Stupid question here, well maybe

[hooky]

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

Missed the corkscrew the first I did the loop.

"The walls sure are getting closer in here."

 

[Gabriel]

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

Not having read any of the other replies... if you like sandals, just get some that are more of an "adventure" sandal... https://bedrocksandals.com/

Beyond that, I'm a huge fan of Salomon boots.

Either way, break in whatever you're planning on wearing before you go.

 

[Gabriel]

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

Is that the initial entrance into that long low crawl? I haven't been down there since the 90's. I loved those cave systems around there.

 

[WebSnyper]

Not having read any of the other replies... if you like sandals, just get some that are more of an "adventure" sandal... https://bedrocksandals.com/

Beyond that, I'm a huge fan of Salomon boots.

Either way, break in whatever you're planning on wearing before you go.

Keen makes some of these as well. Haven't tried them personally

Men's Sandals for Water, Hiking, Walking | KEEN Footwear

Men's sandals are designed with versatility in mind. Go from the water to the trail to the coffee shop in reliable comfort. FREE SHIPPING on orders $100+!

www.keenfootwear.com

 

[wcd]

Not having read any of the other replies... if you like sandals, just get some that are more of an "adventure" sandal... https://bedrocksandals.com/

Beyond that, I'm a huge fan of Salomon boots.

Either way, break in whatever you're planning on wearing before you go.

One of the reasons I like sandals is air movement for work ok I have no choice but off hours I like to have air movement around my feet.

 

[Gabriel]

Keen makes some of these as well. Haven't tried them personally

Men's Sandals for Water, Hiking, Walking | KEEN Footwear

Men's sandals are designed with versatility in mind. Go from the water to the trail to the coffee shop in reliable comfort. FREE SHIPPING on orders $100+!

www.keenfootwear.com

I like the looks of the Targhee III Open Toe Sandal. It looks like it would be comfortable. If I were going on a hiking trip, those might be my first purchase to see how they fit. My kids, however, hate hiking.

​

 

[indyblue]

Is that the initial entrance into that long low crawl? I haven't been down there since the 90's. I loved those cave systems around there.

Yes, I believe that’s me entering the crawlway reading to the T room.

I did the corkscrew dozens of times until the rescue effort to retrieve a drunk with a broken back from the volcano room necessitated rescuers digging it out.

It was never the same after that, and probably one of many reasons, they eventually closed it to the public.

Here are many pictures of it back then if you need a blast from the past.

http://albums.indyblue.org/index.php?/category/2

 

[bwframe]

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.

I have one pair of Merrills that have held up. The rest either had the glue that holds them together fail, the composite synthetic materials break and crumble or non waterproof models just fall apart when worn soaked. So many failures, I'll never give them money again.

 

[hooky]

Yes, I believe that’s me entering the crawlway reading to the T room.

I did the corkscrew dozens of times until the rescue effort to retrieve a drunk with a broken back from the volcano room necessitated rescuers digging it out.

It was never the same after that, and probably one of many reasons, they eventually closed it to the public.

Here are many pictures of it back then if you need a blast from the past.

http://albums.indyblue.org/index.php?/category/2

Wow. So much more graffiti than I remember seeing back in the late 80s