Footwear just might be one of your most important pieces of outdoor gear

When I first got into hiking and backpacking, I was taught that you needed serious and heavy manly boots. I got them, suffered with "breaking them in", got my share of blisters, and figured that was just part of the way things were. I even remember wearing multiple pairs of socks, liner socks, and other schemes to try to gain comfort (now I only ever wear a single light pair of socks).

Later I found myself happier with lighter boots, even running shoes. Before long I was doing the bulk of my hiking in running shoes, and wondering what all the business about heavy boots was all about. My thinking is now firmly on the "lighter is better" point of view with regard to footwear.

Some people are convinced they need ankle support (and are convinced that a heavy pair of boots somehow provides this). I have carried a 40+ pound pack and even heavier without such boots, and what I would say is that what is really needed is to (above all) carry a lighter pack, but next to that to just get in better shape (and to pay attention to your footwork).

I have heard quoted and find quite plausible the advice that every pound on your feet is like 5 pounds on your back. Note below that a pair of my running shoes is about 2 pounds, whereas the pair of boots I list (by no means heavy monsters) are about 4 pounds. Ray Jardine says that by taking a few ounces off of his feet, he can hike several more miles each day before reaching the same level of fatigue. I have also found that when I run more and get in shape, my ankles do much better, and when I carry a lighter load (25 pounds instead of 45), my feet do better yet. Lighter shoes are also about half the price of the same quality boots.

I always install a set of "superfeet" insoles in my boots and running shoes. This provides some useful support, and takes up some of the shoe volume, providing my long skinny foot with a better foot. Fit is everything! Your foot is almost certainly very different from my foot and what fits me and compensates for my extreme tendency to pronate may not suit you at all. All I can say is that a light shoe that fits you well is what you want.

My current arsenal lines up as follows:

• Mizumo Wave Alchemy 8 - these are running shoes, plain and simple. They aren't even trail running shoes. However, they offer exactly the support that a severe pronator like me needs (who isn't too heavy, I weigh 162 pounds or so). Your needs may be entirely different, given your weight, foot size and shape, and so forth. The most important feature of any shoe is proper fit. I bought these at a running store (to run in), but also use them for hikes (which sometimes turn into trail runs anyway).
  Each shoe weighs 15.8 ounces with the insole I always use.
• Lowa Tempest Lo - these are low top trail shoes (not trail running shoes). They were once quite popular in the ultralight thru-hiker community. They have more protection underfoot than just running shoes. They are lightweight, required no break in period, and fit my narrow long foot pretty well. They have a modern vibram "vialta" sole, made in Europe. These cost me about $100.00 in 2004 and are still going strong. They have been redesigned since then, and reviews indicate they are even narrower than the version I own (which would be wonderful for me!)
  Each shoe weighs 22 ounces with the insole I always use.
• Asolo Fugitive GTX - these are actual boots and they are built with goretex in them. I bought them because they were on a bargain table for $80 and fit me perfectly. It remains to be seen how much I use them, since I always seem to grab one of my lighter shoes when I head out the door. I will also note that I would never (as a desert hiker) choose a goretex boot except for the bargain table factor. I need all the ventilation I can get and any WP/B membrane will simply interfere.
  Each shoe weighs 31 ounces with the insole I always use.

If you expect to do real mountaineering (and may need to mount crampons), then you will need more boot than this, I don't pretend to addess these needs here. I used to tromp around in such mountaineering boots (and once even owned, used and appreciated crampons), but by and large was foolish doing most of my hikes in such boots. They also were great when I strapped on gaiters and spent the day kicking steps in snow. An ice axe usually gets involved in such games.