Lacing hacks for outdoor footwear

...Lacing them boots for comfort!!!

I am sure that all of us would have had some kind of problem with our feet at some stage in our tramping career...be it black toe, blisters, shin splints or some other foot ailment. Usually it is a result of wearing poorly fitted footwear...boots/shoes which are too tight, small or narrow for our feet.

My boot clad feet up the Waimakiriri River in 2017..

One way to combat foot problems is with some fancy lacing styles on your footwear...how you lace your boots can determine your level of comfort. Lets have a look at some different lacing options.....

Some possible lacing options for your footwear!!!

Lacing hacks for outdoor footwear...

1. Wide Forefoot

If you have a wide forefoot you will often find that the front of your boots/shoes will feel tight on the front of your foot and can cause pain & blisters. You can and should buy wide lasted footwear if this is a major problem but for those with feet only slightly too wide a different lacing pattern may help.

My Lowa Tibet boots with a wide foot last....

If you use the wide forefoot lacing method you will allow the footwear to expand across the forefoot while still maintaining a secure hold around ankle and heel. This should provide just enough extra space to make this problem go away. 

2. High arches

Some people have unusually high arches on their feet...unfortunately there are no manufacturers making shoes/boots to alleviate this problem. Pressure on the arches can be crippling and can led to long term foot and leg problems.

The high arch lacing method is firm around the front of the feet, heel and ankle yet loose over the arches. This gives the boot some ability to expand in the arch area and will often assist those with these high arch spans.

3. Heel slippage

One of the worst type of blisters you can get is one on the back of your heel...they are excruciating to walk on as your heel is more or less in constant contact with your footwear. I have personal experience of this while tramping the Travers-Sabine Circuit in 2018 and it is a pain I would not wish on anyone. 

Climbing to Travers Saddle...three hours of uphill = badly blistered heels....

The usual cause is loose footwear around the heel which allows the foot to rise and fall with each step.

This lacing method firmly locks the boot and heel together at the ankle..if the footwear is immobile it cannot cause friction and hence damage the feet. 

4. Shoes feel too tight

This lacing method is for people who's shoes/boots just feel too tight all around their feet...it allows for the maximum amount of space on the foot-bed. The downside of this method is that the boots can be too loose and can allow excess side to side movement which is a sure fire way to get blisters.

Incidentally, this is the lacing method we used in the New Zealand Army..partially to alleviate tightness in our universally awful full leather boots. Mostly because it looks good when you view a whole rank of squaddies lined up for a parade.

Early 1990's New Zealand military issue boots...

Thankfully the troops are now issued with high quality Meindal boots so they dont have the same trouble with their feet we had back in the day!!!

5. Black toenails/toe pain

Black toe is bruising to the toes caused by pressure on the feet from footwear which is too small or loose. Lose footwear allows the wearers toe to impact the front of the boot/shoe when walking down hill...long term this damages your feet.

Tops travel puts strain on feet and footwear!!!

 Additionally, as you walk your feet heat up and swell so if there is no expansion space you will also have problems. Blacktoe normally happens on your big toe but all toes are susceptible. It can be very painful and is something you should try to avoid if at all possible. 

Classic hikers blackened toe due to tight footwear....

Ideally it is a good idea to go a half to full size larger than your feet when buying new footwear...the extra space gives your feet somewhere to go once they expand. You can try this lacing method...it locks the whole foot in place and will stop the feet from slipping forward in the boot/shoe on a slope. 

If you suffer from one of these complaints I recommend you have a try using these lacing methods to see if they make a difference. I am sure you will be surprised with how effective simply re-lacing your shoes/boots can be.

Additional thoughts on footwear...

You should always buy your new boots/shoes from a reputable brand and make sure they are correctly fitted to your foot size, shape and width. Make sure you are using good quality tramping/running socks as a good sock can enhance any footwear system.

Wear appropriate quality tramping socks for best comfort...

