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Hiking Boots and Stick
Posted: Apr 08 2005 10:10 am
by Nay_Nay
Okay.....I'm new to this 
I go hiking every day......Squaw Peak......BUT........I hike in my tennis shoes. They are so comfortable. Are hiking boots a necessity when doing longer hikes 
: Also, what about the hiking stick? What are the pros and cons?
Posted: Apr 14 2005 8:44 am
by Nay_Nay
Thanks again everyone for all your help!!! By the way Abe, I love your stick I just think it might be too cumbersome for me…???
Another question……Does the pole/stick get in the way on the steeper trails like the ones at Picacho Peak where you have to use your hands too??? I haven't hiked there yet, but I'm trying to get ready for it.
Posted: Apr 14 2005 9:51 am
by hikeaz
In response to Nay_Nay's reply:
It/they would be of help especially on the downhill sections of Picacho.
For the "4x4" climbing, you may wish to collapse it/them and put it/them in/on your pack.
kurt
Posted: Apr 15 2005 9:25 am
by Abe
Nay_Nay wrote:Thanks again everyone for all your help!!! By the way Abe, I love your stick I just think it might be too cumbersome for me…???
Thank you Nay_Nay. My stick is my best friend on the trail.
On steep trails a pole/stick is very helpful; in addition, the one positive thing I did note about poles mentioned by hikeaz, when you are doing some serious climbing, up or down, using both hands, you can collapse your pole and slip them in your pack.
Posted: Jun 07 2005 5:12 am
by Sybil
The Reavis hike (4 of 5) was enough to warrant a trekking pole, staff or support of some kind. I laughed (not aloud) at one of the guys for using two of them. On the way out, I wished I had both of mine! When not in use, they are light enough to stow under a strap.
One of our friends just picked up a staff on the trail. It worked well enough.
They may think you are crazy (as they did me), but spend a half hour trekking around the store when you shop for boots. The time you spend in a pair that seem to fit, may make the difference in the end. Walk, climb, stop, turn, step over and around ANYTHING YOU CAN FIND there. I walked all over the fitting area, stepped on stools, onto and around exercise equipment, etc...
Have fun.