When I was a kid, our house had plastic runners
laid on top of the carpet in heavy use areas to protect it from dirt and
moisture. In the winter, our family
would inevitably track snow in from our boots.
If left, undetected, these deposits melted into landmines of cold water
waiting to trap unsuspecting passersby.
A “soaker” was that unexpected moment when you stepped on a puddle. It was always a surprise and a nuisance. Bare feet had to be dried off and socks had
to be changed.
Wet feet were also a condition to be avoided when
exploring in our woods across the street in the spring. We had to cross marshy areas frequently on
the trails. Hopping from one grass clump
to another was common practice, but there was always the unexpected,
quicksand-like area that swallowed up your shoes with mud and water.
When you are hiking, wet feet are not what you
want. There really is no bombproof
footwear solution for this either. A
myth in the world of outdoor gear is the term waterproof. If what you wear is waterproof, chances are
that if the moisture can’t get in, it can’t get out either. In other words, say you have waterproof boots
on and the water can’t penetrate your boots.
Well, when your feet get too warm because the boots are trapping the
heat, they perspire and this moisture can’t get out. You have now manufactured wet feet from the
inside out.
The best you can hope for when hiking is to manage
your exposure to moisture. If you are
hiking in the summer on a really wet trail, maybe you can wear sandals instead
of hiking boots. If you are hiking in
the winter in the snow, maybe you can wear gaiters to keep most of the moisture
from traveling into your boots. And if
you are going to be traveling in really wet areas were staying dry is almost impossible,
maybe you need to have footwear that you can dry out fast over the fire at the
end of the day.
Another way to increase your odds of keeping your
feet dry when you hike is by using trekking poles. They help you keep your balance when you walk
on top of logs and rocks when crossing streams.
Just one trekking pole is all you need, but a pair of them works even
better.
Keeping your feet clean is also important,
especially on multiday hikes. Wearing
low rise gaiters, even in the summer, helps to keep rocks and debris out of
your boots.
A good way to keep your feet clean is to hike with
an extra pair of socks. About halfway
through your hike for the day, change your socks. Then, wash out the old pair and hang them
from your pack to dry. This will help
you have clean socks to sleep in by the time you go to bed that night.
Your feet are your mode of transportation when you
hike, so you’d better take care of them.
Painful blisters can turn a memorable experience into a forgettable one
pretty quick. Taking the right
precautions and knowing how to manage your battle with moisture on the trail can
make all the difference for an enjoyable hiking experience.
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