Stupid question here, well maybe

[wcd]

I would never hike in new boots. It could be miserable.

Thankfully I will have about a month and a half.
I tried telling her the Monkey said I could wear my work boots she flat out said no And I did my best to no avail.

 

[wcd]

I'm on my 2nd pair of Keens. Mostly use them for fishing, so mud, some rip rap, water, etc. Really like them.

I've got these https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/mens-targhee-iii-waterproof-mid-bungee-cord-black

You can also get them in just a shoe /ankle height. I prefer the mid boot in case water gets above the ankle.

Same here mid Height or higher. Trust me I am frugal and quality foot wear is something even I don’t mind spending a little extra on.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Thankfully I will have about a month and a half.
I tried telling her the Monkey said I could wear my work boots she flat out said no And I did my best to no avail.

The Monkey wears his Danner Kinetic 8" when he wants a waterproof hike, so tell her I said

 

[littletommy]

I wear Merrell moabs every day at work, AND, I have done a lot of hiking through the Smoky Mountains with them. Never been in a situation where I wished I had a better shoe.

 

[d.kaufman]

Thankfully I will have about a month and a half.
I tried telling her the Monkey said I could wear my work boots she flat out said no And I did my best to no avail.

 

[wcd]

She wants to do the Baxter Creek trail. Me ah if I am outdoors I am happy.

 

[wcd]

The Monkey wears his Danner Kinetic 8" when he wants a waterproof hike, so tell her I said

She says your funny lol I showed her your response.

 

[Gingerbeardman]

I do my hiking in flip flops, but I don't know how aggressive the trails you're eyeballing are.

 

[indyblue]

My Timberlands have done me right while spelunking.
Made 96 trips through Buckner's Cave in Bloomington.

 

[Hoosierdood]

I haven’t been super impressed with Merrill. I bought a pair of their composite toe work boots about 6 months ago and both shoes are starting to rip right where my pinky toe is at. Pretty disappointed that a $90 pair of work shoes didn’t last even 6 months.

 

[blain]

Opt for safety toe boots, in case you've got to kick any bears.

 

[ditcherman]

Send it! They'll do fine. Who cares what you look like if your knees are happy.

I was concerned you were talking about somewhat smooth sole work boots farm guys use.

My dad took me for three days through the wind river range in his slick farm boy red wings, in ‘86, first time we’d ever been backpacking and he did fine.

I’ve always been more of a Timberland/Keen/Solomon and now most recently a Zamberlan kind of guy.

Merrill’s are always too narrow for the front of my foot, but they’re good if you can wear them.

 

[bwframe]

...I’ve put countless miles on my Chacos...

I've got my 5 mile step count in many a day in my Chacos, fishing rod in hand. On pavement, gravel, dirt, grass, rip-rap and in the water.

 

[bgcatty]

So wife and I are headed to the The Smokies and we are avoiding all the tourist traps, well maybe except for Smokey Mountain Gun and Knife, and maybe Buds. But we plan on doing a fair amount of hiking. So I am wondering what makes a boot a hiking boot. My wife says I will look like an idiot if I wear my work boots, and was told I need to find an alternative.

Summer time I am usually a sandal person. So really looking for suggestions as what might be a good option?

Thanks

Two word response to your wife:
Yes Dear!
Should solve the quandary!

 

[dieselrealtor]

Two word response to your wife:
Yes Dear!
Should solve the quandary!

Careful with that one,
It is one of my wife's most hated phrases.

 

[wcd]

I've got my 5 mile step count in many a day in my Chacos, fishing rod in hand. On pavement, gravel, dirt, grass, rip-rap and in the water.

Now I am going to have to calculate the miles of 30k steps

 

[wcd]

Careful with that one,
It is one of my wife's most hated phrases.

My phrase is simply ok, moving on lol

 

[freekforge]

Bates Dura shocks they are 8 inch ones.

Those will do. I stopped wearing hiking boots about 3 years ago and switched to trail runners. I make sure I have a decent sized toe box. I have a $50 pair of Asics trail runners that are the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn and have a metric butt load of miles on them in everything from mountains to rivers.

 

[Creedmoor]

Thankfully I will have about a month and a half.
I tried telling her the Monkey said I could wear my work boots she flat out said no And I did my best to no avail.

Reason #128 on why I don't have a wife...

 

[wcd]

Reason #128 on why I don't have a wife...

Going on 23 years and we married very young.