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Stylish 'hiking boots' suggestion?

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Dear YLF,

My father, bless his old age, has decided that on our trip to China, he would like to go hiking. Now, the last time he has done the same trek, he was 24. He is now 67, but I'm sure in his mind he is still 24. LOL.

It is about an 8hr trek up concrete steps. Yeah. I'm not thrilled. But hopefully will be good bonding time.

I am not sure what to wear for footwear that wouldn't be too crazy - I'm imagining that pumps are definitely out - but not too frumpy either? A riding boot?

If it helps; it is going to be in late October, around Beijing - hopefully we will see beautiful vistas like the one I posted! I also posted pics of my current boot collection (2, 3, 4) - or should I be hunting for a new pair?

Thanks YLF!

Much love,
Lyn

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Julie

catgirl

Veteran

For gosh sakes, please get real gear for this type of thing. It needn't be hideous but my feet hurt just thinking about those boots on a trek like that. Hybrid sneakers? If you're willing, I'll make some suggestions. What will the temperature be? I wore a pair of Jambus and no other shoes for a trip to CA that involved city walking, Disney, and all day scrambling and hikes in Joshua Tree.

Your dad is awesome!

catgirl

Veteran

These?

http://www.endless.com/Womens-.....geCode%3Dd

Ryka Optimum Fitness Mary Jane

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Alaskagirl! My feet are hurting at the thought of it too! I'm still trying to come to terms that I might need to wear -pants- ... ugh. Maybe jeans.

Louise

Veteran

Please get proper hiking boots. Mine are Hi tec beige nubuck. I chose them because I liked the colour!! Not, BF assures me the main point when choosing boots but thankfully they turned out to be comfy I just have to jump over muddy puddles and the like so I don't get them too dirty!!! Piccies below x

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Louise

Veteran

In terms of trousers I wear black cargo trousers but I guess if it's going to be really hot you may want to get gear pants to wick away sweat and keep you cool x

Jjsloane

Veteran

Ditto on the appropriate footwear. You could possibly wear gear leggings or tights (smartwool makes some cute ones) with a dress and boots.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Tee hee. Okay; I googled it - YEAH. anything with a heel is probably out. I will be good and get some appropriate footwear And a gel pad (or two).

I love your idea of gear leggings, jjsloane - I will definitely check it out! Thanks!

catgirl

Veteran

Athleta has really cute gear dresses and skirts.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oooh; will check them out too

Any tour that requires a "walking stick" is probably one on which I will need to have proper gear! Gonna clarify with my dad he REALLY wants to walk to the top (apparently there is no medical assistance on the mountain, so hopefully nothing bad happens to anyone - gonna make him carry his nitro.)

Makrame

Veteran

I agree with the proper hiking boots suggestion, even though hiking on concrete steps sounds slightly less rugged than regular hiking. You are going to have fun, I am sure!

Depending on the temperature, I would either go for the type of hiking boots that Louise has or, as AG suggests, more lightweight sneaker-type shoes. If the route is not too slippery or twisty or wet, you don't have to worry about having the higher, ankle-supporting, hiking boots, like the one in Louise's picture.

For the more lightweight options, I kind of like some of these:
http://www.6pm.com/merrell-lorelei-lace-black
http://www.6pm.com/product/7961797/color/27
http://www.6pm.com/merrell-cha.....ive-orchid

My favorite pants for warm weather hikes are Ex Officio Nio Amphi convertible pants - I bought them a couple of years ago on Sierra Trading Post for about $30. Don't see them now at a reasonable price or a nice color, though.

Diana

Veteran

Agree with everyone else to get Real Gear. At the very least, hiking boots or good sneakers. You can wear regular jeans, most likely.

I think Timberlands are good, and look pretty decent too. I did need to break mine in though - the ankles were quite stiff at first - so you might want to wear them around a bit first.
http://www.zappos.com/timberla.....ck-leather

ETA: Mine are dark brown (although I would prefer black) and I can get away with wearing them under bootcut jeans as regular, non-gear shoes once in a while. (Like in the dead of winter, when the sidewalks are icy, etc).

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Thanks! We are going with a tour group; so I emailed the company to see what they suggest - I have a sneaky feeling that for the tour; it is a cable car ride to the top (which would be very disappointing for my dad).

I love all your suggestions (hiking dresses and boots with splotches of pink? I AM SO IN) - I am scratching my head as to the last time I've owned gear boots though!

Kari

Veteran

Yes, I absolutely would go for good proper hiking boots or trail shoes, not fashion hiking shoes, in this case. Be kind to your feet!

My hiking boots have an awkward seam that can cause blisters. I wear Smart Feet inserts to slightly raise the height of my ankle to eliminate rubbing, wear proper thick wool socks like these, and carry moleskin, bandaids, and scissors with me when I'm hiking in case I need to do any last minute foot-saving maneuvers.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Well I think you are already convinced that proper gear is needed so will just add that my partners family hiked at the great wall and from the pics, I would say it is amazing and well worth the gear.

