[pct-l] Dessert part in Sandals

[Ashley Fisher]

Hi Natalia,

I hiked from Campo to Donner pass last year, and I wore Chacos for 600
miles, without socks.  I did carry some wool toe socks I found at REI, and
used them a couple times during cold mornings.  From what I hear, Tevas
break down a lot faster than Chacos, and their soles aren't as sturdy over
the long haul.  That's a big reason I went with Chacos. I often put
sunscreen on my feet at the beginning of each day (I am super fair
skinned), and then dirt would add an extra layer of protection as I hiked.

Pros:
-my feet could sweat freely in the heat
-minimal blisters (I think I only got two, and they were not bad)
-I really didn't stub my feet at all because the sole jutted out further
than the end of my toes.  The occasional stick would sneak in and bite my
feet, but those were few and far between.
-the soles are super thick, so my feet didn't feel all those rocks I walked
on.  It was such a good feeling, and a world different from the minimalist
shoes I started in.  I think that was my favorite part about switching to
Chacos!  My feet weren't aching at the end of each day.
-I could walk through creeks without a second thought!
-I found the arch support to be comfortable
-even after 600 miles, the tread was not worn through.  I still use them
for day hikes.
-Chaco strives for environmentally sustainable footwear, and the will also
repair your shoes!
-It was kind of fun to break out of the conception I used to have, that you
"have to hike in boots."  Found what works for me, and they happened to be
sandals.

Cons:
-My feet were very dirty by the end of each day.  Since I wasn't always
able to camp near water to wash them, I used a silk liner in my sleeping
bag to keep the dirt from getting into the down - makes a difference in the
lifespan of the bag.
-The soles of my feet were not pretty!  Sand and small pebbles will get in
and you will often kick them out.  But hey - you're hiking - who cares
about pretty?
-Chacos are heavy.  Lifting them thousands of times each day can add
additional strain to the body.  Something to keep in mind.
-I would not recommend a toe-strap.  Mine had toe-straps because that shoe
had the thickest tread at the REI I was at, and I needed a new pair of
shoes right away.  Toe straps make it a bit harder to kick out grit.

One other thing to keep in mind:  I walked through maybe two snow patches
in the High Sierras.  If there had been the typical snow pack, I would
probably have worn trail runners of some sort to keep my feet warm.

Good luck!
Blaze