I have tried many varieties of footwear over 55 years of hiking. Growing up with “clod hoppers”, the shoe of
choice, someone else’s, (when I had shoes); I still have the scar on my right
instep from a hot coal cinder. I had been emptying cinders from the stove that morning. I could not remove from those boots due to the
knots in the laces. I think I learned from
those boots to tie a bow after that.
That was a long time ago in the hills of Carrolton, Kentucky, when one
room school houses were common as was the old pot bellied stove, the end of the Mighty chestnut was near, and shoes
in those hills were a luxury.
I see a wide variety of footwear during the course of a season and talk
with most of the thru-hikers, section and overnighters passing through the
Park. I was given a pair of Merrells by
the ATC my first year as a Ridgerunner and have worn Merrell Ventilators for the
past 7 seasons including my 2008 thru-hike on the Pacific Crest National Trail
(PCT). They withstood regular 25 mile
days and more importantly provided comfort throughout the life of the
shoe. I have always worn low quarters,
not needing the ankle support 3/4'ers provide, but preferring a solid, sturdy
shoe.
I am guilty of wearing the tread off the bottom before replacing and
when tossed, my Merrells are still solid and intact, if treadless. Most other trail shoes I have worn did not
hold up as long as the tread. I did however realize the folly of treadless
footwear when on a snowfield in the California Sierra Mountains where that
oversight left me determined to pay attention to the bottom of my footwear in
the future. Leave it to those
conditions to bring reality to the importance of tread, traction and purchase.
I have always found good footing in challenging trail conditions and
appreciate the quality and durability of Merrells. It is no wonder I follow or pass and recognize
more Merrell than any tread on the trail.
Choosing the right shoe for its intended purpose is important. There must be the right balance of weight
versus comfort and durability, waterproofing or breathability. On the PCT, breathable and fast drying shoes are recommended and a good
outfitter suggested Merrell Ventilators when I was preparing for the PCT. They helped cool my feet under hot conditions
like our Southwest and dried so quickly after snow melt streams in the high
Sierras. I often do light running as well as hiking to remain conditioned
during the off season and the very light and breathable running shoes from
Merrills I have are great.
Begin with the right footwear
and your feet will take you to trails end.
Keep hiking,
Carl, aka Greybeard
GA/ME 1999
PCT 2008
