[pct-l] Boots on the PCT

[CMountainDave at aol.com (CMountainDave@aol.com)]

In a message dated 2/5/04 1:01:42 PM, rsmithat99@cox.net writes:

<< I would like to hear from any one that hiked the PCT in boots and would 
they wear boots again on the PCT. >>

I did and I certainly would again
  The thing about feet is that they are all different.  If I were 
contemplating a thru hike, I certainly would not walk into some wal mart and pick a pair 
of boots/shoes off the shelf. A person who does this is not too bright, in my 
opinion.
  Instead, I would first have my feet measured by a professional to find my 
exact foot size. Then I would choose a brand that HAS my exact foot sized 
footwear. If a brand only has one or two widths available, I would avoid them like 
the plaque. I would go to a shoe store with a variety of brands available and 
a knowledgeable staff who know their products well. I would try on everything 
they have in my size while wearing the sock system I intended to use.
   I would then consider my arches. I'm no foot expert, but it seems to me 
the higher your arches, the more likely it is that you will have problems with 
them. People with flat feet, (like me) ain't got nothin' left to lose, so arch 
supports are just a waste of time and money. And take it from me: the old 
stereotyping about flat feet having problems on long hikes is a bunch of bunk. 
Frankly, I think flat feet have an advantage over high arched ones. If I had high 
arches, I would go to a foot doctor and get his advice on supports, maybe 
even paying to have them specifically made for my feet
   Finally I would not rationalize my way past the need for ankle support. I 
would not assume that I have strong ankles and therefore need no ankle 
support. How exactly one knows their ankles are strong is beyond me. Therefore I 
would assume that I need it rather than take a chance just to save little weight. 
I would guess that if you have ever sprained an ankle, you would need ankle 
support
  As a last test, I would break them in on short hikes and then take a 20-25 
mile hike --  partially on pavement -- in the footwear I had just purchased to 
see what's what. If my feet had problems, I would wait awhile and repeat the 
hike. If my feet still had problems, I would toss the whole system and start 
from scratch, big bucks or not.
  After having worn the boots I have chosen for decades, I had complete trust 
in the brand. I started out with a pair of boots that had many days of 
backpacking behind them. I bought an identical pair before I left.  They were sent 
to me in Seiad Valley, and although not even broken in, they performed 
perfectly, even on the first day.
   My feet did not change size at all. I got one small heel blister while 
pounding down to Idylwild on pavement after a long day of hiking. That was it for 
the entire hike
   Having said all this, I'm sure plenty of you will still waltz on into Wal 
Mart to get whatever is on sale. Lots of luck!
    David C