Just a quick query... My husband and I will be in Italy for 26 days, by all accounts walking all day, most days. I'm after advice on personal favourites for footwear. Most shoe stores say hiking boots, so you're all strapped in, for whatever rough surfaces you come across. I understand this logic for the Cinque Terra paths, but what of most of the rest of it? Are the 'roads that all lead to Rome' all very uneven? Wouldn't your feet get very heavy with boots on, all day, every day? What about the actual sight seeing... Can you go into the museums etc.. with hiking boots on? Any advice, gratefully accepted.... Thanks, Debbie Lee....

Hi Debbie. To answer your second question first, I have never gone into a museum where there was a foot inspection. <BR> <BR>Now for the boots. I have walked a few hundred miles of trails, at least, both with and without a backpack. I have gotten to the top of peaks in Colorado in my younger days, slid over snow fields in the Alps and in Glacier National Park, scrambeled the alpine routes in Yoho, and trudged along the AT in Georgia and North Carolina. One rule: do not get a pair of boots that is too heavy. They will only drag you down. I have worn both light ones and heavy ones and I can tell you from experience that you rarely need a heavy boot. The heavier the boot, the more the fatigue. <BR> <BR>For requirements, I insist on Vibram soles, yellow label, a padded ankle collar, a hard toe, and room in the toe box of the boot. Goretex is nice for sloshing in the mud and rain, but I also think Goretex impacts the moisture transfer away from the foot. It is something of a trade off. <BR> <BR>Right now I have a pair of light boots that I got years ago from LL Bean. They are so old they are not made any longer. But they are so comfortable that I will not part with them until they come apart. So far, my local shoe man has been able to redo them with Vibram soles (yellow label) and stitch up weak seams. So until the uppers split out on me, I will keep having new soles and heels put on them. Why? They don't raise blisters, even downhill with a pack. <BR> <BR>To some extent the use dictates what you get. But unless you are going to lash crampons onto your boots, and go out on a glacier with rope and ice axe, or attempt rock climbing with ropes, carabiners, and pitons, you do not need anything other than a good pair of comfortable, pliable boots. <BR>Let me suggest that mail order is risky unless you know your exact size. I would go to an outdoors supply store that has a good selection of boots and try on several pairs. Even more so than with shoes, it is essential that boots fit. I would also be sure that I tried on the boots after I had walked some that day and that I had on the socks I intended to wear. (I personally like a thin polypropylene (sp??)liner sock with a CoolMax or Smartwool heavy outer sock. It may be hotter, but if you are walking a lot, you do not want blisters at all.) Make sure that the boots feel comfortable in the toe. If you can, walk down a steep ramp so that you put pressure on your toes. Most blisters, particularly on the tops of the toes, crop up on a downhill stretch. <BR>So test as best you can for the extremes. Most anything feels good if all you do is walk on a carpet. <BR> <BR>Once you have made the decision, never take off on a trek of more than 5 miles without first having broken in your boots with at least 25 miles of walking. Carry a pack representative of what you will hike with and cover a stretch of at least 4 miles without minimal stopping. You want to give your feet a chance to swell and see if the boots are too tight, particularly in the toe. <BR> <BR>Many people tend to buy too much boot. I have seen all styles, including boots heavy enough to be used to stomp limbs into kindling. I have never needed anything that heavy, even when carrying a 35 - 40 pound pack up and down Colorado mountain passes. <BR> <BR>Another backpacker trick -- carry a pair of old jogging shoes. Put them on when you are tired. Nothing better than to reach a camp site and shuck those clunker boots and put on something light in weight. You can even use them to wade through mud and/or water. If muddy, you can wash them out. <BR>And if they have to be sacrificed, so be it. <BR>

My wife and I have hiked the Cinque Terre trail twice, first time I wore Sperry Docksiders, 2nd time Timberland boots, definitely better. I have worn the same boots hiking in the Dolomites and on an old trail leading to a great view of the Marmolada. I think what we do could be better defined as trekking.We tour by bike, so my footwear consists of bike shoes, Timberland boots and Birkenstocks, that's about all my panniers will hold.

I agree about the light boots. I cutrrently have a pair of Spainsh made that are very light and look great. However, hiking boots and tennis shoes will most likely mark you as a tourist, if you care about that sort of thing. I talians love their leather dress shoes, even with jeans.

Debbie Lee, here's my two cents worth: I, too, have done a lot of hiking and backpacking, both in the west and mainly in my home state of North Carolina. My main mentor is my son, who has written a hiking guide and spent all of last summer trekking around these mountains (he has also hiked extensively in Montana, Alaska, Colorado, etc.). He has made me something of a convert to very light footwear, unless you are going to be carrying a heavy pack, which it doesn't sound like from your post. He and I use New Balance trail running shoes even for extended hikes in warm weather (again, unless carrying a lot of weight), and I took mine to France last summer and they did fine. This year in Italy I am taking a different model of New Balance, one that is leather and looks more like a street shoe, but is built like a trail walking shoe. So far I'm happy with them. I also like Rockports and Eccos. I definitely agree with the advice to break any of them in a lot before you leave. Have fun! <BR>Frank

Thank you very much guys for your great advice! I have tried on numerous boots/shoes/brogues over here (Australia) The 'Rossi' boots were supposed to be the best, but I felt they were just too heavy. I have tried on the 'Rivers' boots (an Aussie brand, that appear to be particularly well made), that appear to have most of the recommendations stated, and will go with them. We are in Autumn here, and I wanted to get them a good six months before we went to run them in, so that's what I'll be doing now. Who knows, I might get to like it so much, I'll leave the hubby at home with the four kids so I can go off hiking with the dog!! Nice thought, anyway... Thanks again... Debbie Lee....

I have a pair of suede/nylon upper lightweight hiking boots (not top of the line) that worked great for the Cinque Terre and all the cobblestones. My second pair of shoes on vacation are a pair of leather lace-up walking shoes. So I stick to slacks and occasional shorts on trips. If I need a skirt I'll tuck in a pair of flats or sandals that don't take up much room. My feet stay most comfortable in the hiking shoes because of the thick soles, so I wear them hiking, sightseeing, and most anywhere that I can wear my casual clothes.