PCT shoes help

Buy shoes that are bigger than what you're used to wearing.

My new favorite trail shoe is the La Sportiva Wildcat. I've worn them on the CDT, and they seem to be become quite popular in general. I've got a pair of 10.5s that are in great shape that I'll sell you. I'm up to needing an 11. When I started the PCT, I wore size 9.5!

I switch mine out ever 750 miles. So, that'd be four pairs. That's assuming that you're not going to need to buy any extra pairs for unplanned reasons.

"About how many pairs of shoes are needed for the PCT."

I have looked into this and 5 seems to be the average answer, just over 500 miles. Much will depend on brand on shoe on how you walk. I have 7 pairs at the ready and expect to use 5. I will be hiking in LaSportiva Wildcats on the PCT this year. I also have worn through 2 pairs of Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultras in my prehike training. One suggestion though….. Get this fugured out both type and sizing PRIOR to the hike. Also, you will see scores of people talk about how their feet grew a size after a few weeks. One last thing, don't know if you have every had your feet measured for running shoes at a decent retailer. I was wearing 10.5 prior to the visit and now wear 12-12.5 I had been wearing too small of shoe and ended up with blisters especially in the toe area Several other people also had the same experience.

I forgot to mention, but I went through six pairs of shoes on both long trails.

That number reflects having to buy shoes in towns that didn't sell what I wanted. I bought shoes because mine were either too small (PCT) or prematurely worn out (CDT). Each time, I bought shoes that I knew wouldn't work, but I was desperate. Each time, I just used them to get me to the next town where better shoes were waiting for me.

I also really like the La Sportiva Wildcat. I can think of only one downside to them, which is that Kahtoola Microspikes won't stay put on them very well because the toe isn't pointy enough. But if you aren't bothering with microspikes through the Sierras, you won't have that problem.

If I were you, I would try on what you can at stores, but you still probably won't be able to get access to a wide selection. So, buy a whole bunch of different pairs from runningwarehouse.com or zappos, which both have free return shipping. Try them on and mail back all those models that don't fit perfectly.

Once you have settled on the right model for you, I would only get one or two pairs at first. Then, as your feet grow and change shape, which they will do, you can just order the correct size (or even a different model shoe if it isn't fitting well anymore) and have it shipped directly to your next resupply point.

Have fun on the hike. I'm jealous.

–Hiker 816

I would actually buy a half size bigger than normal to start and maybe even a full size bigger for that last pair.

I personally didn't think i wear a wide size shoe either but after doing a few longer distance hikes i found i needed a shoe with a wider toe box as my pinkie toes would get crushed on the downhills. something to think about too..

My problem with shoes is that they don't provide enough toe protection, or pinch my toes together. Buying bigger shoes can fix both of these problems, but isn't ideal. If you can find shoes based on a better last, you should do well. I'd love to try Treksta's new shoes. They're not the lightest, but they should provide a better toe box.

Your feet will probably grow wider as you hike. If you post a picture of your feet, some people here might be able to predict how your feet will change.

A general rule of thumb is 300-400 miles per pair of shoes. This is based on the life of an EVA midsole.

Shoes and feet are so individualistic that there's no point in taking advice from others. Try on a bunch of trail runners. Find something that's comfortable and fits well. Don't worry about price or brand or anything anyone else says.

I saw hikers on the PCT in all sorts of shoes. There was zero correlation between brand/style/etc. and foot problems. Just find something comfortable and give them a thorough testing before you hit the trail.

And FWIW, my feet did not grow at all on my thru-hike. If I'd bought extra-big shoes, I'd have probably ended up with lots of blisters. Your feet may grow–or they may not! Fortunately, you don't need to buy shoes for the entire trail right now. Just find something that fits and worry about unpredictable eventualities when they come.

Especially ignore the post immediately above…

There are few topics that bring such divergent opinions than hiking shoes/boots, especially on a long trail. I went through a pair every 500 miles or so, and by the time I got to the end of those 500 miles, they were pretty worn out. I changed brand after the first 200 miles, opting for the Vasque Blurs, because they were the ONLY trail runners I could find in my size in Big Bear. Fortunately, they worked well enough (and breathed really well in the desert), and I periodically just ordered a pair on the Internet and had it shipped to the next town stop.

My feet swelled nearly two sizes, others didn't have the same issue. Some people hike in heavy boots, some in trail runners, and others in Tevas. Others change shoes and styles several times. Some switched out to heavier boots in the Sierra. Just be flexible.

I would urge you to resist the temptation to buy all of your shoes before the hike, even if you find a great deal. Your our feet may change, you may develop hot spots exacerbated by certain shoes, you may find certain shoes hold up better than others due to your hiking style.

The other piece of advice I would give anyone is that if a hot spot develops, I'd consider shoe surgery. Sometimes you can cut an offending seam or trim the shoe to provide some relief. A little tape and a knife can do wonders.

Have fun on your trip!

500 miles or 300 miles seems like an awfully short lifetime.

I only do week long trips so maybe that has something to do with it.

300 miles is barely broken in for me. 1000 miles maybe? This is probably for "old style" heavier boots rather than lightweight shoes.

What wears out?

The sole is good for 1000 miles.

Maybe the leather cracks or seams rip out or the liner wears through?

Thanks for all the advice. I wasn't sure if it was worth spending $100 on a pair of shoes when I need to buy 6 pairs! I could probably find some cheap New Balance shoes for $40 a pair.

But I wouldn't discount them just because shoes are such an individual, case-by-case piece of equipment. I find it very informative when I read countless experiences from others listing their mileage per pair at about 450-700 miles.

