Shoes are important - there are deck shoes, Construction boots, steel toed a**-kickers and stilettos in my closet.

I find that for the most part, I dress my feet for the situation, but it is the socks that are the most important - great shoes will turn your feet to chopped meat in no time if the socks you have are not appropritae.

My favorite deep woods hiking/camping 'shoe' is either nothing (I am crazy, I know), or regular athletic shoes. Athletics are easily taken off, can be expanded to accomodate a little swelling and can be washed.

If I know I am going to be dealing with cutting and forming wood, I wear the steel toed boots. I do not find that they are good for long term wearing, no matter what I do to 'break them in'.

But then again, I am female with a women's 11 wide foot. In men's that is about a 9, but then again, sometimes it is a 10 - and still wide. It is hard to find shoes for any occation that fit.

Just like back-packs, if I find one that fits, I buy any shoe that fits. A look into the closet will tell you a lot about someone!

Sorry for the ramble...

Rena