I'm new to these forums (not to backpacking) so please bear with me.

I've been backpacking with my father for about six years now, usually 2-4 day trips up into the Wind River range in south western Wyoming.

In all cases, I've had the problem of crap getting down into my boots, pebbles, grains, pine needles, etc. In this last trip (about a week ago) I had to take my shoes off and clean them out at least three times on the most recent hike out (about 6 miles, descending ~2000 feet).

I use Keen Targhees at about a mid cut, but I'm even considering buying some higher cut boots (almost like the ones enlisted military men use). Just to prevent a wandering pine needle from calling my wool sock home.

Any recommendations? Has anyone tried combat style boots for hiking before?

One answer--low gaiters.

I'll second the gaiter recommendation. I have been using gaiters of one type or another for over 50 years. I never have trouble with stuff getting into my shoes (or boots).

If you wear boots, you can make simple trash-stopper gaiters from a pair of worn out socks. Just cut the foot part off of the sock and run a zig-zag stitch around the cut edge. You now have gaiters.

To use, just slip the elastic tube over your foot and then put on your boot. Roll the elastic down to cover the boot/ankle junction and you are set to walk.

There are many types of gaiters available for purchase; check REI or your local store. If you prefer running shoes to boots, get a pair of Dirty Girl gaiters from http://www.dirtygirlgaiters.com/ and use them. I wore DG gaiters on a recent through hike of the JMT and never had stuff get into my trail runners.

Cool, well we have a pair of gaiters, but they're mostly made for snow boots I think. They're a real heavy black canvas type material, they almost go up to my knees. I'm really hesitant replacing my Keens though, being so broken in and all. So this sounds good to me!

Yes, I've tried military combat boots - the full leather, high top kind. They were the ones I'd had in the Air Force, and I used them for backpacking because I already had them, and it broke the bank to get packs, sleeping bags, and a tarp when my son started backpacking with the Scouts and talked me into going along as the extra adult/driver.

They worked. So did our cheap packs and sleeping bags. But I was very glad when they wore out, and I was "forced" to buy a pair of Vasque Sundowner boots. I'd never go back to military-style boots, at least not like the ones I had.

I second the use of low gaiters.

Gaiters. Short ones. You have two choices, a light uncoated packcloth fabric or a stretchy woven fabric:

http://www.rei.com/product/778004
http://www.rei.com/product/778001

I have used both kinds. Either of these will do what you need.

Here are some low gaiters; these are probably the lightest. The ones that REI carries are more than twice as heavy. The first two are for keeping out dirt and gravel. The second two are also waterproof. Any of these can also be used to keep ticks from crawling up your legs under your pants. The eVENT gaiters are obviously more expensive.

Dirty Girl Gaiters

Simblissity Leva gaiters

Integral Designs Shortie gaiters

Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT shortie gaiters I have these and they work fine for me without the strap under my foot except in squishy mud.

I have Dirty Girl gaiters for trail runners and also some Equinox low gaiters (similar to the REI Desert gaiters) that breath well and keep the crud out of anything from low to full height boots.

The full length gaiters are great in heavy brush and poison oak but total overkill for trails and open terrain.

Trail/snow/bug report please! Headed that way in a month.

I'm heading for the Winds about August 1, too! If you see a stout granny wearing a dorky Sunday Afternoons hat hiking along at the pace of one of our Oregon slugs and accompanied by the dog in my avatar, that's me!

I will have been in about three days by then, about time to work my way back. Not sure even where I'm a gonna go. Last minute surprise I guess. Time to get food bought, but I at least peeked at Nancy's book.:)

Other than rain a couple of days the weather was great. We weren't on a true "trail", mostly bushwhacking to get up to some high country lakes for some great fishing . The moisture kept a lot of the bugs down; though we did use a couple shots of Off on the warmer days.

i forget the name(will repost later) but i wear combat boots for hiking/work. love it, has vibratum sole, goretex liner, 50/50 leather/nylon, usmc approved(cant get better than that). but i also have 1000d courdra gaiters i made to supplement my boots/pants in thick country. so i would go with both, cant beat the combo.

I hike in a pair of Oakley S.I. Assault Boots. I love them. They are comfortable, almost like wearing a sneaker.

http://www.oakley.com/catalog/products/s-i-assault-boot-8-inch

Just got back from REI, picked up a pair of lightweight low cut gaiters. I think I'm gonna stick with those until my shoes wear out and have to buy a new pair of boots (which will probably be a high cut combat style boot).

TheseBoots Are made for walkin, And I know that its true. That one of these day Days These Boots Are Gonna Walk All Over You! Tammy Wynet!

Love my Teva's for fair weather hiking. My feet get dirty, but I don't mind. I bring along a pair or two of socks for when I go to sleep. Or, if its a bit chillier out there, I wear my Columbia boots. I got them on sale, and they are performing well. Had them for about 2 or 3 years, well broken in, yet not so much wear and tear considering the amount of use they have had, including rock climbing.

Gaiters are fine, but long pants with a mid-cut boot work equally as well for me, and more comfortably. A nice tight nylon weave pant leg even sheds water for the few seconds most of my stream crossings last.

Cabela Kangaroo boots might be another option for the footwear solution. Very lightweight. Said to be lighter and stronger than cow. 8" and 10" options (used to be anyway).

I just received a pair of REI desert Gaiters. Height is just above the ankle, weight is 2.4 oz.

I tried the cut off tube socks, but they wouldn't stay put.

I just got back from a five day backpacking trip in Wind Rivers (just next to Titcomb Basin if anyone is interested). We only had time to summit one peak, but the gaiters I purchased earlier were sufficient to keep whatever snow out that might have fallen into my shoes going through some snow fields. I think next time I'll get some higher cut ones rather than the low cut desert style that I had before.