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#92326 - 03/10/08 06:30 PM wet feet and trail runners
Heber Offline
member

Registered: 12/31/07
Posts: 245
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
I really like running shoes instead of boots for hiking. The problem is rain (and occasional stream crossings). I'm wondering if anyone has any better strategies then the bread bag trick I used as a boy scout. In particular I was wondering if these sealskinz socks are worth it.

Now there is another school of thought that just says bring lots of socks and let them get wet and change at night when you stop hiking. I guess blisters would be the concern here (and possibly cold).

Anyway I'd be interested to hear other people's experience and advice.

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#92327 - 03/10/08 09:32 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
My feet are almost constantly wet from sweat, mud, stream crossings, rain, etc.

I wear a single pair of nylon socks inside my running shoes.

It just doesn't seem to be a problem.

My feet are dry at night. In the morning I put on wet socks and start over.

In colder weather I add neoprene socks.

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#92328 - 03/11/08 08:14 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
“The problem is rain (and occasional stream crossings)…”
“Anyway I'd be interested to hear other people's experience and advice.”

Last June, I hiked for 3 days in flooded Oklahoma country. It was muddy and rainy and I had to forge ~13 stream crossings. I was one of the few that did not get blisters or prune foot (which caused extreme pain). In fact, the only non-prune-foot people were the ones that hiked in sandals. People with shoes or boots couldn’t change their socks every hour because they would be out of socks. And their trail-runners/sneakers/boots never dried out the whole time! It was just too wet. But my sandaled feet just kept drying out.

My teva Terra-fi2 sandals would dry out after a couple of minutes going through a stream. In fact, I couldn’t wait for the stream since I also slugged through mud, and the streams/rivers provided instant cleaning w/o scrubbing. My coolmax socks would take about 30 minutes to dry but they would be come wet again. I went through a lot of wet/dry cycles.

Above 45F I just let my socks be wet. From 30-45F, I use seal skinz. I don’t like to use those for long as my feet start sweating. So I will take them off and on depending on trail conditions.

Below 30F, I don my down booties. And I hike in snow with them. I thought I was the only sandal-snow hiker until I saw Hooty’s pictures. However, he has closed toe sandals and I have open toe.

At stream crossings, I take off my socks and wade the stream with my sandals, no matter how cold. (there’s more to this)

This may sound counter intuitive, but in summer humid rainy months, I think it’s best to keep the feet as exposed as possible. This will minimize prune foot (which invites cracked skin).

-Barry

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#92329 - 03/11/08 11:07 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: DJ2]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
My feet are almost constantly wet from sweat, mud, stream crossings, rain, etc.

I wear a single pair of nylon socks inside my running shoes.

It just doesn't seem to be a problem.

My feet are dry at night. In the morning I put on wet socks and start over.

In colder weather I add neoprene socks.


This exactly describes my take on the world, substitute wool for the neoprene.

If you really can't stand wet feet, try wearing boots, but really, the point of a trail runner or sandal
is to let your feet get wet, then dry out quick, imo.
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#92330 - 03/11/08 03:34 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
MattnID Offline
member

Registered: 06/02/07
Posts: 317
Loc: Idaho
Well, I would have to say when crossing a stream that can't be hopped, take off the shoes and socks and ford the thing barefoot. I wear boots and I still take 'em off so they won't be wet after I cross. I usually cross rivers in an old pair of running shoes tied to the outside of my pack. If you have to, cross in socks and then change them on the otherside into a dry pair and then put the wet pair somewhere on the outside of your pack somewhere where they can dry.

If you run into rain and you can afford to, stop every once in a while or when the rain stops and let your feet air out and change wet socks with dry ones. This'll help prevent blisters and hot spots so I've come to find throughout my rucksacking days. I always have 4 or 5 pairs of socks rolled nice and tight somewhere where they can't get wet very easily because as far as I'm concerned, my feet are probably one of the most important, if not the most important thing I've got when out there so it's best to take care of them as best you can.

I like the Teva thing too. I've yet to buy a pair but want some. I've got to see how they handle though. They kind of just look like they'd let my feet slip around a little too much for my liking, but we'll see I suppose.
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In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.-Aristotle

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#92331 - 03/11/08 04:29 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: phat]
JAK Offline
member

Registered: 03/19/04
Posts: 2569
I have seen some fairly lightweight non-water-absorbing trail runners and wondered how they might work and whether there might be any drawbacks. I have also looked at some trail running sandals but am thinking that sticks could be an issue even if I wore socks. I've had same nasty jabs from time to time. Don't need alot of side impact protection but some is good. So how about those non-water absorbing trail runners plus socks? Any good? I wish they were lighter, but I can't really complain about that until I lose more weight.

