Lighten Your Footwear for Better Hiking

Two weeks ago at the Outdoor Retailers Show I met Ryan Jordan of BackpackingLight and picked up a copy of the new book he edited, Lightweight Backpacking & Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Hiking Equipment, Technique, and Style. Ryan and his team are the gurus of lightening your load. Their website BackpackingLight.com has a wealth of information, gear reviews, and tips on this fast growing sport. People are discovering going lightweight can make for a better outdoor experience.
     The book offers new insight into gear selection and techniques that can be used to reduce pack weight and decrease the margin of risk that occurs by taking less weight in the backcountry. If you are a hiker, camper, fastpacker, adventure racer, or just love the outdoors, this is a must have book. What does this have to do with feet? Well, reducing the weight you carry on your shoulders will help save your feet. You can wear lighter shoes instead of heavier boots.
     Quoting from Ryan, “Chapter 1 begins appropriately with the category of equipment that is arguably more important that any piece of gear or apparel a lightweight backpacker will use: footwear. Lee Van Horn’s treatise on footwear includes a comprehensive discussion of lightweight backpacking shoes. Simply put, shoes have such a profound impact on the lightweight backpacking experience because (1) the type of footwear you are able to wear depends in large part on the weight of the pack, and (2) the type of footwear you choose governs the transfer of energy and shock to the rest of your lower torso and spinal joints. Since this book’s manuscript was finalized, I’ve been diving into research about ultralight footwear, and experimenting with shoes lighter than anything the market has previously seen. I’ve been strengthening my feet, hiking in shoes with less support that are more akin to slippers than hiking shoes, and have been making some dramatic discoveries. In particular, that with proper conditioning, the natural features of the feet (as long as the arch is supported and the heel pad retains its shape for shock absorption) are ideally suited for transferring energy to the rest of your body, and I’m finding that I can walk longer distances in less supportive footwear – with a light pack – than I’ve ever been able to do before.”
     Our feet need varying degrees of support. Whether you wear a fannypack, carry a lightweight pack with 10 pounds or a 35-pound pack, the correct footwear is important. If your ankles are weak, you’ll benefit from a higher shoe. A good insole will provide support and cushioning, reducing the jarring of your feet. Good outersole tread will provide traction on rocks and on wet trails. Good spacing in the toebox will save your toenails. You can find all these things in a lightweight shoe. Reducing your pack and gear weight will allow you the option of lightweight shoes. Do not make the mistake of choosing lightweight shoes without also considering the weight of your gear and pack. A heavy pack and lightweight shoes can hurt your feet and lead to an uncomfortable outing.
     We still have months of good weather ahead of us. I just booked a trail permit for a three-day fastpack in the Mt. Whitney backcountry in early October. I will use many of the techniques in the book to lighten my load—and keep my feet healthy. If you are a lover of the outdoors, I’d encourage you to check out Lightweight Backpacking & Camping. Now, if only I could figure how to lighten the required bear canister!