Bushwalk Australia

What's everyone's opinion on wearing those heavy duty boot-like shoes that some companies are making now, rather than volleys/sandshoes or heavier boots? They have thicker soles and are less flexible than sandshoes, but much lighter than boots. Some are waterproof, others are not. Not to mention any specific brands, but Teva, Columbia and Garmont come to mind, though everyone seems to be making them nowadays.

Seems like they'd be:

-quicket to dry than boots
-lighter
-CHEAPER
-tougher than volleys, especially the soles
-better for climbing in
-better on the Environment

I wouldn't want them for bushwalking, but one does wonder for established trails.

Any thoughts?

Drifting wrote:What's everyone's opinion on wearing those heavy duty boot-like shoes that some companies are making now, rather than volleys/sandshoes or heavier boots? They have thicker soles and are less flexible than sandshoes, but much lighter than boots. Some are waterproof, others are not. Not to mention any specific brands, but Teva, Columbia and Garmont come to mind, though everyone seems to be making them nowadays.

I've had a pair of Hi-Tecs for several years that meet this description. The left one is starting to split a bit but overall they have given good service. I like them for summer walks on established trails in mild conditons. Maybe not ideal for most Tassie highland areas but I'd think they'd be fine for places like Freycinet or maybe even a quick burn up Mt Wellington in good weather. I've just bought a pair of Keen "something or others" to replace them, which are eVent ones. I'll be interested to see how these perform when the Hi-Tecs wear out.

Drifting wrote:Any thoughts?

Ny experience...

-quicket to dry than boots
My Hi-Tecs are (supposed to be) waterproof. They are, more or less. Drying time is probably a little less than boots.

-lighter
Definitely. this was one of the main attractions.

-CHEAPER
Well, definitely cheaper than say a pair of Scarpa boots, but similar price to many Hi-Tec boots (not all).

-tougher than volleys, especially the soles
Yes. Although bang for buck-wise IMHO Volleys are very tough.

-better for climbing in
Than boots? Maybe, as they are lighter and more flexible, yes. Also the ones I have grip very well, possiby almost as good as Volleys.
But I think my Scarpa Treks would give both a run for their money grip-wise.

-better on the Environment
Possibly. If heavier weight (of boots) means more impact, then yes. I've also found them to be very comfortable and well-cushioned.

-I wouldn't want them for bushwalking, but one does wonder for established trails.
Established trails is mainly what I use them for. Well suited to the conditions under which I use them. Today they completed a 22km mountain bike trail ride followed by a short 3km bushwalk on an established trail. I'll be wearing Volleys tomorrow to do some bush regeneration so will consider the question further.

Tried approach shoes once -- the stitching died, and I concluded that any waterproof membrane in a low cut shoe was a complete waste of time.

The only real upside to them is that a good pair might last longer than volleys -- which could be better if you're doing a long throughwalk. Apart from that, I can't think of an occasion where they're better than either boots or volleys.

I have been using some WP Keen shoes for just over a year now and find them quite good, I have used them bushbashing, showshoeing, in the rain, wet grass and even on well formed tracks.

Pros and cons
I suffer hot feet and the Keen's are cooler than my boots but not as cool as my old running shoes.
The Keen's keep the dust out better than the running shoes.
When snowshoeing in the Keen's I hit my ankles a few times which started to hurt after a while but the Keen's kept my feet dry and warm.
On one wet walk while walking through long grass I noticed some moisture inside the Keens but this did not happen on another walk where I walked through wet grass.
The Keen's are definitely better on wet rocks than my Scarpa's.
The Keens are much more comfortable than my Scarpa’s and depending on the type of walking I do are more or less comfortable than my runners.
The Keen's have taken quite a bit of punishment and are still in good condition, I paid $130 for them and I will be very happy if I can get two-three years out of them.

Tony

Hi Tony, which model Keens are yours ?

Hi Climberman,

climberman wrote:Hi Tony, which model Keens are yours ?

You have got me on this one, I threw the box out the other day in my shed cleanup and the shoes do not have any model on them.

I will see if I can find a reciept, I got them from MD on sale.

Another reason I got Keen's is that I have very wide feet and they are one of the few manufacturers that cater for wide feet.

Tony

Ta Tony.

Hi Climberman,

My Keen's are Targhee II

http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/product_ ... l/1216.php

Tony

thanks all!

Just back from 9 days, going from Cesjacks Hut near Mt Jagungal to Thredbo and back. A lot of off-track stuff as we went the back way where we could.
I wore KT-26s, my wife wore Volleys. Dancing across the snow grass.

Cheers

There are hundreds of brands of trail runners out there on the market.
Ive never looked into these, but are there any other brands ppl would recommend?

Personally I would advise against walking for extended periods in running shoes. If you are walking, wear walking shoes. If you are running, wear running shoes. Running is a different activity to walking, your body moves in a totally different manner and as such the shoes are engineered for just that sort of movement.
If for some reason you specifically want running shoes, some of the shoes which tend to be well regarded amongst trail runners are the Brooks Cascadia, various Montrail models such as the Mountain Mashochist, most of the Lasportiva models and also Innov-8 which I believe some of the members of this forum use. Despite the fact that Salomon are sold almost everywhere, many experienced trail runners don't use them (though of course some like them very much). Unfortunately for us, most of these are not available in Tasmania. The only ones readily available here are either crap or don't fit me as I have relatively wide feet. So, as far as brands go, the ones I listed are some of the ones with better reputations and rabid militant followers. Of course the most important thing with footware is for you to find the model which best suits you. Start by identifying the type of movement of your lower limb through the stride (neutral pronation, over-pronation, supination) and go from there.
For what it is worth, I don't walk in my running shoes.

Tony wrote:Hi Climberman,

My Keen's are Targhee II

http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/product_ ... l/1216.php

Tony

Hi Tony,

Can I ask for an update on how your Keens are holding up?

I've just destroyed my third pair of Innov8's and the gloss is starting to wear off them, so casting about for alternatives.

On top of that, my Salomon Fastpackers have developed fractures in their uppers (within a year!) so my footwear world is falling apart. I'll be walking in my Crocs soon if this keeps up!

I'm told the Salomon's have a 1yr warranty, looks like I'll be trying to exercise it. Will advise how I go. No useful warranty on the Innov8's other than the 10/10 warranty (10 minutes or 10 metres)

Tony wrote:Another reason I got Keen's is that I have very wide feet and they are one of the few manufacturers that cater for wide feet.

Odd. Maybe the men's sizes are different, but I've tried on women's Targhees and found them far too narrow.

Photo hiker , which model in the innov8 did you try . Have been thinking of getting the roclite 315'? for off trail walking