View Full Version : ALternative to Crocs for Camp Shoes??
joshua5878
12-27-2008, 11:16
I am a newbie, going NOBO in March.
Just weighed my crocs on my digital postal scale. 6.4 ozs. EACH!
Is there an alternative to these and are camp shoes needed in your opinions?
Thanks Josh
I have a pair of old Nike flip flops.
Kerosene
12-27-2008, 11:27
Instead of flip-flops, get the slip-on sandal type to make it easier to wear with socks. The pair I picked up weighed 7 ounces in total. The downside is that you really couldn't walk any distance in them, whereas with Crocs you could hike in them in a pinch and the ones with the straps will stay on your feet when you're forced to ford a river. It's a PITA to fit the Crocs in your main bag, however.
As I see it, Crocs aren't the panecea they are sometimes made out to be. The strap as often broken off for me and when that happens, they become no better than those strapless sandles.
Crocs are great for walking around camp. No way would I want to hike in them, even on easy terrain.
David
stumpknocker
12-27-2008, 11:31
I wear road running shoes for backpacking. They are very comfortable and easy to put on and take off, so I've never found a need for camp shoes. Just something else to consider. :)
No camp shoes. I really dont think you will need them. More trash to carry when they break or you lose one. Plus I dont think you will use them as much as you think I didnt.
I bought the biggest and the meanest Mountain Crocs for work and it was heavy for camp shoes. The newer Crocs are heavier probably due to court orders to keep escalators chewing them up. I don't like the idea of leaving my main hiking boots on the ground. Dogs or animals might carry them off, but theres barefoot hiking.
Wise Old Owl
12-27-2008, 11:57
Someone here posted an idea of making sandals out of an old CCF pad & rubber tubes & hit the best UL weight imaginable.
BookBurner
12-27-2008, 11:57
It's great that you're repulsed by the thought of 12 oz. campshoes! You're on your way to a great (and comfortable) thru-hike.
But on to your question ... You'll only wear campshoes in camp two hours a day. You'll have to carry them 10 hours a day. Not worth the trade-off in my book!
Wise Old Owl
12-27-2008, 12:01
It's great that you're repulsed by the thought of 12 oz. campshoes! You're on your way to a great (and comfortable) thru-hike.
But on to your question ... You'll only wear campshoes in camp two hours a day. You'll have to carry them 10 hours a day. Not worth the trade-off in my book!
Huh? How much does your boots weigh?
See Link http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722000023/page/1.html I have hiked 15 + miles in the Keen's with excellent results.
take-a-knee
12-27-2008, 12:11
Dollar store flip-flops.
Or a homemade version made from lightweight running shoe insoles.
bigmac_in
12-27-2008, 12:13
Wear trail runners and just untie them in camp. Nice and comfy.
Someone here posted an idea of making sandals out of an old CCF pad & rubber tubes & hit the best UL weight imaginable.
I saw a COMFY pair on the BPL forum made out of a chunk of a blue Walmart pad and a bit of duct tape. And at 1.4 oz, who can go wrong?
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=11897&disable_pagination=1
daddytwosticks
12-27-2008, 14:32
Using camp shoes is not so much for comfort since I wear very lightweight shoes to hike in. It's when I pull into camp during the rain and my hiking shoes are like sponges...this is where I really appreciate a pair of flip flops or cheap/light dollar store sandals to change into.
joshua5878
12-27-2008, 14:38
It's great that you're repulsed by the thought of 12 oz. campshoes! You're on your way to a great (and comfortable) thru-hike.
But on to your question ... You'll only wear campshoes in camp two hours a day. You'll have to carry them 10 hours a day. Not worth the trade-off in my book!
That makes a lot of sense, I think I will start w/o them. I am hiking in trail runners (Merrell Moab Ventilators) and will have them very well broken in to start.
No camp shoes for me. If my feet are wet, I slip into some clean socks after wiping out my trail runners (or sandals). For those using heavier leather boots, I'd recommend what I used to bring (along with some other posters above), old, tired street running shoes.
For a lighter alternative you might look at indoor track shoes. They're about the lightest thing that won't come off your foot in the muck.
Crocks don't tend to stay on your feet in difficult situations, and they float, so crossing a stream in them, if they come off, can be a "bye,bye" situation.
Another thing that works on many levels is a very thin (2mm or so) pair of neoprene socks. Warm when wet, and dry pretty quickly. You can get zip up boots which might be good for camp shoes.
Really, I try not to take off my wet shoes until it's time for bed, anyway. Dry socks to bed, coupled with wiped out trail runners usually work for the time or two I have to get up in the middle of the night.
