|
|
Post by georgeofthej on Aug 16, 2023 19:12:05 GMT -8
I have a pair of court shoes that I bought for pickleball a few years ago, but I haven't been able to play pickleball due to an Achilles strain. So, I thought I'd use the shoes for something. Style-wise, they don't look very good for wearing around town, but they work well on the trail. I was surprised, because they do not have an aggressive tread. You know how worn-down soles on sneakers and running shoes slip on steep, hard surfaces covered with a layer of sand or fine gravel? I figured the court shoes would be like that. But I tested them out on trails in the park, and then finally wore them backpacking. The shoes actually grip well on rough trails and talus. It must be the material, rather than the tread, on the soles.   Below: Talus that the shoes handled well.  |
|
jazzmom
Trail Wise!
a.k.a. TigerFan
Posts: 3,059 
|
Post by jazzmom on Aug 17, 2023 4:39:07 GMT -8
I can see how "sticky" soles like those may work well on rocky terrain in dry weather BUT the real test may be when the rock surfaces are wet. You may find that the sticky characteristic is a lot less effective. Notice how careful they are in basketball games to wipe up any moisture on the court.
Most canyoneering shoes I've worn or seen -- meant to perform in wet rocky conditions -- have both sticky soles and aggressive treads.
|
|
texasbb
Trail Wise!
Hates chicken
Posts: 1,223 
|
Post by texasbb on Aug 17, 2023 6:33:19 GMT -8
I bagged about 10 peaks in Colorado one summer wearing my Chuck Taylors. Grip on rocks was surprisingly good. Bruised my feet a time or two, but hey, I was young and about 25 lb lighter then.  |
|
|
|
Post by georgeofthej on Aug 17, 2023 9:06:54 GMT -8
I can see how "sticky" soles like those may work well on rocky terrain in dry weather BUT the real test may be when the rock surfaces are wet. Good point, Jazzmom. I hadn't considered that and should test it before deciding to buy another pair of court shoes for the trail. |
|
|
|
Post by hamidkhan on Aug 22, 2023 9:32:24 GMT -8
Even though I initially bought a pair of court shoes, specifically Sketchers Pickleball shoes, a few years ago for pickleball, I found them surprisingly useful on the trail despite their non-aggressive tread. Due to an Achilles strain preventing me from playing pickleball, I repurposed the shoes for trail use and discovered their excellent grip on rough terrain and talus, likely due to the sole's material rather than its tread, making them a functional choice for outdoor activities. |
|
reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,151
|
Post by reuben on Aug 22, 2023 11:49:28 GMT -8
I bagged about 10 peaks in Colorado one summer wearing my Chuck Taylors. Grip on rocks was surprisingly good. Bruised my feet a time or two, but hey, I was young and about 25 lb lighter then. Flashback. Those things had almost zero sole and cushioning. They were like soft sponges. At least that was the case... a long time ago. I think that most, possibly all, of us would struggle to hike in something like that now. The high tops, allegedly for ankle support, were a total joke. But we, or our parents, bought into it. |
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,923
|
Post by BigLoad on Aug 22, 2023 13:03:28 GMT -8
I bagged about 10 peaks in Colorado one summer wearing my Chuck Taylors. Grip on rocks was surprisingly good. Bruised my feet a time or two, but hey, I was young and about 25 lb lighter then. Flashback. Those things had almost zero sole and cushioning. They were like soft sponges. At least that was the case... a long time ago. I think that most, possibly all, of us would struggle to hike in something like that now. The high tops, allegedly for ankle support, were a total joke. But we, or our parents, bought into it.
My feet hurt just thinking about it.
I have a bunch of fancy leather sneakers with Margom soles, as well as a couple pairs of Vans. I love them for office and city wear, but every rock makes its presence known. Chuck Taylors are pretty much the same.
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,881
|
Post by zeke on Aug 22, 2023 16:11:09 GMT -8
Plus, the fact that, back in the day, I could wear out a pr of Chuck's in about 6 weeks of basketball on asphalt courts tells me they wouldn't hold up well hiking in them.
|
|
texasbb
Trail Wise!
Hates chicken
Posts: 1,223
|
Post by texasbb on Aug 22, 2023 18:36:20 GMT -8
All true about the Chucks, though I rarely if ever played basketball in them. The one good thing about the thin material of the high tops was that folding my socks down over them made for excellent scree gaiters.
|
|
