[philmont] Boots Story

I bought my boots at REI for our trek in 2004. I wanted to comment on inserts. Like boots, the use of inserts depends on your feet.

I have flat feet. If you look at my feet, you see a nice arch, but when I stand up, the arch goes away. I have always had trouble getting shoes and sneakers that were comfortable. Then, I shopped for boots and I learned about superfeet. You can visibly see the difference in how my feet, legs and knees align when I am using the superfeet.

When I got superfeet for my boots, I then had the original inserts for my boots. I put these in my Chucks (chuck taylor all star high top sneakers). I bought the chucks for camp shoes. With canvas tops, they provide some protection, but they are the lightest pair of sneakers I have ever seen. With the boot insoles, these became my favorite shoes, since they were the most comfortable.

The next time I needed dress shoes for work, I bought a pair of superfeet to go with them. Now I have comfortable shoes. I also got them for my next pair of sneakers.

Now it is not so hard to find comfortable shoes. My main shopping criteria is if they have an insole that can be removed.

Obviously, not everyone needs superfeet inserts. But if you are having trouble finding comfortable boots, this is one adjustment to consider.

YIS,
Scott Sibley
1975-623-A-1 Trek 9?
2004-621-D-5 Trek 4

----- Original Message -----
  From: Troop 6 Webmaster<mailto:troop6webmaster@comcast.net>
  To: philmont List Member<mailto:philmont@troop47.com>
  Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 3:41 PM
  Subject: [philmont] Boots Story

    I'll buy just about anything on-line ... except boots ... sort of.
    I heartedly endorse trying boots on in a store that is equipped to sell boots ... this means having staff that knows the difference between backpacking and hiking and has facilities such as an incline ramp. I view the add-on insoles much like undercoating and paint treatment, and so I think it is one reason why retailers need to be careful about pushing the extras .... no I don't need a service agreement on the component video cable thank you. That said, to each his own.
    Boots are one of the "Big Four" (Boots, Backpack, Raingear, Sleeping Bag) and perhaps the single most important investment you will make ... if your feet aren't happy, you won't be either. My eldest and I have worn the same pair of Vasques (with standard insoles) through two Philmont Treks and requsite shakedown activities ... both pairs are going strong with over 200 miles on them. My youngest made his first Philmont Trek in '06, he did his in a pair of EMS house Brand Boots. Economically they were a steal, at well less than $100. In the end the Vasques and the EMS boots performed well, not a single blister or hot spot among us and dry feet, due in no small part to GoreTex, for the duration ... IMHO a boot without GoreTex is trouble.
    While the EMS boots were bought in the brick and mortar establishment, the Vasques were bought off REI's website because neither of my local haunts (ems & rei) had them and the REI web price was compelling. Interesting that both REI & EMS have a broader selection on-line than in-store.

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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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Received on Sun Feb 25 16:44:06 2007