As others said, if you wear light footwear, you may find you do not need camp shoes. If you hike in light footwear, you will not need special shoes for the rare stream ford (on the AT).
If you do want camp shoes, here is the link others talked about:
http://www.trailquest.net/sandals.html
Most people get rid of the factory insoles anyway, so it makes good use of something you were going to throwout anyway. At one oz and pretty much free, it is not a bad way to go.
I saw a COMFY pair on the BPL forum made out of a chunk of a blue Walmart pad and a bit of duct tape. And at 1.4 oz, who can go wrong?
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=11897&disable_pagination=1
Now THAT is brilliant. :sun
BookBurner
12-27-2008, 17:05
[quote=Wise Old Owl;746064]Huh? How much does your boots weigh?
25 ozs. for the pair. I use them 11 hours a day, every day of the trip. Given the benefits over going barefoot, I consider them well worth the weight.
garlic08
12-27-2008, 17:07
One more vote for hiking in running shoes and not carrying anything else.
fiddlehead
12-27-2008, 17:30
Many people use these (i sell a lot of them anyway)
http://www.theunderwearguys.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=218
Kerosene
12-27-2008, 20:04
Many people use these (i sell a lot of them anyway)
http://www.theunderwearguys.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=218 I use neoprene slippers with my slip-on sandals when I anticipate cold weather.
rainmaker
12-27-2008, 23:11
Madame and I both use Crocs and love them.
WOW! Was not going to read this thread, I just saved about 8 ounces or so, getting closer to 30 lbs with food and water by the hike, great ideas, love the shoes out of a pad w/duct tape. Good stuff AT'ers!!!
Lone Wolf
12-28-2008, 06:54
I am a newbie, going NOBO in March.
Just weighed my crocs on my digital postal scale. 6.4 ozs. EACH!
Is there an alternative to these and are camp shoes needed in your opinions?
Thanks Josh
dude. that's nothing. if you're that much a weight weenie then just wear your shoes around camp unlaced.
Dances with Mice
12-28-2008, 08:07
dude. that's nothing. if you're that much a weight weenie then just wear your shoes around camp unlaced.But that would be so uncool. The other hikers will point at him and laugh.
sleeman13
12-28-2008, 08:11
i wear the walmart version of crocs. they aren't too heavy, just as comfortable and there 1/4th the price.
joshua5878
12-28-2008, 08:42
But that would be so uncool. The other hikers will point at him and laugh.
Thats nothing! I am coming straight out of an office into the woods. Wait till they see me trying to put up my tent.
You might consider the Croc for Maine/NH for stream crossings. Not having a second pair of footwear means that your only pair will be wet most days.
I do more backpacking these days on non-AT trails where there are fewer bridges and Crocs are great for stream crossings.
6.4 ounces, you are fortunate. Try size XXXL.
Jim Adams
12-28-2008, 12:07
I wouldn't hike if I couldn't have camp shoes. No matter what you wear or make for camp shoes, they make quite a difference at the end of the day. Sure, your light weight runners are comfortable but your feet are your most important piece of equipment that you have out there. You may feel that you don't need the camp shoes but your feet will certainly enjoy the break.
I carry a liter of whiskey....if 12oz. of campshoe is going to ruin your hike, you need to stay home.
My 1990 pack weight was 70lbs. at Springer and down to 42lbs. by Damascus. My 2002 pack weight was 28lbs. with the whiskey. All of the gram weenies out there need to understand that 30lbs. is light weight.
Go as light as you COMFORTABLY can. You will enjoy your hike alot more with 1 or 2 small light weight comfort items.
geek
New Balance 790's. Weigh 7.9 oz.
stumpknocker
12-28-2008, 12:52
I wouldn't hike if I couldn't have camp shoes. No matter what you wear or make for camp shoes, they make quite a difference at the end of the day. Sure, your light weight runners are comfortable but your feet are your most important piece of equipment that you have out there. You may feel that you don't need the camp shoes but your feet will certainly enjoy the break.
I carry a liter of whiskey....if 12oz. of campshoe is going to ruin your hike, you need to stay home.
My 1990 pack weight was 70lbs. at Springer and down to 42lbs. by Damascus. My 2002 pack weight was 28lbs. with the whiskey. All of the gram weenies out there need to understand that 30lbs. is light weight.
Go as light as you COMFORTABLY can. You will enjoy your hike alot more with 1 or 2 small light weight comfort items.
geek
I don't "camp" like most people. I don't stop walking till I'm ready to crawl into my tent and sleeping bag for the night.
I carry a pee bottle, so once I'm in my tent, I don't crawl out till after I've had my coffee and breakfast in the morning and I'm ready to start walking again.
