Saturday, 3 May 2008

Hiking boots vs the average sneaker

Right now, I am debating whether it is necessary to wear hiking boots for hiking.  I have not hiked in one ever since the last AYP expedition.

- Hiking boots, even the gore-tex ones, don't prevent water from getting through. (Remember me pouring water out of my boot after the second expedition? Completely soaked.)
- Hiking boots grip sucks (at least mine does) - I'd love to slide down hills with it, but that sounds dangerous, especially on HKAYP "expeditions"
- Hiking boots are really heavy - I prefer my running shoes 100 times more than old stinking boots.
- Hiking boots tire my legs way faster - because they are so heavy and immobile (at least mine are). They don't allow me to run in them, and I think I consume way more energy lobbing them around.
- Hiking boots are way too protective - too much rubber and padding and stuff around the shoe   making it hard to feel the ground. 
- Hiking boots are expensive compared to other types of footware that can be used for hiking. I can use the money to go get a new rucksack!
- Hiking boots give a false sense of security - most snakes can sink their fangs deep enough anyway - no point.
- Hiking boots get hot real fast - the breathability of the running shoe cannot be beaten. Not yet.
- I am not sure when was the last time I saw a terrorist go around wearing boots. Are boots necessary?
- Eric Lam, the guy in our group for AYP, didn't wear boots for the first two (the last one I'm not sure). 
- The two boys in the Balzac and the little seamstress didn't wear hiking boots, but their foot still survived!
- Same goes for riding boots - my instructor keeps bugging me to get those. Until now, I insist on wearing the minimal footwear.

A question - What part of your foot do you walk on?

Ok, some of these reasons can be solved by getting another boot. 

3 comments:

Samuel Poon said...

To answer your last question: I primarily walk with my toes. Yes, it's weird. That's why I get blisters at my toes when I go hiking.

I would wear hiking boots if I were to hike HKAYP-style. Just to prevent me from twisting my ankle. Anything less and I would opt for my sneakers/trainers.

Argh, the school CLC morning notices has its security certificate expired, making my bash script (which just looks for my name in the register, and how many middle section notices are there) fail to work. Now I have to go and fix it.

Eugene said...

that's interesting. I know for a fact most people walk on the back part of the foot("the ball of the foot"), so the lower parts of the foot gets real messy. This is actually bad, because it means that the shock from the step travels straight up the leg joints. I think it must be something to do with lazy walking and heeled shoes that the modern person is used to (or is it the opposite?)

I am wandering whether I actually need that sort of protection, because I can never run in them, even if they are much lighter, unlike mine.

My idea would be a basic ankle boot, a lot like the World War Two GI style ones. More maneuverable and less heavy.

Wow, that's interesting.

Anonymous said...

Interesting post!! I prefer to wear hiking boots for hiking.