Camping And Hiking Gear

Sonny answers:

Cabelas has a vast assortment of hiking shoes/boots. Or you can try Lands End. I prefer Cabelas.

Sonny answers:

You definitely want to use your running/cross training shoes, unless you want needless blisters. Also, no matter what you wear, you need good wick-dry socks.
Most serious hikers have ditched their heavy boots for low cut hiking shoes. I hiked the Grand Canyon in low cut shoes.
Go on line and search light weight backpacking and look at the footwear they recommend.
No matter what you wear, make sure it has good traction on dirt, and rock. Otherwise you'll slide.
If you are prone to sprained ankles, I suggest you bring hiking poles, to prevent falling.

Sonny answers:

If your work boots are broken in and comfortable, go with them! Newer boots may not conform to your feet comfortably, and the trail is NOT the place to find out!

Good luck!

Sonny answers:

If you're not walking on trails w /heavy packs then hiking boots are the wrong boots and there are some in the hiking community that think that traditional hiking boots may even be the wrong boots for that.
So what willl you be walking on ?

Sonny answers:

It sounds like your boots are not fitting you very well - they may be too loose and thus rubbing against the back of your heel as you walk.

Unfortunately, there is no simple best answer for hiking boots since everybodys feet are a little different and a brand that is great for one person, may be the pits for somebody else. After trying a variety of different boots and brands over the years, I have settled on the Raiche GTX (also sold by REI under the name Spirit) - they are comfortable, water-proof and very sturdy (my treads are still holding up after over 400 miles on them).

If you are going to be hiking in snow, than you will want water-proof boots (ie: Gore-Tex lining) and may want to consider a boot that can work with strap-on crampons (for extra support in ice).

Backpacker Magazine just came out with their yearly gear guide issue and gave the Timberland Cadion the best rating for comfort and fit on women's boots. You should pick up the issue, bucause it gives the low down on a variety of brands and recent styles. They also have a lot of good tips for picking out boots, specifically:
1 - Shop in the afternoon when your feet are larger
2 - Have them measure your feet for a good fit
3 - Try on several different models and brands
4 - Spend at least 15 minutes walking around in each pair
5 - Wait for perfection - don't settle, if they don't fit
6 - Consider adding padding and aftermarket supports/soles.

A good fit is one where you have wiggle room in the toes, but your heel is firm and snug. I would also strongly recommend going to an outdoor type store that specializes in hiking/camping gear and whose sales staff hikes themselves as opposed to a general shoe store or sporting goods store. REI is a good national chain, but many towns in outdoor areas will also have a small local outfitter or hiking shack.

Sonny answers:

They are both pretty close but still have their differences. Hikling boots are made to be light weight, and are very porus to allow air into your feet through the upper mesh. They also have a more curved knobby sole to make walking on loose rock and walking inclines easier to grip the surface.
Hunting boots on the other hand tend to be heavier in weight simply because they are designed to completely insulate the feet against cold or freezing temperatures and provide water resistence at the same time. Hunting boot soles are made from a stiffer sole material that is not as soft and giving as Hiking boots. The Hunting boot sole is much flatter and can be worn and walked in with minimal noise on leaves twigs etc, and as a result are less likley to make noise when stalking animals

Sonny answers:

Use moleskin - you can buy it at the pharmacy. It is kind of like a band aid that you would cut and attach to your heel, but has a smooth and cushiony surface (it's specifically made for preventing blisters). You can even use it to prevent your blisters from getting worse.

Wear that for a couple hikes until your shoes are a bit more broken in and you should be good to go.

Sonny answers:

Don't bother taking the boots unless you are intending to do some actual cross country hiking or are going somewhere like Russia in mid-winter. You can always buy the right kind of footwear there if you find that you need it.