Your feet and the shoes you wear is the most important part of any thru hike. You've set off on the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail and now you must walk that distance, comfortably, and happily! You must take care of your feet, and finding the right footwear for you is a good first step in doing so. So here is my best advice when it comes to hiking shoes.
Take note of what the most popular shoes out there are! But keep in mind just because they are popular doesn't mean they are the best for your feet! Try them in different sizes and be sure! Try them locally on trails before trying them on a thru hike. A problem with a shoe near home is a much better problem to have than a problem out in the middle of a long distance hike. You may love one of these popular models or brands, but don't get it and use it for the sole reason that it is popular. Everyone's feet are different. Try them on, test them out, return them, whatever it takes.
Some of the most popular shoes on the market:
Altra Lone Peak 6 - amzn.to/3ugD4Cm
Altra Lone Peak 5 - amzn.to/3Gbtm6D
Altra Lone Peak 4.5 - amzn.to/3oaWiFK
Altra Olympus 4 - amzn.to/341fsXC
Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 - amzn.to/32K3d1d
Topo Ultraventure Pro - amzn.to/34pZdDC & Womens amzn.to/3AHFtY6
Topo Ultraventure 2 - amzn.to/3rcBv6A & Womens amzn.to/3udbDJx
Brooks Cascadia 16 - amzn.to/3odqLmG
Merrel Moab 2 Ventilator - amzn.to/3IOmCgS
The shoes I have personally been wearing:
Merrel Trail Glove 6 - amzn.to/33VWBgR
Xero Mesa Trail - amzn.to/3g8ycqD
Xero TerraFlex - amzn.to/3Ha20z4
How long should shoes last on a thru hike? I've known people who replace shoes after just 400 miles and I've known people who have squeezed more than 1,000 miles out of a single pair! I think you can guess at who would have the lower chance of injury. The person who replaces shoes more frequently. Not allowing a shoe to get too worn, the cushion totally deflate, or rips up the sides form letting rocks enter the shoe. Somewhere in between 500-800 miles is ideal. But use your own judgement! This isn't a science as everyone beats in shoes differently. I am 190lbs and 6'2" and I will go through shoes much faster than someone who is 30lbs lighter than I am. Always pay close attention to your shoes and how beat up they are. Take note of how your feet are feeling, and buy new shoes when necessary. Comfort is much more important than durability here. If a shoe feels amazing but only lasts 500 miles I would rather have that than a shoe that lasts longer but doesn't feel good.
Don't stock up on shoes before a thru hike, buy as you go. Your preference for shoes may change, and certainly the size of shoe you wear will change. Buy online as you go, or find a store in a trail town.
You must try them on first. Whether that is at a local running store, REI, or buying a few different sizes from amazon where you can easily return them should they not feel right. Buy the shoes that feel amazing from the first try on. If they rub you in a weird way, if they feel funny, if they are too tight, or too loose they are likely not the best shoe for you. They must feel perfect from that very first try.
Don't expect that a shoe will 'break in' over time. Most modern shoes and especially trail running shoes do not have a break in period, and if they do it is very minimal. If it doesn't feel right from the first time you put them on, don't expect that to change 100 miles from now.
Consider half a size up. During a thru hike your feet will get bigger, they will get more muscular, they will flatten and your toes will splay, your feet will swell. So I think a half size up is a good bet, overtime you may find you need a full size larger, or even more! Start with the shoe that feels best, but over time take note of how your feet feel and if you need to go larger next time.
If during your hike you find that something isn't working, don't be afraid to change and try a different shoe. I saved my Arizona Trail thru hike by changing shoes when my first pair was causing problems. If I had stuck with that first pair I surely would have found myself injured. Just because you bought it, and shoes are expensive, try not to resign yourself to it. The overall hike is more important.
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2 июл 2024
