[pct-l] Question regarding boots and feet.

[kborski at yahoo.com (Karen Borski)]

Shane,

>From my experience and others I've talked with, most
experience foot swelling almost immediately.  This is
especially true in the heat of southern CA.  My feet
have expanded a half-size within a week of the start
every time.

On my first thru-hike, my feet grew one whole shoe
size and remained there.  On my subsequent long hikes,
they temporarily expand a half-size during the hike,
but then they go back down to their previous size
(thank goodness) after the hike.  The swelling takes
about a month to disappear after I'm finished!

Physicians tell me the expansion is due to a permanent
loosening and repositioning of the tendons in the
foot.  The temporary swelling is due to inflammation
from the pounding and muscle growth (yes, your feet
get buff, too).

Nocona

--- shane wohlken <darkbodhi@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I'm curious as to how soon into the trail during
> a thru-hike to expect my boots to become too
> tight and require an exchange for larger boots. 
> In other words, can I expect to replace my boots
> near the half-way point, 500 miles in, 200 miles
> in?  I realize that this is a hard question to
> answer since everyone's feet are different, but I
> was wondering if there was an average distance
> where the boot exchange occurs (assuming it
> occurs at all)?  And in a related (and just as
> difficult to answer) question, what is the
> average size difference a thru-hiker can expect
> in their feet?  Do you tend to go up 1/2, 1, or 2
> boot sizes when it's all said and done?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Shane
> 
> 
> 		
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