it is tax free shoping here in Texas and my wife and I are heading to Zion & Bryce to hike the trails...we hope to get some hiking foot wear .. given the trails out there, what would be best as well as economical ... cross trainer tennis shoes, trail runners tennis shoe, low cut hiking shoe or ankle high hiking shoes...will be there mid October ... being in Texas we dont do much hiking per say but we would like to be ready for this trip ... thanks for any replys

I bought LL Bean's light hikers a few years ago before I went to Sedona. I use them on the Billy Goat Trail in the DC area and I also used them as my main shoes when I was in Aspen in February. I think they are nice becuase they are not heavy (hence the name) and they have a good grip on the bottom. I think they are about $40 before tax and shipping.

Before a hiking trip to Maine, I bought a brand called Merrell. The style of the shoe was Pulse II. I looked on their website and they don't make them anymore, but have ones similar. It wasn't a boot though, but more of a sturdier tennis shoe. I believe they called it a 'mid' hiking shoe. I loved it so much, I trolled ebay looking for more and now own 4 pairs! Best hiking shoe I ever owned, so I would consider looking into Merrell.

I prefer ankle high hiking boots. Although you are doing Bryce and Zion where there isn't much rubble, you'll want ankle high for another year--Grand Canyon, or closer to home, Lost Maples State Park west of Bandera, or even Enchanted Rock, outside Fredericksburg, ankle high come in handy, and certainly the tread found in real hiking boots, rather than tennis shoes even for Enchanted Rock. Zion has some trails that are difficult enough to warrant really a good hiking boot. Bryce is easier.

If you live near Dallas you can shop at REI where they have well trained salesmen who will fit you properly, and ramps to test how they'll feel on an actual hike. I'm a little surprised you could buy hiking boots on tax free days? Aren't there restrictions?

I second the ankle high boots, which I wear on any half-way serious hike, and I second REI as a great source.

I have trouble on rocky or pebbley surfaces - you know, that feeling like you are walking on marbles? I just feel like an ankle high boot gives so much more support.

Eastern Mountain Sports is another great source for boots. Both REI and EMS sell better boots than LL Bean in my opinion.

We do a lot of day hiking! I always wore leather boots, but recently bought Merrill Moab Ventilator. They are super. They feel like slippers on your feet, very lightweight, and cool! I use them for mountain biking as well. We did the Zion, Bryce trip & loved it! Both places are so unique with the rock formations! Our country is truely amazing! Good luck!

REI is a great choice as others have said. Higher boots give your ankles much more protection. And you'll want to inquire about water resistance as well. Don't forget good socks and please don't go hiking without breaking them in first.
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2dogs, our family of 4 hiked rim to rim followed with Bryce N.P. and Zion NP. Zion's Angel's Landing was a great hike!! By all means try this hike. Our favorite hiking shoe for this trip was the Merrell Ventilator low cut hiking shoe. Good luck and great hiking!

I would buy Salomon trail runners from REI or Zappos.

That would be the Salomon XA PRO RD ULTRA. My wife and I really love these shoes.

Try www.sierratradingpost.com for amazing prices on hiking shoes.

And you would be fine with a hiking shoe. That's all I use for those kinds of trails. If it was really rock scrambling and hauling in and out of canyons with no trails, then I do the high tops. But for Bryce and almost all of Zion you will be fine in the low tops. The Moab Ventilator shoes are good but were very loose when I tried them on. They are also not the best in sand because the sand can get caught between the 2 layers of the boot.