[pct-l] Debating about boots...How many?

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

To add to the excellent suggestions so far, I'd say since you don't  
have your footwear dialed in just yet, that you buy only one pair of  
shoes to start off with. If they work out, great! Order a bunch more  
from the internet from the trail. If they don't work out, try  
something else from the trail.

Between now and when you leave, make every effort to try to find a  
good pair. Buy some, wear them on hikes or long walks with your pack  
on, and make sure they don't hurt. Use all the time between now and  
when you leave trying to find a pair that won't give you any  
blisters. Even if they don't give you blisters, it's possible you'll  
get massive blisters on the PCT anyway. Happened to me.

I'd recommend not getting anything goretex. Get something breathable  
and light if possible. Merrell makes some great trail shoes, low top  
and high top.

If after all your efforts the shoes still are no good, there's an  
outfitter in Idyllwild, there's an outlet mall in Cabazon, and Agua  
Dulce is usually an opportunity to drive to REI in Northridge. I'd  
bring your Chacos, too, or have them ready to be mailed to you.  
There's a lady named Crow who hikes the trail year after year who  
alternates between trail runners and Chacos every day.

Good luck,
Diane

On Feb 25, 2011, at 8:36 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> Hey guys!  For those of you that have thru hiked before, I'm still  
> debating
> about footwear and wondering how many pairs of boots I'm likely  
> ruin on this
> trail?