[pct-l] Shoes

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

I really can't resist this one...

I wish I could remember all that Karl Limmer told us regarding his precise 
sizing of the three of us into his traditional, all-leather hiking boots 
before our May-June filming of the PCT under snow from KM north last year. 
It was his 3rd generation boot-construction opinion that one size larger 
than what you wear for street shoes is correct. (I'll try to get Karl to 
educate the pct-l directly). It is also his advice to wear just one pair of 
Smartwool socks.

I have always worn this type of trail footwear since 1964, have prevented 
too numerous to count ankle accidents because of them, and documented on 
video how they keep your feet warm and dry even through mid-shin-deep creek 
crossings (with good, tall gaitors). They worked great as deep-creek 
crossing shoes, protecting my feet from sharp granite rock edges not seen 
while probing around beneath the opaque and foaming surface for the next 
foot placement, and after changing socks on the other side, dried out nicely 
in a few miles of snow-walking.

While we were out there during June (the thru hikers had not caught up to us 
until then), most of the thrus suffered from constantly wet and cold feet in 
their trailrunners. Just depends on your personal philosophy, but either 
way, make sure you go out before your long hike to decide which "works" for 
you.


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Williams" <baidarker at gmail.com>
To: "Jason Moores" <jmmoores1 at gmail.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:38 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Shoes


> Hi Ben,
>
> The longer I hiked, the looser I wore them.  I kept putting more and more
> lace back into the shoes to keep them flopping around.  I couldn't stand 
> it
> when they were tight.  Before serious training, I wore size 9.5 all my 
> adult
> life.  I'm now a solid 12, even when I rent serious climbing boots.  So 
> yes,
> your feet will spread, and lengthen.  Too small is way worse and 
> potentially
> debilitating, than too big.  Go with the bigger size, or have them ready 
> to
> be shipped.
>
> As for color, I actually think it matters in hot areas.  I've had black
> running shoes, and couldn't wear them in the summer.  The sun beats down 
> and
> it's really uncomfortable for me, as they get hot.  But I run hot, and 
> love
> splashing through a stream to cool off my dogs.  The mesh montrails I used
> let in a lot of dust and I have pix just like Diane's, (I didn't know we 
> had
> the same feet Diane?).  But, I loved the fact that I could splash through
> those streams and they would drain out in a few steps, and dry pretty
> quick.
>
> Shroomer
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