Invest in good footwear. I went to REI and tried on a dozen pairs of shoes. You want to get something that fits your foot and is comfortable for you.

I opted for the Oboz Bridger. It’s not what I went in to buy. I thought I’d get a low trail shoe. But when I tried this one on, it was clear that I would benefit from the extra ankle support. It does make it warmer on hot summer hikes, but it was worth the tradeoff for me.

I also looked for enough room for my feet to swell throughout the day. And I knew I was going to want to wear comfy, thick socks.

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