Hiking boots recommendations.

Make sure to wear thick socks when you go trying on the boots. I (simply) wear Bean ragg wool socks, which, while decidedly low-tech, have always treated my feet very well.

Lots of good stuff here. I have a wide flat foot -- finding good footwear (regardless of type) is a challenge. For hiking, I am currently using a Raichle all leather no-Gortex boot. Yes, they are very waterproof. With the walking around France and Europe that I have done, most of the time the boot is overkill but I am glad to have it every time I want to step precariously onto a rock -- come to think of it, it is with the rocky paths that my boot really excels. I do not feel individual pointy rocks beneath each step. It is difficult to pack light and have one shoe to do it all. My wife's cousin, who hikes more than anyone I know, is often seen in the Massive Central of France with nothing more on his feet than casual socks and a pair of very worn Paraboot shoes. (Very worn I would imagine because they don't make them like they used to. I imagine he removes his shoe when he needs to cross a stream. Yes, he is half goat.) My biggest bit of advice: do not rely on "breaking-in" your boots (or any shoe) to have it feel comfortable. If it is not comfortable at the moment you slip them on, they will never be. (Note does this not necessarily apply to Italian leather pumps. Not that I would know about that. Really.)

Also, you'll need to change Superfeet regularly. I get about a season of hiking out of mine; they're okay for my slippers after that.

Start with MEC: they're informative and honest. Then shop around: different companies have different ideas on lasts: some fit narrow, some wide; some high, some low. The more Superfeet insoles in your life, the better your life will be. There are some other brands, too; Superfeet is the minimum requirement for a good insole, so compare designs.

Wow - thanks for all the first-rate comments! I'm writing down the particular boot/shoe suggestions and will try them on at the MEC or any other trekking/quality footwear stores I stumble across. Also appreciated are the particular tips for finding the right shoe for me... Although I realize that a heavy-duty mountain-hiking boot is going to be overkill, I also know that I'm going to be spending months in these things, walking for hours and hours every day, and it's not something I want to skimp on: my trip will be hell if my feet are unusable. A light hiker seems to be the thing to look for - with fancy non-cotton socks, for sure. Is one always advised to buy some (Superfeet?) insoles? Or are they something to get if things aren't going well?

If you decide on a light- to mid-weight hiking boot, may I suggest REI's in-house model, the Monarch? I've worn mine probably 90% of the last two years, and they still look decent. They're waterproof up to the point the water is pouring over the top of the boot, yet breathable. You can lace the top and bottom to different tightness (making them the only shoe I could wear comfortably when I sprained my ankle). They wash off easily, and the soles wear like 90,000-mile Michelins. With a set of Superfeet insoles and Smartwool light-hiker socks (jesus, i sound like such a shill), your feet will have little reason to complain.

If this is strictly walking on asphalt, strolling on hardpack, carrying a bookbag with lunch and a rainjacket, I'd be looking for lightweight comfort first and foremost. A good walking sneaker or walking dress-shoe. And a SuperFeet footbed. If this is carrying an overnight bag and toiletries, and carrying that all day, I'd be looking at a light fabric&leather walking/hiker, with emphasis on a supportive footbed and light ankle support. And a SuperFeet footbed. And better socks. If this is carrying a tent and stove and such, ie.) about 25lbs and up, I'd be looking at a sturdier, but still very inexpensive, hiker, with the shank and heelcup and ankle support et al. And a SuperFeet footbed. And better socks. And a trekking pole. If this is heading into boulder slopes and mountain trekking, with a multiday backpack, then it's time to consider a real hiking boot. The quality of the terrain is what really decides it here: if it's hardpack, you can still do well with the lightweight hiker; if it's scree and boulders, the full hiker is appropriate. With a SuperFeet footbed. And better socks. And a trekking pole. And another trekking pole.

I agree with andrew and daver, largely. While I value my Vasque boots highly, I hiked for years around Utah and Arizona mountains, deserts, and red rock territory in various types of sneakers, from your basic Target $20 hiker to pricier running shoes. These worked pretty well, by and large, except in the winter (when I went with a pair of moon boots). Anyway, eventually on several recommendations, I got the Vasques, and found while they were exceptional at keeping my feet warm and dry (and they tended to wear well and still look somewhat classy), they were harder to balance on a boulder field, and were a bit much. I still do use the Vasques (and they are tough), but when I went to Australia for a few weeks years back, I took Target $20 hikers and was really quite happy, both for the hiking we did and for urban sightseeing.

And what Andrew said. Unless you expect to be carrying a load of over 35 lbs on your back all day, some waterproof runners will probably be fine. The lightweight hiking croud does this up and down the Pacific Crest Trail with surprising regularity.