What’s the Best Footwear for Your Wellness Journey at The Ranch?
Need help picking the best shoes and footwear for your stay at The Ranch?
Leave your high heels under your desk and put on a pair of comfy workout shoes; it’s time to go to Rancho La Puerta. From hiking to cooking classes to tennis, there are a lot of activities to choose from, but with over 50 fitness and wellness classes a day, what’s your best shoe choice? Flip flops? Hiking shoes? Flats? Here are a few tips:
Versatility will be your best friend for an everyday pair of kicks at The Ranch. A comfy pair of flats, sandals or slip-ons will carry you down your path at The Ranch. They’re also great for an easy on-off when you go to yoga, meditation, TRX or an evening concert. Most of those activities or venues are for bare feet only. To keep your feet cozy, socks may be your best choice once you’re relaxing in Oak Tree, ready for an evening concert.
For the moderate hikes like the Organic Breakfast Hike to the rugged Mountain Hike, a comfortable and supportive trail shoe with good breaking lugs to help slow you down or stop will help keep you sure footed. Our hikes take you through a diversity of terrain on The Ranch’s 4000-acre property. If you plan on going on our guided runs or hikes, a trail running shoe will be your ticket to participate. They offer better foot protection than a road running shoe and their gripping, short lugged sole will help you navigate uneven terrain. Most of these shoes can double for your other fitness classes for a double bonus. For most fitness classes a walking, running or cross-training shoe will be a good choice.
Tennis Instructor Marcos Landavazo recommends a court shoe for pickleball and tennis. Those squishy and thicker soled running shoes are great on the trail but aren’t made for the quick pivots and directional changes on the court. The fast pace of the games and flat court require footwear with great traction, a sturdy heal, and support. A sturdy pair of court shoes will even make a casual game be more enjoyable and safer. Instructor Ethan Carter says, “Remember you’re here on vacation and not competing in the U.S. Open. Try to relax and have a fun match without overextending yourself.”
Executive Chef Denis Roa spends a lot of time on her feet coordinating, planning and preparing The Ranch’s healthy meals. If you’re coming to a cooking class then a closed toe footwear is a must. Keep your toes and feet safe from sharp things falling, hot things dripping, or heavy things slipping. “The ground can be uneven,” she says, “and even with rubber mats in the kitchen it’s nice to have shoes that support your back when standing at the counter.”
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