Maintain your footwear following the manufacturers advice...keep them clean, dry and conditioned so that they will be in their best shape when you really need them. When not in use store them appropriately and carry out any required repairs early in the piece...

Remember...happy feet make for a happy tramper!!!

The rhythm of the seasons..how weather affects tramping in New Zealand

Weather and how it influences your style of tramping

Weather is one of the major influences on when, where and how you can tramp in New Zealand. We have relatively warm oceanic weather around New Zealand, we will get warm wet air from both the South Pacific and Australia as well as an up-welling of cold air from Antarctica. 

Jon on the way back from Carrington Hut, Waimakiriri Valley, Summer 2017/2018

Added to this New Zealand is a long thin Island change, the weather at the top of the country is very different from that at the bottom. While the North Island has some mountains the main mountain range, the Southern Alps bisects the whole of the South Island. As some of these are approaching 3000 meters/9000 feet ASL they create their own weather patterns over most of the island.

Relief map of New Zealand showing mountain ranges

Lets look at the weather patterns for the country season by season and see how they influence outdoor activity.

A wild, wet Northwesterly storm builds over the Canterbury Plains

Spring: September to late November

Spring in New Zealand lasts from September to December. In the south Island Spring offers opportunities for tramping but care must be taken when planning trips. The weather in Spring can be variable but tends towards the wet, cold and windy. Mean temperatures will be around 14-18 degrees during the day, -4-5 Celsius overnight. 

Travers Valley: wet, cold and snowy conditions in the upper valley in late October...

We receive most of our rainfall for the year over these three months so any trip involving a river crossing must be carefully planned. Rivers are the biggest killer in the bush so Spring is not the time of the year for a trip that requires 30 river crossings over multiple days. 

A flooded Alfred River, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve during a Spring rain storm...

Expect to get cold & wet when you are out tramping...thermals and wet weather gear will be your usual companion.

Spring attire in the cold...thermals, hat and wind proof jacket

Closed for business...full wet weather gear in Spring rain...nice!

That said, I have tramped in 25 degree weather in spring with nary a sign of rain so do not despair as there are fine weather windows. Spring is an excellent time of the year to visit the Abel Tasman NP as the weather is usually settled with clear, sunny days and cold frosty nights.

Spring visit to Abel Tasman National Park: sunny, fine weather all week!

During Spring a particular hazard to watch for is avalanches...large areas of the South Island are prone to avalanches and wet weather combined with late snow falls are a recipe for danger. Check for avalanche advisories in the area you are travelling to and actually pay heed to them.

 My favorite tramping destination Nelson Lakes NP is basically a no go zone in Winter/Spring due to the extreme avalanche danger. 

DOC avalanche advisory in the Travers Valley, Nelson Lakes NP

Spring is the most dangerous season for tramping so if you are going out make sure you have the equipment and skills to survive in any conditions.

Summer: December to mid March

Summer is the main tramping season in New Zealand and runs from December to mid March. This is a time of generally blue skies, light breezes and warm sunny weather. The best weather will be from February through to March as early Summer can still be wet and cold.

Summer daytrip to the Otira Valley, Arthur's Pass NP

If you are really lucky you will get to experience a classic Canterbury Nor'wester...near gale force winds combined with 30+ temperatures. Its just like being in a fan forced oven....lovely!

Classic Summer tramping in the Henry Valley, St James Conservation Area: hot, sunny, no wind and endless blue skies 

On the Lewis Pass Tops, Boxing Day 2015

You can and will get wet, windy and cold weather due to our oceanic climate but it is much rarer in Summer. You will often have extended periods of hot sunny weather: blue skies predominate. Great weather for a tent based tramping trip!

Summer is the time for those camping trips

Unfortunately Summer is also the busiest period as everyone else is out seeking the warm weather so expect company at points of interest and in the huts. 

In summer expect company in that DOC back-country hut...

