Luna Sandals on the Appalachian Trail?
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- If you are a hiker interested in trying Lunas, they provided Willow a 15% off discount code, go to the below link and use "WILLOW15".
www.lunasandal...
Long story short...We hike and trail run exclusively in sandals (except in snow and when below 25 deg F) and prefer Barefoot Ted's Lunas. We are wearing the sandals on a February start of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain for a long Section Hike. We understand minimalist footwear is a controversial topic...we are not advocating for them! Just sharing our experiences for anyone interested. Also including some links at the bottom to resources for anyone looking to try hiking or running in sandals.
Short story a bit longer...
If you are anything like me, you do some research on RUclips. When we searched for "Luna sandals Appalachian Trail", we found only one video. (Evan's Review of Lunas on his 2018 Thru Hike: • GEAR REVIEW: LUNA SAND... ). Maybe this video will help someone's research. We also share our "shoe solution" for hiking in snow or freezing rain.
Our "Why" for sandals:
First its just the feeling of foot freedom...its just fun (for us). While we admire barefoot runners and barefoot hikers, we wanted some protection while still allowing the foot to work naturally. We've also found that our foot and ankle muscles get stronger so they can handle the terrain better. We can feel the ground better and get feedback on where we are stepping and can adjust before twisting an ankle or knee. We rarely kick rocks because that hurts and the sandal extends beyond the toes. We take shorter steps so we don't heal strike and shock our knees (no injuries in the last 6 yrs). This info is just our experience! Its not sponsored by anyone, but Luna has sent us discount codes over the years, which have helped some friends get into sandal running and hiking too. If you try this, highly recommend transitioning slowly and reading about form!!
Links to Resources:
Luna Sandals:
lunasandals.com/
Earthrunners Tabi Socks:
www.earthrunne...
Skinners Sock Shoes:
skinners.cc/de...
Shoespiricy:
• Shoespiracy
Barefoot Ken Bob info:
• Ken Bob Saxton - baref...
His book:
www.amazon.com...
Born to Run 2:
borntorun.world/
Dr. Lieberman, An Evolutionary Medical Perspective on Shoes:
• An evolutionary medica...
Dr. Irene Davis, Let's Think about what we put on our Feet:
• Irene Sprague Davis: L...
#lunasandals
#barefootrunning
#barefootwalking
#appalachiantrail
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I couldn't wear them for several reasons. But it's your hike, and your comfort is all that matters. Enjoy the videos, thanks for sharing
This is great! I had contemplated wearing sandals for my hike, but haven't been brave enough yet. Thanks for sharing.
That's awesome! Hope some of the links in the description might help. It's totally counter-intuitive but I've found a lot of joy in how it feels. For me the trick has been staying comfortable in temps below 40F or freezing rain/snow
This is interesting. I did a lot of hiking in my Lunas and decided to try s very rocky hike in the cascades. I stunned my toe really bad, caught it on a rock and almost broke it. I was bleeding the whole way back to the car. Maybe having tabi socks instead of toe socks would help, or maybe they weren't sized right. I've moved on to bedrocks, but I'm always weary of hiking in them on really rocky trails.
Thx for the comment. Stubbed toes no fun...sorry! I've found the tech strap on the Lunas is critical for keeping my toes secure and not hanging over the edge at all. Biggest issue for me is stepping on a stick with one foot and stabbing my toe on the other foot. Weirdly I've found that the thinner the sole, the more mindful I am of where I step. Happy trails!
I can't decide if I want middle bear or mono 😩💢
Tough choice!! I like the middle bear for dirt and mono for pavement...just a thought
How do you like those socks compared to just using injinji? I like wool injinji and have varying thickness. Are your flip flop socks (whatever they are called) specially padded in the toe thong space? Increased chance of blisters from toes rubbing against each other by being confined to the sock?
Used Injinji for years but have come to prefer the Earthrunner Wool Tabi Socks you see in the vid. Main reason is the Earthrunners last longer for us and are a bit thicker/more padded (not by much tho). Also a bit less annoying to put on. Haven't had any blisters with them
Hello there are these more flexible than the monos many thanks
Was wearing the middle bear model, which has a tougher outsole as opposed to the more foamy Mono sole...so I think the Monos are more flexible. My new favorite has been the Origen Flacos, which I think are more flexible than the Monos. Hope this helps!
