When walking in the mountains, is it OK to wear trainers or should proper hiking boots be worn?

Answer 1

Well that depends, If you are going to be walking on small inclines that are paved or have very little obstacles then trainers should be ok. If you are planning on hiking on deer paths with possibly bad footing then you will need boots. Boots provide better ankle support and have kept me from spraining or breaking my ankle on rough terrain more times than I'd like to count. Also most boots offer better water and mud protection than normal shoes. Nothing worse than sloggin around all day with wet feet. Or having to be carried off the side of a mountain because you broke your ankle. Remember Murphy's law, what ever can happen will happen. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Answer 2

If your walking on anything other than a country footpath then a good pair of walking boots are the best for your feet and your total well being. Strong leather boots will support your whole foot and in the event of you treading on uneven rocky paths the ankle support will stop you twisting or even breaking your ankles. Even small stones can be felt through the sole of trainers and after a mile or two of this your feet will start to feel sore. By the boots big enough to allow for your feet swelling as they warm up and always were a pair of good padded boot socks with them. This will give you comfort and stop the formation of blisters. Break them in before you go and wear them about the house and on short walks around your town etc. A good pair will cost about £75.00 but they will last you for years. I wear mine for mountain walking on holiday and local country walking in North Gloucestershire. Have a good time.

Answer 3

In my opinion, either and it depends where you are walking.

For example, going up Ben Lomond (near Glasgow - 1000m or so high), there is a very good footpath all the way to the top and trainers are OK to walk up it except in the snow and ice.
Go up the other side of it - no footpath - and I would recommend footwear with some ankle support and a good grip.

So consider where you are going to be walking and what the tracks will be like, good tracks and trainers are OK, (good as in gravel most of the way up), poor tracks or cross country then boots might be better. If you are carrying a heavy pack then boots are better - you need the extra ankle support then

Answer 4

Appropriate boots definately. You can expect to encounter wet soggy ground on approach paths and possibly snow and ice higher up.
You need footwear with a stiff enough sole and enough grip to cushion the rock or scree you will walk on and you need to stop your ankles from twisting as you walk as well.
You don't need to have top of the range mountaineering boots for general walking but it is foolhardy to venture into a mountain environment in trainers.

Answer 5

Good question I have often wondered this as I can not find hiking boots that fit me comfortably,the only problem is trainers are not water proof and do not support the ankles.x

Answer 6

Proper Hiking Shoes to be worn for safety. If you want u can wear trainers also. No problem.

Gerogia Fayne

Answer 7

When hiking you should wear shoes that protect your foot from all areas most importantly your ankles. It also depends on what type of hike your going on, there are intense hikes were hiking shoes are a must and then leisure hikes were you can wear normal shoes because its basically a walk. But most important your shoes should be comfortable and they should protect your feet, i would go with hiking boots.

Answer 8

That all depends how much you value your feet as well as the tarain. Trainers are comftable, light on feet and ideal for day to day life, On the other hand many hiking boots are just as comftable and designed to protect and suport your feet and ankles,
The ridgedness of the soules protect your feet when working over stone ect,. somthing a trainer wount do.
At the end of the day its all down to you,, remember you onley have have one pair of feet,,,,Look after them.

Answer 9

Definitely invest in a decent pair of boots. Believe me you won't regret it. Trainers are great for going shopping & walking round town etc., but not exactly ideal for hill walking.
Get some good boots, but remember to break them in first before you tackle any rough terrain !

Answer 10

you'll thank yourself for buying and wearing in a proper pair of walking boots - but don't wear brand new ones! Wear them in around the house and streets first!