Before starting your hiking trip, one of the most important gear is hiking boots. You can not understand how important they are unless you will really have a hiking. Gym shoes are not designed for handling the rough terrain and rocky grounf but a pair of boots that exclusively for hiking is your good choice. If you often go to hilly areas with established paths you do not need the heavy duty boots. The shoes you need should provide the stability and also make you feel comfortable as you walk.
Hiking boots are mainly classified into three types. You should pick out the one that will really work to you. Trail shoes are for short hikes on established paths and you do not need much climbing. Trail hikers are designed for long distance hiking (more than one day) on steeper paths or muddy terrain. Mountaineering boots are exclusively for intense climbing and mountain navigating. Just make sure which of these activities you are going to participate in the near future.
When choosing the hiking boots, you should not determine which one to buy in very short time. Boots need time to adjust to your feet and to properly wear in the material. If they are leather boots, you need a leather conditioner used on tough spots with pinching. Just take a couple of hours to break in the boots before your hiking trip. Put them on then make sure you feel comfortable and snug on feet but you should still wiggle your toes freely.
Remember that you need socks that are not made of cotton before starting a long hike.