@WillowWalksTheAT thank you so much for the info I have the monos very good also the fit seems perfect I'm normally a size 10 but went down to 9.5 and my feet are right at the end which I actually think is better so it's stops my feet sliding around
Is that how you fit yours
@jamesblaser5329 I wear the same size as my shoes. Toes sit back about .75 cm...and I dial in the straps to keep my foot from sliding around. I also always use the "optional" tech strap
Are those Mesa Trails? 3:01 how do you like them? I have Mesa Trail 2s (different color but I think same model as yours). I’m debating between Mesas, z-trek (or both) or Topo Terraventure 3 or LP 7 (wide). The problem is I was using z-treks for training, thinking they’d be my camp/river shoe. But now I’m converted to minimalist shoes and feel like the LPs are too heavy and too cushiony. Topos have the best outsole on wet rocks, more durable than LP (not as durable as z trek). Mesa Trails are in between all other three. Good ground feel, not much cushion so I’m worried about big mile foot fatigue. Don’t want extra weight I’d carrying z trek camp shoes, but will take them on a shakedown hike. I’d appreciate your thoughts on my situation and how the Lunas compare-how much cushion? How’s the outsole on wet rocks? I don’t like the toe thong… but could try them out. Been decades since I had a toe thong. Rides up my toe ass!
They are Mesa Trails. I do like them but only as a shoe solution in snow...otherwise wear the Lunas. Not to send you down a footwear rabbit hole, but trying out Skinners as a newer cold weather "shoe solution". So far really like them over a wool and WP sock:
ruclips.net/video/9Tx4vK99SDU/видео.html
@@WillowWalksTheAT great, I just discovered your channel this morning. Great content.
Which sandals did you try before settling on those Lunas? Have you looked at Bedrock Cairn 3D pro? Or pro 2? Jupiter is wearing them now. If I’m going to experiment with toe sandals, looks like those and the Lunas you have would be top contenders. I love my z trek for light hikes, but tread not good for more rugged, wet conditions. And my feet sweat and so sometimes my feet slide on the shoe (I can go tighter of course with straps, but still would prefer more grippiness).
Really appreciate your thoughts. We are like minded. You just might convert me to toe thongs.
@R C I tried Lunas first and always hated toe thongs too. I'd recommend the "Retro Oso" versions and get the tech strap...it keeps the thong from moving around. The Osos are super grippy, wet rocks, moss on logs....almost on anything. I like Lunas because of the variety...you can pick several thicknesses and sole treads. They also have a cool origen story with the Tarahumara and Barefoot Ted
Awesome. Thanks! I’ll order some now.
@@WillowWalksTheAT. Actually, I ordered the “middle bear”… don’t want to go max cushion at first. I like some ground feel. What’s the exact model Luna you have in the video? Are there other Lunas you really like for thru hiking (depending on different conditions as the AT, or other Lunas you’ve seen successful thru hikers wear)?
Helped me, thank you ! But which model are you guys wearing ? Oso 2.0 ?
Great to hear. Was wearing the Retro Middle Bears (same sole as the Osos). lunasandals.com/collections/all/products/retro-middle-bear
Found we like the original lacing style best along with the Oso sole pattern
@@WillowWalksTheAT thanks a lot. Yes I prefer retro lacing system only. I have Leadville pacers and Mono and love them. I am looking for something for trail running this time. Should I go for half a size bigger than my current Monos for extra protection or stick to my size ?
@Tops ThePops Gotcha, so you know Lunas well...I go with my same size and don't have any troubles on trail. Tech strap seems to keep my foot in place well, so toe never hangs over. I also have the Monos...usually wear those when running on pavement. Luna gave me an affiliate link that is supposed to give 10% off to those that use it. Not sure if it's working yet, but maybe worth a shot...
www.lunasandals.com/?rfsn=7216167.02af82&.02af82
@@WillowWalksTheAT Noted and thanks, will try your link. I also have a discount via refer a friend. I hope I can use it on top of your link. Fingers crossed.
@Tops ThePops Awesome, hope you get the best deal possible
Good way to twist your ankle
Thx for your comment! That's a common comcern/comment and 2 things we've found are a bit counterintuitive...ankle and foot muscles get stronger without continued support and we are less likely to commit body weight to an ankle twisting step when we can feel what we are stepping on better. We are definately not recommending sandals! Just sharing our experience hiking with them. Happy trails!
If you want to twist your ankle, wear Hokas or Altra Olympus. Or stilettos. The thinner the shoe or sandal, the lower the center of gravity and easier to use your ankles the way they were meant to for balancing in unstable ground.
Or it’s a good way to strengthen your ankles