Summer is great for tramping as you can basically wear a t-shirt and shorts for most of the time and in late summer it is even possible to swim in rivers, lakes and the ocean. I went for a swim in Lake Rotoroa near Sabine Hut in February of this year and it was absolutely beautiful.

Lake Rotoroa, Nelson Lakes National Park

Summer is also the season to go on those tramps up river valleys...water levels will be low enabling better access.

In the Upper Waimakiriri River Valley in the height of Summer

Make sure you have sunscreen and a wide hat as the sun can be hellish in New Zealand. 

Summer tramping attire: shorts, t-shirt, gaiters and hat

Watch for summer tramping hazards: sun burn, sun stroke, dehydration, hay fever. 

Autumn: late March to early May

Autumn is actually my favourite time of the year to go tramping. The weather will still be fine in the first month or so and the huts are a lot less busy as the tourists and occasional good weather trampers tend to stay away. Many is the autumn tramp where I have found myself alone in a 12-20 bunk hut...it is total bliss after the frenzy of summer crowds. 

Jon in his very own 6 bunk hut...three days in Magdalen Hut in May 2017

The weather patterns in autumn tend to be the most stable of the year, you will often get 4-7 day periods of fine weather inter-spaced with 2-3 days of rain so it is a bit easier to forward plan a trip.

Beautiful sunny weather mid May in the Boyle River Valley

In late autumn you will start to encounter winter and in New Zealand winter can be savage. You will get night time frosts and they can be chilling. We often receive our heaviest snow falls in late autumn so watch for south-westerly storm fronts coming in from the Antarctic region. Mean temperature over Autumn is 7-21 during the day but it can drop to -5 on a night with a heavy frost.

Heavy frost in the Boyle River Valley, May 2017

Autumn is an excellent time of the year to visit coastal walks like the Abel Tasman Coast Track or Queen Charlotte Track, you can't swim but the huts are a lot quieter. In fact the Abel Tasman is one of the few year round tramping locations in New Zealand as the transport options and mild climate enable trips even in the depth of winter. 

On the Queen Charlotte Track in early Autumn 2016

Totaranui Beach, Abel Tasman NP...still beautiful even in early Autumn

A handy tip for Autumn and Winter tramps: if your water comes from a rainwater tank draw sufficient supplies to last for breakfast and day time drinking before it gets dark. The taps freeze overnight (if there is a frost) and you wont be able to get any water out of the tank for the morning coffee.

Experience...

Winter: May to early September

As far as tramping goes winter can be the quietest of the outdoor seasons.  

Bealey Spur Hut, Arthur's Pass in Summer...

...and Bealey Spur Hut in Winter

New Zealand has a temperate climate which means we generally have fairly even weather patterns but we are surrounded by oceans and close to Antarctica. This means we can get sudden and savage storms rolling up from Antarctica. Snow fall can be heavy, it is not uncommon for 1-5 metres of snow to fall in a winter storm.

Heavy snow at Lewis Pass in early September 2017

Mean daily temperatures range from 1-15 degrees but frosts of -10 are not uncommon further south. When you factor in wind chill you are talking about -20/-25 in high altitude places like the Lewis Pass & Nelson Lakes tops, the Tararua's and alpine regions of Fiordland. For example, last year Lake Angelus Hut in Nelson Lakes (at 1800 metres) had -20 degree temperatures every single day for two weeks because of wind chill. That is some serious cold weather!

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes NP in winter snow

Over winter only very experienced trampers should be adventuring in most of the back-country...the risks from hypothermia, frost bite, avalanche and sudden storm are too great.  People do go out but they are usually climbers or hardier souls. Any tramping that is done will tend to be confined to the valley floors, close to a road end or in regions less affected by snow and cold like Golden Bay and the far north of the North Island.

