Boot fittings - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Who are the best boot fitters along the AT? I have heard of one at Neels Gap and one in Damascus. Are there others?

Dances with Wolfie

#2

YOU are the best boot fitter. Put your foot in the boot, walk around a little and see how it fits. Shoe salespeople can measure you every which way they can, but it still comes down to try it on, see if it’s comfortable, and does it have what you are looking for.

Do YOU like high top or low cut? check the heel - some have a rounded edge - this (IMHO) encourages you to turn your ankle - I like the heel to sort of splay out- it gives ME a wider base and is more stable to ME.

Then they may try to sell you Superfeet or other orthotic type of insoles. Do YOU want that? there has been some recent research on ‘arch supports’. the normal movement of the foot has the arch flexing and flattening with each step. Some of these rigid insoles prevent the normal movement of the foot. Depending on the bones in YOUR feet/legs/hips/spine, YOUR body may not have the same stance as someone else, and many of these insoles try to ‘adjust’ the way your body stands on your feet. Do you want nice cushiony insoles that will give you more padding on the bottoms of your feet to deal with the constant pounding of feet on the trail.

Bring the socks that you like to wear, and if possible, shop for shoes towards the end of the day when you have been on your feet all day, they are a little swollen etc.

I had one shoe sales person tell me I was having knee/ shoulder and back pain that developed when I tried superfeet because I didn’t have my boots laced up properly! Give me a break. The superfeet were the problem - shifted my whole posture into something unnatural for my body.

Last but not least, go to a place where they have many different brands of shoes. Different companies have different ‘lasts’ (the foot bed of the shoe) what may fit from one company will be very different from the next. The shoe that fits me the best is what some will say are ‘cheaper’ shoes - (I wear Hi Tec shoes) well, they FIT me, I can wear them and not have pain. and, I’ve got over 1000 miles on my current pair. I can have all the fancy ‘better brand’ shoes in the world (and I do have quite a few pairs that sit in the closet) but if they don’t fit and aren’t comfortable they are not worth the money you pay for them.

OK, my rant is over

HeartFire

#3

Heartfire: I remember back in the early days I bought so many shoes recommended by others or sales people. They lined my closet. It was so crazy, shoe after shoe. Like you said what works for one will not always work for the next guy. Luckily I finally got a pair of Salomon’s. I am not sure what it is about this brand but they work for me. I have had many different styles within their brand and all fit great. My girlfriend hates them. It is something that you have to try and when you find the brand that works for you, stay with it.

Hammock Hanger

#4

Thanks for your replies, but what I am looking for is a reputable person. Someone who knows feet and has a reputation for solving hiker problems with feet; who can match feet to boots.

I know that I am the one who has to be comfortable, but I want a partner in solving my boot problems and who really knows the products. I have someone at home, but I want another person on the trail who I can go to. I want to know my options. Thanks again.

dances with Wolfie