Myer

I'm going to Bryce Canyon and Zion NP as well as a 1 day stop in GC (no hiking here just viewing from above) and then a few days in Sedona. This will be in early June.

I've walked all day on previous European trips. I'm reasonably active and in my mid-early 60s.

I've never hiked but expect to do the easier/shorter day trails (Queens Garden/Navajo Loop (BC), Bristlecone Loop (BC), Emerald Pools (Z), Riverside Walk (Z), and several around Sedona). A couple of hours at a time.

I think I've been convinced not to use sneakers or my walking shoes.

I keep reading about getting well-fitting hiking boots with good ankle support.

Well, at best I'm a finicky (sp) shoe-buyer. At worst I can cause a standoff with myself.

At the present time I have 6 pairs of hiking boots at home (3 going back today) and 4 different types of socks.

What time of day should I try them on and how should they feel?

Slightly loose or slightly snug (unfortunately I don't know what perfect fit is)? Will snug just stay snug and be uncomfortable or will my feet adjust?

Will slightly loose feel good by giving my toes more room to wiggle or will I possibly have my foot slide around inside?

And we haven't talked about socks.

Now, should we get on to shirts, pants and even underwear? No just kidding!!! It's the shoes and socks that are my issue this week.

I did manage to buy a wide-brimmed hat to shade the sun. Points for me!!!

Birdie

I understand your dilemma. I have difficult to fit feet. My biggest problem, so far, has been to find good hiking boots that fit. I have settled, for now, with mediocre boots that fit.

Some of the better stores will have a ramp that you can walk up and down on to see if you feet slide forward. Some of the stores have well-trained sales people that can help you. Since you have a lot of the shoes already, the best I can say is fit them like you would your comfortable walking shoes. Snug enough to hold your foot in place but not rubbing and room for your toes.

I like Thorlos wool or synthetic hiking socks and I would test your boots at the end of a day on your feet.

rm_mn

Having just returned from hiking a couple of the trails you mentioned in Zion National Park as well as a short hike down South Kaibab, I say quit worrying about the hiking boots. These hikes are a far different matter than a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Wear the shoes you are comfortable with provided they have no openings for pebbles to get in like sandals would.

Hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon is very stressful on the legs and feet because you will be hiking for most of the day losing altitude all the time. Coming back up, you climb all day. Good fitting boots are the only footwear that can give you the support you need for this kind of hike.

If you are hiking in Zion and should sprain an ankle, most of the trails are easy to get a rescuer to you and help you out. Not so in the Grand Canyon where a rescuer might have to hike for 2 to 4 hours just to get to you and then hike/help you up for another 6 to 10 hours to reach the rim.

justme22

the trails you mention shouldn't give your feet too much stress but the BOTTOM of your feet regardless of the difficulty of the trail can feel like ground beef at the end of an all day flat walk.

IMO you should use light weight hiking or walking shoes. they should fit snug, your ankle should not drift up and down - sometimes with heels it's almost impossible to avoid this and i found putting in a heel pad made all the difference and an ok pair of shoes turns into a great pair.

you don't want your toes touching on the flat, on real steeps nothing keeps your foot from sliding somewhat forward and you do NOT want your toe jamming into the tip of the boot. buy a 3 dollar heel pad and see if this makes any of the pairs you have work.

hiking in the desert i find the following:

my gortex boots make my feet sweat so i never wear them. cotton socks BIG NO!!! they WILL give you blisters.

I like to hike in coolmax socks or smartwool. usually smartwool.

i also recommend hiking sticks, these transfer some of the leg stress to the upper body and give you a better hiking stance and help you unconscienceously expand your rib cage for better oxygen intake

more than anything though you need to remember this:

ENJOY YOURSELF YOU ARE HEADED FOR SOME GREAT PLACES TO HIKE!!!!

enzian

There are lots of lightweight "hybrid" (incorpporating running shoe technology) hiking boots out there---Merrill, Asolo, etc. They have breathable mesh on part of the tops, and need little breaking in. They should be comfortable when you put them on the first time. Fit should be snug in the heel, so it doesn't slip, and roomy in front of the toe. Lace them loosely at the toe end and fairly tightly at the ankle (tighter for downhill than up). B Once you decide on the ones you will keep, "break down" the heel (soften it) by pressing it inward with your thumbs a few times.

Socks: my favorite are Smartwool---they make many models in varying thickness and height. And they have more size variations, so it is easier to get a good fit. Or try Thorlo. Just don't do cotton!