>>2491401In general hunting boots are best for unimproved terrain. They’re tough so you don’t tear them to shreds, they’re tall so you don’t get torn to shreds, and they’re stable so you don’t go rolling down a hill after a deer. Often theyre warm so standing still doesn’t freeze your feet. However the trade off for this is they’re heavy and have a long break in. Unless you expect to encounter long stretches of off trail bushwhacking they are not the right footwear for hiking.
Now to the more pressing part of your post. 18 miles is just in the edge of enjoyable for most people I know who hike regularly. Given you don’t seem to have a pair of hiking boots or trail runners I’m going to assume you don’t regularly do 10+ miles of trail. That’s not to say you don’t do 10 miles in a day, but not trailhead to trailhead 10 miles. Without mincing words, I can hardly think of a less pleasant day then breaking in hiking boots 18 miles at a time. If I were choosing between those boots and a pair of athletic shoes (running shoes, tennis shoes) I would wear the nikes 10/10 times. Do what you will with this information.
Ps. A pair of dress socks then a pair of wool socks over those will help whatever you decide
