I'm new to backpacking myself and wondered about boots. Wear my steel toe Justin boots everyday. I used these for my first day hike and did 8 miles. No problem with my feet. Course they were a couple of months old and broke in but I think if your use to a pair of boots you have they'll work. Been a couple of others trips with mine and no problem.
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Lost? Ain't never been lost! Fearsum confused for 2 or 3 months but never lost.