What Hiking Boots Did Cheryl Strayed Wear?

Cheryl Strayed is an iconic figure in the hiking world, having completed a 1,100-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. During her journey, she documented her experience in the bestselling book Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. One of the questions many of her avid readers have asked is: What hiking boots did Cheryl Strayed wear?

The answer is that she wore a pair of Vasque Sundowners. These leather hiking boots were some of the most popular models available at the time and were renowned for their durability and comfort. The Sundowners featured a high-ankle support system and waterproof Gore-Tex linings, making them ideal for long-distance hikes like the one that Cheryl undertook.

Strayed was aware of how important it was to break in her boots before beginning her hike, so she took them on several shorter trips beforehand. She remembers being quite sore after those first few hikes due to her lack of experience with long-distance backpacking. Despite this, she felt confident that if she could make it through these trips without any major blisters or foot pain, then she would be prepared for the PCT.

Cheryl’s choice to wear Vasque Sundowners proved to be a wise one; they served her well during her entire trek and kept her feet comfortable and blister-free throughout. She even wrote about them in Wild: “My Vasque Sundowners…were my constant companions…They protected me from unruly brambles and boulder fields alike, never failed me when I fell into deep puddles, never gave me blisters or sore feet.”
It’s clear that Cheryl was very pleased with her choice of footwear for such an ambitious undertaking; it’s no wonder why these boots remain popular today among hardcore hikers looking for something dependable and comfortable on their own long-distance adventures.

In conclusion, Cheryl Strayed wore a pair of Vasque Sundowners during her 1,100 mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. These leather hiking boots proved to be very durable and comfortable over such a long distance trek, as they had high ankle support systems and waterproof Gore-Tex linings – features which are still appreciated by hikers today who are looking for reliable footwear when embarking on their own adventures.

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Jennifer Watson