Foot Health

When planning a hike of three million steps (no exaggeration), foot health is of the upmost importance!  People are often surprised to learn that we hike in running shoes (see picture, right).  This is one of the many misconceptions about long-distance hiking.  When used in conjunction with a holistic approach to lightweight backpacking, running shoes are seen to be far superior to high-top leather boots.  First and foremost, they are much more breathable.  Blisters are caused by moisture and friction.  Eliminating moisture is critical to blister prevention.  Additionally, we remove our shoes and socks at every rest stop and employ the "Shake n' Bake" method.  Lori acquired her trail name from this method of dipping one's foot into a Ziploc bag full of foot powder.  This powder dries the feet and prevents the dreaded athlete's foot fungus that eats away at the all important calluses.  

Some of you may be wondering about running shoes and ankle injuries.  Again, we wear running shoes as part of a holistic approach to lightweight backpacking.  If we were carrying the traditional 60lb. pack of yore, then running shoes would probably not offer the ankle support we need.  Our core pack weight will be closer to 16lb.  As I like to say, "My ankles are strong because I wear running shoes and I wear running shoes because my ankles are strong."  There was a study of professional basketball players comparing ankle injury rates among those who wore low-tops and those who wore high-tops.  There was a higher incidence of injury among those who wore high-tops.  

What about creek crossings?  Leather boots still don't win.  Each foot has approximately 250,000 sweat glands that pump out some serious moisture.  No matter how you slice it, your foot will be wetter in a boot than a shoe.  And, of course, any water above the top of a boot will fill it like a tub.  Running shoes will drain water and dry much faster than any leather boot.

And finally, there is the issue of the weight of the footwear itself.  Leather boots can weigh upwards of 2lb per boot.  Lifting this amount step after step, mile after mile will obviously take its toll in the form of fatigue and injury.  

So what is the catch?  Where is the trade-off?  Running shoes don't last as long as leather boots.  Lori and I will both be wearing through three pairs of shoes this summer.  Our feet are worth it - if they're not happy, we're not happy!