PART I: SHOE COMPETITION

Any permanent traveler will tell you the best investment you can make is that of good gear. Of course, you will need to purchase good luggage or backpacks, but SHOES are the number one investment you need to make wisely since the average traveler walks 10-25,000 steps per day. This is not an item to buy on the cheap.

Greg was a US Marine in the infantry and his feet bore the brunt of duty to his country. Because of that, he needs to think even more about the shoes he wears. During much of his work in the medical field, he wore timberland boots for ankle stability and Hokas for fatigue. During my career in education, I wore a lot of booties and dressy sneakers.

One day we went shopping to search for shoes. We tried on a lot of different shoes from REI, Bass Pro, and Fleet Feet. Greg decided to stick with the Hokas (Challenger ATR 7). These GORE-TEX cushioned runners are intended for any terrain. He chose black ones that match all his pants and shorts. They have been good for his feet and are known for longevity in the highly trafficked medical field. Men have it easy for shoes.

Women must worry about fashion and comfort. We must consider what shoes pair with pants, shorts, and skirts. We must consider the best shoes for walking, beach going, and a night in the town. Women who simply go on a two-week vacation frequently overpack their shoes, so they have choices for all occasions. Women who travel permanently do not have that luxury. So, I thought long and hard about the most versatile shoes I could find. In the end, I purchased the Dansko Paisley, a burnished suede shoe. It’s a waterproof outdoor shoe with strong arch supports.

Now that we’ve broken-in our shoes a bit, we can begin the competition. Which shoes will last longer (Hokas for Men or Dansko for Women)? Come back for Part II, An Update, later in our journey.