You said you bought a pair of day hiking boots from MEC, but plan to buy a new pair of boots before heading down south. I'd recommend getting your new boots sooner rather than later, and start breaking them in ASAP. You'll definitely want to get a few hikes in around here while wearing them before taking them on your trip. I can't even emphasize enough how important it is to break your boots in REALLY well. A few years ago I did a ten day hike and a bunch of people I was with were wearing brand new boots, and ended up with awful blisters and incredibly sore feet.
Also when looking for boots, don't worry so much about buying the top of the line or most expensive models, just go for what feels best and what you think you'll be the most comfortable in. Try on lots of pairs!
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