Your feet are likely the most important part of your anatomy for long distance hiking. With 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments your foot absorbs shock, keeps you balanced, and helps transfer the power of your leg muscles into forward (or backwards) motion. This is why thru-hikers are so fascinated with reducing every last ounce from their pack weight; we are trying to reduce the impact of 2,600 miles on our feet and legs as much as possible. It is also why there has been a movement away from heavy boots and towards trail runners combined with lightweight moisture-wicking socks. In the desert when the heat is unbearable and you are sweating or in the mountains when you are continually damp from snow or rain, you need to keep your feet as dry and comfortable as possible.

So, when I heard via Twitter that KEEN was looking for PCT hikers to test their Olympus hiking sock, I leapt at the chance. Heard back from them this morning and both Amelia and I are in as testers! Free socks! For the entire trip! And, they are designed specifically to take the abuse of long hikes like the Pacific Crest Trail! Excuse the pun, but I am extremely excited to put them through their paces.

I am having the socks mailed to Amelia's parents as they are managing our resupply boxes and we are moving our belongings to their place this weekend. I should hopefully get my first look at the socks next week. Throughout the hike I will be sending KEEN emails with our feedback, and I should post a few of my serious but entertaining thoughts here as well. Will they survive the horrors of Paul's feet? How well will they adapt to his Sierra puppet theatre? Only time will tell...