This may sound like a dumb question to some of you seasoned hikers but here goes.

This is a first time back to nature/hiking vacation for my family. We've camped before, but usually in the 1000 Islands along the St. Lawrence River. So hiking is not something we do a lot. We are all in pretty good shape and are looking forward to exploring Bryce & Zion. We had planned to rent hiking boots in Zion at Zion Adventures. We will be there 2 days. Not all of us have boots and since there are 6 of us in a mini van, anything we don't have to bring we won't. Will we need them in Bryce as well if we only do moderate hikes? We are only there for one day. Is there a similar place to rent them if we end up needing them.

Don't do it. A pair of good gym shoes will get you around bryce and Zion. I climbed some of the rock faces in Zion and took a week walking around Zion before I ventured back to Moab for some other rock climbs. Gym shoes will do it, The risk to your feet with blisters and such is just not worth it.

I always prefer to wear hiking boots instead of gym shoes especially when I am hiking where there is a lot of scree such as at Zion. Having said that, I would definitely prefer to wear my own gym shoes rather than rentals. A good fit is important in boots and you would be miserable if the rentals start to rub halfway into the hike.

Agree with the other posters. I always go hiking in sneakers because I find them more comfortable than boots. I woud never want to start a hike of even a few miles in a pair of boots I had never worn before. Just make sure the treads on your sneakers aren't too worn down, you'll be fine.

The right socks can be just as important. I learned the hard way not to wear all-cotton socks because they absorb moisture and can cause blisters.

hiking boots are for ankle support, to keep your toes from being bruised, to keep the bottom of your feet from feeling like raw meat at the end of the day and for traction.

unless it's raining, you should be able to do fine with your own sneakers. renting hiking shoes is a bad idea, and you could end up with blisters that won't quit.

Unless you plan on really getting into hiking, use your sneakers, if you were planning on carrying VERY HEAVY packs, you might also want to have hiking boots, again because of the support and structure they have to keep your feet from aching. your plans don't seem to need that investment.

I also highly second the advice on socks. if you are going to buy anything, get some smart wool or coolmax socks ( the wool won't make your foot sweat) Cotton socks=blisters.

such socks can run as high as 17 dollars a pair, you should be able to find smart wool for about 10. (and don't get super thick socks either, they get compressed and you can also end up with blisters.

I've never once generated blisters while using moleskin. Sold at most drugstores and many grocery stores. It is self-adhesive, you apply it to the achilles and heel area; the big toe and smallest toe; anywhere on your feet that you've ever had a blister in your lifetime.

It works.

I've been to both places. The trails at Bryce can be quite steep (even the good moderate trails) and there is alot of loose rock under your feet. I would not be comfortable doing it in sneaker's. I wore hiking boots.
The moderate trails at Zion could probably be done in sneakers. But Bryce is different IMO.

Thanks for the advice! We'll probably just go with the sneakers. With six of us, this will save us a lot of room in our suitcases.

While I'm on the subject of hikes, does anyone have suggestions for hikes to take that we can see some great scenery. Mind you we have never done much hiking but are in fairly good shape. With the erosion in Bryce what are the next best moderate hikes that aren't closed off?

How about Zion? Are there any hikes that we shouldn't take? We have 2 days in Zion.

Thanks everyone!

I do recommend that you wear something that will give you some ankle support, as well as good traction. Last year, when we were at Zion, we were on our way out, and decided we had time to do one more hike - the Canyon Overlook Trail, a fairly short and easy hike (except for the first hundred yards or so, which is pretty much straight uphill, but it's fairly flat after that) with the payoff of a fabulous view of the canyon at the end. We had gotten our hiking boots very muddy on a hike we did that morning, and had them wrapped up and packed away in our suitcases, so didn't want to get them out again. The ranger in the parking lot said that regular shoes should be fine, so I wore the ones I had on, which had rubber soles. Big mistake! The trail is slickrock, with uneven footing and some scree. I stepped on a small rock and twisted my ankle - if I'd had on my hiking boots, it wouldn't have been a problem, but with no ankle support I did some damage. Fortunately, this happened on the way back from the overlook, not too far from the end of the trail - it was slow going getting back to the car, and my husband practically had to carry me down the hill. My ankle hurt for several weeks after that, and it made it very difficult to walk around Las Vegas, where we were for the next couple of days before heading home. You might not need heavy hiking boots, but do try to make sure you have some ankle support and good traction.

I also like the smartwool socks - I like to wear polypropelene or silk sock liners with them, they wick away any sweat and help prevent blisters.