[pct-l] boots

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

The subject often comes up about wet feet in the snow. Can this be avoided 
and does it really matter?

After many years of meeting thru hikers in the sierra snow while teaching 
safe snow travel technique, we can easily say that those using trailrunners 
usually had wet feet most of the time, caused by the snow and creek 
crossings alike. People using high footwear and gaitors did a bit better. 
People counting on Gore-tex to keep their feet dry often found that it 
failed when dirty, so by the time their dirty, dusty shoes got to the snow, 
they were doomed to being wet until they could wash or replace them down in 
Lone Pine. Hikers using exterior sealable boots had the water protection on 
the outside to keep their feet dry in mud, snow, and wet trail conditions. 
When they coupled these with tall waterproof gaitors, they were able to walk 
straight through mid-shin-deep creeks without getting wet at all.

Chronic wet feet can cause a lot of problems for many. Of course, there will 
always be some out there who won't have a problem, but "trench foot" was and 
is still an affect of chronic, wet feet.

Food for thought...


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shawn Hudson" <shizaquawn at gmail.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] boots


> I'm currently deciding between shoes or boots, myself. On the AT, really
> fell in love with the Keen Voyageur Mids ... I used a variety of
> trailrunners before - New Balance, Montrail Hardrocks. Since I am prone to
> rolling my ankle and really need a wide toe-box (pinky toe always manages
> to tear through the side of running shoes after 200 or so miles), they 
> were
> the perfect answer. I'm getting a similar pair for the PCT in 2012 -
> probably the Targhee IIs or Siskiyous, since those are
> waterproof/resistant, and I'm not keen on having wet feet in the snow.
>
> I've seen plenty of reviews for the Keens where people adamantly dislike
> them, though, so really ... it's best to go to your hiking store and try
> shoes on. See if you like the lightweight vs. the boot. Imagine yourself
> wearing them in various environments, if you can't afford to buy and test
> them. And don't buy a stockpile if you don't have experience with a shoe.
> You'll have opportunities to get replacements out there, either ordering
> them online to ship ahead or from outdoor stores off the Trail. You won't
> know until you wear something for 100 miles whether or not it's right for
> you.
>
> - Shawn (formerly VooDoo on the AT, but I think I'll wait for a new name 
> in
> 2012).
>
>
>> Message: 14
>> Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:33:39 +0000
>> From: "patrick white " <patsy805 at hotmail.com>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Boots
>> To: "pct-l at backcountry.net " <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID: <SNT123-DS17663BA644396D0D9C2B019DC60 at phx.gbl>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-15"
>>
>> Any favorite brand/style shoes out there?
>>
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