What kind of shoes do you need on this trail; sturdy summer mesh shoes that are cool or gortex for warmth?
bluevist
Shoes - The Colorado Trail
system
#2
It varied from hiker to hiker and what they like, want, and are accustomed to.
The Barefoot Sisters hiked the trail in bare feet. And some others have done it too. I went to school growing up in the country and most of the kids did not wear shoes to school in the summer. So there are still some bare foot walkers around.
Some wear sandals, some wear tennis shoes, some low boots (which to me are shoes).
I like 9 inch high insulated gortex boots large enough to wear too pair of heavy socks with. The two pairs of heavy socks absorb sweat and help keep feet dry and healthy. Just hang socks up at night to let them dry and air out. I never have a problem with my feet.
The go light crowd loves tennis shoes (high end and expensive----Nike and such), but the better high end tennis shoes are worth every penny. Cheap tennis shoes will cause a lot of foot problems for you.
If you carry a lot of weight, you need good support, good thick soles, and good arch support. I recommend boots if you do this.
Some of the foot problems on the trail are: (1) Arches collapse causing feet to gain 1/2 size or so in shoe size----reason: too much weight being carried for too many hours a day, too many days and poor arch support. (2) Toenails blacken and fall off----shoes too tight, not fitting right or laced poorly, also comes from stuffing arch supports down into a already somewhat tight fitting shoe (3) Bottom of Feet becoming hard and numb----sole of shoe/boot not thick enough, too much weight, too many days, too many hours.
Most foot problems on the trail are caused by the above or just pushing too hard, too fast, too much weight, too many hours a day, etc. Give your feet a break, hike slow and keep the number of miles down to a reasonable limit and keep that pack weight down.
See you out there.:cheers
Maintain
system
#3
I had planned on wearing my Chaoas, whihc I wore for over 1000 miles on the AT. – But have just purchased a pair of Keen, Newports. They are so comfy and have great support, as well as traction. Much more comfy then the Bites that were popular last year. CHeck them out: http://www.onlineshoes.com/productpage.asp?type=brand&brandid=38&brandcatid=catall&pcid=5958&gen=w&adtrack=tl-in&term=women's+keen+newport&offer= Sue/HH :girl
Hammock Hanger
system
#5
Maintain,
Did you mean they hiked the CT and the AT?
Also, don't feet usually gain size because of increased blood circulation and muscle development? I've never heard of "arch collapse" being the typical cause of the usual shoe size increase. My feet grow in size during every long hike (even rigorous weekend hikes), but recede somewhat after the activity. Are you sure about that?
Bluevist: Island Mama and I hiked the CT in sandals with lugged soles. It was a dry year and we had very little snow to deal with. One could easily get by with your average running shoes -but I’d get something with traction for the loose rocks in spots.
Tha Wookie
system
#6
Well, I just made the big jump and bought Vasque Ion trail runners last weekend for the CT. I think Maintain didn’t realize this was the CO Trail we were talking about. I assumed that this type of shoe would be fine for Western hiking. I’m anxious to get them out on a backpack, but that’s going to be awhile in the still frozen north of Maine.
Bluevist, when are you leaving? Our little party has grown to 4 and includes Black Toe Bob now too.
Bluebearee
system
#7
My sandals had the same sole as a pair of trail runners. I tried New Balance sneakers but found I could feel way too much thru the thinner sole, I wound up with bruised feet.
I hike on the AT with the BFS. They did not hike barefoot all the time. Most times they wore sandals. I did see them hike barefoot though, they encouraged me but I just couldn’t get that far. I did start to walk around camp barefoot to toughen up my feet.
With both sandals and barefeet you have to be willing to have dirty dirty feet!! Hammock Hanger:girl
Hammock Hanger