[pct-l] Socks... And Fire...

[Scott Williams]

What he said!  You're absolutely right Eric.  Our feet do not belong to
Tarahumara, but to modern Americans who have been living with modern
"supported" shoes for most of our lives.  I have known people who put on
minimalist shoes and had no problem right from the start, including 3 on
the CDT who went all the way with no problems.  But that's a real gamble,
the most important thing in my opinion is toughening your feet through lots
of walking in all conditions, preferably before you hit trail, at least it
is for me.

I spent six months traveling this year with very little hiking.  When I got
back to trail in August for a month of backpacking, I got some hot spots,
and I was only backpacking usually 8 to 15 miles per day.  That's nothing
like the speed and distance of a thru hike.  Six months of no grit, no wet
feet exposure, no rocks and ruts and I had to go through a break in again.
  So setting up for another long hike this season, I've been training all
winter and have brought back a good bit of the toughness and strength I
usually have when I'm thru hiking.  Now I can get out for a full day of
hiking and come back with no hot spots and feet that feel pretty good the
next day.  So train, train, train.  At least that's important for me.

Shroomer


On Thu, Feb 13, 2014 at 12:11 AM, Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Shroomer wrote:
> >
> Think of the Tarahumara of the Copper Canyons running 50 and 100 miles in
> huaraches, loose open toes sandals with old tire tread for a sole.  Our
> human feet are potentially very tough and strong.  The most important part
> of getting that toughness and strength for me has been lots of training,
> lots of grit, lots of hiking in all conditions and not supporting them with
> the crutches, the supports and pads, that keep them from becoming strong.
>  For me, "less is more."
> >
>
> I think that approach to footwear is awesome for those for whom it works,
> and it works for a lot of people.  But for anyone looking for shoe advice,
> pay special attention to the "lots of training, lots of grip, lots of
> hiking
> in all conditions" part.  My observation is that most people who love
> minimalist shoes only got there after lots and lots and lots of walking
> beforehand so they were prepared for it.  Maybe some people go straight
> into
> it and love it, I don't know.  But my point is whatever strategy you
> choose,
> make sure you ease into it and practice a lot with it.  You can mess
> yourself up by jumping straight to any extreme whether that's no-support
> sandals or bombproof mountaineering boots.
>
> Eric
>
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