[at-l] gear

[dajones at isp.com (David A Jones)]

I went to a Phil Oren Foot Fest in Rockville, MD today.  If you've never 
been to one of these events, its hard to imagine the service these folks 
extend: I was there nearly four hours.  It was held at a Hudson Trail 
Outfitters in Rockville: what one of the sales clerks called, one of the 
3 "super stores" in the DC area.  OK, it's big.  I traveled 40 minutes 
to get there.  There were clerks from other stores there to help out.  
There seemed to be about 6 expert crew, with Phil himself.  To begin, my 
feet were intensely measured, sitting and standing.  And, they were 
examined: each anomaly marked, every callous counted.  There were 
questions about sweat, chill, and blister history.  Remarks about errant 
fat-pads.  All the while the experts hovered: listening, explaining, 
assuring.  It was thusly determined that inserts should I have, so I was 
shuttled to the next station, where my feet dangled from a high chair 
while the inserts were molded to my feet. 

Then to the boot selection I went.  The mission: to fit two low volume 
feet with narrow heels.  Tongue depressors were recommended.  (I 
expected fat Popsicle sticks, but these devices were rubber pads to go 
between the laces and the shoe tongues to make up for lack of foot 
volume.)  Two styles were tried, but to each of these, finally, Phil 
said no.  This is what the Foot Fest seems to really be all about: 
Phil's consent.  And he projects wisdom and integrity.  Really, you can 
feel it.  The third pair they selected for me were 4 pounds 10 oz 
Montrail Moraines.  I did not anticipate buying boots, much less 4.6 
pounds of them.  I really had a good pair of trail runners in mind.  But 
I did not air my prejudices.  After all, I was there to follow expert 
advice, and get what they thought would best serve an 8 week hike.  I 
heard Phil mutter something to the clerk fitting me, which I presumed to 
be a complaint about the selection I was not intended to hear.  I 
believe there is a better lighter boot for me out there somewhere, but 
it is not to be found at that store.  And though the boots are heavy, 
they are really hansom sturdy boots: Italian made, vibram soles, crampon 
ready,  leather lined.  I am about to bust with anticipation to get on 
the trail and try these puppies OUT.  They have got to test well before 
they go on my 8 week hike.  If they prove too stiff, too heavy, or 
otherwise unsuitable, I'll have to find some glacier next winter to use 
them on.

One of the surprising things about Phil's system is the tight fit.  I 
thought I was a 10?.  I was fitted with size 9.  The custom fitting 
involved beating and stretching over the arches according to Phil's 
directions.  And, the heels were soaked in hot water, then chilled with 
my feet in them to pinch the heels to conform to my anatomy.  A 
remarkable adaptation.  (I think they will still take a break-in period.)

I also got a pair of trail runners.  They picked out some Salomon KA Pro 
2 "adventure running" shoes.  I am expecting better from these than the 
last Salomons I got that made blisters.  These also got the tongue 
depressor volume compensation treatment.  They have Kevlar (of 
bullet-proof vest fame) laces equipped with a "fast-fit", no-tie 
contraption designed for triathlon speed-changing.  Well, it sounds 
good, to a techno-junkie.  Really they are sweet.  But I only got one 
pair of (superfeet) inserts.  At $86 it makes you say ouch, but they 
don't hurt like blisters.  I'm thinking I should go back for another set.