What shoes do you wear around camp?

“I like to have a second pair of shoes or sandals with me on long hikes. Sometimes I bring a pair of walking shoes (a little heavy) or my sandals (not so heavy, but not as versatile as the walking shoes). Sometimes I don't bring a second pair to save the weight.

I noticed SARboy had some nice light rubber-like things like scuba divers wear. Those are great from stream crossings also I suppose.

Anyway, I am still deciding what to do on the Llama trip. I definitely need something to wear if my boots get wet again.

What do you do for lounging around camp, fishing, or just knocking around?”

“I take an old pair of sneakers, or my mocasin slippers.”

“Most of my BPing trips are in cold weather. It just ain't worth it to try to swap out warm boots for sandeles.
I've used those beach shoes with the mesh part on top in warmer weather but they kinda suck as far as comfort goes.”

“Last year I bought a cheap pair of teva-type sandals. The imitations were lighter (and cheaper) than the real things. They're fine for warmer weather, but I wouldn't want them if it was cool out”

“I use the tevas, cause they're good for when you have to do any stream crossings, but in camp, you take off your shoes (and your feet are relatively clean), put on those tevas, and your feet get FLITHY.
You either have to wear a pair of sox, which also get filthy, or wash your feet real well before bed.
I used to take along tennies, but the soles are too slick for some of the rock walking you sometimes find you have to do on granite around camp.
And other comfortable shoes are too heavy....
So, I've been waiting for a lighter weight version of those new Jungle Mocs..slip ons?

Cabelas new catalog just came out with this
Nike Air Moc: PM-81-1192 (no picture in the online catalog, though).
They weigh a little less that all the other new lug soled mocs, with a softer leather upper, and still retain good soles for traction.
I ordered a pair...
$65, but they will last a while, and I can also use them here around the house for outside chores early in the morning.
I used to have a pair of those things like SARboy has, but the inside sole was rubber, and either made the bottoms of your feet sweat, and slip and slide inside, or if you used them to cross creeks or mud, they didn't dry out inside a long as you kept them on.
They just felt Icky.”

“REEF flip-flops, dude.

totally lounge lizard wear.”

“Cold weather: down booties imperative. In between Tevas with wool sox. Summer: "beach socks" or something like that. I use the off-brand type. Sticky black rubber sole, nylon top. Lightest footweaR i KNOW OF.”

“Jesus sandals that I found in a dumpster 10 years ago.”

“In the past it was an old pair of running shoes. This summer I'm trying to decide between my Alps sandles and my Hi Tec water shoes which offer more protection for not much more weight - fairly quick drying and pretty good arch, a snug neoprene collar keeps junk from getting in.”

“climbing shoes. They're comfortable, light, eaily packed, and allow for a little recreational rock climbing.”

“Thanks! Several good ideas so far!”

“$5 slippers”

“Absolutely nothing. Nothing dries out the stinky wet feet like a little running around bare footed.”

“I don't take camp shoes,surprise surprise. I take baggies so if my tennis shoes are wet I can put on dry socks and then the bags and loosen up the shoes a bit. in cold weather I take my bedroom slippers to sleep in for warmth.”

“I usually take tevas for warm weather hikes, but I like the climbing shoes idea.

Mel, I have been thinking of the Nike mocs... could you please let us know how they do on the trail.”

“Snail....
Why Shure...

I've done the flip flops, the tennies, the water shoes, the tevas and wool for cold temps.
None of those really made me happy.
Flip flops don't work for steam crossings, and stickers go through the sole, and right into the bottom of your foot. Those shoes are great for sandy stuff, where you don't have a lot of trees and sharp rocks near your campsite.

I've got some REALLY nice heavy wool socks for the tevas, but on frosty mornings, or wet grass, the sock gets wet and muddy.
This system is what I've been using for the last couple of years, but the socks are almost too thick to use with the tevas. I can barely close the straps on the shoes.
They pop open when I walk around.

Down booties don't have enough tread, and they get wet.

What I use is also determined by where I do all my hiking...
steep, granite, sometimes snow (a little), hot springs (with mud trails)...
I'm just sick and tired of trying to keep my feet clean.

