Warning: The trail to Lake Serene in Washington will wreck your feet if you don't pack right.

I did that hike last fall with my usual 35 pound pack. The first 4 miles are fine, but the last mile is just brutal rock steps. My boots were fine, but I had cheap insoles. By the time I got to the lake, my heels were raw and I could barely stand. I spent the whole next day limping around camp. Now I always bring my good Superfeet insoles on any hike over 5 miles. Anyone else have a specific piece of gear they learned to never skip after a bad day on trail?

2 comments

2 Comments

kellyj235d ago

Honestly, I had the opposite problem. I did it with a super light pack, maybe 10 pounds, and my feet were still wrecked. For me it was the boots themselves, they just didn't have enough cushion for all that rock. I switched to trail runners for stuff like that and it was a total game changer.

betty_fisher55d ago

My buddy tried trail runners on the West Coast Trail last year. Rolled his ankle so bad he had to get airlifted out. That light cushion is great until you hit a loose section. Boots give you that stability you just can't get from runners. Sometimes a little extra weight on your feet saves you a world of hurt later.