What brand of shoes do you think are the best for
backpacking? I'm looking for a good pair and need some
advice! Do you think running shoes or hiking boots are the
best for a general backtracking trek through Europe in the
Spring/Summer? Thanks to all for responses.
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Are you planning to do any hiking? If not, I wouldn't bring
hiking boots. I took them to travel around Europe, but I
also went hiking. I think they were the only things I had.
This was a long time ago, though, and I think another
advantage were that they stayed drier when it rained. I
always thought those Nike-type sneaker/hiking combos would
be the best bet, although I don't have a pair but saw other
travelers wearing them in SE Asia.
depends on what you are planning to do. If you want to do
some hiking, definitely take some hiking boots - if not,
than a pair of trainers should be fine. If you are planning
on going clubbing in the bigger cities it might be useful to
take one pair of smart shoes along with you as well.
It's doubtful I'd actually be hiking anywhere - my main
concern is just general comfort for walking alot with a big
backpack attached to me!Any brandnames that people can
suggest trying? (I've usually only bought shoes for fashion
in the past!)
Try Dr. Maartens. You MUST break them in before you head out
trekking, but they are truly quality (orthopedically sound)
and good looking shoes.
I wore mine for 4 years plus 9 months of trekking
(city/woods) before I felt they needed to be replaced-
inside insulation was wearing out, though they could have
been worn quite a bit longer in a warmer climate.
They come in all different styles- it's not difficult to buy
a pair that will do the duty for the trail, the club, and
the office.
I have the flattest feet I have ever encountered and a truly
astounding ability to wear out shoes. These are good shoes.
I would agree with the Nike sort of hiking/runner look. I
find them to be quite comfortable and breathable and not too
heavy to carry if you also have sandals.....one other piece
of advice...TAKE SHOWER SHOES- nothing grosser than bare
feet in a hostel shoer! Those little $2 flip-flops do a
great job and don't take up much space!
...are an absolute must for travelling. I usually take
those plus a pair of low-hikers or solid walking shoes.
That's all I need.
I bought my first pair by accident, last minute before I
went on a trip to Eastern Europe, and they were so
comfortable. I never even had worn them before I got there,
(dumb!) but they were great. They're very comfortable, and
they don't look like "I'm a foreigner walking around
Europe!" You can get them in really serious leather, so
they'll last a long time. Sometimes they're cute enough to
wear with skirts (if you want to go to a ballet or a
wedding and you don't want to wear your hiking shoes!) I
always like to take two pairs of shoes, the 'serious' ones
and a pair of sneakers or flat slides that don't take up
too much room, it's nice to give your feet a break if
you're having a slow day, even your trip is only for two
weeks, but especially if it's longer!
I took a pair of Birkenstocks (German shoes and sandals) the
last time I travelled, and highly recommend them. I wore
them every day for a month, walking for miles and miles, and
they were really comfortable. They are a little bit ugly I
think, but if you can live with that they're ideal for
travelling.
They are really good shoes. Maybe I'm the only person who's
had this problem, though: I am very hard on shoes. (It has
something to do with the way I walk.)
It only takes me about two weeks to run through the
thin rubber sole on a pair of birkenstocks.
I, too, am having a shoe problem. I'm heading off to South
America in May. I'll be doing volunteer work for 3 months
and then traveling around for an undetermined length of
time. When I think of the shoes I'd use, there are too
many! (And I'm not even one of those fashionable women who
own a pair for every outfit.) Here's my dilemma:
1. runners - I run daily and intend to continue that,
especially during the first 3 months, but afterwards, too,
whenever I'm not hiking
2. hiking boots - I plan on doing some serious hiking in
the traveling part of the trip; I have a pair of Vasques
that are absolutely great for hiking, especially in wet
conditions; unfortunately they're also rather big and heavy
3. teva-type sandals - for comfort on hot days, for
showering, for walking, etc. (I'll probably wear these a
lot to work)
4. cleats - I hope to hook up with a soccer and/or ultimate
frisbee team during the first 3 months and I cannot play
without cleats (I broke my ankle a couple of years ago;
it's all full of metal now, so when I play sports I need
proper equipment)
5. some sort of dressy shoes - when it comes down to it, I
think these will be the first to go (although I'll be
living in Cochabamba and apparently people there are often
dressed up to the nines ... I'd be lying if I didn't say
that there's a small part of me that doesn't want to look
like a complete slob in comparison)
*
Help! I won't have room in my pack for anything else! Any
advice, anyone?
