Bushwalk Australia

Multi-day hikes in Tassy seems to always involve wet boots and socks eventually. Have been investigating whether there are any good options for lightweight shoes to wear in camp. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Using search finds this thread : viewtopic.php?p=148807#p148807


I have used fake crocs . They do well on river crossings too, but can have some leakage on wet grass.
I also made these lightweight overshoes in Scott Kilvert hut out of old coal sacks.

rodb2013 wrote:Multi-day hikes in Tassy seems to always involve wet boots and socks eventually. Have been investigating whether there are any good options for lightweight shoes to wear in camp. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

See http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=17482&p=234161&hilit=crocs#p234161

Thanks. Will check out Crocs. Those coal sack shoes are classics! We were rained into a hut at the top of the Never Never in Tas (forget hut name) and someone had left a pair of sandshoes there and they were fantastic for ducking outside for water, etc.

Have a look at barefoot running shoes. They are lightweight and pack small.

There are quite a few brands available, but my choice is the Zem Oxygen. These are made for water related activities and are ideal for river crossings. They fit snugly, give just enough sole protection, pack flat, and are reasonable priced.

icefest wrote:I have used fake crocs . They do well on river crossings too, but can have some leakage on wet grass.

How does that work? How are fakes any different in this respect?

Was in a shop earlier today and came across some "new" Keen sandals (my favorite casual daily wear) that I have not come across before. It has the standard Keen design but with a much thinner and flexible sole. It'd be pretty good for more casual and camp wear. Less bulk is a plus where packing is needed. Will have to keep an eye on them on Amazon.
http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Product/ ... k-Gargoyle

GPSGuided wrote:How does that work? How are fakes any different in this respect?

They have a separate insole that is buttoned into the sides. This entry point slowly makes your socks wet.

I did get them on special for 8$ or so though.

These are my favourite camp shoes (recently replaced my crocs)

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ult ... ue/Sulphur

comfortable, lightweight at only 220g and pack down much smaller than crocs. The open construction lets your feet dry out too (but don't step in a puddle !)

Prices in Australia are stupid though........ $109 here, but can get them for $30 in the US !!!!

After a lot of research and investigating international shipping Ive recently settled on Betula thongs. Light weight, comfortable, affordable and easy to get on. They weigh about 60g each. The running shoes seem like a good option but availability in Aust. isn't so good and putting them on isnt as easy.


Ride On

icefest wrote:They have a separate insole that is buttoned into the sides. This entry point slowly makes your socks wet.

Thanks for referencing it. Interesting and have not come across this design before. But not surprised, it was never meant to be a water seal. Great value at $8 as even Target/K-mart can't beat that.

Turfa wrote:These are my favourite camp shoes (recently replaced my crocs)

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/mens/ult ... ue/Sulphur

comfortable, lightweight at only 220g and pack down much smaller than crocs. The open construction lets your feet dry out too (but don't step in a puddle !)

The Vivo Barefoot Ultras were my first choice of barefoot shoes - until a workmate showed me his Zems, so I never actually used them.

Mine also have a removable neoprene sock, just the shot to keep your feet from freezing whilst fording icy mountain streams.

White, size 46 if anybody wants 'em cheap.

GPSGuided wrote:Thanks for referencing it. Interesting and have not come across this design before. But not surprised, it was never meant to be a water seal. Great value at $8 as even Target/K-mart can't beat that.

I got them at target. They're usually twelve there.
http://www.target.com.au/p/men-s-bazza- ... y/54112391

They've done me well though. I waded from kostka point to the red knoll in them.

I'm one step closer to my camp shoe solution. I've cut down the bits that stuck up higher on my $4 fake crocs. i just tried a little at a time to get the balance between compact and still good to walk in. It makes them much easier to pack, and a tiny bit lighter.

I really like the no-heel option, because of my grumbling achilles tendon, and occasional hot spots on my heels. I can put the back strap down when walking around more. I use freezer bags over socks inside crocs when it's wet, vegetation permitting. (Or I can use the same bags inside my boots for short interludes).

