Re: [pct-l] footwear

[Rebecca Williams <rebeccaw@ix.netcom.com>]

As Dave said ... if it works for you.
My only advice ... if you have ever sprained/twisted your ankle ... don't think

about wearing shoes w/o some more support than an open sandal.
Keep in mind that each time you twist or sprain an ankle you are more
likely to do it again. The tendons stretch out like rubber bands & the more you
twist/sprain , the more they stretch, & the more they stretch the more likely
you are to twist/sprain them again. (Speaking from personal experience.)
One more word of foot advice ... If you've never had foot/ankle problems,
count yourself lucky ... don't worry about what everyone else says ... keep
doing
whatever you've been doing. i.e. if you usually hike in tennis shoes ... keep
hiking in them.
... basically don't go trying something new in footwear if you don't have a
problem ..
if it ain't broken don't fix it. If you're lucky enough know what works for you
... stick to it.
-Rebecca

david paulson wrote:

>      On the subject of foot wear:  Consider ALL of your options. I wore
> Teva Terradactyls every step of the way on my 1997 thru hike of the PCT and
> was very pleased with their performance.  I taped my arches for the first
> six weeks of the hike to give my feet some extra support, then walked on
> without the tape the remaining 14 weeks.  The only minor problem I had was
> with the plastic triangular strap holder digging into the side of my ankle.
> Placing a piece of cardboard between my foot and the plastic solved that
> irritation. I also wore through socks at an alarming rate (1 pair a week
> for thin wool blend socks).  It wasn't until I reached Oregon that someone
> suggested I turn the socks over (heel up) when they wear through in order
> to extend their life another week. This looked a little strange but worked
> fine.
>      In the snow, traction was adequate, and I always had my ice axe in
> hand. I also left Campo late enough (May 3) that I wasn't the first through
> the snowy passes, and had plenty of footsteps to follow and use.  Early
> season, though, I would definitly lean towards using heavier footwear.  My
> only regret was leaving my neoprene socks burried in a box back home.  They
> would have come in handy in the snow and in the Washington rain.
>      The bottom line, of course, is to do what works for you.  I plan to be
> on the trail again next year, and have three pair of Tevas set aside for
> the hike.
>
>      Dave.
>
> * From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *



* From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *

==============================================================================