finding the right hiking shoes is harder than i thought

Last weekend, I decided to finally get serious about hiking, so I went to the outdoor store to buy a pair of hiking shoes. I thought it would be simple—just pick a pair that looks sturdy and go. But wow, I was so wrong! There were so many options: boots, trail runners, waterproof, non-waterproof, high-cut, low-cut... I spent almost an hour trying on different pairs, and every time I thought I found the right one, something felt off. Either my toes felt cramped, or the heel slipped, or the shoes were just too heavy. Honestly, I started wondering if my feet are just weird or if everyone has this much trouble. The salesperson kept recommending super expensive brands, but I’m not sure if I really need to spend that much just for weekend hikes. Plus, some of those shoes looked like they belonged on a mountain expedition, not a local trail! Has anyone else had this much trouble finding comfortable hiking shoes? Did you go for boots or sneakers? And do you really need all those fancy features, or is it just marketing? I want to enjoy the outdoors, not spend a fortune or end up with blisters. It’s funny how something as simple as picking shoes can turn into such a headache! #hiking #footwear #outdoorlife #Travel