I carried camp shoes on my first thru and sent them home along with anything else I hadn't used in the first couple weeks of that walk.
I prefer fording a stream or river in my road running shoes and they do dry quickly if it's a dry day and dry trail.
I'm not sure if I could even pick up a 35 pound pack. :eek:
I'll make sure I bring some whiskey for you next time I'm on Springer for New Year's Eve though. :)
sclittlefield
12-28-2008, 14:42
...if 12oz. of campshoe is going to ruin your hike, you need to stay home.
Amen!
I'll gladly carry the extra weight to give my feet a good, healthy, and comfortable rest after a day on the trail. As far as I'm concerned, my crocs are gram-shaver camp shoes. Maybe I'm rough on flipflops, but I think I'd need to carry the same weight in duct tape to keep repairing the blue foam flipflops.
As said earlier, go as light as makes for an enjoyable trip.
River Runner
12-28-2008, 15:06
The thing I like about Crocs over flipflops or other sandals is that the Crocs offer toe protection. I don't always take camp shoes, but when I do I feel Crocs are the best option given the toe protection, the strap to help keep them on if I want to use them for stream crossings or hiking, and the ability to wear them with socks. I once hiked 6 miles in my Crocs and my feet felt great.
Jim Adams
12-28-2008, 16:33
I don't "camp" like most people. I don't stop walking till I'm ready to crawl into my tent and sleeping bag for the night.
I carry a pee bottle, so once I'm in my tent, I don't crawl out till after I've had my coffee and breakfast in the morning and I'm ready to start walking again.
I carried camp shoes on my first thru and sent them home along with anything else I hadn't used in the first couple weeks of that walk.
I prefer fording a stream or river in my road running shoes and they do dry quickly if it's a dry day and dry trail.
I'm not sure if I could even pick up a 35 pound pack. :eek:
I'll make sure I bring some whiskey for you next time I'm on Springer for New Year's Eve though. :)
Stumpklnocker,
Can't make it to Springer for New Years this year...bummer! I had a great time last year. Hope you guys have fun and ...yeah...a...save me that whiskey. Everybody needs a "snort" now and then!:D
geek
Pokey2006
12-28-2008, 19:46
If you're truly going ultra-light, sneakers or trail runners and no camping shoes are the way to go. But camp shoes do come in handy. Flip flops are basically useless, though.
Don't forget that camp shoes are good not just for in camp, but for IN TOWN. When you take three zero days in a town -- and you WILL take three zero days in a town -- you're not going to want to walk around in your sneakers that whole time. Consider putting the crocs in a bounce box to the cooler trail towns, Hot Springs to Damascus to Pearisburg, etc. That way, too, if you change your mind and decide you want them on the trail, you could always just take them with you instead of mailing them on.
The camp shoes/no camp shoes is not an irrevocable decision. I started without them, then bought some Crocs when I got to Monson. (I got tired of wearing filthy trail runners all the time.)
If you choose to start with some, then decide you don't want to carry them, you can send them home.
I would argue, though, that you shouldn't devote a lot of money to them before you start your hike. This is also another question that can be answered before you start your long hike, during shorter weekend hikes.
IdahoDavid
12-30-2008, 19:56
Look for sandals made by Komodo at Big 5. Made from same material as Crocs but they fit better and are a lot more versatile. Excellent as a camp or town shoe.
Kerosene
12-31-2008, 10:00
Here's a link (http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-672.html) to a discussion thread on Practical Backpacking regarding the Komodo knock-offs. Looks like they may be an ounce or two lighter than regular Crocs. I can't determine why they would be more versatile, but I'll check them out the next time I'm in Spokane and can find a Big 5.
Johnny Swank
12-31-2008, 10:31
One more advantage of hiking in Chacos!
Hmm,
It seems like some would rather save a few ounces and not bring camp shoes and just hike in running shoes with no second pair.
Wait till you get up to the 100 mile wilderness or other places where there are streams to ford. Because you just had to save 6-10 oz on foot ware, you now have only one pair of shoes (probably running shoes) to hike with because you don't have the crocs or sandles to change into for the stream crossing.
So now you go across..your feet and shoes get soaked. In my experience hiking with wet feet leads to blisters! I'd rather have more weight than blisters.
David
Amen!
I'll gladly carry the extra weight to give my feet a good, healthy, and comfortable rest after a day on the trail. As far as I'm concerned, my crocs are gram-shaver camp shoes. Maybe I'm rough on flipflops, but I think I'd need to carry the same weight in duct tape to keep repairing the blue foam flipflops.
