ReBoot!!! The Most Important Item to Think About on a Hike is Your Shoes

Sure... it seems like common sense that anyone with their wits about them would consider proper footwear when planning a big hike. As a guide however, I have seen uneducated choices in the shoe department literally ruin a hikers day. Though you may have put some miles on those old running shoes, they may not be entirely appropriate for the Grand Canyon. For one, the gradient pitch you are hiking at is probably steeper than most of the paths you have been walking on at home. For two, most people aren't used to going down first, and up last. Grand Canyon is also a place of extremes. In summer you deal with scorching heat and wet socks as you desperately attempt to cool down in creeks. In winter with sometimes bitter cold and wind, you deal with snow and ice. Considering all these factors I advise my clients to consider the following rules when choosing a pair of shoes to wear on my canyon day hikes:

1. NEVER break a pair of shoes in on a hike. You will blister and blister bad. Make sure you've worn the shoes you're going to hike in for atleast 2 weeks every day prior to a hike.
2. Choose shoes with ankle support - a twisted ankle is not the most heroic excuse to be flown out of the canyon. The trails are fairly well maintained but the ruggedness is part of the canyons charm and every rock or crevise is an opportunity for your foot to fold if your feet aren't well supported.
   
3. Consult the rep at the shoe store about your fit. Shoes that are slightly too big or too small will chafe (ouch!)
4. Buy expensive socks. You know... the techy ones that you swore you'd never spend your hard earned money on..? Yeah those... they are worth every dime. Oh yes... and DOUBLE UP! If your socks get wet you will run the risk of (you guessed it) blistering!
   
5. If you're prone to blistering, put bandaids and/or mole skin on ahead of time and bring plenty of extras so that you can switch
6. Buy a pair of inserts. They'll help your back, your legs and your feet. If you've been medically prescribed an insert - it's especially important that you wear these
7. If you're wearing a good old pair of worn in shoes, make sure that you still have decent tread. And if you're purchasing new shoes... take a gander at the soles - you want somewhere in the medium range.
8. Clip those toenails... it's not a real tip on choosing footwear but it'll compliment the subject. Walking downhill for hours means constant forward impact on your big toe nail. This can create ingrown toenails or you may even loose the thing entirely if it's not clipped short.
   
9. Last but not least, it's not the worst idea in the world to pack a pair of flipflops in your backpack to give your feet a break when you're at your destination.... the Grand Canyon can create some Grand foot pains! BUT PLEASE... don't make flip flops your ONLY pair of shoes.

Now that I've taken all the fun out of choosing your "tennies"... I will add if you're looking to buy a pair here is a great site for comparing brands http://www.consumersearch.com/hiking-boots. Merrills are an excellent choice... but really you'd have to go into a local store and try them on for yourself. No two (pairs of) feet are alike, so only you can decide what feels best.

Ofcourse this is all good ol' anecdotal advice. I've seen a lot of people walk these trails in good and bad shoes. 99% of people agreed that the canyon was spectacular... some just enjoyed the experience a little more comfortably!

We look forward to spending the day hiking or touring with you at Around the Bend Adventures