My second major gear purchase with the thought of the thru-hike in the back of my mind: Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator low hiking shoes. (The first was the Osprey Ozone Duplex 65 Travel Pack.) I wanted to get a shoe for walking around the streets of Madrid and the ruins of Greece during our upcoming trip to Europe. In the past, I probably would have simply gone with my usual running shoe, Asics Gel Nimbus. But since part of the adventure in Greece is hiking in the foothills around Mount Olympus, I thought I might as well get a pair of hiking shoes. And scratch the AT itch a bit. These hiking shoes certainly feel “chunky” on my feet, which are used to going barefoot, wearing sandals, boat shoes, running shoes or trail running shoes. (I wear Asics Gel Ventures as my everyday shoe for teaching; like the support and cushioning.) I am pairing the Merrell’s with Darn Tough Merino Wool Hiker 1/4 Cushion socks. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I kind of doubt the Merrell’s will become my thru-hiking shoe. (I really want to give Salomon’s a try.) This first “field” test might change my mind and I’ll probably give the Merrell’s a trail test sometime in the future. But for now, the Merrell’s will get me through Madrid and Greece. They won’t win any Euro-style points; they clearly look like a hiking shoe for the mountains. But function over form rules in the hiking world; my dream is to hike the Appalachian Trail, not the fashion catwalks of Europe. Cue Right Said Fred: “And I'm too sexy for Milan too sexy for Milan.”
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Quiet Man
I don't have a bucket list. At 61 years old, I have already had the adventures of a lifetime, especially after a 30-year Army career, five years of teaching high school, and a 37 year marriage still going strong. But I still have this deep desire to complete the Appalachian Trial. Archives
February 2022
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