THE ISLE ROYALE GUY
  • Home
  • Helpful Info
  • Helpful Links
  • Some Photos
  • Contact Info / Disclaimers
  • Trip Reports
  • Blog

My Blog Posts

Footwear Choices and isle Royale

9/18/2019

0 Comments

 
MY PERSONAL OPINION REGARDING FOOTWEAR CHOICES AND ISLE ROYALE:
To a certain extent, whether (or not) one's feet develop blisters, bruises, toenail issues, or leg injuries (on Isle Royale) is often more of a matter of "luck", the weather, and the trail conditions during your particular trip (and the number of miles hiked) than it is a matter of choosing "the right" footwear. Your FOOT CARE practices also play a MAJOR factor. (Of course, this all presumes that your specific shoe/boot/sandal is generally "appropriate" for hiking, properly fitted, has a wide enough toe box, etc). Thus, IN MY OPINION, the specific brand name and footwear style (boot or trail runner or sandal) are probably "minor" considerations and just a matter of personal preference. There is probably no "right" or "wrong" footwear choice.

ILLUSTRATION: I have sometimes done 2- 4 trips to Isle Royale using the same footwear. On one trip, I might have foot problems. On another trip--I might have ZERO foot problems. Same hiker. Same footwear. Same type of socks. All trips taking place on Isle Royale.

What accounts for the difference?
I really think that the weather and the trail conditions during my different trips have been two of the biggest factors in whether I developed foot problems on that trip. 1) On some trips, the weather has been wetter than others--and the humidity has been higher. 2) On some trips, the trails have been rougher and wetter than the trails during another trip. 3) On some trips, I have hiked 5-8 miles per day (and I have even had days where I hiked few or no miles). On other trips, I have averaged 10-15 miles per day-- for many days in a row.

Hiking 5-8 miles (per day) on drier and "smoother" trails is easier on the feet than hiking 10-15 miles (per day) on wet and rugged trails. That is often going to be true--no matter what brand or style of footwear that one chooses. It isn't the footwear choice--it is the environment where you are using the footwear.

I have been to Isle Royale on many occasions when your footwear and feet were going to get soaked--no matter WHAT you wore and no matter how waterproof it was advertised to be. I have been to Isle Royale when the wet conditions (and high humidity) made it very unlikely that ANY footwear was going to get fully dry for a few days in a row. Wet feet and/or high mileage will increase your chances of experiencing foot problems (no matter what brand or style of footwear you select).

If you twist or turn your ankle (or leg) severely enough--your ankle (or leg) will get injured --- whether you are wearing sandals, trail runners, low boots, or high boots. It boils down to simple physics (and bone strength) more than footwear choice. You can only place so many pounds of force on bones, tendons, ligaments etc.
So, at the end of the day, luck (regarding weather conditions and not twisting your foot) ---and having good foot care practices-- will often make a far bigger difference in the condition of your feet (and legs) than what brand or style of footwear you choose.

Of course, that is just my opinion. Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Jon Prain ("The Isle Royale Guy") has made 18 trips to Isle Royale. He shares his insights and opinions in this blog.

    Archives

    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019

    Categories

    All
    Gear & Clothing
    Important Information
    Moose
    Random Thoughts
    Temperatures & Weather
    Trails & Campgrounds

    RSS Feed

This website, and it's written contents and photos (that were created by Jon R. Prain), are copyright 2009 thru 2023 by Jon R. Prain and are protected by copyright laws. All rights reserved. No written information and/or photos that were created by Jon Prain may be used in whole, or in part, without express written permission from Jon R. Prain,  He may be reached at [email protected] 

This website, and Jon  Prain ("The Isle Royale Guy"), are not in any way affiliated with Isle Royale National Park nor with the National Park Service. Always refer to official National Park Service websites and documents for the latest and best OFFICIAL Isle Royale and NPS information.  (Click Here for the NPS Official Isle Royale website.)
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Helpful Info
  • Helpful Links
  • Some Photos
  • Contact Info / Disclaimers
  • Trip Reports
  • Blog