Take a Hike!
Take a Hike!
Their clothing selection includes performance-oriented apparel from Patagonia, known for its breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics like the Capilene series for base layers and the versatile R1 fleece, which Anne describes as“ perfect for layering in Vermont’ s rapidly changing weather.” Emma highlights Patagonia’ s Terrebonne Jogger and Terravia hiking pants as ideal for trail running and hiking respectively, thanks to their quick-dry fabric and practical design elements.
Ultimately, The Mountain Goat is far more than a retail space— it is a hub for fostering an outdoor lifestyle and nurturing meaningful community connections.“ We see ourselves as stewards, not only of trails but of the vibrant hiking community itself,” Anne reflects warmly.“ It’ s incredibly rewarding to be part of people’ s outdoor journeys and to help facilitate memorable adventures that keep bringing them back to the mountains year after year.”
Houran also highlights common pitfalls hikers face regarding shoe sizing and lacing techniques.“ Most people are wearing shoes that are too small,” he notes, stressing that correctly sized footwear immediately improves comfort and reduces injury risk. Proper lacing techniques also play a critical role.“ Doing a double cinch between each lace loop on high-top boots locks the foot in place, significantly increasing ankle support and stability on uneven terrain.”
Anne’ s long-standing advocacy significantly shaped Manchester’ s designation as an Appalachian Trail Community, an achievement finalized in 2017 after years of coordinated effort with local government and businesses.“ It was important to make Manchester not just a destination, but truly welcoming to hikers,” Anne explains.“ We worked with our community partners to bolster the established essential amenities— affordable lodging, laundry facilities, medical services, and community-supported showers— specifically catering to long-distance hikers.”
Emma underscores their shop’ s commitment to educating hikers about responsible trail usage, working closely with local organizations like the Green Mountain Club( GMC).“ We strive to ensure hikers understand the importance of trail stewardship,” Emma says, highlighting GMC’ s workshops and trail-maintenance volunteer opportunities as invaluable resources.
For those exploring Southern Vermont’ s vast trail system, Anne and Emma eagerly share recommendations for trails suitable for all skill levels.“ Haystack Mountain in Pawlet offers breathtaking panoramic views, suitable for families or first-time hikers,” Emma suggests. Anne echoes GMC’ s Chole Miller’ s endorsement of Bromley Mountain as“ a fantastic spot to catch an unforgettable sunrise,” and emphasizes the variety of accessible trails within the Equinox Preservation Trust trail system in the heart of Manchester.
Family Footwear – A Perfect Fit for Southern Vermont’ s Hiking Community
For outdoor enthusiasts exploring the scenic trails of Southern Vermont, proper footwear isn’ t just a luxury— it’ s a necessity that significantly influences comfort, safety, and overall enjoyment. Family Footwear in Manchester specializes in personalized footwear solutions, including expert pedorthist services, to ensure hikers of all levels can confidently hit the trails.
James Houran, a Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitter at Family Footwear, emphasizes that finding the right hiking footwear requires a personalized approach.“ Your level of activity and the specific shape of your foot dictate your footwear needs,” Houran explains.“ Two hikers tackling the same trail might require completely different shoes. For example, while the Keen Targhee and Oboz Bridger are both excellent full-weight hikers, their fits differ significantly due to variations in toe box width and ankle support.”
In addition to footwear, Houran underscores the importance of orthotic inserts to enhance foot alignment and comfort.“ At Family Footwear, we mainly utilize Aetrex Arch Support orthotics— modifiable, prefabricated inserts that provide excellent arch support tailored to individual foot structures,” he says. He emphasizes the orthotic’ s role in complementing shoe structure rather than overriding it, explaining that“ the shoe provides foundational support for terrain and alignment, while orthotics address specific arch support and alignment needs.”
Board-certified pedorthist Gretchen Lima further elaborates on the significance of proper footwear and orthotics, particularly for those with existing foot conditions or mobility issues.“ Our feet affect everything— knees, hips, back, even balance,” Lima explains.“ People often underestimate how crucial proper footwear is until they experience pain or mobility issues.” Her meticulous process includes comprehensive foot measurements, gait analysis, and pressure mapping through Aetrex technology, clearly visualizing areas of high stress and potential imbalance.“ Many people have no idea how a shoe should actually fit,” Lima points out. She offers practical advice on shoe fitting, emphasizing that proper footwear should allow toes to wiggle comfortably without excessive movement within the shoe. Lima highlights innovative solutions like tongue pads and strategic lacing to prevent common hiking issues such as blisters and toenail damage.“ Proper footwear fit
52 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine. com