[pct-l] Which Book to Read ??

[Kevin Cook]

I've been on the fence about taking my Chacos. I hike in them a lot during
warmer weather, but have been wearing boots or running shoes since the snow
started falling. What do you think about bringing Chacos and trail runners?
My concern is how heavy Chacos are, but I think being able to swap out
footwear will make my feet happier.

In regards to traction, my Chacos have a Vibram sole. Same as my boots. I
think they grip great.

On Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 9:23 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

> I thought Crow's review was the most honest one out there.
>
> After my hike my feet hurt. I did a test of several kinds of shoes,
> taking a 5 mile walk on pavement, trail and beach sand in each pair.
> I tested moccasins (no cushioning, no arch, no raised heel), fake
> Tevas (cushioning, no arch, no heel), Chacos (hard cushioning, arch,
> 3mm heel rise), and the shoes I wore for most of the trail (lots of
> cushioning, arch, 10-12mm heel rise).
>
> The moccasins and the trail runners hurt the most. The fake Tevas
> hurt less. The Chacos felt great. So I decided to wear only Chacos.
>
> I wore them on two PCT section hikes--from Bucks Summit to Highway 36
> and from Duck Pass on the JMT south to Bishop Pass. My feet were very
> happy. But after a long day those Chacos really felt hard. I longed
> for some kind of cushioning to take the edge off.
>
> The problem I have with running shoes seems to be the way it curves
> at the ball of the foot and points my toes up. I just can't stand
> that. I was sent off the trail in 2008 because of that. The problem I
> have with Chacos is mainly the poor traction and no protection from
> foxtails. I decided to learn to make my own shoes. After a million
> trial and error attempts, I made a pair of shoes that feel pretty
> good. I still made some mistakes so I keep working on it. My homemade
> shoes have no heel, no arch, not much cushioning but more thickness
> in the sole than VFFs or Barefoot Ted's huarache sandals. They have
> Vibram Newflex soles. The traction is good. I keep working on it. I
> might end up being the first to hike the PCT in homemade shoes. We'll
> see.
>
> Anyway, I agree that a lot of support isn't needed and might even
> hurt some people (like me). But I think protection for your toes (so
> they don't get wrenched by rocks or vines) and protection in the
> soles to allow for fast hiking and long miles is good. Oddly, plain
> old sandals, even flip-flops, provide better toe protection than
> Vibram Five Fingers. Cushioning can always be added with inserts for
> those long days.
>
> On Feb 9, 2011, at 7:49 PM, Scott Williams wrote:
>
> > That's great Diane, and puts some reality in the mix.  I wondered
> > whether it was really feasible for someone who's been in shoes for
> > years and years to switch.  It obviously is how we got around for
> > the 2 million years before we started flint knapping and making
> > tools, and tanning leather, but I am way far from that as far as
> > what my bones and muscle can do at this age.
> >
> > However, I've been suffering from PF in my left heal since WA, and
> > couldn't seem to get it to go away.  I read Born to Run, and 2
> > weeks ago, pulled out the extra cushioning I've had in my shoes
> > since my feet began to hurt, and noticed immediate relief.  After a
> > climb up and run down Diablo, I pulled out the rest of the arch
> > support and fancy insole, and the relief got even better.  So, last
> > week I pulled out the insole that came with the shoe, and am now
> > running and hiking on what is as close to a flat surface without
> > padding, as I could manage without getting new shoes, and it's
> > feeling great.  Over the past 7 days I've climbed Diablo 3 times,
> > 13 to 18 miles, 4 to 5,000 verticle foot climbs, running long parts
> > of it, and gone chanterelling for 3 more days, which is totally
> > crazy bushwacking up and down steep stuff, and my feet are markedly
> > improved.  And Mango, no vitamin I needed after all these foot
> > pounders.  I think I was over medicating the PF with all the
> > cushioning I've used in the past few months.  The relief has really
> > suprised me.
> >
> > My wife Katie says I definately have a terminal case of CHD.  I
> > need a psych on trail!!!
> >
> > Shroomer
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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