Attention hiking/outdoorsful types

[Lunar Still]

I know there are at least a few of you out there, right? I've started going on short hikes at a nearby state park (short meaning, the longest trail there is about 3 miles), and I'd like to start making this into a hobby, and going on longer sojourns. So, I figure the best place to start is with the most essential tool to any hike: the feet! I'd like to know, what kind of hiking boots/shoes have you guys found to be, in your opinion, the best to take you out on the trails?

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Russel, awesome!!

I have a pair of Garmont shoes that I love. water proof, but breathable, and tough sole.. .I love 'em.
I would recomand something light, but strong... it all depends on the kind of hiking you do and what conditions realy...


You just reminded me though, that I havn't hiked in a long time

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Russel, awesome!!

I have a pair of Garmont shoes that I love. water proof, but breathable, and tough sole.. .I love 'em.
I would recomand something light, but strong... it all depends on the kind of hiking you do and what conditions realy...


You just reminded me though, that I havn't hiked in a long time

 

[Lunar Still]

Russel, awesome!!

I have a pair of Garmont shoes that I love. water proof, but breathable, and tough sole.. .I love 'em.
I would recomand something light, but strong... it all depends on the kind of hiking you do and what conditions realy...


You just reminded me though, that I havn't hiked in a long time

Yeah, I figured I might be asking a fairly vague question. Right now, I'm hiking through what Indiana used to be before 2/3 of it was converted to farmland: pure North American forest. I've got a ton of pictures I've taken of the area that have only to be resized, I'll post them here.

 

[Tide In Mind Out]

Bare feet, that way I can use my finger toes to really grab onto things and keep my footing.

...just kidding. >_>

My Dr. Martens hiking boots work fine.

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Yeah, any shoe that is durable and comfortable will do for an avarage hiking day. For now I'd just say go to an outdoor store, and find something relatively cheap but comfortable and see from there.
soon enough you'll see what the shoe you have is missing, so you'll upgrade.
If your hiking is getting serious, then you'll definitely need a good solid and serious kind of shoe.
There are three things that I never compromised on when I used to go on days of camping and hiking: shoes, back pack, and a sleeping bag. one of those 3, when chose poorly, can ruin a whole trip.

 

[Chromatose]

Be sure to break in the new shoes with short walks before you just go out on a long haul.

 

[Chromatose]

And don't underestimate the importance of quality socks!

 

[Dead_Lioness]

Be sure to break in the new shoes with short walks before you just go out on a long haul.

Great point, D!

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

wow, I really wanna go hiking now!
doesnt Merrell make really good hiking boots/shoes?

 

[Dead_Lioness]

wow, I really wanna go hiking now!
doesnt Merrell make really good hiking boots/shoes?

yep, Merrel is a great company as well.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

I should probably like... do something active for a change.

 

[Lunar Still]

These pics were all taken on January 28 at Charlestown State Park, Indiana.

The beginning of my favorite trail, Trail 3. The first part of the trail lets you see firsthand the long and bizarre history of this part of the park, as back in the '20s this gravel road led to an amusement park that was destroyed by the flood of 1937. The road is one of the few remaining traces of the park.

Down below just through the trees, you can see Fourteen Mile Creek, one of the oldest unglaciated streams in the state. I find it fascinating to be so close to something that was here before the Ice Age.

The opposite bank of the creek is where the amusement park used to be. The body of water the creek empties into is the mighty (filthy) Ohio River.

The remains of a footbridge that led to the old amusement park. You can see virtually the same picture during summer on the Wikipedia entry for the Rose Island amusement park.

The branch came mere inches from touching the ice.

Ice volcano! This was a frozen waterfall that collapsed as the temperature began to rise.

More to come...

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

 

[Lunar Still]

Shows how far up this little tributary stream I had to climb to get to the waterfall.

An excellent view of the confluence of Fourteen Mile Creek and the Ohio.

This is as high up as I got that day.

The land of driftwood and spider webs...as often as the river rises and falls, I doubt this area has ever been free of floating debris.

 

[Reminiscence]

Looks like Indiana sucks as much as Massachusetts.

I find the best thing for months long hiking is a simple but durable trail running shoe. The most comfortable and enjoyable, at the very least.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Shucks, Indiana looks beautiful.

 

[Krigloch the Furious]

yeah thats awesome. I wish we had stuff like that around here

 

[Reminiscence]

Greece is beautiful. Colorado is beautiful. Washington is beautiful. Argentina is beautiful. Indiana, somewhat desolate.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Looks like paradise compared to here.