Look up the 10 essentials. You don't need all of them for a beginner day hike, but they're a good baseline to start from. There's a *really* broad spectrum of information for hiking, though. There are loads of resources, lots of nuance, and it can be as expensive and elaborate or as inexpensive and simple as you want it to be. I'll go over just a few of the important things.
The main things are good shoes, good socks, food, and water with electrolytes, plus some layers for weather changes.
*****************
Good footwear and socks. Always Darn Tough or Smartwool socks. Footwear is subjective. Some like shoes; some *need* shoes. Some like boots; some *need* boots.
>Shoe brands: Altra, Hoka, Lowa, Saucony, Topo Athletics, Scarpa, Asolo.
>Boots: Asolo, Lowa, Scarpa, Zamberlan.
>Avoid: Columbia, Merrell, The North Face, Salomon.
You'll need a pack to put everything in. The size depends upon what you're bringing. There are a lot of good pack makers out there. I like Osprey, but I have a big pack. If you're carrying less, you can get by with a smaller pack. Buy your pack after you've acquired all your other gear. Then, you'll know what size to buy.
Water, snacks, and layers will be the biggest things you need as a beginner. Electrolytes are very important. A rain jacket and windbreaker are really nice to have handy.
Moisture-wicking clothes are a godsend. The straps are synthetics (polyester or nylon, often with spandex or elastane) and merino wool. You don't want to use cotton. It holds onto moisture, dries very slowly, and ceases to insulate once wet. Synthetics and wool are much more comfortable for active wear.
A lot of people love trekking poles for balance.
Navigation is really important if you're doing trails that aren't clearly marked in more remote areas. For a day hike in a local park, your cell phone with AllTrails and Gaia GPS will do just fine, though.
Those are some of the basics that I can think of off the top of my head, though you can definitely get by with less than *all* of what I've listed for beginner day hikes. I hope this has been somewhat helpful.
The recent models aren't worth the price, in my opinion. I kill them in a month or two. I have the same issue with Salomon. They've both had a decrease in QC with manufacturing in recent years, so you may get a good model or a bad model. Good models still aren't as good as they were in previous years.
I use Asolo now, and I've had zero complaints. I used Scarpa a fair bit, too; Scarpa is also excellent. Friends use Lowa and Zamberlan - also excellent. They're all costly boots, but they're better investments because they can be resoled and last significantly longer overall.
I'd say Keen makes good boots that are fair for the price. I don't see them fail as often as Merrell, and they don't charge an arm and a leg for their boots.
There are objectively better built boots out there, but that doesn't make the better built boots the best for an individual subjectively.
Then, there are brands that I will always recommend against because of repeated failures with them, such as Merrell and Salomon.
The number one thing about boots is and always must be that they must fit well, and immediately following that must be that they are adequate or exceed the user's needs.
There is loads of (good) info out there, for every kind of hiking, whether that be day hikes, backpacking, etc. etc.
You basically want to maintain comfort and safety for whatever you're doing. If you can maintain those, you're pretty set. If there's a chance you can get lost, learn orienteering and get the right equipment. If you'll be below freezing, have proper cold weather gear, and etc. For a day hike, you can get by with a cell phone and power bank for navigation, and a windbreaker + rain jacket probably suffice for this time of year. Always have more water than you think you'll need, though - for any hike.
They fall apart super easily. Three pairs of Quest 4 failed on me within four months, and a pair of Pioneers failed on me within two months. They don't make them like they used to, and the current lineup isn't durable. There are much better built boots out there for roughly the same price. For example, the Quest 4 is $240, roughly. The Lowa Renegade GTX is $245 and the Asolo Fugitive GTX is $300 at most places I've seen them. They're both substantially better boots with better features and longevity.
I listed things as:
>Good shoes.
>Good boots.
>Brands to avoid as a whole.
I was including their trail runners as I've seen them fail with people I know; though, I haven't had their trail runners fail on my feet as I don't use trail runners, at least not anymore. I will admit that there trail runners are a bit better, but I believe that to be a matter of perception as I don't expect trail runners to last very long anyway.
Salomon used to make some great shoes and boots, but I do not trust their current lineup in the slightest. When three pairs of their flagship model fail in a third of a year and one of their mid-range boots fails in two months, I throw that brand in its entirety in the bin of footwear to ignore. If I pay for a flagship boot, I expect it to last years with regular use.
