The Right Footwear Can Make all the Difference

This past weekend was spent with friends in the Northern California High Sierras, combining trail running with social fun. I did three runs, two with the group and one solo, covering sections of the Pacific Crest Trail. The trails are great and the scenery spectacular. Every inch of the trail is going either up or down—never flat. The footing ranges from soft dirt to rocks, to shale and granite. If you were prone to turned ankles, it would happen here.
     In between the fast hiking and running, while watching my step, I kept an eye on what others had on their feet. The majority had good footwear—either trail running shoes or larger heavier boots. There were many, however, who wore the wrong footwear. They wore running shoes made for roads or court shoes. These shoes provided no traction on the slippery rocks, no protection from the sharp rocks, and did not give their feet and ankles the needed support. One friend wore her road shoes and ended the first day with three blisters and very sore feet. I saw several hikers with courts shoes and a pack—a very poor combination.
     It is too easy to decide to go for a walk or a hike and simply wear what one has. That may be OK is the event is spontaneous. The trouble is when you end the day with blisters, damaged or black toenails, a turned ankle, or simply very sore feet; you may associate the discomfort and pain with the activity. Instead, the right footwear would have make the hike much more enjoyable.
     The same can be said for wearing the wrong footwear in other instances—cheap flip-flops instead of good sandals and inexpensive shoes instead of quality shoes. Whether walking, hiking, running, trail running, playing court sports, adventure racing, climbing, or biking, the right footwear can make all the difference.