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#92332 - 03/11/08 05:28 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: BarryP]
hootyhoo Offline
member

Registered: 12/14/06
Posts: 686
Loc: Cyberspace
I am working on it -as soon as I get a chance I am going to look a t some open toe models. Don't leave me out just yet.

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#92333 - 03/12/08 07:10 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: hootyhoo]
BarryP Offline
member

Registered: 03/04/04
Posts: 1574
Loc: Eastern Idaho
“am going to look a t some open toe models.”

This is just my point of view, but may I suggest getting it 3/8” to 1/2" bigger? This has saved me from stubbed toes even while bushwhacking. It also gives some room for extra sock layers if needed.

I am partial to the Tevas (though not all models fit) because of their wide foot base (though my foot is narrow), and very good lateral support. This has saved me from twisted ankles. With Tevas, I cannot walk on their sides. This is a good test to predict future/possible ankle twists with footwear. This is a test I perform in the store and it might look funny.

And to JAK’s point below “I have also looked at some trail running sandals but am thinking that sticks could be an issue even if I wore socks. I've had same nasty jabs from time to time.”

I haven’t had any nasty jabs (knock on wood). A coolmax sock is a great help. Initially I wore a Teva Huricane II for a few years backpacking. I always bought them for $20. I would get stuff between foot and sandal. About once/hour I would stick my finger down between sandal and foot and flick out the twig or rock. I got this down to a science of doing it in stride while using trekking poles. In fact, I just thought this was just part of sandal territory. But with all the other blessings sandals brought (being very healthy for the feet), I just lived with this annoyance; and then I discovered the tera-fi2 ($50! I’m moving up in the world!). That sandal usually didn’t pick up twigs or rocks. I think it’s because of the side ridge height. About once/day I would still do a quick flick. But this is also common with my boot buddies because eventually, they get a pebble down their boot. But I’m able to recover faster <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And to Matt’s point “They kind of just look like they'd let my feet slip around a little too much for my liking”. I wear tennis shoes (cross-trainer Nike’s) for tennis, handball, and basketball. But after trying those sports in tera-fi2’s, that is my preferred sport foot-wear because I have much better lateral hold.

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

-Barry

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#92334 - 03/12/08 12:59 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
BrianLe Offline
member

Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Washington State, King County
I have sealskinz and like them in the right context, but I only carry them if I think the temps could be on the low side.

For summer stream crossing I typically take out my shoe inserts (one less thing to dry) and cross with just very thin socks or perhaps better no socks and the shoes without the inserts. I'm not a fan of crossing barefoot --- I'm a tenderfoot, and taking extra care with my feet (sometimes when I can't see the stream bottom) is one more thing to worry about, something that could (negatively) change how I might react to being tipped a little off balance, etc.

After crossing, what works for me is to squeeze as much water as I reasonably can out of the shoes (non-goretex shoes of course), put in the inserts, dry my feet, put on a liner sock and then put on a goretex sock over that. This lets me have dry feet right away while my shoes dry out as I walk. At some point the shoes are dry enough to remove the goretex sock. I don't carry goretex socks primarily for that, however --- only if I think there's reasonable chance of extended rain or snow, but if I have them, I like to use 'em that way.

This approach works well when stream crossings are infrequent. If crossing stream-after-stream, then I wouldn't bother with the goretex, and perhaps sealskins or some sort of thin neoprene sock would be a good choice.

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#92335 - 03/12/08 02:39 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
Post like this make me realize how lucky I am. I have only had a couple of blisters in 40+ years of hiking.

Friction and not wet feet cause blisters. Yes, wet feet are softer and moisture increases the friction, BUT your shoes do not fit correctly if you get blisters. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

It is likely that you have an undiagnosed shoe fit problem if you get blisters when your feet are wet.

You have gotten a lot of good advice.

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#92336 - 03/13/08 05:15 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: ringtail]
tchiker Offline
member

Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 162
Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
I am doing a hike next month with a local group and it involves 19 water crossings. I don't know if I should just hike with wet feet/boots the whole time or what to do. I have some Teva water shoes that I've never used, but they don't seem like they'd be good to hike in the rest of the time away from the water.

