Hiking/Camp Shoe?

Could be onto something here...

The zipper adds weight.

A close look will show it has five zippers!

If someone could somehow make a shoe that would combine both the hiking shoe/boot and the camp shoe into one pair, without the threat of blisters and one that would give adequate support for a week of backpacking, I would be impressed!

I think this raises one of the big dilemmas in backpacking gear...is it justified to carry camp shoes, and if so, which ones?

Chacos are way too heavy, Crocs are too floppy and bulky, water shoes are hard to get on and off as well as not very supportive (or they're too heavy), and running shoes are too heavy, bulky, and a bit of an overkill in my opinion.

The new ultralight zero drop shoes seem to be a good compromise and are everywhere it seems. Brands like Altra, Saucony, Inov-8, New Balance, Vibram, etc have all viable options.

Personally, I've tried the Altra Adam, Vibram 5-Finger and the Saucony Hattori shoes. They are super light and offer decent foot protection, are incredibly packable, and seem to be a superb compromise on whether or not to bring camp shoes.

Where they've been a necessity for me have been on desert trips, particularly in areas where I was frequently crossing streams. Most recently in Escalante NP, I did a 80 mile trek in and around the Escalante River. Some of the time was hiking down the river which necessitated me hiking in the river. Often I would be in, then out. This meant that 'camp shoes' needed to be a bit more substantial and secure.

I used the Altra Adam (at the time their lightest weight shoe) and wasn't that impressed for a river/camp shoe. They were really hard to get on my feet, weren't very supportive, gave me a few bad blisters, and took a long time to dry (though not as long as my other footwear would have taken). What I felt I needed was more of a sandal.

On other trips I've used the Vibrams and Saucony with limited success. They are simply too hard to put on, offer no comfort advantages to my hiking footwear, and because of these shortcomings, inevitably weren't used as the trip progressed. There is nothing more frustrating than hawling gear that I no longer want to use.

I eventually came upon the Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals. Although zero drop, they offered much better foot protection, a better fit (i.e. tighter fit) than other Keen sandals I've owned (were very comfortable...no blisters), much easier to get on and off than the Altras, Vibrams and Sauconys, and I found I could even hike in them! They weigh slightly more than the above mentioned shoes but the comfort level and usage was a night and day difference! They weigh significantly less than Chacos, Tevas, or other Keen sandals.

I consider the Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals as the best camp shoe I've ever used. They are light, very packable, comfortable, durable, easy on and off, dry quickly, and worth the extra weight especially if stream crossings are necessary. I actually look forward to getting to camp so I can put them on! Highly Recommended!

I've given up on camp and stream fording shoes. I just splash through creeks in my trail runners and walk them dry. As a luxury, I have down booties with the (pretty much) waterproof overbooties from Goose Feet. Too insubstantial for trips to the water source or evening walks to see the sunset, but fine for sitting in camp or trips out of the tent during the night.

As with everything to do with feet, it's a very individual matter--as are feet!

Bill, are you sure those gizmos weren't released on April 1?

Great to see you back, Jason!

Completely hilarious. It's like a layer-cake/shoe, only with the thong not worn by a dancing girl.

Last year I packed Ahnu water shoes that are nice and light as such things go, protect my toes in camp and let me swim and fish the shoreline. Clip them to my pack for water crossings and stream navigation.

Cheers,

“I eventually came upon the Keen Clearwater CNX Sandals. .. (were very comfortable...no blisters), much easier to get on and off than the Altras, Vibrams and Sauconys, and I found I could even hike in them!...”

Welcome to the sandal backpacking arena. Now just ditch the shoes.
However, I have found more joy in open-toe sandals than closed toe. This way gunk doesn’t collect up in the toes requiring constant emptying. Just buy the sandal 3/8” bigger so the sandal gets ‘stubbed’ instead of your toe (in case you’re a foot dragger when hiking).

“If someone could somehow make a shoe that would combine both the hiking shoe/boot and the camp shoe into one pair, without the threat of blisters and one that would give adequate support for a week of backpacking, I would be impressed!”
Yep that’s the question I lived with--- eventually dumping my boot for a Teva sandal and became freed.

May everyone find their foot zen,
-Barry
-The mountains were made for Tevas