As said earlier, go as light as makes for an enjoyable trip.
I agree. My crocs are soooo comfortable and they have never slipped off my feet. Can't tell you how many times I've had to climb up and down a muddy slope to get water where flip flops would have been a disaster. I ran into a guy at Grayson Highlands who had mighty bad blisters, and for relief, had hiked the last 100 miles in his crocs.
I like comfort, and knowing I'll be able to get into my crocs at the end of a hard day is worth the extra few ounces.
Some folks love their crocs, I won't hike without them. Others can get by with nothing. You have to do what works for you.
I bought my first pair of Crocs in 2004 at Neel Gap. (notice, not "Neel's" Jack and LW) I have used a pair every year since. Worth the small weight to be able to change shoes in camp or in town (especially in town). Now, if I hiked from dusk to dawn like Garlic, I'd go without. But this old woman needs to rest after hiking.
Lone Wolf
12-31-2008, 11:43
I bought my first pair of Crocs in 2004 at Neel Gap. (notice, not "Neel's" Jack and LW)
good girl ;)
Anybody tried these? http://www.quarkgear.com/clogs.asp as light as 3.4 oz and look just like a pair of crocks but about 10oz lighter!
IdahoDavid
12-31-2008, 14:06
Here's a link (http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-672.html) to a discussion thread on Practical Backpacking regarding the Komodo knock-offs. Looks like they may be an ounce or two lighter than regular Crocs. I can't determine why they would be more versatile, but I'll check them out the next time I'm in Spokane and can find a Big 5.
I guess by versatile I mean they are wearable in more situations. The ones I am referring to are like a sandal or watershoe (covered toes) than a clog. They are comfortable for just walking around can be used for wading and watersports without coming off your feet easily, but drain and dry quickly. Thay are not a replacement of nylon/rubber/leather sandals, but are very useful as secondary footwear.
Kerosene
12-31-2008, 14:08
Anybody tried these? http://www.quarkgear.com/clogs.asp as light as 3.4 oz and look just like a pair of crocks but about 10oz lighter!I'm pretty sure that that is 3.4 ounces per clog, and probably not a men's size 10, but they're still likely a little lighter that comparably sized Crocs.
No camp shoes for me. If my feet are wet, I slip into some clean socks after wiping out my trail runners (or sandals). For those using heavier leather boots, I'd recommend what I used to bring (along with some other posters above), old, tired street running shoes.
For a lighter alternative you might look at indoor track shoes. They're about the lightest thing that won't come off your foot in the muck.
Crocks don't tend to stay on your feet in difficult situations, and they float, so crossing a stream in them, if they come off, can be a "bye,bye" situation.
Another thing that works on many levels is a very thin (2mm or so) pair of neoprene socks. Warm when wet, and dry pretty quickly. You can get zip up boots which might be good for camp shoes.
Really, I try not to take off my wet shoes until it's time for bed, anyway. Dry socks to bed, coupled with wiped out trail runners usually work for the time or two I have to get up in the middle of the night.
another option for neoprean camp shoes are cycling booties like this
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24344&subcategory_ID=1344
nice in cold wet weathers
not the lightest but it does have a rubber sole. I know there are more expensive lighter versions from band name manufactures, some even use kevlar renforcments for the feet.
pros, more expensive version can be real light as cyclist are also weight weenies
cons, make sure you dont get ones with the "cleat hole" pre cut in the bottom.
I have never used them backpacking but I have walked around in mine outside many times. no real padding but warm, water proof and stays put you dont have to worry about them coming off.
also check out surfing booties.
I vote bare feet! No additional weight, waterproof, breathable and they've been tried and tested for 200,000 years. Some have walked the entire AT barefoot.
For the rare instance when it's too cold, put on yer shoes!
I am with you, I spend about 5 months every year with out putting shoes on at all.
stumpknocker
12-31-2008, 17:41
Hmm,
It seems like some would rather save a few ounces and not bring camp shoes and just hike in running shoes with no second pair.
A few ounces are not my reason for not carrying camp shoes, but I'll take the savings. :)
waldees were crocs before there were crocs - and they are lighter and cheaper
I'm pretty sure that that is 3.4 ounces per clog, and probably not a men's size 10, but they're still likely a little lighter that comparably sized Crocs.
I emailed cust svc about this and they came back and said it was per pair.
droptopbenz
02-22-2009, 16:52
i got a pair of vibram five fingers kso! they rock and i can hike in them in a pinch!
DavidNH said:
"It seems like some would rather save a few ounces and not bring camp shoes and just hike in running shoes with no second pair.
