Outside of doctors doing interesting things to my person, I think the most pain in life I’ve ever had came from shoes or boots that were not quite right or not quite broken in.
Not quite right encompasses several things, both from the quality of the boot to the fact that I had odd sized feet (long and very narrow) for most of my youth. Not quite broken in, well, that speaks for itself.
Once I find good boots or shoes, I tend to wear them until they fall apart. Part of it is my personality, in that I don’t like change just for change sake, and I also don’t believe in getting rid of something that is still good or works unless there is a compelling reason. This is doubly so for boots, as a good pair of boots are worth their weight in gold.
Growing up, I tried several brands of hiking boots. Most of the changes had to do with growth spurts that had my family despairing of the expense until Dad figured out he could wear my hand-me-downs. The ones I found that I liked were Dunham Continental Tyroleans—an all leather hiking/mountain climbing boot that no longer appears to be made. They were comfortable, had Vibram soles, sturdy, and not too heavy.
Better than that, they were faithful. With care, they lasted and my feet stayed dry, warm, and comfortable. In the summer, my feet did not get too hot, and using the old three-sock (thin inner, athletic middle, and rag wool outer) method, the feet also stayed reasonably dry as sweat and such wicked away.
If you are going to be doing a lot of walking, hiking, backpacking, or other activities that have you on your feet doing and moving, good boots are going to mean more to you than most lovers. They will know your feet much better than any lover, and while a lover gives you pleasure a good pair of boots will save you from pain—which is a pleasure in its own right. I never again want to have to crawl across a floor because my feet were in too much pain from a shoe/boot not being broken in properly. All I can say these days is thank goodness for Aleeve, as it saved me the last time I was foolish enough to do something like that.
My pair of boots lasted me a good 20 years, and even had the Philmont brands on them. Alas, all good things come to an end, and I discovered that my boots were no longer faithful at the top of Ben Vrackie in late January/early February a few years ago. Having snow come into one’s boot and not from around the ankle does tend to wake one up. I’ve been searching for a good replacement since.
For my embed, I had bought a pair of boots from Soldier’s Angels when a very kind anonymous benefactor caused a wonderful pair of desert boots to appear on my doorstep. I don’t know who you are, won’t try to find out, but appreciate them tremendously. No offense to the other pair, but these are just plain wonderful. They fit well, wear well, and have been getting broken in out at the fabled Wolf Park Proving Grounds, where they have been checked out by Echo, Wotan, and Wolfgang. I am doing all I can to get them well broken in before I go, as I can and do learn from past mistakes.
For what it is worth, think of boots and shoes as lovers; try them out and get comfortable with them; and, then treat them well. It will be the start of a great relationship.
LW
