ust 28, 1994 - North Shore News - 25 Adventure writer John Moore finds no soul in the trendy hiking boot market “BOOTS, BOOTS, boots...” wrote Rudyard Kipling of life in the British Army, knowing the notion that an army (or a hiking party) marches “‘on its stomach” is more wit than wisdom. By John Moore Contributing Writer Fact is, soldiers or hikers will march on bad food, no food, even nouvelle cuisine, if need be, but nei- ” ther will go fast or far without good boots. We walk on our feet, right? In any alpine climate, “good boois” means: full leather uppers with high padded “scree cuffs,” stitched to a deep cleated hard rub- ber/vibram sole stiffened with a full or half “shank” (inner steel reinforc- ing strip). The leather and sole-seam should be greased with waterproof- ing; gencrously rub in dubbin, Sno- Seal or biwell while the leather is warm. (Use a hair dryer.) They’re old-fashioned, clunky. not trendy and “breaking in“ new boois is really more like breaking in new feet, but once done, they'll last you almost a lifetime and be more cherished than cosy slippers because they’ ll always bring you home. Shop around. Different booumak- ers use different “lasts” or foot pat- terns to base their sizes on; a size nine from Meind] will not fit like a size nine Raichle. Like ski-boots, you need a brand built for your shape of foot because your feet are going to be stressed when they're in them. Shop around some more. You may find excellent boots at Mark's Work Weashouse, Workwear World or Army & Navy that are cheaper than those snazzy ‘trail shoes” 1 you've been saving up for. “These high tech trail shoes with Gore-Tex inseris and whatnot are virtually useiess for serious hiking.” says Scott McClarty, guide with Sage Wilderness Experiences, who actually has a degree in backpacking. “They're not waterproof and they don’t stand up.” (Thank you, Scott. ['ve been telling people that for years, as they storm out to blow $200 on glorified sneakers they'll have to replace in a season or two. My boots are no-name knock-offs of the boot worn by 66 Muny major boot- makers began making laminated (glued) .boots years ago for lightness and ease of fit. 99 Italian Alpine regiments. They cost $50, 25 years ago, Pve had them re- soled once, and aside from a few honorable scree scars, they're better than new.) Technology doesn’t automatically equal progress. Many major boot- makers began making laminated (glued) boots years ago for lightness and ease of fit. A friend who has hard-to-fit feet swore by his — until they began to de-laminate all over, (instead of just springing a leak as old style boots would do), at 23,000 DA’S °94 7) ft. in the Himalayas. Trying to run downhill faster than your boots can disintegrate from that altitude is truly “running for your life”. Tips for new boots: C} Wear thick hiking socks or two pairs of socks when you try on boots, not silk stockings. (Unless you plan to hike in them, in which case, reply c/o the sports desk, North Shore News with your phone number and photo.) Don’t break them in on a strenu- ous hike unless you have friends who won't object to packing you out on a stretcher. Wear them around the house, garden in them, stroll, play tennis, practice ballet etc. for at least a week, © Some people recommend taking a warm bath with new boots on, so the leather will soften and form to your feet. I'm leery of this one: leather and water are bad company. When your boots do suffer their inevitable total baptism, always fet them “air dry” away from the direct heat of stoves etc. to avoid cracking. Also, liberally reapply Sno-Seal as soon as they're thoroughly dry. If your old boots need repairs, don’t waste your money on hole-in corner “quick” cobblers who tack rubber buttons on ladies’ pumps. Go to pros. Gold Star Shoe Rebuilders Ltd. 4236 Dunbar St. spe- cializes in hiking, climbing, telemark and ski boot rebuilding. (734-7477 or 236-7927.) Closer to home, Larry’s Shoe Repair Ltd. at 2029 Lonsdale (987-6613) specializes in skates, but they also do a fabulous professional job on hiking boots, as I can person- ally attest. (They rescued mine after another nameless outfit charged me more and screwed up the job.) My feet are etemally grateful. ‘ EQUIVALENT VALUE CREDIT OF $1500 OR LEASE FROM ONLY STK« F4DSSAAGO BASED ON 48 MONTHS WITH $259/ MO. $2.700 COWN O.A.C. EQUIVALENT VALUE CREDIT OF $1500 OR LEASE FROM ONLY $199/mo. AiR CONDITIONING OR $ STKw DPS4 AAO0 BASED ON 48 MONTHS WiTH $1,700 DOVIN OAC 1500 EQUIVALENT VALUE CREDIT‘ on MX-5 MIATA, MX-3 PRECIDIA, MX-6 MYSTERE, or MPV Rs REGENCY “It Just Feels Right” NORTH SHORE MAZDA 700 Block Marine Drive, North Vancouver REGENCY AUTO GROUP 987-4458 : ws eedey BOOT SPECIALIST Dan Williams, of Mark’s Work Wearhouse, shows off a well-made heavy-duty forester’s boot, featuring welt construction and hard rubber/vibram soles. Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 8 years 117-949 West 3rd. St. 984-41 61 ‘ 2379 West 41st Ave. Vancouver 7964-7255 B Squamish 898-5252 Whistler 932-6617 §