Wait till you get up to the 100 mile wilderness or other places where there are streams to ford. Because you just had to save 6-10 oz on foot ware, you now have only one pair of shoes (probably running shoes) to hike with because you don't have the crocs or sandles to change into for the stream crossing.
So now you go across..your feet and shoes get soaked. In my experience hiking with wet feet leads to blisters! I'd rather have more weight than blisters."
Much faster is to just walk through the stream wearing your one and only pair of footwear, lightweight non-waterproof trail runners, shoes that dry fast, that you can literally walk dry. Lots of stream crossings in the Sierras on the PCT, very common for PCT thru-hikers to do just that, walk through them without changing shoes on either side.
I did change a couple of times last year, not because I have alternative footwear (I don't) but to try out neoprene socks. Made it less painfully cold, but ultimately more of a PITA to change back and forth so I stopped doing that.
Each to their own, but while I agree that hiking with wet feet leads to blisters over the long term, I don't agree that walking through streams and then walking your shoes dry will necessarily lead to blisters. Anyway, by the time a NOBO thru-hiker gets to the 100 mile wilderness, I would expect their feet to be so tough that blisters of that sort would be pretty rare.
Perhaps the dynamics seem different to someone doing a shorter trip. If you're really concerned, an alternative is goretex socks to put on *after* crossing the stream (in your shoes) to keep your feet dry while walking the shoes dry. Not too much of a weight hit doing that.
SunnyWalker
02-22-2009, 21:44
One thing about it is in my experience flip flops are useless cuz my feet slip off and out of them so easily. I can't imagine trying to cross a stream in them. Crocs I could see how they hang on, but how good is the tread on a pair of Crocs?
middle to middle
04-04-2009, 21:08
If you walk in bare feet for a while they toughen up and will be ok.
HeartWalker
04-05-2009, 07:36
Try these http://longunderwearsales.com/product_info.php?products_id=218
I made a pair of camp shoes similar to the ones quoted in BPL out of evazote foam and duct tape (but mine cover the toes). I like to have a pair of camp shoes and have carried the croc's before but didn't like the weight or bulk.
The diy ones work well for me, but I doubt they would hold up on a long thru hike.
Right at 1 oz for the pair.
bpenpusher
04-28-2010, 02:41
I want to try hiking using a pair of crocs, chacos has been a nice companion for me along with a pair of Tevas sandals...i've heard a lot of negative reviews about the crocs when used in hiking so a pair of tevas and/or chacos will do...
HeartWalker
04-28-2010, 11:06
Be careful as I just broke my ankle wearing my crocus to get water at the shelter
I use these...
http://www.sprintaquatics.com/prodinfo.asp?number=901
Ugly, but they're super light, great for crossing streams, and let my feet dry out while providing protection to my soles in camp.
kayak karl
04-28-2010, 11:35
Dollar store flip-flops.
yep, add a string at the ankle end and they won't fall off and float up.
bad example
http://www.refinery29.com/img/diy-gladiator-sandals-tashkent-2.jpg
but you get the idea.
or
http://www.invisibleshoe.com/images/toeoffangle2.png
:D:D:D
[QUOTE=kayak karl;1005817]yep, add a string at the ankle end and they won't fall off and float up.
bad example
http://www.refinery29.com/img/diy-gladiator-sandals-tashkent-2.jpg
but you get the idea.
Hooch has pretty feet.:D
How about these?
http://www.creationnepal.com/details.php?image_id=809
I am with the no camp shoes group. They're not really needed on a long distance hike when you are just setting up your tent and going to sleep, then waking up and hiking immediately.
I do think Crocs are nice for trails with a lot of creek crossings. But not for the PCT/JMT where the whole trail is basically a creek of melting snow. It's not practical to change your shoes.
I'm going to bring some Crocs next weekend on a hiking trip where I have to cross the creek over and over. Once we get to the part of the trail where you're just crossing the creek every few minutes, my Crocs will be my hiking shoes and my trail shoes will be my camp shoes.
think about neoprene crock liners from the underwear guys... under three ounces. i just wear them when my trail runners are wet -- or when making a midnight bathroom run -- then they're perfect since they keep your socks dry when the ground is wet. no real foot protection, but fine just in camp.
longhiker
05-05-2010, 18:40
Not really shoes but really a really lightweight waterproof option are Tyvek booties.. you can buy them for a couple of $ from usplastics.com
I use them over my socks to get out of my tent at night when nature calls.. also useful for ankle-height streamcrossings if you don't want to take your boots off..
Be careful as I just broke my ankle wearing my crocus to get water at the shelter
The crocus is a very fragile flower. I would not recommend walking in (nor on) them. ;)