Light weight foot wear

[under10kg]

I was wondering what the light weight guys here use for footwear.
I tried to use the inov 8 shoes (330 gm) some time ago but I just could not get used to them and got blisters above my heals. I got size 9.5 and 10 inov if anyone wants to purchase and they have had very little use.
I use new balance 902 on my last walk at 320 gms for one.(size 9.5) These are designed for light weight running. The only issue I have is that these wear out pretty quickly and it costs to replace them.
What do you use, are you happy with the grip, what do they weigh and how is the durability?

[alliecat]

I'm a definite inov-8 convert. I've got 3 pairs that I have used for bushwalking and they all have different pluses and minuses. If I was to switch to another brand I'd give the New Balance a try, or possibly the Salomon trail runners. I've actually found a pair of Keen "walking shoes" to be really good for bushwalking too. Wearing those does make me look like a tourist out for a stroll though

The inov-8's I've used are:

roclite 318 gtx - very grippy, waterproof, really comfy for me; the soles have worn down very quickly though and I need to use innersoles to avoid slightly sore feet on long days

terroc 330 - not as grippy as the roclite's but the sole has lasted well; not waterproof but they dry out quick; I wore a pair to death in a year (the uppers wore through but I was wearing them nearly every day)... I will probably replace them with another pair the same.

mudclaw 300 - my latest inov-8 acquisition, haven't seen much use yet but initial walks in wet conditions showed them to be comfortable and grippy, i want to try these with waterproof socks in the snow.

While I like the inov-8's a lot, I would prefer them to be more durable (though I understand that a grippy sole means it will wear out relatively quickly). But given that I can get them for between $100 and $150 online depending on the Aus $, i will probably stick with them. If I get 1 pair per year and they last 1-3 years I think it's not too expensive.

I'll send you a PM about your inov-8's - I might want to add them to my collection

Cheers,
Alliecat

[photohiker]

I've got some Terroc 330's that I'm walking in at the moment. Got to say, that it's nice to have foot ventilation on a hot day. I'm using some X-Socks Trekking Lite socks with them, and have no complaints about grip or comfort, they're really very good. Wear on the soles is noticable, I'm doing about 40km a week at the moment, and I guess this pair has done about 2-300km, still a lot left in them though.

I've also got some Roclite 370's - they're a boot style, also non waterproof. Haven't really worn them out yet.

For waterproof socks, I've got some sealskinz Mid Light coming, what are you using alliecat?

Also, where are people buying their Inov8 shoes from? There is no Aussie agent. Mine have come from Wiggle in the UK so far.

[alliecat]

Hi Michael,

I've bought my inov-8s from zombierunnerand the runners shop so far, but I always look around for the best price I can find at any given time.

I haven't bought my waterproof socks yet. I'd like a pair of the Rocky gore-tex socks, but they can be a bit hard to find. I might go with the sealskinz cos they are around everywhere, but there have been some pretty negative review of those on the web...

I'd be interested in how you find the sealskinz.

Cheers,
Alliecat

[Tony]

Hi uXkg,

I use a pair of (Keens 1087g/pair) with a water proof membrane for 3-4 season, I did some snow shoeing in them last winter and for summer I use some old new Balance 857's (963g/pair) as a runner I have cupboard full of old running shoes which are still very good for walking.

Tony

[kanangra]

I'm with Tony. Once I retire my runners I use them for walking. That way they are completely worn in and I never have problems with blisters. I use Asics personally. I normally use the GT range but am experimennting with a heavier shoe Tribucca I think its name is. But I wont wear them on the trail until they've had good 6-9 months of general use to make sure they are fully worn in.

K.

[under10kg]

Sigh... inov just do not fit my feet. I tried 2 pairs.

[melinda]

Hi guys,
I've tried lots of different running shoe/trail runners combinations and have decided I'm sick to death of expensive shoes ($150-$250) falling apart in 2 months or so.
Seems to be the tread wears down first, and then holes in the materials on top.
When I've taken various shoes back to the shops after 6 weeks because they have failed completely, they say I'm too rough on the shoes. (But they sold them to me as bushwalking shoes!)
I really like the light weight Salomons, the toe box is really roomy and the quick lacing system very convenient. But like other expensive shoes only last 2-3 months.
Therefore I think I'm going to stick to Asic Trabucco in the future. Pretty comfy, last atleast a year or so!
Melinda

[Dale]

A couple of months ago I switched footwear from boots to trail shoes and decided to go with the inov8 roclite 318. From the reviews I'd seen these shoes seemed a good compromise between minimalism and toughness. They now have about 100 km on them and I'm a convert to trail shoes. This is the first time I've had no sore feet in any way after hiking. I was previously using Scarpa boots which were a great fit and very comfy. However I always experienced some hotspots and light blistering.

I was apprehensive about switching because of waterproofing and ankle support - I tore ligaments and muscles in one foot many years ago (not bushwalking). I did manage to get my feet wet in these shoes, but of course with the mesh they are able to dry faster than goretex lined footwear and so far there have been no trouble with rolling ankles, in fact I think I did this more with boots... So big thumbs up from me !

[kaite]

Dunlop Volleys are not so light and not so durable but they have better grip on rocks than any other i had. They are good for walking in water too, and not expensive, my best creek-walk shoes!

[andrewa]

Re Seal skins socks - not sure about these.

I've had some for a long time, and they'll provide some water -resistance, but don't expect water-proofness, except when new.

What's wrong with just getting wet feet, and letting them dry out at night? I'm amazed at the number of people who take their boots off to cross rivers etc. I don't get it! Bushwalking and wet feet go together!

Another option is something like some NRS Hydroskin thin neoprene boots if using them in the snow etc. Foot will get wet one way or the other (sweat, or water over the top), but will be warm.

I've got no opinion about lightweight boots though !

Andrew A

[wayno]

salomons, on my third pair, they are usually around the 900 to 1000gm a pair weight range. gore tex. ankle support, either mid height or higher.
curently using the explorers. was using the exits, got a fair but of wear from them but the tred was a bit thin for NZ mud and the uppers are synthetic and eventually fell to bits. the explorers have leather in them in the high wear areas. personally I"d rather wear boots for the rougher tracks for the xta ankle protection. salmons have a reasonably supportive shoe and boot, they resist the twisting motion in the sole which i find helps a alot in minimising sore feet.