[pct-l] Contacts and....hiking boots??

[edmond at mydogmeg.net (Edmond Meinfelder)]

At 02:15 PM 11/30/2003 -0500, todd kimmel wrote:
>Contacts -  For those hiker's not blessed with 20 20 vision, what is the 
>best way to handle optical assistance.  Are disposable contacts fairly 
>common on the trail?

I knew only one person who wore contacts on the trail when I through hiked. 
Most wore glasses. This person had the ability to keep his contacts in for 
days longer than he should have without irritation. I don't recall anyone 
using disposable contacts.

>I suppose picking up solution along the way is not too difficult?

At the larger towns solution it is not an issue, but many of the most 
convenient resupply towns have little in the way of supplies.

>Hiking Boots -  I've heard that some people prefer sneakers/running shoes 
>over hiking boots?  What is the norm on the trail?  Does anyone reccomend 
>certain brands?  I have a nice pair of REI boots but I'm not sure about 
>durability and lifespan.  Typically how many pairs of shoes will a 
>thu-hiker go thru?

As many said, most wear low-cut running shoes or trail runners. New Balance 
is very popular for the running shoe devotees. In the desert, I enjoyed the 
New Balance 730 which has large vents. Your feet and socks get filthy, but 
stay cool and quickly dry. I also liked the Montrail trail runners and I 
currently like my pair of Merrel Baja Ventilators.

I saw a podiatrist recently and he seemed to think the pain along my 
metatarsals was caused by the flexible sole of the New Balance running 
shoes. He said the thick sole of most boots keeps the forefoot from flexing 
as much, removing some stress from the metatarsals. (Note: the metatarsals 
are the finger like bones in the foot and a stress fracture along the 2nd 
or 3rd metatarsal takes a few people off the trail every year.)

However, since my metatarsal pain went away once I got over-the-counter 
orthoses (Superfeet). I think the shape of my feet changed a bit during my 
hike and the Superfeet gave my arches the support they needed. Shortly 
after, my metatarsal pain went away.

Though many people suggest the high leather upper of a boot provides 
protection from twisted ankles, this is only partially true, if at all. If 
your knee goes one way and the your foot the other, you can still pull a 
tendon or ligament. However, the upper can restrict lateral (roll as 
opposed to both pitch and yaw) movement and possibly prevent a pull or tear 
that way. However, having strained my ankle both ways in boots with high 
uppers, it's not bulletproof protection. Perhaps you have to lace the boot 
tighter than I was willing to receive this protection. Still, thick-soled 
boots with a high uppers are nice for rugged (off-trail) terrain, deep snow 
and deep mud, but as Yogi said, it's not needed for the PCT's tread. Though 
you may post-hole in the High Sierra snow, you'll usually get your leg back 
with its running shoe.

I like trail runners myself, but have to use Superfeet with them to support 
my arches. My podiatrist may be right and some people may do better with a 
boot, but I'll gravitate towards lighter shoes for as long as I'm able.

Yet another opinion is at: http://staff.washington.edu/gcthomas/foot.html

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