For a long time, I stuck to my trail running shoes as my main form of hiking shoe. I laced up my Salomon trail running shoes instead of a typical hiking boot because I wanted something versatile, comfortable and light. When I was first on the hunt for a hiking shoe, I wanted something I could use for trail running but still wear for longer hikes. I would glance at your traditional hiking boot but I always ended up buying more of a sneaker type shoe. All I could picture was the scene in Cheryl Strayed's "Wild" where the Timberland looking clunky heavy hiking boot leaves her feet blistered and raw (before throwing one off a cliff). I was turned off by their steep prices, clunky shape and heavy weight. I would look at a pair of hiking boots and immediately state "that cannot be comfortable..." and generally, they weren't.
My use of trail running shoes on the trails worked for a while, especially on the drier climate of Utah's trails (packed dirt, not too much rock unless you are unlucky enough to spend hikes scrambling over boulders). However, after moving back East, my routine switched. Hikes through New England's much rockier and root filled glacial terrain proved that I needed a real hiking boot with ankle support and a sturdier sole. This really came to light after hiking Mount Washington in my Salomon trail runners instead of a REAL hiking shoe because I did not want to haul a pair of clunkers up 4,000'. Note: This hike is a strenuous one and Mt Washington is known as the world's most dangerous small mountain (read boots are important). My feet were swollen and in pain from crossing over sharp edges of rocks along Tuckerman Ravine's unforgiving trail, scrambling across sharp rock edges and the climbs and drops of the hike in a flexible running shoe. I decided enough was enough and it was time to convert.
Turns out, hiking boots have come a long way from those traditional leather high tops. After researching, I learned I really needed a shoe with a steel shank to protect my feet when crossing over the sharp edges of rocks. I didn't know much about shoe shanks until I read about them from Pacific Mountain. "The steel shank is a supportive part of the shoe that is made of a flat piece of metal located above the outer sole located between the heel and ball area of the foot just below the arch. Shank protection is crucial to the functionality of hiking and backpacking boots as they diminish the load incurred by the person's feet and calves over the course of their journey. Along with protection from rock bruising, and any potential bottom punctures".
I also needed a higher shoe with ankle protection, a toe cap for when you accidentally kick a rock as I do often, waterproofing for wet conditions, something not too heavy and clunky, and preferably one that had a feminine, not so militarized touch to it, more hiking shoe, less work boot. And of course, I wanted a company with great customer service and a boot that wouldn't break the bank. After doing my research I found what I was looking for in Pacific Mountain.
Pacific Mountain's awesome website, detailed product information and customer service attracted me to their company and hiking boots. With free shipping and returns, a 100 % satisfaction guarantee and 1 year warranty, I knew this was a company who stood behind their product and cared about their customers. Before I reached out to Pacific Mountain, I wanted to know a little bit about the company.