What I haven't managed to come up with yet is a design for adaptable down booties. The idea (perhaps naïve) is that i'll make them big enough to fit over the crocs, but top and sides only. Drawstring of some kind to keep them near the bottom of the sides (this is mainly for when i'm in a hut). Then at bedtime, I pull the drawstring in tight to create bed booties for my cold feet. They might need a little insert for the sole. Does anybody think that's possible, or have a better plan?

Did a hike along the Kowmung River last weekend which involves many crossings and also walking in the river. Took the approach of leaving boots on for ankle support in the river and getting them wet and having camp shoes. Took the Teva Evo's at US13 weigh 520g. It was outstanding to have dry, light, warm (with good socks) and very comfortable shoes to wear around camp. That extra 0.5kg worth it and will be taking on all hikes in the future.

Tortoise wrote: Does anybody think that's possible, or have a better plan?

Why not get some down socks?

https://goosefeetgear.com/products/1-down-socks

Then make a slightly stronger silnylon cover for your shoes. Similar to this: https://nunatakusa.com/in-/69-kangri-mukluks.html

icefest wrote:

Tortoise wrote: Does anybody think that's possible, or have a better plan?

Why not get some down socks?

https://goosefeetgear.com/products/1-down-socks

Then make a slightly stronger silnylon cover for your shoes. Similar to this: https://nunatakusa.com/in-/69-kangri-mukluks.html

I have the above down socks and the over shoes he makes as well. I sleep in the socks most nights out and also use the over shoes when I've had enough of my boots. If you want any pics/info on them let me know. Very good company to deal with as far as product and customer service...

Nothing fancy here, I carry a pair of Havaiana thongs/flip flips/jandles. Not the best things to wear with socks, but they work.

May I ask why you guys use down socks? For sleep? The down bag is not warm enough?


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Some of us don't have great peripheral circulation. My feet get cold very easily and I cannot be comfortable with cold feet.
Mind, I usually only take the down for snow camping.

That's fair enough, for additional warmth. Regular socks not good enough? Or too uncomfortable?

GPSGuided wrote:May I ask why you guys use down socks? For sleep? The down bag is not warm enough?

I'm the same. My feet are always cold regardless of what bag/quilt I'm in so I mainly use them for sleeping purposes. I bought the overshoes mainly to use when I have to get up in the night time!

GPSGuided wrote:That's fair enough, for additional warmth. Regular socks not good enough? Or too uncomfortable?

I have a pair of possum wool socks for regular nighttime use, and the down booties are taken when it's likely to get really cold.

So where's the best place to find a cheap pair of knock-off crocs ? Ideally with closed in toes if it's possible

These are lighter than crocks and pack small

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Woman-Blue-U ... 1736621841

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Waterproof-N ... 1341596638

north-north-west wrote:I have a pair of possum wool socks for regular nighttime use, and the down booties are taken when it's likely to get really cold.

That's nice, very nice!

I use a pair of 5mm neoprene wetsuit boots as an around-camp boot for my winter jaunts.....low shin height, zip up the side, internal lining, stippled sole for adequate grip....light and 100% waterproof and nice and warm too ! Cheers

s358

sambar358 wrote:I use a pair of 5mm neoprene wetsuit boots as an around-camp boot for my winter jaunts.....low shin height, zip up the side, internal lining, stippled sole for adequate grip....light and 100% waterproof and nice and warm too ! Cheers

s358

How much do they weigh?

GBW....mine weigh 820g for the pair in an Aussie 12....so not too bad weight-wise. Nothing too flash in these.....just off Ebay.au and made in Asia but I've had them for 5-6 years and they've been used quite a lot in the winter and so far they are still fine and nothing has busted, fallen off or come unglued. Cheers

s358

820g is nearly much as a second pair of boots!

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Strider, I backpack in the Vic mountains in the winter......so cold, wet, frosty and often snow on the deck. Hence the wetsuit boots.....Crocs or similar would only give me wet feet and another pair of socks to dry-out. Horses for courses really......in summer when it's dry underfoot really anything will do the job but in more severe conditions if you want to keep the tootsies dry and warm then it's probably best to go with something that'll do the job......and for me anyway these wetsuit boots do so nicely. Cheers

s358