your foot breaks in that cork bed and it conforms precisely to your skeletal pressure points…there is nothing on Earth more comfortable or kinder to your back.
I’ve got Birk’s Collins Cuoio Leather ankle boots. They’re my favorite hikers.
You may also want to try on Oboz Sawtooth. Comes in low and mid heights. The mid is the higher one that will give more ankle support.
Another vote for OBOZ. I have tender feet. Usually I get blisters from any pair of new shoes-- not just hiking boots, but any shoe at at, after about ten or fifteen minutes. I was using some New Balance walking shoes, but they didn’t give enough traction on steep hills, so I went to REI to get some shoes with a better sole.
I tried on some brands. They were OK. I was on the point of buying a pair when I thought, what the heck, I’ll try on those OBOZ. When I put them on, I felt like they’d been designed for me personally. I’ve worn them over and over again, and only got blisters once, on an eight mile hike with lots of uphills and downhills, when I got a blister under the ball of my foot.
But what works for me might be wrong for you. OBOZ have a big toe box, but another brand might be better for you.You have to try hiking boots on.
I love my Merrells, but I have narrow toes. The traction is amazing. I have a light/breathable pair for summer and a warm, waterproof pair for winter. I wear them around the city when the sidewalks get icy.
Thanks,
This is going to seem like a silly question. Ankle support is so you don’t twist your ankle?
Another OBOZ fan! I have the mid hiking Sawtooth, too. They fit my foot perfectly when I first tried them on. I like the ankle support for hiking uneven, muddy, rocky, root-filled trails. They definitely keep me from twisting my ankle. I have low hiking Merrells and they are fine on crushed gravel or dirt trails that are basically flat.
The ankle portion does almost nothing for you on smooth surfaces. Depending on the stiffness of the boots, they can provide lots of support when your foot is trying to bend in relation to your lower leg. Ski boots do this the most, kind of worthless is they are floppy like Chuck Taylors.
There are other benefits. They keep the snow, rocks, sticks, mud and sand out. They work as brush guards. They keep your socks up better. At times, when crossing a stream, I will tighten up my boots, cinch down the gaiters, and run across without getting too wet. As I mentioned before, my state park shoes are a pair of Asics low-top trail runners, not waterproof, good for trail walking with a lunch pack. Strong knees and ankles are way more important than the boots.
Thanks! V. helpful
The ankle support gives me more stability when I am navigating rocks, tree roots, ruts, etc. You should know, I am a HUGE fan of being barefoot most of the time, even in winter as long as I am indoors. I would 90% of the time not be wearing anything on my feet, so thought I would hate the mid-hiking boot, but I was so wrong. They really make the more difficult trails easier - or at least provide me with more support as I step on uneven debris on the trail.
Merrells are my go to hiking shoes. Also second going to REI and look at options and ask for help.
I have done a lot of solo hiking, but I recenlty also got involved in some local hiking groups. The hikes can be pretty serious (10 miles, 3100 ft. elevation change), and the people that I’ve met recommended the Salomon boots.
I specifically heard good things about these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NB6MWN8/ref=s9_simh_gw_g309_i1_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=JXEK94EQYN5DFVBTMDNN&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=a6aaf593-1ba4-4f4e-bdcc-0febe090b8ed&pf_rd_i=desktop
I actually ordered them for myself but haven’t had a chance to try them out yet.
Echoing the recommendation for Keen. I need a wide toe box too. Went to REI and tried on every single pair of hiking shoes…the Keens were definitely the best.
For all you REI shoppers - Members Only Garage Sale, Dec. 31. It’s returned merchandise, all sales final, but amazing deals! Bought hiking boots that were $139 in the store for $29 at the garage sale in the parking lot. Also bought a $200 Patagonia down jacket for $39. Lots of great gear at super clearance prices.
^^^Ebay is another place to look. I got my hiking boots from a store that sells either floor samples or something that was quickly returned. I got the Salomon boots for $39.99, normally around $100 or more.