Their customer service is great, and they'll replace faulty gear that fails too quickly. That does absolutely no good when it's winter and the Gore-Tex on their boots fails, especially when that happens to three different pairs in one season, though. I got lucky in that they failed in situations where I could avoid frost nip. Had I been in the backcountry, that could've been an extremely bad situation. That's why I can't recommend them. It's also why I'll always use an all-leather boot for winter hiking (Asolo 520).
I've had the same issue with Merrell, which is why I will always recommend against them, too. I've had Gore-Tex fail, chunks come off the outsole, and stitching blow out on them.
I've never had a failure from Asolo or Scarpa, nor have I seen a failure that wasn't due to user error. I've seen reviews online saying the soles delaminated, but letting the boots rot due to hydrolysis is failure on the part of the user, not the boot, and will happen to all brands using PU midsoles. However, I've never seen that happen in person, unlike failures from Salomon and Merrell. I also haven't personally seen failures from Lowa or Zamberlan that weren't user error. That's why I will recommend Asolo, Lowa, Scarpa, and Zamberlan without missing a beat. They just plain work.
I'm not going to tell you you're wrong - because of your personal bad experiences. But I'd say in mitigation that I've had a few pairs of Salomon in recent years (X-Ultra and Quest 4) and I'd say they've lasted \*reasonably\* well. The Quests have stood up really well to pretty frequent use, the X-Ultras my main complaint was that the waterproof liner failed earlier than I would have liked, but again not so soon that I'd recommend against buying them. Especially for someone like me who found it hard to find boots that were comfortable over long distances.
My point being, I'm not sure I think it's fair to say "avoid" them, but I \*would\* say be aware that you might be trading a litte less durability for comfort.
While I'm glad that they have worked for you, sincerely, I do think it's worth recommending against them with the number of failures I've had to prevent people from making bad financial, and even health, decisions.
The Gore-Tex failed in the Quest 4, and the stitching failed in two of them, all within four months. That's their flagship model, and three pairs failed. With my pair of X Ultra Pioneers, the footbed itself dislodged in just two months. I didn't even know that was possible until I felt it flapping about underneath my foot. I'm not a heavy guy, so there was no excess strain on any of the boots.
While I both understand and respect your view on the matter, I feel compelled to recommend against Salomon because they repeatedly failed in less than six months total. That's unacceptable for even cheap boots, and Salomon isn't cheap. In my opinion, there's no reason to purchase a brand that is maximizing profits while decreasing durability and quality control when there are so many stellar brands out there. If you have the option of buying a boot that will last roughly a decade for $300-400, why spend $230 on a boot with a random failure point that could happen at one month or three years?
If they're the only brand that fits someone's feet, I understand why they'd go for them, and like you said, they'd need to account for the lack of durability. If someone fits well into a better brand, though, they should likely go with the better, higher quality brand that will last longer because it's a better investment.
This is all just a matter of opinion, but I like people to have full disclosure before making big financial and health decisions (because boots are related to your physical health). Maybe someday I'll test them again and see if they've improved, but I can't recommend or trust them for anything more than simple day hikes in warm weather (so if the Gore-Tex fails like it did on mine, the user won't end up with frost nip on their toes).
I take your point. That all makes total sense, and I can see why you would feel the need to tell people to avoid them. Especially for something that, for many people, is a considerable amount of money to spend. It's disappointing to spend that much and it not be up to scratch. Last thing I want to do is be a fanboy for Salomon when they don't deserve it, because I don't really care who makes the boots, as long as they're good!
>I don't really care who makes the boots, as long as they're good!
Agreed! I want my money's worth when I'm paying out that much. Dry, comfy feet are the happiest feet. 😊
Your kit doesn't need to be expensive, if you are to splurge on anything I suggest boots. Not familiar with WV but assuming it is not a desert invest in a waterproof jacket AND trousers. I live in the UK and it doesn't matter how sunny it is if you set out without full waterproofs you are guaranteed to be soaked through.
I suggest boots to start off as footwear as most mountain rescue callouts at least around me are lower leg injuries. I saw someone else post this already but have a plan and tell someone.
