[pct-l] need some help

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

It totally depends on how much you weigh and other factors.  if you are 
300 lbs, then the running shoes will probably not be sufficient without 
the pack, unless your feet are built like a brick-sh*t house.  If you 
are 120 lbs and your feet are pretty tough, then the shoes might be 
ok.  If you are 120 lbs and your feet are tender-feet, and you tend to 
turn your ankle all the time, and your legs get fatigued easily, then 
you probably won't like hiking in running shoes.  If your feet are fine 
and everything else is ok, but you have to kick steps in firmly 
packed/frozen snow, the running shoes will be worthless.

It also depends on the shoe.  NO street running shoe will be as sturdy 
as a good trail runner.  in 1998 and 2002 I wore asics gt-2010 running 
shoes on the JMT and felt every single jagged rock stab through the 
faom and poke into my foot.  Fortunatley, my feet are tough as nails, 
so it didn't matter that much to me.  in 2004, I did the JMT again with 
Vasque Velocity's and enevr felt any rocks poke through.  the vasque's 
are much more comfortable.


> 
> I don't know how anyone could give you a definitive answer to that
> question.  It totally depends on your personal body mechanics, how in
> shape you are, and probably a lot of other things.  The only thing
> other people can tell you is, "I tried that and it worked for me," or
> "I tried that and it didn't work for me."  It's really hard to say
> what that means for you.
> 
> One thing is for certain - the more weight you carry on your back, the
> more support you need on your feet in order to keep your overall risk
> of injury the same.  But how much more?  That depends on the person.
> 
> If it were me carrying that much weight, I'd probably wear boots, but
> I don't have the strongest ankle joints to begin with so I tend to
> wear (lightweight) boots even with my 13.5 pound pack.  Yes, I suck. 
> <grin>
> 
> Have you actually tried this combination of pack weight and footgear
> before, even on a long dayhike?
> 
> Eric
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