*
The only thing I can think of is to nix the dress shoes and
hope that my sandals will be ok for dressy occasions, buy a
pair of combination runners/hikers with decent ankle
support instead of bringing both runners and boots and ship
my cleats home when I'm done in Coch. I can't really
afford new shoes, but I'll find the money somehow if I have
to.
I've been wearing the new Birkenstock Walking Shoes for
almost a year now. Very comfortable and durable (thick
soles), and worth the expense. I also take Birkie sandals
(I use them as slippers, too). I need the ortho support.
Very important if you'll be standing for hours. Polish up
the shoes and you won't need separate dress shoes. Also, if
you're bring hiking boots (I did on a 8-week trip to S.E.
Asia and never wore them!), make sure you'll really need
them, and then wear them while traveling to make room for
all your other stuff.
I like the top of the line style Tevas. I wear them almost
all the time when I travel. I have worn them with a travel
backpack with no problems.
Tilly
In SA you should have access to good shoes in most decent
sized cities. Why not buy the dressy pair there if you need
them? I don't know where you're from, but South Americans
definitely dress up and pay more attention to appearance
than most U.S. residents.
I spent 7 months in europe and I was all about my Solomon
hiking boots (really similar to the nike hikers which I
imagine are just as good) and a pair of tevas.
My feet couldn't have been happier.
Thanks, An! I think I'll take your advice.
Ria
I walked all around western Europe in Scarpa hiking boots.
They were excellent, especially for supporting my ankles
walking along the cobbled streets. Back in Australia I've
used them heaps for hiking and they've been great for that
too. I've never even had a blister in them
I own a pair of boots from Bass Pro Shops which is a
hunting and fishing outfitter. They are comfortable, light
weight, waterproof, and lined with thinsulate. The
telephone number is 1-800-BASS-PRO and they're called
waterproof field boots. They're not the most stylish boots
on the market, but I wouldn't trade them for anything.
Even for a short trip: don┤t rely on sneakers only. They
will become smelly sooner than any other kind of shoes...
regardless of what you do.
hehe, I have to agree with the doc martin post. I have worn
my (by now totally rank) docs all over europe, belize, and
peru not to mention america. they have held up for years
and years to very hard abuse (i am hard on my stuff) I have
the 8-hole boot variety and I consider them to be the best
$130 I have ever spent. Tevas are nice if you are going to
be on or near the water tho. Happy Trails.
If you're looking for the outfit that screams "HEY! I'm an
American tourist!" by all means go with the running shoes.
Hiking boots tend to work in this way too. (Yes, I know
other people wear them too, and you may not be American, but
you should be aware that especially in Europe running
shoes and hiking boots (if worn when you're not actually
hiking) are associated with American tourists.) I agree with
two of the above posts - get Doc Martens. They're comfy,
sturdy, can be worn anywhere - walking, on short hikes (esp.
the DM hiking-type boots, which are more comfy than the
regulars) or dancing at a club. They're my shoe of choice
for travel. I even did the Inca Trail in Doc Martens (the
hiking variety). And you won't be as readily identified as a
tourist. On the other hand, if that's not a concern, go with
whatever you're used to wearing.
I have walked all over Tasmania & southern Vic. in my
Kathmandu boots. They are really comfortable & don't blister
your feet. Ialso found that teva's work well in Vic. A
friend of mine wore her Kathmandu's to Africa for four
months & she didn't have any feet problems. Whatever you
feel comfortable in you should wear, but make sure you wear
your boots in first. I found that the easiest way is to soak
your new boots in water & wear them for at least 4-5 hours,
then your boots will mould to your feet & will feel all that
more comfortable. They also support your ankles especially
over rough surfaces.
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