A footwear thread for landscapers (running shoes vs. hiking boots?)

[Heroique]

For simplicity's sake, let's say you've just parked the car, it's a nice morning, and you're about to head into diverse terrain for a half day or full day of shooting – you'll be carrying a typical (not overly ambitious) load of LF gear.

Are you a running shoes person, or a hiking boots person? (If neither, please tell us more about your choice.)

I've heard convincing arguments either way. What's more, the length of the hike doesn't seem to settle the matter. That is, the longer the hike, the reasons for electing running shoes, good and bad, grow just as quickly as they do for hiking boots.

What's the smart landscaper supposed to do? What are the chief variables to consider?

(Additional remarks about socks are naturally welcome!)

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For the record, I'm a hiking boots person 95% of the time, no matter how far from the car. Once in a city park, just a few steps from my car, and on a day when I was wearing running shoes, a large German Shepherd approached and began leaping up on me. No owner in sight. He turned out to be friendly, not hostile, but how was I to know in those first few moments? In retrospect, hiking boots would have been better than running shoes to gently keep him at a safer distance for those first few critical moments. "Hiking boots next time, and maybe every time," I remember thinking...

[John Kasaian]

It depends on the terrain. In most places I wear my Alico hiking boots, but in the desert and mud I wear Red Setters. And sometimes I wear Crocs.

[Kirk Gittings]

I don't know how to answer this. What is a "landscaper" in the context of photography?

[Corran]

When I'm out in the wilderness I often am glad I have on my boots (or wish I had them!) but they sure are heavy. Big steel-toes and waterproof up to a few inches so that can be really nice. After a few miles of hiking I definitely notice the heft.

[Heroique]

I don't know how to answer this. What is a "landscaper" in the context of photography?

I’m as flexible w/ definitions as a trusty pair of leather hiking boots.

But let's do try to keep this an academic-free discussion.

Quick, tell us what was on your feet on your last field trip, and why?

[paulr]

I've become a running shoe guy (love my trail running shoes w/sticky rubber). But it depends on your feet and on the terrain.

If you're expecting a lot of snow (especially hard summer snow) or deep mud, boots have obvious advantages.

And some people's feet and ankles don't like a soft shoe. My old climbing partner needed high-topped boots because he'd hurt his ankles playing football and needed support. My brother gets sore feet from walking on uneven surfaces in soft shoes, so he at least needs an approach shoe with a stiff sole.

[Kirk Gittings]

I’m as flexible w/ definitions as a trusty pair of leather hiking boots.

But let's do try to keep this an academic-free discussion.

Quick, tell us what was on your feet on your last field trip, and why?

Arrrrgh...."landscapers".......I truly hate that term just like I hate "togs" or "snaps".

Ok when I am out photographing the landscape (as opposed to working on the landscaping in my front yard-that's when I am a "landscaper"). I prefer a really light weight, breathable, low cut boot with an aggressive tread. Right now that is a pair of Danners with GoreTex sides from REI. If its hot I wear cotton socks. If its cold I wear the new high tech wool socks.

[djdister]

For a week and a half walking around in Scotland, all I wore was Keen low cut hiking shoes. They have a hiking boot tread, but are low cut, waterproof and very breathable.

[Regular Rod]

For the last couple of years I've been making photographs of certain rivers in Derbyshire. I wear wellingtons because a lot of the time I'm in the river, also long trousers tucked in because that saves me a lot of grief removing ticks and thorns from my skin.

RR

[Lachlan 717]

High cut boots.

(Given Australia has 20 of the top 25 most venomous (land) snakes on the planet, maybe riding boots would be better...)

Got a pair of Bates M-9 boots that are amazingly comfortable.