Late Winter tramping in the Hawdon Valley, Arthur's Pass National Park

Winter has its own requirements when it comes to equipment; more and warmer clothing of course but also specialised gear like skis, snow shoes, ice axes, crampons, avalanche beacons and four season tents. All of these pieces of gear need training so that is why it is a good idea for the winter tramper to do a basic snow skills course to learn how to use it all correctly.

Winter ice tools: An ice axe and crampons provide traction on snow and ice

Personally, during winter I tend to stay closer to home, if I am tramping it will be on the Port Hills/Banks Peninsula, the Canterbury plains or in places like the Abel Tasman NP. Most of the Southern Alps are out of bounds, even the eastern foothills can be dangerous as they are often covered in snow. 

Snow on the Southern Alps from the Port Hills, Christchurch

A closer view of the snowy Southern Alps from atop Mt Oxford, Canterbury

I have gone on overnight winter trips before but I usually confine my activity to fitness walking and day trips. One of my winter tasks is crossing off sections of the Christchurch 360 Trail around the city. I have been section walking it for a couple of years and only have three sections left to complete.

Urban walking on the Christchurch 360 Trail (Mt Pleasant to Sumner) on a beautiful mid winters day

Another option is a trip to Quail Island on a warmer winter day...

Quail Island, in Lyttleton Harbour is a great winter time walking location

If you live in snowy Canterbury and are really Jones-ing for a night in a hut why don't you tramp up to Packhorse Hut or Rod Donald Hut both on the Te Ara Pataka/Summit Walkway. Both huts are wonderful places to stay and are on the hut booking systems so you can guarantee a bed for the night.

Rod Donald Hut on Banks Peninsula is a great location for a winter overnighter...

...as is Packhorse Hut!

Tramping Theory: Following Leave No Trace principles in the outdoors

"...take only photos, leave only foot prints..."

I have a keen interest in nature and the environment so I thought it would be a good idea to discuss how I incorporate environmental concerns into my tramping. To that end I practice the principles of Leave No Trace while out in the back-country.

© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

Lets have a look at Leave No Trace and discus how it impacts my style of outdoor adventures

What is Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is an ethical framework which provides us with a way of interacting with nature. The movement started in the United States in the 1990's but has since spread to various  areas of the globe. The framework is based on the realisation that the environment is fragile and under increasing pressure from mankind, we as outdoors people must all play our part in preserving it.

Irish version of the Leave No Trace principles

Leave No Trace means engaging with nature in its natural state, not altering it to suit your own purpose.Obviously there are few if any places around the world mankind has not impacted in some fashion. Following the Leave No Trace guidelines mean we can minimise our individual and collective impact on the extant environment.

The seven principles of Leave No Trace theory:

Leave No Trace has seven guiding principles, these are meant to shape the actions of practitioners while in the back-country. They promote a sustainable way to co exist within nature. 

These seven principles are:

Principle 1: Plan ahead and prepare

Principle 2: Travel and camp on durable surfaces

Principle 3: Dispose of waste properly

Principle 4: Leave what you find

Principle 5: Minimise camp-fire impacts

Principle 6: Respect wildlife & farm animals

Principle 7: Be considerate to other visitors

My approach to Leave No Trace

While I am no expert on Leave No Trace I have made a conscious effort to incorporate the seven principles into all of my outdoor activities. I also talk to people about the principles to disseminate the information as widely as possible. This is an approach we can all easily incorporate, together we can work to change everyone's attitudes.

Jon in his natural environment...

 Here are a few photos demonstrating aspects of the seven principles of Leave No Trace and how they impact on the environment.

First up...if you are camping try to camp on a durable surface like rock, sand or mineral dirt. If there is a pre-existing camp-site on these type of surfaces use it. Rather than damaging virgin bush use one of the over 200 DOC camp-sites scattered around the country.

One of the nearly 200 DOC camp-sites in New Zealand: Torrent Bay Camp-site, Abel Tasman NP

My Luxe tent set up in the established camp site at Cowshed Bay, Marlborough

Plan and prepare your itinerary and gear before undertaking any outdoor adventure. In the Army we had a saying Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance- if you plan thoroughly your performance in the outdoors will be much better. The Mountain Safety Council has a wealth of resources on planning a trip into the outdoors.

