Cut the tongue out…

[Pete Clarke]

of my shoe? Not my motor-mouth friends, if that's what you were thinking. In "Beyond Backpacking" Ray Jardine gets poetic on his love for tongue-less shoes. However, I am a bit cautious on this. I have no problem modifying my gear, but a fancy pair of Inov-8 shoes cost a lot, and this is an irreversible operation. Any comments? Any experience with this?

[Bill Fornshell]

Here is a link to what I did to a pair of Trail Runners back in 2006:

Trail Runners Make-Overl

[Zack Karas]

If you are someone who regularly laces their shoes up tightly, then I wouldn't do this. The foam in the tongue can protect your foot from the lace pressure.

[Jason Klass]

FWIW, I agree with Zach

[Brett Peugh]

But the sides of the tongue could be slit so that the shoe could accept a foot that has grown a little larger correct and open up some room? Just have a few pairs of 14s that got a little bit too small.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Brett

Don't like your chances.

Cheers

[Pete Clarke]

Well, I guess I won't do it then. Just curious what other hikers thought. I read about the modified shoes on the above link, but there wasn't really any review on how the shoes performed. I am using shock cord instead of laces, and the holes the laces go through are designed so that they wouldn't provide any discomfort to my feet. I was just trying to lighten the shoes a bit, and maybe provide some added ventilation. Then again, if it's wet or sandy, I would be concerned about keeping my feet comfy. But, the allure of lighter shoes keeps calling….

[Author]

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