High Sierra Topix

If they get wet from a stream crossing, they dry out quickly in the altitude.

I think this has more to do with time of day, heat, and relative humidity. If your light weight mesh trailrunners get soaked at the end of the day, and at timberline during a monsoon pattern, they likely will still be wet the next morning. I wear trail runners, but still bring "camp shoes" because of this.

freestone wrote:

If they get wet from a stream crossing, they dry out quickly in the altitude.

I think this has more to do with time of day, heat, and relative humidity. If your light weight mesh trailrunners get soaked at the end of the day, and at timberline during a monsoon pattern, they likely will still be wet the next morning. I wear trail runners, but still bring "camp shoes" because of this.

When my shoes actually have taken a late night dunk (happened many times), I simply remove the insoles and put the shoes somewhere they can breath overnight and by the morning they're manageable. I wake with the sun, and between the day warming and a dry set of socks I've been fine. Ounce counting isn't my all consuming thing, but an extra pair of shoes simply hasn't proved necessary. To each their own though...

I really tear through shoes, I go through on average 3 pairs a year. I've read that people really like inov8 trail rock shoes. Does any of you have experience with these shoes? What is your personal favorite? Thanks!

Last year in Tuolumne, I talked with many PCT hikers as they came thru.
I asked the same question as you: What shoes/trail runners do you like best?

Surprised by the majority response...Brooks Cascadias.
I had never heard of these before but, figuring that these experienced hikers knew something I didn't, now have a pair...sweet shoes!

Rockchucker's

There is already a thread for this topic. I'm sure maverick or rlown will post the link. Personally I go for light, flexible, 5" height. Lowa zephyrs fill the bill for me. I have 3 pairs. One relegated to short local hikes and yard work, one pair was my primary boot last year but I mistakenly grabbed my old pair for a 9 day Eagle cap wilderness trip last august so last years boot should be good to go for at least another 10 days of serious bc travel. My 3rd pair is still in the box in my closet. I have found that I can extend the life of these lightweight "disposable" boots by putting a bead of shoe goo over all the stitching in the toe area when the boots are new. Looks a little tacky but so do I.

Mike

I'm the only long distance backpacker I have met that wears heavy boots. I wear Zamberlan Vioz GT boots and they have been treating me well for years now so no reason for me to use anything else.

As if to fulfill OR's dream, here's the other shoe list: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9473" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mav, or someone smarter merge it.. (please)

But Rogue you are doing completely different terrain. If I were doing the kind of stuff you do all summer I would go through 2 pairs of my boots, at least!

Mike

I use merril ventilators. I can make a pair last a season....barely. sometimes i buy two pairs in a season. They fit my feet very well and are extremely breathable, and the rubber is quite sticky. Those are my three requirements. I never bought the same pair of boots or shoes twice before i found these.

sparky wrote:I use merril ventilators. I can make a pair last a season....barely. sometimes i buy two pairs in a season. They fit my feet very well and are extremely breathable, and the rubber is quite sticky. Those are my three requirements. I never bought the same pair of boots or shoes twice before i found these.

That's the same shoe I've been wearing for several years. My problem is I shred them pretty quick, like I said usually 3 pairs a year. I hike all year so I really don't have a season. Very comfortable shoes just not made to last.