[pct-l] Shoes vs insoles

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I looked online at all those shoes so I would know what you are  
talking about. You have basically been trying the same kind of shoe  
each time. Maybe it's time to try something completely different.  
Most swear by trail running shoes. The shoes you have been trying are  
more boot-like so maybe your feet will like running shoes better.  
Yogi's guide really does give the best advice. She has advice from  
many different people and the consensus for most of them is that  
trail runners that fit loosely that are 1/2 to 2 sizes larger than  
normal, with breathable non-goretex mesh uppers that let in a lot of  
air (and dust) with low wool or synthetic socks are preferred by most  
PCT hikers.

I tried the Merrell Chameleon's once and hated them. There is some  
kind of stiff shank or something in there that made the front half of  
my foot slap down with each step which caused a lot of pain.

I still haven't found the secret to a shoe that gives you good  
traction on slick surfaces. I believe that Vibram lies about its slip- 
resistance. In fact, I read in some of their own marketing material  
that unless their rubber is siped (has little parallel cuts in it) it  
will be slick as butter on wet surfaces and this is the reason the  
little Vibram toeshoes are siped. (They were primarily intended to be  
able to walk around on boats.) For the slipperiness alone I find  
regular boots to be incredibly dangerous.

On Aug 21, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

>
>  I've been trying on buying and returning shoes for the last two  
> weeks with no luck. I woke up this morning nearly hobbled after a  
> day of wearing the Patagonia Drifter A/C's and can't wait to take  
> them back. I've tried the North Face Hedgehog 3 both shoe and boot,  
> and the Ultra 106, the Merrell Chameleon's were comfortable but I  
> nearly did the splits when walking on slick surfaces and there was  
> so much ankle roll I was afraid my leg would snap then there was  
> the Patagonia. My old North Face boots have a little tread still on  
> them but the insoles are so compacted it's like walking bare foot  
> on concrete I've tried the sure feet insoles and those also killed  
> my feet so I'm wondering if anybody has any good advice.  I leave  
> for my hike on Monday so I don't have time to break anything in so  
> I'm wondering if I should just go buy some Dr. Sholes insoles for  
> my boots or a new pair of nikes or asics with lots of heel support?