The shoe is the product of civilization and properly chosen is
preferable for pedestrianism in the city and on country roads. Also in
mountain work where wear is excessive and one must use calks or hob
nails for security the heavy soled light uppered ankle-high shoe is
advisable. Hobs of the small coneheaded Hungarian variety are good on
rough rocky country or where there is smooth short grass and add
immensely to ease and comfort and safety in walking over mountain
trails. Use these hobs sparingly. They give better foot hold and greatly
save the sole and heel from wear. They should not extend through the
sole.
For wilderness tramping in general the adoption of an entirely different
sort of footwear is advisable. The real hikers--the men who make it a
business of going on long trips with back packs do not use shoes. They
wear the lightest, easiest wearing and most flexible foot covering they
can get--the moccasin. The moosehide moccasin is the footwear of the
Northwestern Indian who is the most tireless pedestrian in the world.
Next to him is the Canadian voyageur with his oil tan shoe packs. Were
the heavy soled shoe or boot the more satisfactory they would use it in
preference.
The moccasin is a better foot covering than one would think. If you walk
a few hundred miles in moccasins, on your return, you will be surprised
at your carriage. You will stand easier and not sag on your heels in the
clumsy attitude of the city man. In walking with moccasins you walk with
all your feet, you don’t have a great foot weight to lift around and no
binding heel or sole stiffness. One can walk noiselessly and is not
likely to slip on rocks or logs. Some contend that the average city man
has no license to tackle moccasins at least on the first week of the
hike. They are hard on soft footed people for a time at least but the
feet soon become accustomed to the change.
By the use of thick wool socks the foot comfort is still further
assured. If one desires he can get soled moccasins or those with double
bottom to prevent seam leaks, the outer sewed to the welt and the welt
sewed to the sole.
The moccasin is absolutely unequalled for warmth, it is light and
perfectly noiseless and has stood the test of ages by that race of
hunters, the American Indians, who originated also the camp, trail,
snow-shoe and canoe. One is, when equipped with them, more certain in
carrying a pack, he is not so apt to turn the ankle, and the whole
musculature of the foot is brought into play which is a great
desideratum in precarious climbing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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