I am going on a camping trip in South Dakota, what brands of (women's) hiking boots would be recommended?

Question

This is a trip for a field ecology class, we will be exploring, hiking and camping in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota for 10 days or so. We may be visiting Wind Cave or Jewel Cave. I'd prefer something comfortable and waterproof. We will also be hiking to the top of Harney Peak.

I am willing to spend what I need to on these, but I would prefer if they were under $100.

Answer 1

Check out REI.com they have a lot of brands, a good site and great exchange policy. They also have a great REI brand, I'd highly recommend you take a trip to one of their stores if possible to talk to their people. Make sure you join the co-op; this is the time of year for their biggest sale. You need some time to break in your boots or you are asking for blisters and trouble, wear them all the time even at home.

Unfortunately buying boots is like buying shoes, each brand is a little different and the fit may be hard to get right. Several brands like Nike make a hiking shoe that is light weight, easy to break in, and comes in waterproof fabrics like Gortex. Do some homework before purchasing!

If you are hiking much, get a Camelbak or Platypus water backpack. These are the two major brand names; it is a plastic water bag in a small backpack with a tube and drinking valve. Kelty, Serra Designs and others now make versions. It allows you to carry more water comfortably than just water bottles.


http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/foot-care/ Seems to be a really Good information site.


This is an excerpt from my Boy Scout letter to new parents, it also discusses socks (almost as important as good boots).
have fun

Good boots are important especially if your troop does much backpacking. Tennis shoes are not very good for campouts except as extras. Academy boots are fine at first, look for water proofing. Snow Seal works best, but only on leather portions. Gore-Tex or similar material is used extensively in boots it won’t keep feet dry in a big puddle but works in the rain and wet grass. I know cost is a big concern, boys will be growing out of rain gear and boots sooner than other equipment do your homework and you won’t be spending a fortune. I’m listing some other resources later.

As important as good boots are good socks, I like the two-layer approach. The inner layer is a thin liner generally made from ploy propylene. The outer layer is a rag wool sock. This allows moisture to pass through the liner and into the wool. Wool socks wick moisture to the top of the boot so it evaporates as you walk. Dry feet help to reduce blisters; this approach works well in both summer and winter. I have been in two Academy’s and all they have the Wig-wam brand liner only in a tube sock. Try to find liners with heals, the tube style liners bunch up and can cause blisters on top of the foot.

http://www.shop-of-hiking.com has lots of shoe sites

http: www//campmor.com Has a lot of boots a a good price but their web site is not as informative

Answer 2

Best bet is to try them all on, with thick hikings socks. HI-TEK is an inexpensive shoe that is pretty sturdy (you can get them at almost any outdoor superstore), Timberlands are good too. Salomons tend to run on the narrow side. If you have trouble finding a boot because the're ALL too narrow at the pinkie toe (a common problem for us women), try the corresponding size in a men's style, as most hiking boots don't come in wide widths, and somehow they are all narrower than they should be. I do that, and found a pair of Timberlands at an outlet store for $50. I wear a women's 9med, and got a men's 7 1/2 and they fit great. Just make sure to buy them at least a month ahead, and wear them around town w/ thick hiking socks, to break them in and get rid of any hot spots.

Answer 3

For under $100 Timberland puts out 2 styles that are decent. They are the Chocorua & Whiteledge. The Chocorua has Gore-Tex and retails between 99.99-110.00
But for Gore-Tex a really great price.
The Whiteledge is waterproof and lightweight and retails for $89.99
Hope this helps & enjoy Camping/Hiking trip

Answer 4

Red Wing offers the best outdoor boots. I recommend their
forestry firefighting model. It delivers the traction, kicks his
you know what, and protects ankles from sprains. Plan on 2 weeks to break it in using boot oil.
Have been a caver since '64.

Answer 5

depends on how much you want to spend? on the high end vasque, on the low end hi teks.