I just received these books and have put them back in stock. Happy reading, BPL'ers.

So, I expect to be hiking at the end of the month, in what may be sloppy or wet snow conditions. My current boots are Inov-8 boots with Gore-tex linings. Gore-tex can fail eventually to be water proof. Would you use the plastic bags as a vapor barrier even in Gore-tex boots?

REPLY to Diane:
-------------------

The reason to wear plastic bags is to help make your feet feel a little bit warmer. Even if you have gore-tex shoes, full immersion up above your ankles in a stream will make your feet totally wet.

And, wearing plastic bags in a camp setting will definitely make your feet warmer.

Oh, yeah, I knew it was to make your feet feel warmer. I certainly wasn't thinking it would keep my feet dry in the event of a deeper stream crossing, that would be silly.

I guess it was a question of having plastic under a (possibly) breathable liner, vs. having it under more permeable shoes as is often advocated on this list. I wasn't sure if I'd have to be dumping water build-up out of my boots that might be otherwise evaporated off. If my boots don't dry out for three days, I'd have to be wearing plastic bags on my feet the whole time---I definitely get cold feet easily. I'm a little surprised that having the vapor barrier doesn't lead to trench foot eventually.

Then again, if the Gore-tex liner is failing, time to get new boots! Possibly a good time to switch to more breathable runners.

My friends and I have called the bread bag liners "BagTex". :)

A poor man's VBL that works well in a pinch. I've used them for ski touring during particularly cold and nasty weather.

Long live dirtbagging!

Edited by PaulMags on 05/09/2011 12:01:41 MDT.

Not sure others do this, but I put a bag on my bare foot then my sock then another bag. Keeps my socks dry and my feet warmer. NOTE: I have sweaty feet. Feels kinda funny for 5 minutes, but then the vapor content of the inner bag and my foot equalize and its fine.

Reply to Brien:
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Yeah! I like the sound of that system!

That seems like it would work GREAT!

AHA! Now that you've recommended light neoprene diver's socks I feel a bit vindicated.

For over a decade I've been using them over a pair of thin polypro liner socks to keep my feltpac liners dry in winter. I've also used them with my leather 3 pin backcountry boots.

I take 3 pair of polypro liner socks to insure that I've always got a clean pair on week long winter trips.

#80 loose laces - For easy adjustment to laces, just use a pair of the small, spring barrel-type lace-locks that runners and triathletes use. just push down the spring end, thread your laces through the opening and then either tie them off to the front of your laces at the bite in the lace well or cut them off to fit so that you have just enough bitter ends to provide enough room to put yout shoes on or off. you can then "reeve" your laces in and out through the lace lock to adjuct without retying, etc like you have to if you just tie your shoe by the old-fashioned bow-loop method.

#84 - footbeds. best over the counter orhtotic is Superfeet. They are relatively cheap, lightweight and highly durable and last a long time. BTW, the things that come with most shoes are just psuedo-carboard type junk that do nothing for support, cushioning or stability, so it's just wasted weight. After countless marathons, half-ironmans and ironman and several pricey pairs of custom orthotics, i still use Superfeet in my trailrunners and other hiking shoes or other athletic shoes for gym work or events other than intense long distance endurance sports.

Really enjoying the series... but is there any way this could update with the rest of the website on Tuesday lol?

-

Spenco Jelly - PolySorb Cross Trainer Insoles

about $11
(as per tip number 84)

(and see here)
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=8664&cat=Footwear%20-%20Boots%2C%20Shoes%2C%20Gaiters&cid=53

Edited by mikeclelland on 05/12/2011 13:32:04 MDT.

Great series. However, I have to differ here. I have foot/ankle issues and have found a super loose lace to be absolutely disasterous. Obviously everybody's needs will be different when it comes to feet. My mantra is: your boot/shoe is only as good as it's lace-up. What that means has to be discovered by each individual. Also of course for me at least terrain also dictates how I lace up my boots. FWIW.