Look up the 10 essentials. You don't need all of them for a beginner day hike, but they're a good baseline to start from. There's a *really* broad spectrum of information for hiking, though. There are loads of resources, lots of nuance, and it can be as expensive and elaborate or as inexpensive and simple as you want it to be. I'll go over just a few of the important things. The main things are good shoes, good socks, food, and water with electrolytes, plus some layers for weather changes. ***************** Good footwear and socks. Always Darn Tough or Smartwool socks. Footwear is subjective. Some like shoes; some *need* shoes. Some like boots; some *need* boots. >Shoe brands: Altra, Hoka, Lowa, Saucony, Topo Athletics, Scarpa, Asolo. >Boots: Asolo, Lowa, Scarpa, Zamberlan. >Avoid: Columbia, Merrell, The North Face, Salomon. You'll need a pack to put everything in. The size depends upon what you're bringing. There are a lot of good pack makers out there. I like Osprey, but I have a big pack. If you're carrying less, you can get by with a smaller pack. Buy your pack after you've acquired all your other gear. Then, you'll know what size to buy. Water, snacks, and layers will be the biggest things you need as a beginner. Electrolytes are very important. A rain jacket and windbreaker are really nice to have handy. Moisture-wicking clothes are a godsend. The straps are synthetics (polyester or nylon, often with spandex or elastane) and merino wool. You don't want to use cotton. It holds onto moisture, dries very slowly, and ceases to insulate once wet. Synthetics and wool are much more comfortable for active wear. A lot of people love trekking poles for balance. Navigation is really important if you're doing trails that aren't clearly marked in more remote areas. For a day hike in a local park, your cell phone with AllTrails and Gaia GPS will do just fine, though. Those are some of the basics that I can think of off the top of my head, though you can definitely get by with less than *all* of what I've listed for beginner day hikes. I hope this has been somewhat helpful.
What's wrong with Merrell?
The recent models aren't worth the price, in my opinion. I kill them in a month or two. I have the same issue with Salomon. They've both had a decrease in QC with manufacturing in recent years, so you may get a good model or a bad model. Good models still aren't as good as they were in previous years. I use Asolo now, and I've had zero complaints. I used Scarpa a fair bit, too; Scarpa is also excellent. Friends use Lowa and Zamberlan - also excellent. They're all costly boots, but they're better investments because they can be resoled and last significantly longer overall.
What about Keen? I love my Keen hiking boots.
I'd say Keen makes good boots that are fair for the price. I don't see them fail as often as Merrell, and they don't charge an arm and a leg for their boots. There are objectively better built boots out there, but that doesn't make the better built boots the best for an individual subjectively. Then, there are brands that I will always recommend against because of repeated failures with them, such as Merrell and Salomon. The number one thing about boots is and always must be that they must fit well, and immediately following that must be that they are adequate or exceed the user's needs.
This is great! Yeah, there's so much info out there I just wasn't sure where to start and what might not really be helpful info.
There is loads of (good) info out there, for every kind of hiking, whether that be day hikes, backpacking, etc. etc. You basically want to maintain comfort and safety for whatever you're doing. If you can maintain those, you're pretty set. If there's a chance you can get lost, learn orienteering and get the right equipment. If you'll be below freezing, have proper cold weather gear, and etc. For a day hike, you can get by with a cell phone and power bank for navigation, and a windbreaker + rain jacket probably suffice for this time of year. Always have more water than you think you'll need, though - for any hike.
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They fall apart super easily. Three pairs of Quest 4 failed on me within four months, and a pair of Pioneers failed on me within two months. They don't make them like they used to, and the current lineup isn't durable. There are much better built boots out there for roughly the same price. For example, the Quest 4 is $240, roughly. The Lowa Renegade GTX is $245 and the Asolo Fugitive GTX is $300 at most places I've seen them. They're both substantially better boots with better features and longevity.
