FOOTWARE

     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