Feet are as different as fingerprints. Sometimes shoes need inserts. Sometimes they don't. Footbed design will effect that as much as lacing and inserts. Hiking in the ADK's, I mostly agree with your comments, though. With trail runners, you do not need a lot of lacing. In the High Peaks area's, you do, though. Up hills are OK. The long/steep downhill hikes are enough to mash my toes off, though. Stopping and tightening laces helps to prevent this, distributing pressure against the top of my feet. With two or three peaks per day, too much fiddling with laces to fool around more than once, tightening on the first 30 degree downhill (many are much more than that, at least for a about quarter mi.)

Inserts mainly serve two purposes. 1) Correct any walking problems (orthotic use.) 2) Comfort.
Supernating or pronating (most common) is a common problem for older hikers. Inserts can help correct these types of walking problems. Comfort is often focused around relieving impact pressures around feet, ankles, knees and through out your skeletal system. Arch problems are a common problem, too.

In contrast to using inserts and thin socks, I use a pair of extra thick wool hikers, sometimes two, and no insert. This seems to do the same job of cushioning impacts as inserts and allows me to completly fill the rear part of my shoe. (I have wider front feet than normal, narrow heels...)

Anyway, a little thought and analysis of your own feet will let you identify any problems, or potential problems, and apply suitable corrections before you head out. As I said, often, what works for one will not work for another...feet are all different. In fact you might find left foot/right foot anomalies that require a different aproach to each foot, not all that unusual.

I'm going to respectfully disagree about the loose laces technique. I mean, if it works for Mike, or anyone else, that is fantastic and ya'll should keep doing it.

I know as a hiker and a trail runner, I like my shoes to fit very snug all over my foot, except for around my toes, so that my shoes feel more like a natural extension of my foot. I feel much more confident with my foot placement in technical terrain, and I feel like I can take much quicker steps with out a sloppy fitting shoe. Also, if fitted correctly, having a snug shoe that minimizes friction can reduce blisters. To me, a loose fitting shoe encourages friction, and friction equals blisters. A snug fitting shoe tha doesn't fit "right" can be absolutely hellish too, but if you take your time and find the right pair it is great, at least from my experience.

Check out the Montrail Masochist, they have a nice lacing system that allows you to get a really customized fit.

I love the MOUNTAIN MASOCHIST! I wanna buy a second pair just because it's so perfect for my feet.

About the loose lacing. Don't ask me why, but loose shoes and super thin socks are magic for me. Just perfect.

I do lace 'em tighter when I scramble on rocks - and when I do long stretches down hill.

I don't trail run, but I walk sorta fast. I wrote about this because I have taught it to students (at NOLS and at BPL) as an option. And a lot of folks find it beneficial. They thank me because they would never have thought of it, they would have simply laced their shoes tight. I like this tip because it goes against the conventional wisdom.

And - this is a simple thing to test. If it doesn't work, then you just bend over and lace your shoes tight again.

I think my wording in the tip says to try this, because it "might" work well for your individual feet.

Peace from Idaho,
Mike C!

____________________________________

loose vs lose always confuses me, spell check doesn't help
(sorry if I mixed 'em up)

Edited by mikeclelland on 05/17/2011 12:12:32 MDT.

I'm a fan of loose shoes too, and I run trails. I started trying them loose only a few months ago, but it's honestly been great. Super comfortable, feels like my feet are better ventilated and dry faster. Just make sure the fit's right.

The only time I have ever gotten blisters on my feet on the trail( and they were bloody and bad) was when I left my laces loose on an Emigrant wilderness trip. Same trail runners, same socks I usually use. The only difference were the loose laces. Must be one of those individual thing.

Me, too--heel blisters! I have unusually narrow heels. Also, I'm more apt to turn an ankle in shoes not firmly laced.

Everyone's feet are different, and any suggestion is worth a try!

Edited by hikinggranny on 05/17/2011 13:17:17 MDT.

I'd worry more about loss of control off trail or on rough trails with my feet sliding around in the shoe. Or possibly trashing an ankle. As things stand, I lace my Roclite 370's farly tight around the ankle area for control/support and a bit looser below a surgeon's knot at the top of the instep, but still not what I'd call loose. Just enough to allow for foot swelling. Control is my number one priority.
YMMV, as always.

I, too, prefer loose trail runners. I began this a while back when the top of feet would feel sore (not injured) after long hikes. There is some slippage but I'm aware of this and therefore step lively yet surely.

I don't really like the foot beds although I agree they make sense and are worth a try.