[pct-l] Shoe size, type, yet foot expansion while backpacking?

[Jim & Jane Moody]

Ned, 

I have no explanations, just anecdotal info. My feet, and others, grew a size or two on western trails, while others did not. 

Like Jimmy Buffet said 

" ... And asking lots of questions 
Some I know the answers to 
And some I'm looking for suggestions. 

Mango 

----- Original Message -----

From: ned at mountaineducation.org 
To: "Scott Williams" <baidarker at gmail.com>, "Tom Weir" <tom.weir at the-cabin-on-the-hill.com> 
Cc: johnmuirtrail at yahoogroups.com, "Pct-L" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 1:34:19 PM 
Subject: [pct-l] Shoe size, type, yet foot expansion while backpacking? 

Mango, Shroomer, and everyone else, 

I don't understand why hiker's feet expand and lengthen over the course of a 
long hike. I'm having a hard time simply accepting this rationale, that it's 
going to happen to all hikers. 

As you guys may know, I log between 100 and 200 days on-trail every year, 
especially since 2005. I did the PCT and CDT. I typically carry between 65 
and 80 pound packs. I always use a leather boot that is one size bigger than 
my running shoe. 

Here is the source of my confusion, my feet haven't changed since high 
school! 

What is it I am doing that everyone else is not? Why haven't my feet changed 
at all over the years? Is it that I haven't bought into the assumption that 
my feet would swell and lengthen? Could it be that my boots have been 
supporting my feet sufficiently, thus preventing this common malady? 

Would someone please explain? 


Ned Tibbits, Director 
Mountain Education, Inc. 
ned at mountaineducation.org 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Scott 
Williams 
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2017 8:43 PM 
To: Tom Weir <tom.weir at the-cabin-on-the-hill.com> 
Cc: Pct-L <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] My first post since 2003 

Hey Tom, 

The Altras are all about the wide toe box and zero drop heal. Most folks 
should go with a bigger shoe as Mango suggests just because your feet swell 
and lengthen as you hike, but if you're main issue is the width of the toe 
box, this may be a good shoe for you. The zero drop heal sometimes takes 
some getting used to, so I'd recommend trying them as early as possible. 
You can always send them back if they don't work. 

Give them a shot and see if they fit your feet. 

Shroomer 



On Mon, Jan 16, 2017 at 11:34 AM, <tom.weir at the-cabin-on-the-hill.com> 
wrote: 

> How do the Altras run in width? I wear New Balance mostly because 
> they come in 4E width. The Altras only have a maximum D width. I 
> suspect Altras might work for me because of the toe box design. I 
> need the 4E because of a wide fore foot, not because of a wide heel. Any 
thoughts? 
> 
> Tom 
> 
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