Have a great time. I am hoping one day we will visit Hong Kong if not mainland China since he speaks Cantonese and shopping would be great.

Glory

Veteran

I would go with a trail runner and light weight wicking pants. Chek lulu lemon and Mountain Equipment coop for some ideas. Love your boot collection.

sarah

Veteran

Since you are not on a trail but are on concrete steps, I might opt for running shoes, actually.

Anonymous

Lyn, I'm with AG & the others in thinking something like the cute Ryka Mary Janes, Merrells, etc. walking/hiking shoes or boots with cute but practical clothing--unless you find out it really is 8 hrs. of walking/hiking & that the footing is more uneven than smooth steps. If that's the case then, as others have said, you'd need hiking boots with ankle support. Cabela's has a wide range of practical footwear, & that's where I get my hiking/walking/athletic shoes, boots, & sandals.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog.....t104797980

BTW I noticed that an ad for Danner boots popped up along with this discussion. If anybody ever needs heavy-duty boots with ankle support, Danners are great! (I wear Danner work boots/logging boots when the dogs & I go tracking over rough terrain so I don't sprain my ankles.) And Danner also makes lighter-weight boots too.

Megan

catgirl

Veteran

Adding Patagonia shoes to the suggestion box also...

Anonymous

I'm endorsing the suggestions for gear shoes. As a less correct alternative, at least get yourself a pair of timberland boots. I actually have a pair of Fryes that I use for camping etc. these are my boots, in brown.
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/.....135670044/

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Why have I never heard of Cabela's before?

I quite like these: http://www.cabelas.com/product.....t104790780

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catgirl

Veteran

Those are cute, lyn, but they are not hiking boots! I know because I own them.

Cabela's is an outdoor catalog - everyone I know who hunts orders from it. Also check Sierra Trading Post, if they ship to Canada... and Campmor and REI.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Darn, my eye for cute boots has undermined me again! :p

The tour guide is recommending runners - this I can do! I have pink and grey New Balances.

*squeeeeee*

catgirl

Veteran

Yay! Honestly, it's the most practical solution... and no one looks cute limping in pain.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lyn, those are cool boots, but they aren't gearish enough, in my bossy opinion.

I've just come back from hiking in the mountains of Alberta. I brought with me some gear walking shoes by Ecco <http://biom.ecco.com/en-XI/BIO.....23>.

I also brought some Ecco Mary Janes for walking into town and back. I wanted something that wouldn't look ridiculous with street clothes, even a casual skirt. <http://store.shoetopia.ca/inde.....co>

Neither of these shoes was really up to the hiking I ended up doing, so I bought some trail runners. I bought these because there was no breaking in (vs. what usually happens with hiking boots) and I can wear them for outdoor excursions and running back home as well. <http://www.montrail.com/Women%.....ml>

These shoes proved to be very comfortable and they had excellent traction, and although I felt grumpy about buying yet another pair of gear shoes, my feet and knees really thanked me for it.

Now that I've done with dispensing advice, may I just add one little thing? In Beijing in October it is likely still to be pretty warm. Not as hot as in September, but warmer than in most parts of Canada.

Oh - and one FINAL thing: I am going to be in China in October, too!! Wouldn't a YLF meetup in China be beyond belief? I will be there for about 3 weeks, in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. What about you?

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

HAHA; YLF in China would be AWESOME - I am going to HK and Beijing; although I'm not sure about this 10 day tour thing my parents are insisting on enrolling in - I have no idea; they decided to plan it all

I hope it's not going to be -too- warm; last time we went to HK in June and I thought I was going to pass out or die :p (Pass out and die?) - also; the rains were ridiculous! It will be a big trip - about 25 or so various family members. CRAZY. Ugh.

Tailoring is cheap in HK - I hope you can bring a piece or two of favorite clothing to get reproduced!

sarah

Veteran

Phew. I'm SOOO happy for your feet. Have an AMAZING trip.

Julie

Veteran

Get your hiking boots ASAP!! Can't stress that enough. Wear them and get them broken in. Find and correct any concerns with them before you start the trek.

No medical assistance on the mountain? I thought you were a doctor. That sounds like medical assistance to me. I just hope neither your dad nor anyone else needs it and that you have a great trip. But, please prepare, it's not a fashion show catwalk.

Cheers

Julie

Anonymous

Hi Lyn & Alaska Girl, I just might have to get those Cabela's harness boots! AG is right, though: they're not hiking boots. But they look comfortable to stand & walk around in, & they look great. I love Cabela's, & I'm glad they have some practical stuff that looks good too!

Megan

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

HAHAHA JULIE. You crack me up. I am training to be a psychiatrist. Hopefully no one needs psychiatric treatment on the mountain!

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