[pct-l] kicks

[Kent Spring]

Hi -

NB might have several shoe factories in the USA, but most of their 
shoes are still made in Asia.  There is nothing inherently (IMHO) 
wrong with making shoes in China or Vietnam, but many shoe companies 
are highly exploitive and oppressive of their workers.  Nike might 
not be the worst, but is it is certainly very bad in the "socio-eco-
responsibility" aspects.

That said, very few hikers (maybe zero) wear Nike anyway.  The most
popular NB's are probably the 908's, probably soon to become the 
909's, which are a trail running shoe.  They are not made in the 
USA, but in China. (Not near Boston.)

I am sure there are people who make the whole PCT in the same pair 
of shoes.  However, most people change shoes about every 500 miles.  
Your feet change, sometimes dramatically, and conditions from the 
desert are very different from the Sierras and the Cascades.

Happy feet, Kent


> From: "Bob Sartini" 
> Subject: Re:[pct-l] kicks 
> 
> I live in Boston , the NB factory is two miles from my
> home. Many people consider Boston part of the USA.
> 
> I hike in sandals. A few years in Bite Sandals but they
> don't make them anymore. More recently Keen.
> 
> In the distant past I swore by Scarpa boots. Heavy.
> 
> My argument for sandals is that they dry quickly after rain
> or stream 
> crossings. Boots never dry. NB's only dry eventually.
> 
> If you carry a heavy pack (for reasons I don't
> understand) you might not get 
> enough support from sandals. I weigh 250 and carry 30-35
> lbs max fully 
> loaded out of town and I love my sandals and will be
> unlikely to switch 
> although I think NB's are very nice. For me the dry -
> wet  thing carries the 
> day. Because for me wet boots means blisters.
> 
> "EVERYTHING is in walking distance,"
>     ......Bamboo Bob
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "d hans" <dhonah775 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] kicks
> 
> 
> > Ok, I'm sure this is going to release a deluge,
> but I think I'm ready...
> >
> > What is everyone's opinion on kicks?  I usually
> just buy mine at Sierra 
> > Trading Post on super mega awesome clearance sale,
> > but I'm not in Reno anymore... So I'm feeling
> a little overwhelmed with
> > the selection... Favorite brands? Loathed brands? I
> realize shoes fit
> > everyone different, so I'm mostly interested in
> people's opinions about
> > the QUALITY (and socio-eco-responsibility) of brands.
> I'm looking
> > mostly at New Balance cuz i heard they're made in
> America, but I think I 
> > may have been misled on that tidbit...
> >
> > Also, how many pairs do people usually go thu on the
> trail? Any chance I'll make it in one?
> >
> > So, ok, hit me...
> >
> >