Fat feet? - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Okay,… boots. I’m in the process of buying a pair… or two-- that’s what I want to ask you about. I’ve heard your feet spread while walking for such distances. So much so, in fact, that some hikers send their boots back to the company for a new pair, just to find that the new and identical pair doesn’t fit.

So would it be wise to buy two pairs before leaving? I’d thought it would be nice to have them pre- broken in, not to have to deal with a week or so of blisters when I make the swap, but if they won’t fit my feet…?

What I’d like to know is what other people did, how likely it is that my feet will grow, etc. I’m really impatient when it comes to mailing back and forth to the companies. I’d like to avoid it if possible.

Susan

#2

It’s true that your feet tend to spread or flatten out after a couple of months of hiking with a pack. But, I don’t see the need to buy and break in a second pair of boots before hand.

When it comes time to replace your boots, go into the nearest outfitter and get fitted. If your feet are like mine, your feet will be so toughened that the new boots wouldn’t bother them with blisters and the like.

Now, I think that you can minimize the foot spread by using a good footbed like superfeet that support your feet better than the inserts that typically come in boots.

So, twice I have had to replace foot gear on the trail. Both times breakin was a non issue. And I am an advocate of superfeet.

Peaks

#3

Feet get fat…and sore. We both had broken in boots and back up pairs. We chose to have back ups since we couldn’t find the same brand on the trail and we both have odd foot problems and sizes. I, BW, went up one full size to get a boot that was wide enough on my third pair on trail. Couldn’t find anything in towns that would fit, went to four outfitters and compromised on ones too big in the toe for width. BR went from a 9 to an 11 to find one with enough toe volume from a bruised ball. If you have an easy to come by volume brand like New Balance 80#'s you can mail order them from Campmor or most places have them. If you need a custom or non standard type[leather boot, not trail runners, they don’t really need breaking in] I’d still reserve one to two pair at home and make sure the NEXT pairs are a half to one size larger. It’s hard to get a good fit at home for the trail unless you try a twenty miler into the store before hand and have hot feet. Done that and bring the sox you’ll use on the trail, the demo ones at the store will get you the wrong size. If you double sock, bring them. Many outfitters up north had little or nothing that fit us. We crushed the Superfeet in three hundred miles. Spenco Greens did much better and I still have the last set with more than a thousand miles on them.
One guy we hiked with and Limmers and had to send them back for repair and never saw them again. He got some $100 get by boot and just tore his feet up in a hundred miles.
I think it’s more what you like, if you can wear anything and aren’t picky about brand just start out in whatever. Just wear them for a while with your pack on to see if they bother you, or the first store is Neels Gap. :>)

Bushwhack w/ Bramble

#4

Your feet will change. Just pick something up in town, there are plenty of outfitters along the way. Keep an open mind, you may find heavy boots that require breaking to be unnecessary and burdensome for the AT. My wife and I started with LL Bean Cresta Hikers. 5 lb boots. We both finished in trail runners. What ever you are comfortable in.

Grimace

#5

Then there’s bare foot?! It’s been done, or Tevas.

Bushwhack

#6

Hi Susan,
my feet went up one size during the hike. I have very wide feet and was lucky to get a pair to fit me whilst on the trail. I got a pair of extra wide Hiteks at Waynesboro. I needed another pair when I got to VT and couldn’t find anything along the trail to fit. I ended up calling a phone order down to Waynesboro to get another pair from the same store sent to NH for me.

Downunda