Fell shoes instead of....

[Derby Tup]

There's a real move toward lighter and lighter gear for walking in Trail and especially TGO magazines. TGO has had several positive articles/reviews of Ino-v8s of late and walking jackets now are light enough to run or cycle in. I've not worn my 3-layer Gore-tex Berghaus Lightening coat for years; likewise leather boots

[bestathlete]

and what the hell have they got in their 90 litre rucksac?

I often wonder that. I manage with my 70l rucksack when i go on a two week holiday abroad.
I recently bought a 20l running rucksack and even with my w'proof top and bottoms, hat and gloves, spare hat and gloves, spare top, maps, food and drink for 5hr+ on the fells, it is nowhere near full and requires lots of tightening of the compression straps to keep a snug fit.

[Deejay]

and what the hell have they got in their 90 litre rucksac?

Well, for starters there'll be a spare rucsac in case they lose the one they're carrying

[Al Fowler]

and what the hell have they got in their 90 litre rucksac?

Erm, these people are called wa***rs....sorry....but its true haha

[Behind You]

I do still wear boots occasionally for walking but more and more especially in summer Innov-8 Fly Rocs (OK goretex, I am soft) with a gel inner sole for added cushioning on rocky bits, very comfy. This might help your dad.

[Al Fowler]

Btw, my dads not an old codger like some of you may be thinking.
He's 45 but his bodies knackered haha, so im just doin a bit research to help him - wont he be poud...yeah right haha.

[Grouse]

I did the Pennine way last year and carried everything in a 35 litre kimm sac, nowt strapped on the outside and camped each night - made the mistake of wearing trail (running) shoes though and my feet were in bits in a couple of days - definitely should have worn boots. Just depends how far you are going and conditions.

[SteveS]

I tend to walk in my Mizuno Wave Harriers, unless it's particularly boggy terrain and I don't want my feet to get wet quite so quickly when I'll go for my Salomon Alp5 GTX fabric boots which are fairly light in weight. I find both are comfortable for a day's walking.

[Stolly]

One fine day in the summer I walked up Pen y Ghent in shorts, tee shirt and crocs , offending many walkers fully togged out in arctic survival gear.

[hopey]

I always walk in fell/trail shoes, I find they give me a lot better grip on wet rock. One thing is do you need support round your ankles surely this only make the ankles weaker?

On the FRA navigation course the other year a member from our club slipped while out on the hills and went over on his ankle, due to wearing boots he couldn't bend his ankle enough and ended up breaking his leg.