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Comment by octo888 | Hacker News Reader

Shoes are always what get me. Wearing the same pair 2 days in a row isn't great for bacteria etc. Plus wanting sandals/flip-flops for the beach. Proper boots for any kind of hiking. Then I feel awkward particularly in Europe in the evening going to restaurants in trainers, so a pair of smart shoes is useful.

Not saying I always take that entire combo, but almost always more than 1 pair.

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> Wearing the same pair 2 days in a row isn't great for bacteria etc.

Do you have foot health problems? For much of my life I've had a single pair of shoes I wear almost daily and have never had problems with bacteria. The only issue I've found is going sockless. Even then you can put a little foot powder into the shoes once a week and it kills everything in them.

Yeah, excessively sweaty feet.

I used to be all boots all the time, but I realized somewhat recently that unless I'm carrying a heavy load, boots are significantly less comfortable than good e.g. trail running shoes. If I'm carrying the load that the OP is, hiking boots are not really useful for me. If you look at what e.g. extreme long-distance hikers are wearing on the Appalachian trail or the Pacific Crest trail, its usually trail running shoes, because it makes more sense for carrying a light load an extremely long distance.

Certainly, if you've a history of ankle injuries or some other podiatric necessity, go for it. But for me, a pair of good walking shoes and a pair of good sandals is all I realistically need.

Two pairs is enough. Religiously alternate days and take them off wherever possible and open them up to air them. Make sure they’re breathable.

I can manage Europe with a pair of white Air Force's and flip flops. But I do agree. An extra pair of shoes is really nice to have.

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