are regular waterproof shoes ok for the trails? Or should i be wearing trail runners or boots? Is it rugged terrain like in smoky mountains? Or for the most part pretty smooth trails? What is your recommended level of shoe support? Don’t want to spend a lot on shoes i may only wear once if i don’t have too.
Hi @Heather waterproof shoes or regular hiking boots should suit you well. Most trails are either paved, dirt, wood, grass, and some rock (depending on which trails you hike.) The biggest obstacle you’ll run into are some mud puddles, water, and stairs carved from rock. Nothing too rugged.
I’ve seen people hike in flip flops if that tells you anything. I usually hike in just regular old shoes.