I'm not actually a newbie. I used to backpack a lot ten years ago, but after leaving the Boy Scouts and going to college I just never had the chance to go again. I plan on getting back into it.

Back when I went to Philmont Scout Ranch a pair of Timberland Eurohikers took me through the whole trip with no problems. I was hoping for something cooler and lighter and was looking at Merrells, but I get the suspicion that that's more of a fashion thing than a utility thing, though, admittedly, so were the Timberlands 10-12 years ago and they worked just fine.