Footwear for early March start – NOBO AT thru hike

[Steve S]

My wife and I will be starting our NOBO AT thru hike in early March of 2017. Over the years I’ve come to love hiking in trail runners, but I’m leery about wearing them in possible snow and slush conditions. Being from northern Michigan, I’ve spent days in the woods with freezing wet feet and it was miserable if not downright dangerous. With that in mind, we’re considering starting the hike with lightweight hikers and wearing them until they’re worn out or we’re past Mount Rogers, whichever comes first.

Opinions?

[Luke Schmidt]

neoprene socks in trail runners are a good compromise.

[Ben C]

Stick with the trail runners and wool socks.  I would probably consider adding gaiters.  Some might want Rocky Gore-tex socks but I probably would not take them for March in southern Appalachia.  You could take them and mail them home in April too.  But I always find I need an extra half size at least with Gore-tex socks.  Maybe you could re-use the bigger shoes later in the hike when you feet expand.

 

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