I won't go to bed with them dirty, and I hate to have to rewash my feet in the morning so I can put my boots back on.

These air mocs flatten out pretty well (no stiff uppers), have a draw cord at the heel to tighten them up, and I weigh about eight ounces each...1.2 pounds for the pair.
Unless you wear a size 13.”

“Kmart cheapies sandals and goretex socks if I pack them but normally I take off the outer woolies and just loosen the boot laces to relief the pressure.”

“$3 flip-flops from Wal-Mart. Love to take off my heavy boots and put on those things at camp.”

“No socks.”

“Down Booties.”

“Water shoes. They can be a little slippery on the rocks when crossing steams but they've done me well so far. As far as comfort, I find them very comfy after a day of hiking. Of course, food takes on a whole new flavor when I've been backpacking, too. Something about being in the woods that makes even some of the less perfect luxuries appear marvelous. :o)”

“Whatever happened to stilletto heeled hip waders, and cut-out-nipple-goretex bras?”

“There used to be a LNT tip to switch to soft bottom shoes when in camp so your lug boots don't tear up the campsite.

Some Forest Service research scientists decided to evaluate that suggestion to see if it had any merit.

Conclusion -- no difference. It's the amount of foot traffic that tears up plants and soil. Type of footwear makes no difference.

So wear whatever makes your feet happy and don't have a guilty conscience over it.”

“I like ballet slippers. Sometimes I take "toe shoes" if I want to go en-pointe around camp.
How do you get tree sap out of a tutu?”

“Bend over.....”

“Mel...I'm shocked....but OK.”

“I always take an extra pair of camp socks. As far as shoes go, I'm in between. For longer trips (over a week) my dogs get to barkin if I don't carry sneakers. If I'm tryin to shave weight, I'll bring my Alps, or my moccasins (sans camp socks then). If I'm really tryin to make some mileage, I forgoe camp stuff altogether. I'm only in camp long enough to throw out my bivy and munch on some venison jerky.”

“El cheapo, very lightweight sandals for warm weather and in water; down booties for very cold/snowy times make my feet happy in camp.”

“My tevas, and a pair of fleece socks if it gets chilly after sunset. My feet are super sweaty, and if I don't air them out my skin gets irritated.”

“Tevas or water shoes for warm weather. Jungle Slides when it's cold.”

“Chest waders.”

“I picked up a cheap pair of those water socks which I use unless its really cold. They are very light and compact.

Winters I stick with my insulated hiking boots.”

“I'm still looking for 'just the right thing'. I used to use sandals, until a foot slipped on a log while hanging food. I tore off my big toenail, with thirty miles still to go. Now I know why they call them 'open toe'...Hah”

“....Are chest waders like kilts?
You don't wear nothin' underneath 'em?”

“REEF flip-flops, dude.

totally lounge lizard wear.”

“No lie: Just for backpacking I bring a pair of slippers from the Penninsula hotel in Beverly Hills. My bud always forgets extra shoes and is stuck in his boots, so for a laugh I bring these to rub it in how comfortable I am.”

“I recently bought the Merrell "Convertible" Sandals (when it was on clearance at the end of last season). Similar to Teva, but the back piece that supports your ankle/heel can come off (velcro!) and then you can slip it on easily around camp. Pretty versatile.”

“Since I have given up boots for hiking in,I just change socks and put the shoes back on. BTW they are New Balance 804's, I will prolly carry my sandals too.”

“I have a pair of Laguna water sox from Wal-Mart, worn with fleece socks they are very comfy. I think the pair weighs around 10 oz. Stretchy mesh uppers and removable insoles make them quick-drying. Plus they only cost five bucks.”

“REEF flip-flops, dude.

totally lounge lizard wear.”

“Summer trips, slip on house shoe moccasins with a light rubber sole. Very comfy in camp!”

“I've considered packing my bedroom slippers (fuzzy moccasins with a thin rubber sole), but have yet to do so.

I pack sandals if I anticipate wading (fishing).

But I usually bring only my boots, and change sox as needed.”

“I use Polarguard booties when it's cold and if there's snow on the ground or it's extremely cold I wear overbooties over them. If it's mild, I use slippers.”