Philmont Footwear & Footcare

NOTE: This page was created for Philmont but also provides good general advice.   You don't need to buy the speciality equipment for troop campounts or troop backpacking campouts.

If  you  choose  to  take  care  of  just  one  thing  while  hiking,  make  it  your  feet.   As  soon  as  you  feel  a hotspot,  we  stop  and  address  it.   When  it  comes  time  for  Philmont  you  should  know  where  your  trouble spots  are  already  and  have  a  plan  for  addressing  them.   Know  your  feet!!!   You  must  do  a  lot  of walking/hiking  to  figure  this  out. 

Boot/Shoe Type 

• Genuine  leather  hi‐top  boot  (3‐5.6)

• Synthetic/Combo  boot  (??)

• mid‐top  hiking  shoe  (2‐8.8)

• low‐top hiking  shoe  (2‐1.4)

• trail  runners  (1‐8.3)

• sandals (12.2)

We are going  to  do  a  lot  of  walking  in  the  shoes  you  choose  way  before  we  get  to  Philmont.   No  new shoes/boots  when  we  arrive. 

• Most to least ankle  support 

• Also heaviest  to  lightest  weight.   1  pound  on  feet  =  5  pounds  on  your  back

• To waterproof or not? 

• Consider pack weight  when purchasing  footwear

• Break‐in  period

Socks 

• Liner socks  –  panty  hose,  Injinji  (toe  socks) 

• Wool or synthetic,  NO  cotton  as  with  most  other  items

• Darn  Tough,  Smartwool,  Injinji,  Woodroad  Gear  (local) 

Camp shoes

• Feet need to dry at the end of the day

• You will appreciate  having  a  comfortable  pair  of  shoes  to  change  into

• Crocs, Vivobarefoot,  Xero  Shoes,  Keen 

 Footcare 

• Leukotape – this  stuff  is  seriously  sticky

• Athletic  tape

• Moleskin 

• Skin glues