[pct-l] shoe recommendations

[whitethunder10 at hotmail.com (Joseph Niemiec)]

I bought the 801'a for part of my hike.  They were terrible!!!!  I noticed 
they were made with almost a convex sole -weird i know.  They made my feet 
pronate like crazy... north face shoes are also terrible... kill the bottms 
of your feet...

Mouse

>From: Brian Weber <pies_con_queso@yahoo.com>
>To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>Subject: RE: [pct-l] shoe recommendations
>Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 10:16:23 -0800 (PST)
>
>The dreaded choice of shoes!! What to do?? How to pick a good one??
>
> >From the research I've done on shoes, you really have to try on a 
bunch of them before making the investment unless you already know exactly 
what you want (kinda like cars).
>
>Every shoe manufacturer uses a "last" for forming their shoes. 
  A last is a standard mold of a foot. There are certain standards for size, 
but manufacturers often have varying shapes of lasts (higher/lower arch, 
wider/narrower at the toe, etc...) just as many different people have many 
different shapes of feet. Ideally, we have to find the shoe that best 
matches our feet. If we find that brand of shoe, then it would be beneficial 
to stick with it. When trying on shoes, I always consider the space consumed 
by my thick wool socks and gel insoles. The right shoe will fit... they 
can't be roomy or tight, they have to be on-the-money for the best foot 
health. Ideally, when in doubt, go a half-size bigger than expected, but no 
more. Too much play in your boot will cause blisters.
>
>On top of that, considering this is a community of long-distance hikers, 
durability, comfort, and weight are key factors as well. I bought a pair of 
Vasque mid's on clearance (can't recall what style) and have been quite 
pleased. They are quite durable, and are comfortable for distance hikes. In 
fact, the only time they are somewhat uncomfortable is when I'm walking on 
hard pavement. They are bullet-proof, breathable, water-resistant (not 
water-tight, I can't ford deep puddles), and not too heavy for a sturdy 
hiking boot.
>
>Also, just as feet swell in heat, fabrics give way too. With a softer 
shoe (e.g. trail runners, tennis shoes, basketball shoes), I find myself 
tightening down the laces more as the day wears on, especially if the 
activity is strenuous (such as tennis or basketball). I haven't had that 
trouble with my Vasque mids, most likely because the materials used are much 
more durable.
>
>
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