Plan thoroughly to prevent accidents...

 
Always, always pack out what you have packed in, do not leave litter in the natural environment. Don't burn plastics in a camp fire or wood burner. If you have space take any rubbish you find with you. Trying to minimise the packaging you use is also a good general method of environmental care.

Lucky Jon carrying the rubbish bag...

If you must start a fire make sure it is on a durable surface like rock, sand or bare mineral earth. If a pre-existing fire ring or fireplace is available please use it, try to avoid a multitude of ugly fire circles.

Firing up the billy on sand minimises its long term visual impact...

...or use an existing fire pit!

 Better still, forget about that fire and use a small cooker...no embers, no smoke and no trace left behind!

Brew time on the bed of the Blue Grey River, Victoria FP in 2016

If you find some kind of historic structure or artefact please respect its scientific, cultural and historic values and leave it in place! Often its importance is tied to the location...removing it or vandalising it devalues its worth. This is especially important for Maori artefacts...they represent the history of their people and should never be touched.

Historic boat wrecks, Quail Island, Banks Peninsula

When I'm out tramping I stay on the tracks whenever possible, obviously this is not always possible but if there is a choice between track or virgin bush always use the track. Do not go around muddy spots on a track, doing so will encourage others and widen the track.

Following the St James Walkway in 2015, nice dry track, use the stiles and bridges provided

A muddy track...go through it not around it!

You should avoid building shelters in the outdoors unless it is an emergency. Moving the materials for these shelters can damage the local ecology by removing a natural home/food source and are visually offensive. If you must build a shelter make sure you return the materials to their original location afterwards.

Don't build shelters of natural materials unless absolutely necessary!

In New Zealand we do not have a lot of the larger mammals you find in other back-country regions of the world. Therefore our interactions with them are limited.

St James wild horses...one of the few large wild animals we have in New Zealand!

What we do have are birds...when you are out on your adventures ensure you interact with our native birds in a careful and responsible manner. Do not feed them, do not interfere with them and respect their boundaries.

Kea or New Zealand Mountain Parrot at Arthur's Pass...don't feed them!

A Weka or native Wood-hen, fearless scavengers of human detritus

When you are tramping do so in either a small group or solo. Large groups are far more likely to disturb any resident wildlife as well as causing greater cumulative damage to the flora they pass.

Tramping in a small group is less invasive to the environment

Educate yourself about the Leave No Trace principles and try to put them into use whenever you are in the outdoors.

Final thoughts on Leave No Trace

At heart I am an environmentalist, I believe that man is the most dangerous threat to the natural world. Nature is to be enjoyed but we must strive to minimise our impact upon it. For that reason I wholeheartedly approve the Leave No Trace framework.

Waimakiriri River Valley...the type of rugged beauty we are trying to preserve

When I am in the back-country I put these seven guiding principles into practical use at all times.  I would rather expend a bit more effort than deprive future generations of the right to experience the majesty of mother nature.

Me enjoying quiet commune with nature, Travers-Sabine Circuit 2018

If you would like more information about the Leave No Trace movement then check out the Leave No Trace website or look for a related programme in your local area. There are also many educational courses available which will allow you to educate others about the principles of Leave No Trace, check your local University, Polytechnic or Outdoor education provider.

The next time you go tramping I would urge you to follow the general principles of Leave No Trace, play your own small part in preserving our natural environment.

...take only photos, leave only footprints!

Useful Links: Leave No Trace

Here are some links that you may find useful:

Department of Conservation: Leave No Trace care codes

Leave No Trace.Org:  Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics

Mountain Safety Council of New Zealand: Trip planning resources 

The New Zealand Leave No Trace site: Leave No Trace New Zealand

Wikipedia: Leave No Trace