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Post by Coolkat on Jul 28, 2021 18:25:52 GMT -8
tigger, after my current set wears out I might try the waterproof thing again and combine them with a waterproof gaiter. I don't have the heat issue either with a waterproof shoe but it's the drying times that get me. My current shoes (Hoka) will dry out fairly fast even after a stream crossing. 2 or 3 hours later they are just a little damp (I've also stopped wearing the thick wool socks that everyone seems to think you need.) It was last years 4 day experience in the land of feet-never-dry that has made me seek out another solution.
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Post by nextridgeover on Jul 28, 2021 19:08:40 GMT -8
Goretex booties that fit over your standard socks. No need to wear them all the time but could be useful when the wetness is on the verge of causing blisters. I haven't hiked in them but have used them over socks while wearing sandals in camp. Keeps my tootsies dry and warm in the cold.
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Post by bobcat on Jul 29, 2021 4:17:35 GMT -8
I have not done a lot of trail hiking with this set-up, but for long days of sightseeing in pouring rain ( think Edinburgh, or Invercargill NZ), rubber overshoes are remarkably effective. I have a pair that fits over light hiking boots( no waterproof for all the reasons discussed above) and is ankle-height so my rain pants drip outside, not into the overshoes.
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Post by Coolkat on Jul 29, 2021 4:54:06 GMT -8
I have a pair that fits over light hiking boots I have actually purchased a set of those but I've been reluctant to actually try and use them because after I got them and thought about it I was worried that it would make hiking a little unstable. But I guess I can try a test hike/walk here before using them on a backpack trip.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Jul 29, 2021 8:53:31 GMT -8
I'd like to see a pair of high calf waterproof gaiters designed with lightweight non-WP trail shoes that have a sealable rim for the gaiters where the sole and the uppers meet.
Use the gaiters for wet conditions and crossings below knee height, and take them off when not needed.
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Post by Coolkat on Jul 29, 2021 8:58:27 GMT -8
I'll second that.
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Post by oldbill on Jul 29, 2021 17:06:50 GMT -8
Yeah, I never wade through water with my hiking shoes. I carry either a croc-like shoe, water shoes or rubber slides. Any of these weigh between 4.5. - 6.5 oz’s per pair. It’s a lot more comfortable getting out of hiking shoes at the end of the day, and if they’re wet, giving them a chance to dry out while lounging in something dry and clean. What do you use that are 4.5-6.5 oz/pair? I haven't been able to find anything (size 10.5-11) that light, stable enough for crossing fast, rocky water safely (ie, not flip flops etc..)
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Post by bradmacmt on Jul 30, 2021 4:00:48 GMT -8
What do you use that are 4.5-6.5 oz/pair? I haven't been able to find anything (size 10.5-11) that light, stable enough for crossing fast, rocky water safely (ie, not flip flops etc..) oldbill, headed out the door for a backpack, will post some info when I'm back.
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Post by tipiwalter on Jul 30, 2021 7:41:44 GMT -8
I'm a 100% convinced good leather goretex boots are the way to go for Southeast backpacking in the mountains of TN,NC,Georgia and Virginia. With such boots you can wade small creeks and not get your socks wet---slog thru mud and dewy grass and keep your socks dry.
Think about all the small creek crossings you have to do on a backpacking trip---whereby tennis shoes(and socks) get immediately wet the first hour from the car. Instead I just wade low water in my gtx boots and keep dry.
Here's an example on the BMT with a small creek crossing in gtx zamberlan Vioz boots.
Here's a pair of gtx zamberlan Evo Lite boots in the wet mud on Snowbird Creek trail. Unlike with tennis shoes my socks stay dry.
And in wet snow the full leather goretex boots keep my socks dry.
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Post by Coolkat on Jul 30, 2021 7:46:42 GMT -8
Good for you tipiwalter, however, I can't do boots and I've tried several from full on leather that need broke in to some shoe like boots but I'm guaranteed blisters. I've switched over to trail runners and haven't had a blister yet and that's been a few years now. As much as I hate wet feet I hate blisters even more.
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Post by bobcat on Jul 30, 2021 8:56:19 GMT -8
Seems to me I read a thru-hike travelogue some years ago that talked about hiking in sandals with thin nylon socks. His system dried very quickly if wet, yet offered a bit of protection from pebbles between toes etc. The nylon socks were also enough to keep his feet from drying and cracking. maybe there is something in that for you?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2021 18:24:03 GMT -8
I'm a 100% convinced good leather goretex boots are the way to go for Southeast backpacking in the mountains of TN,NC,Georgia and Virginia. With such boots you can wade small creeks and not get your socks wet---slog thru mud and dewy grass and keep your socks dry.
Think about all the small creek crossings you have to do on a backpacking trip---whereby tennis shoes(and socks) get immediately wet the first hour from the car. Instead I just wade low water in my gtx boots and keep dry. Also my system for Virginia and WV for more than 40 years. Zamberlan Vioz and a good pair of gaiters make short work of deeper (quick!) stream crossings, but if I have something I need to ford, I switch to water shoes.
some people whine about the 'waste of time' switching shoes, but I don't hike in a hurry. There's too much to see!
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Post by tipiwalter on Jul 31, 2021 5:54:19 GMT -8
Also my system for Virginia and WV for more than 40 years. Zamberlan Vioz and a good pair of gaiters make short work of deeper (quick!) stream crossings, but if I have something I need to ford, I switch to water shoes.
some people whine about the 'waste of time' switching shoes, but I don't hike in a hurry. There's too much to see! Specific agreement even with the same boot! You may be interested in trying the Zamberlan Evo Lite as yes they're much lighter than Vioz. Both are great. When I hit major creeks like for you I stop and get into crocs---to do deeper fords. I like to keep my hands free (with hiking pole) so I always strap my boots under my pack lid making for safer crossings. Preparing for ford with boots placed for lid cinching.
Lid over boots for easier humping.
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ErnieW
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I want to backpack
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Post by ErnieW on Jul 31, 2021 7:01:35 GMT -8
In the long ago past I have run into unexpectedly deep tricky stream crossings. I hike more predictable routes recently. But when has happened I have taken off my socks and wore my boots barefoot for the crossing. Then if I have bags with me dry socks back on and then bags and try to hike the boots drier. If I can afford the downtime I take the insoles out and try to get them as dry as I can before putting the boots back on. Slipping on a crossing has the danger of soaked gear, possible drowning or broken toes. All thing I like to avoid. Having wet feet for a while is the lesser evil.
P.S. I like the pics of the full boots like I wear. The pressure to go to hikers is pretty strong these days but I still really like my boots.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2021 15:17:35 GMT -8
ErnieW - when I was wearing a full leather boot (leather linings, no GTX) I would follow the same routine for deep stream crossings, and for the same reason. I've had broken toes from work, and would never want that a long way to the car!
I would treat the outside of the boot (at that time snowseal was the only thing I would use) and a light treatment inside as well. The boots would get wet of course, but having a repellent on both surfaces helped a lot to prevent a complete soaking.
Anyway - in camp, I would put on dry socks, and bread bags over the socks. Feet stayed warm enough and dry. At night in non freezing temperatures, i would just turn them upside down. By morning they would be mostly dry....until I crossed another stream!
I really prefer having stream crossing shoes at this point. a few ounces extra but I really don't care.
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