{"id":4855,"date":"2020-08-31T18:22:23","date_gmt":"2020-09-01T01:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/?p=4855"},"modified":"2023-11-28T11:05:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T19:05:41","slug":"rocks-out-of-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/rocks-out-of-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Rocks Out of Your Shoes"},"content":{"rendered":"
You’re hiking down a trail, and a small rock enters your shoe uninvited. This occurs more often than I would like it to. Pebbles sometimes irritate for a moment or for long periods, so taking some preventive measures can be helpful.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To prevent rocks from entering your shoes, you can use gaiters, tall boots, long pants, clear trails, tightening<\/strong> shoe collars, or using beach shoes. Socks and insoles can also make a difference in how your shoe fits and if it enters your shoe.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I tend to get small rocks that enter my shoes each time I hike or run on a trail. Taking a preventative measure means you can continue hiking and running without interruption and enjoy your time outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people will use gaiters to prevent rocks from entering their shoes. These shoe covers help block the rocks and stickers that usually get into your shoes and socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a number of different types of gaiters, but it is recommended that you get a gaiter that covers your shoes and your socks. This will help ensure rocks and stickers can’t enter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll notice that most gaiters are fairly simple to put on. The ones above are from Amazon.com<\/a>. Just slip them under your shoe and velcro on. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have Altra Shoes, you have built-in attachment points for Altra gaiters<\/a> (amazon link). These work well for Altra, but most other gaiters will work with any shoe, so that’s the advantage of getting other brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people use a gaiter instead of trying other solutions because gaiters are a simple and effective solution that works in various situations.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, some gaiters are waterproof, which is helpful during the snow and rain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some gaiters are short, while others are tall. Some are made of soft, flexible fabric like nylon, and others are made of tough oxford cloth<\/a> (amazon link).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you first go to a new place to run, walk, or hike, you may not know the conditions of the trail you are following. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being prepared with your gaiters can ensure you don’t have any unexpected new pet rocks inside your shoe that follow you home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need a simple solution to help on your next hike, gaiters will probably be on your top list of solutions. They can be a low-cost, effective solution to keep rocks out.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have ankle-high shoes or boots, rocks and stickers will get in easier. The taller your boot, the less likely rocks can enter your shoe at the collar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n There will still be some rocks, stickers, and sand that can enter between your laces, but these will not usually be as big and may not pose a problem for you during your hike.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people like tall boots because they can be waterproof, help you trek through rougher areas, and keep your feet comfortable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Others don’t like the extra weight or extra cost of a quality boot. Yet, tall boots are helpful for beginning hikers who want to backpack for several days in a row. They are usually more rigid and help take some of the beating that occurs on your feet.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I go hiking in long pants, I always tend to get a few rocks or stickers compared to when I wear shorts. Long pants tend to provide a good barrier to most rocks because they either tuck into the shoe a bit or they cover the shoe collar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are walking up a trail, and the toe of your shoe kicks up a rock and it lands on your front pant leg, it may slide down toward your shoe collar but it’s less likely to enter.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s because pants have a thick hem at the bottom that can prevent rocks from entering the shoe. Many hiking shoes have a taller height, making the shoe collar fit tightly around the bottom of the pants. If you have a wider pant leg at the bottom, they will likely cover the shoe collar, so rocks can’t enter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For these reasons, it’s helpful to wear pants if you go for a hike. You’ll be less likely to get scratched or find yourself itching because of mosquitos or poison oak and ivy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When I’ve gotten a rock in my shoe that bothered me, it was usually because I was trying to traverse somewhere that my shoes weren’t meant to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, you don’t have much choice if you are traveling to a certain destination and the path is a trail. Although, I have a tendency to try to cut through areas that have no clear path. That’s when the rocks start to appear, especially if when I go up and down steep hills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Traveling on clearly established trails will give you a better chance of standing on solid ground with a lower likelihood of rocks being flung into your shoes. You’ll also have a better chance of getting to your destination on time instead of getting lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find the trail is not clear, you can always turn back or get out your GPS. Traversing thick brush isn’t a good idea because that’s when most of your problems occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally, you wouldn’t want to tighten your shoes if they are snug. This is true unless you find that the collar of your shoe has a gap.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lace around your toes and ankles can be tightened a bit more if they aren’t snug enough. However, avoid tightening the laces above your arch if they are already snug. Your arch needs room to do its job and not be constrained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some ideas that may help keep rocks out of your shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping your shoes snug but comfortable will help you go longer without rocks getting into them. Try using a different knot instead of the traditional double knot. You may find your laces stay tight longer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Double-check that your laces are snug at each eyelet without any slack, and then you know the collar will likely stay the same and keep the rocks out. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re at the beach or in a sandy area, you might as well use beach shoes as you travel along a path to your destination. Beach shoes are good at letting rocks, sand, and water flow out of the shoe just as easily as they entered.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the beach shoes to consider are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes With Gaiters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes With Boots<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes With Long Pants<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes By Using Clear Trails<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes By Tightening Them<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nKeep Rocks Out Of Your Shoes By Using Beach Shoes<\/h2>\n\n\n