[pct-l] Boots! And thx

[Dan Jacobs]

On Mon, Sep 23, 2013 at 1:05 PM, historywench at yahoo.com <
historywench at yahoo.com> wrote:

> What is your opinion? Advice?
>
> Michele


Opinions and advice. Oh yeah, I got those.

 If you are going to spend many days, hundreds, or even thousands of miles
in them, try them out long term before going for the trip or trips of a
lifetime.

Feet are like any other part of your body. They need to be conditioned for
the task you will ask them to do. Do you do stretches for the feet, and the
tissues and muscles that support them? Do you now have shoes that are super
comfortable for walking? I have a pair of boat shoes that feel great, fit
my feet like a glove, are light and breathe well, and I can walk all day in
them. They are good trail shoes until I hit mud. Then they slip around like
I'm standing on a layer of vaseline on ice.

I have been wearing New Balance lightweight trail runners on my recent
outings into the wilderness, and they have been great. Light, durable, dry
fast and breathe well, and this is even with a forty pound pack. I am not
in great shape, but I treat my feet like my life depends on them, and also
make them work for their keep. I stretch daily, wear flip flops most of the
time to keep them working and flexible (works for me, might not work for
you, YMMV).

So, try a pair of the Unofficial PCT shoe, the Brooks Cascadia, or one of
the other kinds of ultralight trail runner, and find one that feels good.
Then, go wear it out. If they aren't for you, that's ok, try another shoe
until you find what works best for you.

And, quite frankly, those folks selling shoes at REI work for REI. They
have their marching orders of one kind or another. You have to know what
you want and why, then go ask for it.

Dan
-- 
"Loud motorcycle stereos save lives."
Motorcycle to hike, hike to motorcycle.
Make a friend of pain and you'll never be alone.