Alternate Footwear

“I am starting to think about alternate footwear for three purposes:

1. Wear around camp
2. River crossings
3. Emergency backup to boots

What are the various approaches people use to address these needs?

I did read the old thread on Teva sandals. There didn't seem to be a consensus, although I must say I am surprised to hear that people do actually backpack in sandals.”

“Sandles are cool. I can't hike in them because they rub my little toes and I blister. For the things you want they'd be perfect. I'd say if you aren't going to actually hike in them go for a pair of K Mart cheapies cause they will weigh less and cost less.”

“Teva all the way!”

“I carry a pair of "Aqua Socks". They are 1.5 lbs for the pair, you can swim in them and they are very comfortable around camp in the summer. Just remember to get the ones that have an real sole. Kmart or something should have them for about 5 bucks or so. Winter, I have a pair of insulated REI swade slippers.”

“If your trying to stay ultralight but still carry sandals Tevas are a little heavier than a few other brands. However, their soles and straps are the most heavy duty and comfortable. I have a pair of ultralight Nike distant sandals that carried over me about 90 miles in Mt's Bob Marshall after my boots blew out. They are much more compressible and lighter than Tevas. Flip-flops may also be something to consider. Like aqua shoes flip-flops are cheap, light, comfortable around camp, and good for water crossings but suck if you have boot problems.”

“Wouldnt sandals make you sleep if you were crossing a river, I mean wouldn't the water pull em of your feet?”

“No, not really. If they are a good quality sandal, they shouldnt slip any more than a boot. Try looking at a pair of "Chaco" sandals with a vibram sole. They also do one in a Sticky sole as well.
It's very invigorating walking in sandals. A couple of things though, just remember to whack some sunscreen on your feet!”

“I use sandals or light running shoes. Running shoe can weigh less than some of the sandals. I have never backpacked in sandals but have hiked miles in them with a day pack. One of my fav hot springs is a 2 mile plus hike one way with about five river crossings. I just ware the sandals.”

“Yup, retired running shoes are what I carry. It's like recycling, right? :)”

“There's nothing quite like airing-out the toesies in sandals after several sweaty miles in the boots. and no one will care iff'n you have socks and sandals. (dorkie, but Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)”

“There were several trips when I took Dearfoam fluffy slippers I got for Christmas to wear around the campfire.

They were very light and packable, but not good for creek crossings!”

“old PE shoes work for me”

“I have been taking something like this water sock . The benefits are that it's light, doesn't slip off in water, has a 'grippy' sole, and dries fairly quickly. Drawbacks are that it doesn't let your foot breathe as much and the sole has more flex than Tevas (for sharp rocks).”

“i take a pair of sandals with me that have a strap aroung my heel and across my foot with another strap connecting them. they do add a little weight but i only bring em in the summer. i don't like wearing my boots all night after i've been hiking all day. in the winter it sucks not having them but i put my fleece pants over my feet when im sittin and have to put my boots on when i get up.”

“From backpacking.net ...

"Camp Shoes
Although camp shoes are considered a luxury item for neurotic minimalists, they have multiple uses, most notably, a haven of rest for weary feet. If you carry them -- and I sometimes do -- look for lightweight water shoes, rather than lugging along your much heavier tennies or running shoes. I used to carry a pair of Speedo Surfwalkers which are several ounces lighter than the Nike Aqua Socks.
Another solution, if you want something just for shuffling around camp, get a cheap pair of cloth night slippers from one of the local chain department stores. The slippers are practically weightless, and if you're lucky, they may even last an entire season.

NOTE: If I'm on a venture which includes river crossings or swimming in shallow lakes, I'll still carry my Speedo Surfwalkers."”

“Teva's - the "Pretty Woman" is lighter than the ones I had before. Great for stream crossings, and especially after hiking all day on multi-day trips. They were great on the JMT.”

“I went in to REI this past weekend intending to spend perhaps $60 on a new pair of Merrell or Teva sandals (early Father's Day shopping). I liked both but then remembered someone had raved about Chacos, so I tried a pair of them on....SOLD! Very comfortable and supportive.

They were $15 more than the Tevas or Merrells but they are resoleable (3 different soles to choose from including Vibram) and there's no Velcro to wear out. The guy working in the shoe department had a pair on and said he's worn them almost every day for 3 years and his looked to have a lot of life left in them.”

“I love 'em too, Kleetn. A little heavy for backpacking but I always seem to lug them along anyway.”