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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hiking boots - and on meetup.com you can join a walking or hiking group.

But break the boots in first or you'll have blisters.[/quote]

1300 here.  If you are going to start out with well-established trails and low-key hikes, you don't really need the hiking boots.  Good running/athletic shoes will be fine.

I actually think it's better to start small with hikes.  Once you get into it more, then get hiking boots.   Hiking boots aren't necessary if you are going to places where you aren't really hiking in the deep woods.  And that's the kind of place you should start.  Even going to a local park with bike trails to hike on is a good start, and you don't need boots for that.  In fact, I find it's better not to wear hiking boots on paved trails.

It's when you are in the deep woods, long hikes,  and especially hilly areas where you need hiking boots for (1) to protect your feet from snakes, (2) to keep your feet dry on long hikes, and (3) to protect your ankles on inclines or stepping on uneven ground.

But I don't think you should start with that kind of hike anyhow.  Even just some paved trails is a good start.[/quote]

True. Just this summer I hiked, in sneakers to the top of an inactive volcano at 10,000 feet and then around the rim which was jagged, steep and the sides fell off onto the abyss and full of that dust stiff and volcanic sharp rocks. [b]I will say though, my two big toes turned black and are in the slow process of falling off. I hope they fall off by thanksgiving. [/b]

I'm not gonna say the hike was pleasant in my sneakers and at the descent I considered doing it barefoot, but volcanic rock is very sharp, so I simply carried on in painful agony. However I was more focused on my lungs that can't function too well at 10k feet. Talk about being winded![/quote]

Really??
[/quote]

I think PP is being sarcastic and trying to point out how gear is necessary.

I'm the PP who said you don't need to be so worried about gear in the beginning.  And I stand by that.  OP isn't going to start out by hiking up inactive volcanos.  She's likely going to take her family to Rock Creek Park to walk around or to some other local area for a little outdoor time.

You don't need expensive hiking boots for that.  That was my point.  You can start out just going to local parks with paved trails.  Then as you feel more comfortable handling longer walks, you invest in better shoes.  And I still think that, even then, hiking boots may not be the most appropriate.  It depends what you are doing.  I actually like trail running shoes better than hiking boots for local, easy-going hikes.  They're lighter.

I think a lot of hardcore outdoorsy types end up discouraging people from taking the first steps to becoming outdoorsy because they overwhelm them with all of the gear they need and all of the things they need to worry about.  They seem to forget that most people starting out aren't doing the hardcore stuff.   If they feel like they have to do a lot of planning just to go take a walk outside, they're not going to do it.

I was trying to encourage OP to get out there and start out with easy things.   [/quote]

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