Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
walking boots-- which are good?
On Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:11:52 -0700, Jim Janney wrote:
Vic Smith writes: On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:45:10 +0000, Geoff Berrow wrote: On Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:49:00 +0000, Peter Clinch wrote: Take them orienteering instead and they'll be on rougher terrain with more need of good soles, and hardly anyone will think they're best off in boots with Vibram soles and ankle support. Certainly almost all of the experts won't be in them. I've been walking 3-4 miles a day on pavements to keep in trim and in the recent snow, I wore my boots instead of my usual North Face shoes. As I only have short legs, I found it harder to walk as fast with the boots because of the extra weight. This isn't usually a problem when doing day walks across country or up hills as my pace will be more relaxed. I can see, however, that someone concerned with speed would prefer lighter footwear. Just done a short (2 mile) walk to get a bus from the next village. In boots it takes about 28 - 29 minutes, but today I wore shoes (Merrill) for the first time for months and it took 27 minutes. OK, a (very) small sample, but the cadence was up by about 4% and I felt like running up one hill. A few walks to get used to shoes and speed could be better. Speed isn't the only concern with weight. After some miles of walking in comfortable but heavy boots, a knee became painful and slightly swollen. I didn't connect it with the boots at first, but when I doffed the boots the knee problem very quickly disappeared. It's possible my gait in the above ankle boots was a factor, but I'm guessing it was mostly the swinging weight of the boots. The knee is basically a hinge. It can move through nearly 180 degrees, but only in a single plane. The ankle has a more limited range of motion but is also more tolerant of movement in different planes, especially in combination with the feet -- there's a whole collection of joints down there. What sometimes happens when you restrict the mobility of the ankles and feet is that any sort of lateral or twisting movements that these would normally handle are transferred to the knees, which don't appreciate them. Very much so. In the '80s, when 'clipless' pedals were gaining use, I spoke to several people who'd had knee trouble due to the limited movement of the foot allowed by the clips. One rider, half way through a 1300km ride, changed from Look to Time pedals (or t'other way - long time ago) and that stopped the pain in his knees because his feet could twist a bit. For an excruciatingly detailed discussion of this, see http://www.tmuscle.com/portal_includ...-training.html Then again, it could just be the swinging weight. V. interesting article, thanks - I shall read it thoroughly when I've the odd fortnight spare (and when sober). -- Peter. 2x4 - thick plank; 4x4 - two of 'em. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Fat lady wellington boots | Gardening | |||
Women's gardening boots ? | Gardening | |||
i was walking units to good Stephanie, who's excusing about the frog's road | United Kingdom | |||
Need A Good mechanical/biological pond Filter Which ones are good? | Ponds | |||
Weigela - tough as old boots! | United Kingdom |