Florida Footwear help...

Hey, I'm getting back into hiking and need some help in selecting the proper footwear. I am looking for footwear for day hikes up to 2 night trips. I'll be packing less than 35lbs. I have wide feet, (EEEE) more like paws, actually. Would like to have waterproof/breathable boots, most of the hiking will be in hot, humid environments. I am in Palm Beach County, so the majority of hikes will be around the Lake Okeechobee area or south. I know I have to get out and try some boots on, but would like to be better prepared when I do so. I'm 38, about 215lbs and in good shape to begin with. No real ankle or knee issues, and I'd like to keep it that way. Thanks for your help.

Below-the-ankle footwear in my personal view, is best for backpacking on trails and moderate terrain in mild conditions.

For backpacking shoes, I like a relatively stiff sole, a decent toe cap, and superfeet insoles or something similar.

Waterproof/breathable jobs aren't necessarily worthwhile.

Beyond that, it's mostly how many dollars you want to spend and fashion preferance.

For some reason, I tend to quickly blow out the heel lining of almost any shoe I buy, cheap or expensive. Maybe it's because I'm a novice and a poseur.

I live in Clermont, Fl.

I guess Calamity hasn't spent much time hiking in our state. I totaly disagree with his statement about not getting waterproof/breathable footwear.

If he experineced those 4:00 PM deluges and the 96 degree temps... he might change his mind :)

Even the wet grass on "winter" mornings make a waterproof lining necessary.

My choice of footwear for all seasons is mid height, gore-tex lined, trail running boots. I typically carry 45lbs and due to our flat and non-rocky terrain, mid heights are perfect. These shoes are more like wearing hi-top running shoes. Very comfortable, flexible and light weight.

I would not go with below the ankle, because of our sandy soil. It will quickly end up under the balls of your feet, causing hot spots.

Last couple pairs I owned and liked were made by Vasque and Merrell.

What are mid-height trail-running boots?

It's perfectly true that the intensity of Florida's frequent summer deluges is almost difficult to comprehend for the non-resident, and the sand can be unusually fine-grained. Maybe Goretex is particularly well suited for that state, and I've certainly never hiked there.

I've had some slight breathability issues with a couple of pair of Goretex-lined footwear, although I like them anyway. I also have a slight suspicion or worry that dirt will mess up, or has messed up, their waterproof/breathable functionality.

Had some unlined hiking shoes recently that I also liked, and their lack of waterproofness didn't disturb me, but this was not in Florida.

I wore Keds sneakers on a week-long backpacking trip in the Rockies during early 1970s when there were almost daily, light showers (see D. Brower's recommendation in "Going Light With Backpack or Burro," Sierra Club 1958). They do rapidly dry out after a wetting, but suffer various disadvantages.

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this is Florida the rules are different.

Mid height trail running boots are trail running boots that just cover the ankle bone, thus earning the name mid height.

Gore-tex is perfectly suited for this state

A Google search of the term "mid height trail-running boots," in quotes, only turns up this thread on Trailspace.

In some sense, therefore, your nomenclature must be at least unique, perhaps like Florida, or perhaps somewhat faulty, though I don't for a moment doubt that you know whatever it actually is that you are talking about.

I am taking a trip to the large outdoor sports retailer in Pinellas Park next week (unsure if I can post names here, some forums can be funny about that) and I'm hoping that the Vasque Breeze boots will fit. I understand the idea of lightweight and sneaker-style shoes, but I think having some ankle support and protection is worth the extra few ounces it weighs. It only takes 1 turned ankle or a scrape against a rock to ruin the whole trip. Vasque seems to have some lightweight, ventilated and wide sized boots....We'll have to see. All input is appreciated.

don't use the quotes. I get numerous hits using Yahoo.

If it makes you happier, call them mid height trail running "shoes"

It sounds like the Vasque Breeze GTX would be right up your alley. They are mid height, thus providing some ankle support, are gore tex lined and highly breathable. I've not done much hiking in Florida, so I'm not sure about this, but if the sand is truly fine-grained, you may have some issues with sand clogging up the mesh portions of the boot. I know they make a wide width, but its not overly wide. Always best to try before you buy.

Medicman627:
Being a fellow paddle foot, please let me know what you find in the way of a EEEE shoe/boot.