thanks for all the help, everyone. Ive got a pair of new balance cross country running shoes ill give a go, luckily theres a few soft dirt walking trails a couple blocks away that loop around within the same sq mi for me to test on. eventually ill probably get something with more ankle support, and in the meantime maybe test the new balances in the lava fields to see how the soft soles hold up.
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He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
-Samuel Johnson