"You look like you've seen better days," a shopkeeper said, leaning against the doorframe of a local outfitter.
Elias sat on a wooden bench, feeling the arch support lock into place. It felt like his feet were finally being hugged by something that cared.
The shopkeeper grinned, gesturing to the wall of rubber and nylon behind him. "Well, you found the source. Local gear shops like mine are the soul of the brand. We’ll actually fit the straps to your feet so you don't end up back in here tomorrow crying."
Elias stood up, took a tentative step, and smiled. The blisters were still there, but the pain was shielded by a fortress of polyurethane. He bought the green ones on the spot and headed back to the trailhead.
The humid air of the Appalachian Trail felt like a wet blanket, but Elias didn't mind the heat; he minded the throbbing in his heels. His old hiking boots had finally betrayed him, leaving him with blisters that made every step a gamble.
"Tell her to hit the big names," the man replied, tightening a strap. "REI or Dick’s Sporting Goods usually have the massive displays. If she’s a hermit, she can go straight to the Chacos website or Amazon. They’ve got everything from the classic Z/1s to the ones with the toe loops."