Do I need hiking boots?
 

do I need hiking boots for things like walking on teh volcano on the Big Island, or hiking up waterfalls?
or is an old pair of running sneakers good enough?

I have been told that people wear water shoes to hike up the waterfalls, but I would rather wear sturier shoes, dont care if they get wet..etc..

but I just want to know if I need to go buy hiking boots, or will sneakers suffice for any hiking?

as a city girl... I am not really sure what the terrain...situation will be.
thanks

The volcano trails are dry, but other trails in the jungly areas of the islands, especially up to waterfalls, are very muddy and slippery. And the mud stains. We have always used old running shoes, they take up a bit less room in the luggage, then thrown them away after our last hike. Sorry, Hawaii, to add to the trash!

that is what i was thinking, that the trails by the waterfalls will be muddy and ruin a brand new pair of hiking boots, so if an old pair of running sneakers will work, then i wont mind them getting wet and ruined.
but... one question, are the sneakers good enough for the slippery parts? I know that's kinda the point of hiking boots...? i dont want to slip...

thanks a bunch, we leave in 3 weeks!!

As long as they are running shoes (with ridges) and not tennis shoes (flat surface) you should be fine. We're big hikers, but don't want to trash them with red clay/dirt, etc. in Hawaii, so we take old running shoes.

I've used Chacos sandals with the big lug sole. Never had a problem. Like them better than Teva's. Never got a blister with Chacos and they have a higher arch.

i would have killed to have my hiking books while hiking over the lava rocks at Volcanos National Park. it was quite treacherous, and even though i had on trail running shoes, my ankles kept twisting beacuse of the uneven rock.

if you plan on hiking out to see the lava flow, i HIGHLY recommend good hiking boots with ankle support.

oh boy, i was just et on not getting hiking boots, and now this about the volcano and twisting ankles....
my dh will for sure need boots or high top sneakers w/ankle support, he is needs ankle support, his twist easily...
i am still hoping to hear i can get away without them, what a big bulky item to pack also...

any other input?

If you stay on established trails you shouldn't need hiking boots. If you're going to hike over lava rock (which is required to see flowing lava) then hiking boots are a very good idea -- not only because of the uneven terrain but because the ground is HOT.

i definitely will be going over to see the lava flow, i mean, we are going over to the Big Island for a day trip just for that sole purpose.
i guess I'll go buy some hiking boots.

thanks, glad I asked.

We (myself, hubby and our 16 and 18 year old sons) hiked out to the lava in July. We all wore jogging shoes - had NO problems. The lava was not too hot and the hike was not that treacherous. Although the lava was a very uneven surface, it was solid - not like hiking on loose rocks.

I would have loved to have had my comfy hiking boots too, but it is just not practical to bring them, unless you will be wearing them all the time. You will be fine with either sturdy walking shoes or running/walking shoes.
-Bill

once again, thank you!!!! I eally do not want to have to pack a bulky pair of hiking boots just for one day...
if we were staying at one reosrt the whole 16 nights, then I wouldnt mind over packing, but we are moving 4 times, so I am trying to pack as light as possible! :)

I am sure I will be fine with running shoes, but I am still a bit worried about dh, he does twist his ankles easily, I know it sounds funny, but he does! i think we'll get hima pair of high top sneakers that he can also wear to hike the waterfall, this way he atleast has ankle support without having to bring huge boots.

thanks once again, you guys are the best!

I'm taking a pair of Merrill water sandals so I can use them for both snorkeling and light hiking on trails to waterfalls on Oahu--does anyone have an opinion on whether these will be sufficient?