Running shoe help

Posted by: hootyhoo

Running shoe help - 01/14/08 04:03 PM

I have been wearing Montrail Hardrocks for a year. I wore my Asolo 520's once about a month ago for a 20 mile weekend. I wore the Asolo's again this past weekend. I wore the boots the first time because I forgot how hard it wasto hike in them and wanted to remind myself. The second time was after a really wet trip in cold temps wearing the Montrails. My feet were wet for 3 days of cold. I am planning a 14 day trip and really want to wear running shoes. I am not too keen on goretex. My experience is that the shoes do not dry out as fast after a wetting. So I would like to stick with the Montrails if possible. This trip will be during a month that is typically a rainy month - end of March in Southeast.

So I am looking for suggestions that will help me to succeed in completing my 14 days in style and comfort. How can I keep my feet dry on rainy days?
Posted by: bryanonfilm

Re: Running shoe help - 01/14/08 04:24 PM

My buddy had the same problem and amazingly his favorite hiking shoes were his pumas. To waterproof from the rain, we used a generous helping of ripped up trash bags and duct tape over his shoes, and his feet kept dry and the trash bags didn't keep the sweat in. It's pretty ghetto, but whatever get's the job done, right?

Oh, and we called his shoes the Air Johnson's (his last name is Johnson).
Posted by: Trailrunner

Re: Running shoe help - 01/14/08 06:12 PM

I think there are two schools of thought on this situation: (1)You can take heroic measures to keep your feet dry although you'll probably fail or (2)You can go with the flow, literally in this case, and just let your feet get wet.

Unless it's really cold and/or I'm travelling in snow I prefer the second option. When I did the JMT in an extra wet year ('96) I had to cross many streams every day for the first 180 miles or so. My feet were constantly wet. No sooner did they begin to dry out than it was time to cross a stream again. Taking them off was too time consuming for me. I used synthetic shoes with thin nylon socks. I controlled blisters with lots of waterproof tape. Although wet, my feet were seldom cold and I was reasonably comfortable.

Next time I may try thin neoprene socks. They're designed to get wet.
Posted by: leadfoot

Re: Running shoe help - 01/15/08 02:50 AM

style???? on the trail????? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

(song breaks in the background ..."I'm too sexy for my shirt...")
Posted by: layla17

Re: Running shoe help - 01/15/08 05:59 AM

I've heard of the using ripped up trash bags. Another helpful tip is to try to chart out your trip before hand so you know where most of the wet spots are and possibly try changing your socks after the wet stretch. Just a thought.
Posted by: finallyME

Re: Running shoe help - 01/15/08 06:38 AM

Phat made a post on this forum about wide trail runners. BarryP suggested sandals. Go back and read Barry's comments, it might solve your question....maybe. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: JAK

Re: Running shoe help - 01/15/08 06:59 AM

I look for sneakers that are at least not so heavy when wet. Like most, I just trudge on through once my socks and sneakers are already wet. Something that works sometimes is to take you shoes and socks off and walk barefoot for a mile or two now and then, in the dry sections I mean, not the mud. Doesn't really give your shoes and socks time to dry, but it does give your feet a change. Spruce and pine needles and gum are particularly soothing, I think. Always helps to have a light pack, and gut.
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Running shoe help - 01/15/08 08:13 AM

“Go back and read Barry's comments, it might solve your question”

Yep, sandals solved all my foot problems <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />. But this seems to be such a radical idea to hikers (wearing sandals) that I’ll only bring it up if they’re willing to try thinking out of the box. People want to know how to solve their hiking boot or hiking shoe problem. So I think “Oh. They just want to stay with their boot or shoe” so I don’t answer. But when they’re interested in solving their ‘foot’ problem, I’ll put out my ideas because I’ve seen major success.


I like how I can wear one thin sock or 3 thick socks and my feet still won’t get compressed or slip around. And because the back strap is adjustable, I can plant my arch right in the perfect spot of the sandal. And I love the squishiness in the heel.

For cold rainy 30-40F weather (which you might encounter), I wear a wicking wool sock with a Sealskinz over that. I do need to change the inner sock more often in this configuration to keep my feet dry from sweat. Above 50F, I just let my socks and sandals get wet. My constant movement keeps the feet warm.

And because of my nice fitting Teva Terra Fi2 I can now enjoy the following:
1. no need to wear blister treatment.
2. no need to carry blister treatment.
3. no hammer toes
4. lighter footwear gave me way more energy. I noticed that right off the bat.
5. wiggle room for the toes (that’s heaven to me in the backcountry)
6. harder to roll an ankle (vs a trail runner)
7. excellent traction on wet rock.
8. Maybe once/day I have to get the twig out between foot and sandal (it used to be every hour; but not this design).
9. Instant slipper for camp. Just loosen the straps; no extra weight needed.
10. Shoe smell is gone.
11. Don’t have to stop and change socks or take off boot
12. They’re cheaper than the boots and shoes I bought
13. Excellent tread AND arch life. I’m getting 500-1100 miles per Teva. It depends on the terrain.
14. Can expand or contract with different socks without squishing the foot.



May everyone find their foot zen <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

-Barry
Posted by: Brumfield

Re: Running shoe help - 02/08/08 01:09 PM

BarryP wrote [q:uote]
5. wiggle room for the toes (that’s heaven to me in the backcountry)

Hey barryp, down here the snakes and scorpions call those wiggling toes a moving, but justifiable, target... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Brum
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Running shoe help - 02/08/08 01:33 PM

“Hey barryp, down here the snakes and scorpions call those wiggling toes a moving, but justifiable, target... Brum”

It looks like snakes are everywhere. I see them a lot (relatively speaking) during 3 season. But I’ve never had a physical encounter with a snake. My hiking buddies have, but then again, they wear boots <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

I have not had the fortune of seeing a live scorpion. When I camp in the deserts of UT, I check my sandal before putting it on just in case a scorpion wanted to climb on top of it and sleep. Oh well. None sighted yet <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Only my booted companions have claimed encounters of scorpions, when they shake out their celebrated footwear <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />!

-Barry
Posted by: finallyME

Re: Running shoe help - 02/08/08 02:14 PM

I haven't seen scorpions in the Utah desert either, but I have been in the desert here long. Now, when I was in San Antonio, I saw them ALL THE TIME. Most of them were in the in-laws house. Pliers are very handy at grabbing scorpions (and wasps).

By the way Barry, I saw some Terra F1's at REI on sale for $25. I would have gotten them if my foot was a size 13.