Anyway, I am doing the PCT this year, am pre-testing the Wildcats, and if they work out, I'll plan on buying them online as I go from a reputable source & having them shipped ahead as needed. That will give me flexibility in sizing in case my feet grow, or in the event I become the first thru-hiker whose feet shrink. :). That's just what I'm doing, but this is my first hike, so digest with many grains of salt! More importantly, hike your own hike.

Dug
http://thf2.wordpress.com

Jerry,
If you are referring to 5# vasque boots, I agree. But trail runners are a lesser breed, but far lighter.

And we all walk different, so who really knows. But…

I destroyed a pair of Inov8s on the JMT from Whitney to Toulomne Meadows. Lugs gone, heal collapsed, toe cap peeling away. They were done. I destroyed another pair in about 200 miles on the CDT and the CT.

Salomon XT Pros – lugs worn to nothing, some missing, upper mesh torn through at the flex point. One pair toasted in the Winds in about 150 miles. Another in about 200 miles in the Grand Canyon and other desert environments.

Right now I'm in a New Balance 876, and they are holding up great. Over 200 miles on the CDT and in the Grand Canyon, and they look like new. I'm hopeful.

Joshua –

Hey man, awesome. You don't need to spend a lot of money. If you have anyone back home who can do a little net research, once you find a shoe you like, just have them order them for you and have them shipped to your next town stop. I think this is the one place I was able to save a bit of money – you could always find the Blurs I spoke of on sale because it was last year's color scheme – my wife shipped them to me.

The one issue certain people ran into (and it may have changed since then) was a few companies would cancel or hold up shoe orders because the location they were being shipped to didn't match the credit card on the address. I think they were suspicious of the General Delivery to a post office and halted the order.

However, I had no problem with backcountry.com in this regards.

Oh, on that note, you might tell your bank what you are doing and your credit card company. This helps, as it makes it less likely that they freeze your account thinking there is fraud going on when charges from remote locales begin to show up on your credit/debit cards.

Jerry – my friend hiked the length of California in ONE pair of leather hiking boots. She did great. I just used glorified trail runners, which are not nearly as tough.

Dirk

I used both New Balance and Inov-8 shoes on my thru-hike. I had to buy the Inov-8 shoes larger then the New Balance due to the way they size and how the foot box was a bit narrower.

I think almost any shoe will work; some will fall apart faster then others. The only issue is make sure you size them big enough as your foot will expand to a certain point as you hike. Start off with at least a full size (some say 2 sizes) bigger then what you would normally hike in and don't prebuy any more shoes until you see how much your foot grows. Unlike boots, I don't think trail runners really need breaking in ahead of time; at least I've never had any issues taking a new pair out on a trip with no breakin period.

Many hikers ordered shoes online from places like Zappos and had them shipped directly to a Post Office on trail. I swapped my shoes out every 500-600miles while they still had some life in them. The internal support usually breaks down before the outside falls apart. Most used pairs I mailed home for latter use for day hiking. One pair went into the trash as the High Sierra was hard on them. Other hikers seem to keep their shoes until duct tape is all that is holding them together.

You'll likely have more issues with what insole to use in them as not everyone is happy with the same type. And I do recommend insoles as they do help with avoiding or at least managing foot issues like plantar fasciitis. I used Green Superfeet to good effect but some people hate them due to foot pain (they probably have feet that pronate differently then me). So try some out ahead of time and see if your feet like them.

Like Scott says, use what's most comfortable for YOU.

Five pairs of shoes for the PCT is about average. It's usually not the sole itself wearing out, it's the insoles and the toebox etc. For myself, how long the shoe lasts is not nearly as important as how comfortable it is. For me, all the lightweight hiking/running/trail shoes seem to last about 400-700 miles, and much of that is related to conditions on a particular stretch of trail. I have heard of people doing a whole thru-hike with one pair of boots. It's all about trade-offs of comfort/weight/cost/etc.

I discovered ASICS were perfect for me and my orthotics because I could comfortably leave the insole in place. That's an example how subjective the topic is.

My feet grew about 1 1/2 sizes on my first thru. Some people's feet don't grow at all. As a very good rule of thumb it's best not to buy several pair ahead of time, at least on your first long hike. Many people buy shoes a full size bigger and are glad they did. Again, that's subjective. My feet don't swell, so for me that's bad advice. At the very least you'll want to round up rather than down in 1/2 size.

While internet research is very valuable for many types of gear, I have found that personally trying many shoe models is much more valuable than internet research.

Shoes are one the one nuanced and finicky pieces of gear there are. The best bits of advuse have already been said: try on lots of shoes and use the one that are the most comfortable. Obviously conditions can and will change on the trail, your feet will swell, etc- so it is always important to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things until you find what works for you.

That being said, I have to say that I have had terrible experience with La Sportiva, and in particle the Wildcat. I used Wildcats shoes once and hiker with someone that used them, and in both our experiences, the shoes blew out after only 200 miles; totally unacceptable. When La Sportiva was contacted, the only response given was that the shoes where not meant for hiking, they were running shoes and therefore would not hold up to the stress. The warranty department is clearly way out of touch with its product and consumer. I only mention this experience because on a long distance hike I find good customer service very comforting in the event a product fails.

My own personal choice in shoes is now the Brooks Cascadia. I can consistently get 1000+ miles comfortably out of the shoe and can push it well beyond that if I'd like. The only problem for me is that the shoe is a bit heavier and supportive than I'd like. But Brooks is now coming out with the new iteration of the shoe, the Cascadia 6, which drops the heel, maybe fixing my major complain with the shoe.

Anyways, good luck with the shoes and have fun on the PCT

Joe

I find the Brooks Cascadia to have a very similar fit and feature set to the La Sportiva Wildcats. A great choice!