Yes or no? If so whay type?
Yes or no? If so whay type?
I am not a big proponent of camp shoes but I am a proponent of shower shoes. I will use those shower shoes at camp, at the occasional water crossing, and in town.
I have used simple flip flops in the past but have recently purchased some Vivobarefoot Ultra Pures at about 7oz a pair.
Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.
I like having a pair of camp shoes so that I don't have to put boots on if nature calls in the middle of the night. But for me, even more importantly is having a pair of shoe to wear for the frequent water crossings I encounter given that my primary hiking is done all over GSMNP and not just the AT where you spend a lot of time on ridge lines (and therefore average fewer water crossings per mile that I do hiking GSMNP).
As for type, one of the smallest, yet still provided protection from rocks and toe jams in water crossings is something like the vivobarefoot ultra pure. However, they are pretty expensive at $60 per pair (note that there is also a vivobarefoot ultra for $85... that's the same shoe but also comes with some sort of sock). I've been able to find something similar at WalMart for about $10.
I used to use Croc knockoffs from WalMart... which are much lighter than original Crocs... but they are more bulky than the vivobarefoot and similar shoes.
[Edit]
The shoe I've found at WalMart looks a lot like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/MENS-BUMP-...ANDAL/29017544
But the ones I found last year were a little cheaper (I think) and were solid black, and a little lighter in weight than theses look to be.
Last edited by HooKooDooKu; 04-17-2014 at 09:36.
I only carry crocs when I get up to Maine for water river crossings.
There is a very recent thread on the same subject. Skechers flip flops for me. Pair: 6 oz, $15.
"Your comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."
Well, cheapest lightest pair of thongs. Don't really take them to use in "camp" but in the showers that are public showers along the trail. On the trail I just walk through the water with my shoes. They dry quickly.
"Something hidden. Go and find it. Go, and look behind the Ranges. Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you . . . Go!" (Rudyard Kipling)
From SunnyWalker, SOBO CDT hiker starting June 2014.
Please visit: SunnyWalker.Net
I tried thongs as camp shoes put the waist band and butt floss would not fit my feet. And the lacy parts wore out way too fast.
I switched to flip flops.
Since I started wearing trail runners for hiking, I've given up carrying camp shoes.
Vivo Barefoot - recommended here last year...were awesome on my SOBO. very light, comfy and won't come off in fast water.
http://www.kentuckyindianalymesupport.org/
VI ET ANIMO
I just loosen up the laces on my Merrell Moabs and, voila....camp shoes!
Camp shoes are great when I'm spending lots of time in camp, but that doesn't happen much on long backpacking trips. On those trips I'll bring shower flip flops. They fit into my shoes for dual purpose extra padding, which is nice when my feet are sore.
Yeah, I am trending towards changing from shower flip flogs to "Walmart Croc knock-offs" as one person suggested. They would hold up better and all. I believe the Walmart ones are lighter then the real Crocs (I have both).
"Something hidden. Go and find it. Go, and look behind the Ranges. Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you . . . Go!" (Rudyard Kipling)
From SunnyWalker, SOBO CDT hiker starting June 2014.
Please visit: SunnyWalker.Net
I used to just use flip-flops, but after jamming a couple of sticks between my toes, I switched to Croc-type shoes (purchased at Walmart).
Yah Shelb, more protection.
"Something hidden. Go and find it. Go, and look behind the Ranges. Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you . . . Go!" (Rudyard Kipling)
From SunnyWalker, SOBO CDT hiker starting June 2014.
Please visit: SunnyWalker.Net