Equipment: Boots

There is one part of any new obsession...er, I mean hobby...that I am quite talented at, and that's acquiring stuff. I am determined that my Coast to Coast focus will remain mostly on actually walking rather than shopping for walking accessories, but I've made some purchases already. Today's acquisition: boots.

In my day to day life, I wear "minimalist" shoes almost all the time--zero heel lift, very thin soles. I was hiking in the most minimalist ones: "toe shoes"...those lizard-like Vibram Five Finger shoes. But some intensive Googling couldn't find any evidence that people have walked super long distances in those shoes.

I was not feeling very enthusiastic about switching up to clomping traditional hiking boots, with thick soles and heel lift. I really enjoy the sensation of feeling the trail beneath my feet. Then I found that Vivobarefoot has come out with a minimalist hiking boot, the "Off Road Hi". I found it for sale online and took the risk.

They arrived today and were comfortable right out of the box. I walked 6.5 miles in them and they remained comfortable. So I'm thrilled with the purchase....perfect compromise between true minimalist and foot protection on a long hike.

Next equipment post will be on books I'm reading about the hike.