[pct-l] NBs' and other lightweight shoes

[Reinhold Metzger]

Gail,
I am not talking about a stiff boot without flex, preventing the ankle 
from bending.....I am talking about soft flexible low cut trail running 
type of shoes with much flex.
The anti-roll is build into the sole by having some support in the sole 
and making the soles wider than the foot box....the shoe or boot above 
the sole remains soft and flexible. Like I said the anti-roll is 
obtained from the sole not from a stiff foot box.
Most running shoes have soles that are softer and narrower than Hi-Tec.
And yes, you are correct getting free shoes from Hi-Tec did not make me 
like them.....I have been a Hi-Tec fan for a long time.....it just made 
me like them even more.

JMT Reinhold
The shoe maker

------------------------------------------


g l wrote:
> Reinhold,
>
> Thanks for the post.  You have impeccable taste in boots!  Long live 
> Hi-Tec!  And may their comfort and quality never change.
>
> I do feel a little different about the "roll over" thing.  I look for 
> LOW roll over resistance in a hiking boot.  Folks get into more 
> trouble with a stiff "above the ankle" boot than otherwise.  The human 
> ankle is designed to "roll" on uneven terrain.  When a high boot is 
> too firm and prevents the ankle from being able to  roll, the only 
> available option is for it to snap, (read: fracture).  (Salespeople 
> would have you believe otherwise).  Uhm.  Not good.  End of hike.  
> Therefore I look for a boot that offers light support to the ankle 
> while still allowing my ankle to flex side to side.  I've seen too 
> many injuries in hikers wearing rigid ankle support.  Of course there 
> is the occasional hiker that has "mush" for ankles due to genetics, 
> etc.  Their ankles may "strain/ sprain" on a whim.  Most of us are not 
> in that category.  Regardless, a strain/ sprain from too little 
> support is preferable to a fracture from too MUCH support.
>
> I truly doubt that the free boots from Hi-Tec swayed your opinion 
> about them.  I'd like to think you'd state your honest opinion about a 
> product.  I think you are just being overbearingly humble, as usual.  ;o)
>
> Either way, if the King of USJMT says a product is good it must be 
> true!  Glad to hear of your experience with this exceptional boot.
>
> Wheeew
>
> */Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>/* wrote:
>
>     Gail,
>     I also am a Hi-Tec fan.
>     Vasque Sundowner is my boot of choice if I am hauling a 60-65 lb pack.
>     However, when I go light Hi-Tec ''Remote Mid'' (a light mid-cut
>     boot'' & ''Vector'' (a low-cut hiking shoe) are my choice of
>     hiking shoes.
>     I have tried NB, Soucony, Turntec,Oasis, and various other running
>     shoes but they just did not give me the support and stability I
>     seem to
>     have with Hi- Tec.
>
>     The things I like about Hi-Tec are as follows:
>     1. Reasonable price.
>     2. Wider than average foot box.
>     3. Soft & light enough to feel like running shoes but enough
>     stiffness
>     and support for a hiking shoe.
>     4. Very high roll-over resistance....the first thing I always test
>     in a
>     hiking shoe is it's roll-over resistance....if it rolls over easy I
>     don't want it.... it's easy enough to sprain a ankle on rocky trails
>     without wearing shoes that invite roll-over.
>
>     However, what works for my feet may or may not work for somebody
>     else's
>     feet.
>
>     Of course the fact that Hi-Tec donated 3 sets of ''Vector'' for my
>     JMT
>     record attempts also helped in my liking Hi-Tec.
>     Same with my ultra light ''Western Mountaineering'' sleeping bag.
>
>     I hate to spend big bucks on items I'm going to be rolling around
>     in the
>     dirt with.
>     I do roll around in dirt a lot......dirt is good for you.
>
>     JMT Reinhold
>     Your cheepo dirt loving trail companion
>
>
>
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