Don't feel obliged to spend up on boots. I have done a fair number of multi-day hikes in various countries wearing a pair of low-cut hiking sneakers (Nike ACG All-Trac something) and my brother wears regular ASIC runners. Unless you're in snow/mud or a bit clumsy with your ankles, sneakers are lighter and more flexible in my experience.
And even those shoes have handled snow/etc fine for me though if you're hiking deep snow in the US it might be a different story.
There are loads of great day hikes (especially in the US) to test out things generally before you commit to a tent, camp stove, etc.
And even those shoes have handled snow/etc fine for me though if you're hiking deep snow in the US it might be a different story.
There are loads of great day hikes (especially in the US) to test out things generally before you commit to a tent, camp stove, etc.