High Sierra Topix

I use my trail runners (non waterproof!) for hiking, water crossings and around camp. Triple use. Hobbes already pointed out some of the many benefits of wearing lightweight breathable trail runners. Altra's are amazing!

In the snow I bring homemade down booties with nylon/dyneema shells to stay warm around camp and for late night breaks.


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Last week I hike several miles in the rain at the end of the day in light weight trail runners. They were not dry when I made camp and were still wet the next morning because of the ambient conditions even though they were stowed under my tarp. Under ideal Sierra conditions they would be dry, and two days later I did such conditions, but these shoes will not dry if conditions do not allow them to and if you fish in the evenings and make the wrong step resulting in a wet shoe, it will probably remain wet until the next day.

What are those.

Maverick, you know, those mystical wrappings around your feet that keep them magically dry! Well, at least less muddy to make it tolerable

MountainMinstrel wrote:

Brien wrote:Even though they're heavy and bulky, I still take my Tevas.

X2 they are comfortable, don't slip on wet rocks, and I have proven that I can hike in them should my boots go toes up.

x3. they are one of the comforts that i allow myself out on the trail. i don't think i could hike in mine, though... that would be a disaster waiting to happen.

I used to always use Crocks (actually cheap knockoffs which are actually lighter). I am trying to break my habit of needing camp shoes. I now just wade streams with my hiking shoes (take out superfeet insoles) and then just put up with wet feet. Wet feet do not give me blisters. The discomfort is mainly cold feet in the evening. I take an extra set of light insoles that I can put inside the shoes at night so I can dry the super feet insoles. I also am experimenting with some nylon "slippers" to use with the extra insoles (all about 3 oz.). Camp shoes or wading shoes are a luxury "nice to have" item. Wading in your hiking shoes is more stable. My hiking shoes are quite comfortable so I do not have the need to get into something else at night. In the Sierra, I can usually dry my shoes in the evening so do not have to start with wet feet next morning. On the Lost Coast this was not the case and I had constant wet feet. In the Rockies, where I may have to cross 2-5 creeks a day, and it is too cold to dry shoes at night, I still bring crocks.

Cloudlesssky,

If you boots or shoes fit properly you shouldn't need them. The only time I used take them was when I knew there are going to be water crossings. I used to be the tough bear foot guy but after cutting my feet on rocks a couple of times and getting older...... I tend to carry them more often than not now.

I used to take my Kayaking Tevas but having recently been using Keen CNX sandals which are about the same weight as Crocs but are much more comfortable and offer better grip on those slippery rocks. Like other people have mentioned there have been days when I have put them on to cross a creek then just left them on all day.

Other people I know just take the cheapest, lightest flip flops they can find, these are fine for the midnight pee and around camp but aren't great for crossing rocky creeks.

Chris

Crocs

Yes.
I prefer a walmart-sourced kroc knockoff that looks like Keens and I use them for deep water, fishing, late night, morning in camp etc.... Well worth the 9 oz for a pair of 13s.

Everybody is different.

For me camp means relaxing with my feet in my sleeping bag. I have already collected enough water to last us until mid-morning. The food is cooking right outside the tent or in the vestibule. If I have to pee I either walk a few yards in my socks or slip on my untied shoes for a minute. On really wet trips I slip plastic bags into my sodden boots to keep my camp socks dry when I need to step outside the tent. Camp shoes wouldn't work in those places and wouldn't get used in the Sierra.

The exception is on ski tours where I sometimes take down booties.

I sure hope it snows this winter.

No camp shoes in the past with my trail runners (Altra Olympus and New Balance Minimus Trail). Recently made the switch to LUNA Sandals so I'm debating whether to bring socks or down booties for camp.