And it seems like a big operation to change between those and my boots 19 times, but maybe this is what I'll have to do...very confusing. :-/

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#92337 - 03/13/08 08:13 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: tchiker]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
I tend to avoid changing shoes, but it depends on you. In not-totally freezing weather, I don't personally mind much hiking in wet feet. You may be different. I know some people who religiously change every crossing.

The other alternative, is not to change, but wear something lighter that will dry quickly,
such as a trail runner, or even a high tech sandal.

I personally don't have much problem just wading through in my boots and keeping going.. Of course, I've been on some wet ones - here I am below on the trail. and note. that's actually a trail, not a stream crossing....... At least, there usually isn't a stream going down that trail...
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#92338 - 03/15/08 03:14 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
apestate Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/15/08
Posts: 5
I wish they made a lightweight super fiber waders, like kevlar or something.

These look like a good idea for crossing streams and wading through wet vegetation.

http://wiggys.com/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=5

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#92339 - 03/15/08 04:01 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: apestate]
Heber Offline
member

Registered: 12/31/07
Posts: 245
Loc: St. Louis, Missouri
Now that is a cool idea! I went on a trip once where we crossed the Gila river nearly 200 times in 50 miles. Looks ideal for that kind of thing. It's probably overkill for situations where you are more worried about rain. But still it's cool. I love seeing new gear ideas that are well designed for certain kinds of problems.

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#92340 - 03/15/08 04:19 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: Heber]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

I'd only be worried about durability for that many river crossings... since theyre designed to go over a boot the first sharp thing kills 'em.

OTOH, I'd love to have a set for fishing, with stocking feet on them - put boots over top of them so you don't trash 'em.
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#92341 - 03/15/08 04:50 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: phat]
lars Offline
member

Registered: 01/31/03
Posts: 152
Loc: Bay Area
Wow, I hope you were hiking with the current.

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#92342 - 03/15/08 05:32 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: lars]
tchiker Offline
member

Registered: 08/28/06
Posts: 162
Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA
Well one of these trips coming up is a backpacking trip, so if I get my shoes wet, I guess they'll be wet the next morning when I put them on, which will be no fun. I suppose I'll survive either way. I'll just be sure to bring an extra pair of dry socks and maybe that will mitigate the discomfort.

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#92343 - 03/15/08 09:58 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: lars]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Nah - look at my "bow wave" - it was flowing against the direction I was walking.

Basically there had been so much rain a lake that normally has a hidden outflow had jumped it's banks. Camped in between outflow overflows by the lake and had moose walking through my camp looking for dryness it was so wet out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
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Any fool can be uncomfortable...
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#92344 - 03/15/08 10:02 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: tchiker]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
Well one of these trips coming up is a backpacking trip, so if I get my shoes wet, I guess they'll be wet the next morning when I put them on, which will be no fun. I suppose I'll survive either way. I'll just be sure to bring an extra pair of dry socks and maybe that will mitigate the discomfort.


I do this all the time. I have hiking set, and sleeping set. Hiking set comes off when camped,
sleeping set is kept dry and removed in the morning when I put the hiking set back on to get in the (possibly wet) footwear. I pretty much only ever carry two sets of socks in non-winter weather.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


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#92345 - 03/15/08 11:14 PM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: phat]
JAK Offline
member

Registered: 03/19/04
Posts: 2569
I wore neoprene booties and sneakers for two and a half days of rain when I did the Fundy Footpath one year with snow still in the woods, May 1-4. I brought the booties and sneakers for river crossings but ended up hiking in them. It was cold enough it didn't seem to bother my feet. I had very dry boots and socks for the final days hike which was sunny. Wouldn't recommend such a setup but it worked. I would recommend people considering bringing a pair of neoprene booties or socks in wet winter / early spring.

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#92346 - 03/16/08 05:39 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: tchiker]
Paddy_Crow Offline
member

Registered: 11/08/04
Posts: 2285
Loc: Michigan
One thing that helps dry out your shoes overnight is to hang them upside down on a stick poked into the ground.

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#92347 - 03/16/08 08:43 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: phat]
Mattress Offline
member

Registered: 05/14/07
Posts: 109
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
I had a similar experience in Carmanah, except the flooding happened overnight. We pitched our tent on a pebble beach next to the river, and woke up the next morning on a pebble island in the middle of the river. Flash floods are fun! I guess they aren't called 'rain forests' for nothing.
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#92348 - 03/16/08 08:52 AM Re: wet feet and trail runners [Re: JAK]
DJ2 Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 1348
Loc: Seattle, WA
"So how about those non-water absorbing trail runners plus socks?"

I look for running shoes that are 100% human made materials (no leather) with removable inserts.

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