Trail runners, will I be rejected to enter the OT in May

[pulledpork]

Hi there,

I'm planning to walk the OT in May with 4 other friends. Just wondering if there's any chance I'd be rejected entry wearing a pair of trail runners?

I called the OT vistor center, and they said it is POSSIBLE... they also asked me why I'd choose trail runners, and I said I want breathability and I want them to dry up quick if they ever get soaky wet.... They also told me that I need the ankle support....

Any experience to share, or any adivce on this would be much appreciated!!

Cheers~

[crollsurf]

My experience was they just looked at you and if you looked like you know what your doing, that's it. They wont care about your runners. If you show up looking like Bon Scott with an esky and runners, yeah, they'll probably be onto you.

[wildwanderer]

Slap on some gaiters. Smear some dirt on your pack..if it's a bit faded by the sun even better.

[wayno]

you could really push the boat out and try wearing high heels...

https://www.rei.com/blog/hike/pattie-go ... ngth-video

[Lamont]

.......... If you show up looking like Bon Scott with an esky and runners, yeah, they'll probably be onto you.

Comedy gold. What about growing a Zapata moustache?

I know people that have done it with runners. Make sure the rest of your kit is spot on.

[wildwanderer]

I'd probably save this for the 2nd day.

[CBee]

Bon Scott with an esky and runners

What's wrong with Bon Scott with an esky and runners?

[GregG]

If you show up looking like Bon Scott with an esky and runners, yeah, they'll probably be onto you.

Ah ha, I see what you mean Croll. Turning up looking like you have been dead twenty years just won't cut it, even WITH an esky full of beer. Like turning up Monday morning after a hard weekend ....... hahaha!

[pulledpork]

hhhhhhhha!! Thanks everyone! I'm feeling much more assured now. Will definitely also make sure other gears are OK~

[Son of a Beach]

Last year I did the “induction” and first day in bare feet. (I carried trail shoes in my pack the first day and wore them the rest of the days).

I got no queries from the officials.

[Lamont]

hhhhhhhha!! Thanks everyone! I'm feeling much more assured now. Will definitely also make sure other gears are OK~

Onya porky, have a great time.

[Heremeahappy1]

'Never take drunk advice from me you'll end up campy'?

[headwerkn]

You'll be fine. Plenty of people wear trail runners, hardly an uncommon sight on the trail these days.

Obviously being May, deep mud and early snow could be an issue, so you'll obviously want a spare pair to (hopefully) dry and rotate with. I've not had much luck with them myself, but waterproof/neoprene socks could be a good option too.

[gbagua]

1. They also told me that I need the ankle support....

2. Any experience to share, or any adivce on this would be much appreciated!!

1. A total myth that has been going around for waaay too long.

2. Indeed. This is the best written article you'll ever find.

Trail Runners Vs Hiking Boots: A 30 Year Perspective

It has been 8 years for me since I have stopped using hiking boots. Never go back again!

[kelvinn]

We did the OLT in trail runners the last weekend of April, and hit some pretty gnarly weather. Quite a bit of the track after the first day was covered in 4-5cm of snow, or extremely muddy, or there was a river.

The only comment we received from a ranger was a request/suggestion to skip a hut, as we were the first ones to arrive, so pretty early, and the hut was a smaller one.

Wouldn't have changed a thing from a footwear perspective.

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

Still getting my head around the whole idea that rangers review your kit before you're allowed to step off???

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[commando]

Basically the word is out on the Overland trail in tourism circles its no longer a place exclusively for bushwalkers as in the past.
and as such Tourist's are not hardened experienced bushwalkers and a lot are ignorant of the requirements before stepping out into a remote area.
Whilst being questioned by Rangers may be offensive to some it saves a lot of search and rescue parties being called into action.

Personally saw it last week Chinese tourists over estimating their ability and collapsing in a heap on the ridge out of the Lerderderg Gorge Dam walk.

To the Original poster when i was staying at New Pelion hut some of the day walks were knee deep mud trails... its your choice
whilst i also enjoy runners, boots are a good choice on the OLT.

[north-north-west]

To the Original poster when i was staying at New Pelion hut some of the day walks were knee deep mud trails...

The track across the Pelion Plains to the climb up Oakleigh has been duckboarded. Pelion East track can be a little mucky near the Gap depending on weather. The OT has become a freeway ... or should I say tollway?

Nothing wrong with wearing trail runners if that's what works for you. Just don't bogdodge if it does get a bit wet.

[Brent_D]

Still getting my head around the whole idea that rangers review your kit before you're allowed to step off???

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It’s not as much as an inspection then a quick video to show the extremes of weather found on the track and to see if anyone flinches.

The hut warden and/or ranger at waterfall is more of the review. Chatting to said people, there is a few a week in peak season that they convince to turn around and walk back out based on how they did on the first day and what they are carrying.

Classic tell tale sign is people showing up with a full cooker in a “suitcase” from Kmart.

[legend]

We often do the OT in winter. Two friends always wear trail runners whilst I'm in boots.
They've never had problems and just wear suitable socks. If cold, wet or blizzard they wear neoprene socks over their wool socks.
Btw, snowshoes and boot chains are not a problem with them

[pulledpork]

Thanks a lot everyone, for your replies. Long time no see. It's getting really close to my starting date. rubbing my hands together!!!

The only reason I started this post in the first place, was because I was somewhat 'threatened' by two salespersons in one of the local outdoor stores.... saying that the ranger could send me back, if they saw me wearing those trail runners.... when we went to buy a pair of boots for the girlfriend (she liked it, so we got her a pair). And I got scared (too easily...), and I posted...

I'm pretty sure the sales lady disliked me a lot in the end, after I said I really don't buy into the ankle support thing.

[wayno]

boots have their place, some people with weak ankles can find them a help in reducing ankle sprains but it doesnt eliminate the risk
on really steep rough terrain they can be a help. huners often go for boots with high ankle support because they can end up traversing and standing around on a lot of steep terrain, strains your ankles less wehn you're in that terrain a lot

[pulledpork]

boots have their place, some people with weak ankles can find them a help in reducing ankle sprains but it doesnt eliminate the risk
on really steep rough terrain they can be a help. huners often go for boots with high ankle support because they can end up traversing and standing around on a lot of steep terrain, strains your ankles less wehn you're in that terrain a lot

Totally agree!!

a better choice of words might have been 'ankle support isn't the thing for me' Lesson learnt!

[Stew63]

I bought a pair of $300+ Scarpa GTX boots about 2 years ago for a major Japan Alps traverse. They were great! BUT since then I have developed a small bone spur in my right foot and no amount of stretching/podiatry with the $300 boot helps. I am now resigned to the fact that I'll have to wear comfortable trail runners or comfortable/flexible hiking 'shoes' that will mould to my friggin' bone spur.