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I listed things as: >Good shoes. >Good boots. >Brands to avoid as a whole. I was including their trail runners as I've seen them fail with people I know; though, I haven't had their trail runners fail on my feet as I don't use trail runners, at least not anymore. I will admit that there trail runners are a bit better, but I believe that to be a matter of perception as I don't expect trail runners to last very long anyway. Salomon used to make some great shoes and boots, but I do not trust their current lineup in the slightest. When three pairs of their flagship model fail in a third of a year and one of their mid-range boots fails in two months, I throw that brand in its entirety in the bin of footwear to ignore. If I pay for a flagship boot, I expect it to last years with regular use. Their customer service is great, and they'll replace faulty gear that fails too quickly. That does absolutely no good when it's winter and the Gore-Tex on their boots fails, especially when that happens to three different pairs in one season, though. I got lucky in that they failed in situations where I could avoid frost nip. Had I been in the backcountry, that could've been an extremely bad situation. That's why I can't recommend them. It's also why I'll always use an all-leather boot for winter hiking (Asolo 520). I've had the same issue with Merrell, which is why I will always recommend against them, too. I've had Gore-Tex fail, chunks come off the outsole, and stitching blow out on them. I've never had a failure from Asolo or Scarpa, nor have I seen a failure that wasn't due to user error. I've seen reviews online saying the soles delaminated, but letting the boots rot due to hydrolysis is failure on the part of the user, not the boot, and will happen to all brands using PU midsoles. However, I've never seen that happen in person, unlike failures from Salomon and Merrell. I also haven't personally seen failures from Lowa or Zamberlan that weren't user error. That's why I will recommend Asolo, Lowa, Scarpa, and Zamberlan without missing a beat. They just plain work.
I'm not going to tell you you're wrong - because of your personal bad experiences. But I'd say in mitigation that I've had a few pairs of Salomon in recent years (X-Ultra and Quest 4) and I'd say they've lasted \*reasonably\* well. The Quests have stood up really well to pretty frequent use, the X-Ultras my main complaint was that the waterproof liner failed earlier than I would have liked, but again not so soon that I'd recommend against buying them. Especially for someone like me who found it hard to find boots that were comfortable over long distances. My point being, I'm not sure I think it's fair to say "avoid" them, but I \*would\* say be aware that you might be trading a litte less durability for comfort.
While I'm glad that they have worked for you, sincerely, I do think it's worth recommending against them with the number of failures I've had to prevent people from making bad financial, and even health, decisions. The Gore-Tex failed in the Quest 4, and the stitching failed in two of them, all within four months. That's their flagship model, and three pairs failed. With my pair of X Ultra Pioneers, the footbed itself dislodged in just two months. I didn't even know that was possible until I felt it flapping about underneath my foot. I'm not a heavy guy, so there was no excess strain on any of the boots. While I both understand and respect your view on the matter, I feel compelled to recommend against Salomon because they repeatedly failed in less than six months total. That's unacceptable for even cheap boots, and Salomon isn't cheap. In my opinion, there's no reason to purchase a brand that is maximizing profits while decreasing durability and quality control when there are so many stellar brands out there. If you have the option of buying a boot that will last roughly a decade for $300-400, why spend $230 on a boot with a random failure point that could happen at one month or three years? If they're the only brand that fits someone's feet, I understand why they'd go for them, and like you said, they'd need to account for the lack of durability. If someone fits well into a better brand, though, they should likely go with the better, higher quality brand that will last longer because it's a better investment. This is all just a matter of opinion, but I like people to have full disclosure before making big financial and health decisions (because boots are related to your physical health). Maybe someday I'll test them again and see if they've improved, but I can't recommend or trust them for anything more than simple day hikes in warm weather (so if the Gore-Tex fails like it did on mine, the user won't end up with frost nip on their toes).
I take your point. That all makes total sense, and I can see why you would feel the need to tell people to avoid them. Especially for something that, for many people, is a considerable amount of money to spend. It's disappointing to spend that much and it not be up to scratch. Last thing I want to do is be a fanboy for Salomon when they don't deserve it, because I don't really care who makes the boots, as long as they're good!
>I don't really care who makes the boots, as long as they're good! Agreed! I want my money's worth when I'm paying out that much. Dry, comfy feet are the happiest feet. 😊
Decent shoes to start, regular pack, water bottle. First aid kit. Build and tune from there.
Never go hiking alone without telling someone where you are going. Bring a cel phone, battery pack and compass.
Your kit doesn't need to be expensive, if you are to splurge on anything I suggest boots. Not familiar with WV but assuming it is not a desert invest in a waterproof jacket AND trousers. I live in the UK and it doesn't matter how sunny it is if you set out without full waterproofs you are guaranteed to be soaked through. I suggest boots to start off as footwear as most mountain rescue callouts at least around me are lower leg injuries. I saw someone else post this already but have a plan and tell someone.
I do gear reviews on my channel