[pct-l] shoe sizing - questions thereof

[Rick Donahue]

Just one more thing to think about - for me foot expansion was mostly about
width, not
length. I went to only 1/2 size larger but went from D to 4E. I think some
often make the
mistake of trying to get width by increasing length of shoe. I've always
wondered how the
foot gets longer with increased mileage. I've been hiking in shoes w/o much
arch support
and find that my arch muscles get stronger but my foot is not growing in
length. Good luck.

Regarding Chaco's, Diane which ones are you using? I ordered a pair of the
Z/1's but just
couldn't do it. Each one was heavier than any *pair* of my trail runners.

--Rick


> Date: Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:42:02 -0700
> From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
>        <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] shoe sizing - questions thereof
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>        <5C6E3C14-4913-4EE1-B109-C647A64D0882 at santabarbarahikes.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
>
>
> On Jul 25, 2010, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> > shoe sizing - questions thereof
>
> You've gotten good info so far. All I will add is that if you go with
> Yogi's advice to get your shoes 1/2 to 1 size larger than you are
> used to, you can always wear extra socks to take up the room if they
> are too big. But if your feet enlarge and your shoes aren't big
> enough, you can't take away anything from your feet. You'll have to
> cut holes in the shoes.
>
> My feet broadened out considerably from the PCT. Before the PCT I did
> a lot of day hikes every weekend and a backpack once or twice a year.
> I had to start purchasing bigger shoes as I progressed up the trail.
> My women's 6.5 EEEE feet wore up to a men's size 10 shoe at one
> point, and the last shoe I wore was a mens size 8 EEEE which was
> maybe a touch too long but worked out great for width.
>
> You could also consider hiking in sandals. I've been hiking in Chaco
> sandals locally and I've been pretty surprised how comfortable it is.
> I have not stubbed a toe yet and I hike on some very rocky trails
> full of rolling, angular, potato-sized rocks.
>
> Diane
>