Any hikers here? (updated with shoe questions)

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WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
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I want to take up hiking. What do I need? This is in Texas where it seldom goes below 40°F.

Are hiking boots necessary or will good comfortable shoes do? I don't like the high tops of boots, but I suppose they prevent sprains?


Edit: Are these shoes(Adidas Tarrow Low) good for hiking? They call them "cross training" on the REI site and say "Rubber outsoles deliver high traction on a variety of terrain".

How about these(Lowa Vento II)?


Are "trail running" shoes good for day hiking? Saloman Dakota Lows?
 
F

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
14,090
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Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
I want to take up hiking. What do I need? This is in Texas where it seldom goes below 40°F.

Are hiking boots necessary or will good comfortable shoes do? I don't like the high tops of boots, but I suppose they prevent sprains?
Click to expand...

Are you hiking or backpacking?

Shoes: Get something with good ankle support. Gore-tex lining is also a plus. Sock liners are a good idea( example) I was always a fan of high quality wool socks too.
 
B

BatmanNate

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
12,444
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Keep a nice juicy porterhouse in your pack at all times, especially when hiking in areas with mountain cats.
 
G

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
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If you hike in Texas in the spring, snakes don't like high-tops either.

Their stuff is good and any returns are easy...Text
My GF lived outside Austin for a few years. She is a birder, we walk alot, is fun.

Check REI's locater for a store and look at the sales...........:sun:
 
IGBT

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,965
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Rattlesnake gattors..nasty buggers with no sense of humor..and a gps thingy to find your way home.
 
W

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
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Originally posted by: IGBT
Rattlesnake gattors..nasty buggers with no sense of humor..and a gps thingy to find your way home.
Click to expand...

I was at REI today actually. Nice place.


What's the difference between hiking and backpacking? Does hiking not involve a backpack?
 
V

vegetation

Diamond Member
Feb 21, 2001
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What's the difference between hiking and backpacking? Does hiking not involve a backpack?
Click to expand...

Backpacking is a multi day trip with you pitching a tent or sleeping out in the open (as opposed to sleeping in a cabin or something covered). Because of the length of the expedition, you have to carry considerably more gear with you, hence the term backpacking. Hiking usually refers to a day trip, maybe one night at most.
 
P

przero

Platinum Member
Dec 30, 2000
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Water bottle, compass, waterproof matches, parka, good hiking boots, and stamina.
 
A

arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
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Definitely pick up a small first aid kit. You don't even need to buy a real one, just assemble it piece by piece. It's important that you keep it up to date though. Medication has expiration dates so periodically you need to go through your kit and replace the stuff that's about to expire with new stuff.

If you're just getting started with hiking/backpacking, start out small. You don't need to go out and buy $500 worth of gear only to decide later that you really don't care for the hobby. Start with day hikes. Find a nice place with some trails that'll take you a few hours to cover (figure about 2 miles per hour unless there's alot of ups and downs). For this, all you'll need is a decent pair of hiking boots and a backpack for your first aid kit/water/camera. It might sound silly but I also usually bring a clean white t-shirt to use as a sweat rag. Just hang it off one of your backpack straps where it's easily accessible. Really handy in the summertime.

You don't have to spend more than $100 on your hiking boots. What you're looking for is decent ankle support and take a good look at the tread. In my experience, climbing over rocks tends to shear off the little tread "knobs" (my Timberland boots were bad about that) so look for something that has robust tread.

And don't buy a hiking stick. Make one from a stout hardwood branch (maple, ash, etc). Strip the bark, use 30-minute epoxy to fill in any cracks or knots, coat the bottom ~8 inches with a couple coats of epoxy for strength, then give the whole thing a few coats of polyurethane clear coat and you'll have a hiking stick that other folks will envy.

I've assembled a page of trails in Kentucky here. If you're ever travelling through the area, you might consider taking an extra day and visiting some of these spots.

 
IGBT

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,965
140
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While your out there hiking around Texas..see if you can find a town called Big Tuna..it's out there in the desert somewhere..I hear Bobby Peru lives there..and find out why they named a town in the middle of the desert Big Tuna...
 
F

Feldenak

Lifer
Jan 31, 2003
14,090
2
81
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Originally posted by: IGBT
Rattlesnake gattors..nasty buggers with no sense of humor..and a gps thingy to find your way home.
Click to expand...

I was at REI today actually. Nice place.


What's the difference between hiking and backpacking? Does hiking not involve a backpack?
Click to expand...

Backpacking is a multi-day expedition that requires you to carry a decent amount of gear with you. Hiking is a a day trip that involves only a daypack with a few essentials.

When I was doing alot of backpacking, I was a big fan of Vasque boots.
 
F

freebee

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 2000
4,043
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Vasque makes great all-leather boots, but keep in mind, unless you are carrying a load, most full leather boots are too stiff to be practical. I ended up getting a pair and never using them because for light day-hike usage they were too extreme. I wore running shoes instead.
 
W

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
13,990
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Originally posted by: freebee
Vasque makes great all-leather boots, but keep in mind, unless you are carrying a load, most full leather boots are too stiff to be practical. I ended up getting a pair and never using them because for light day-hike usage they were too extreme. I wore running shoes instead.
Click to expand...

I need to find a store that has a wide selection of shoes. REI is a small store.
 
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