Bushwalk Australia

There didn't seem to be an appropriate place within the "equipment" section so...

I'm trying to find some lightweight shoes/foot covering apparatus to put on at the end of a big hiking day. Something I can put on to allow my blisters to relax and boots to dry, sturdy enough to go looking for wood or water...and not thongs as they would be difficult to wear with socks (and I must wear sock else I'll be eaten alive by mozzies).

It might seem ridiculous, but I guess I'm looking for size 12 men's ballet shoes... Something you can fold away in your backpack... Nothing like this seems to be available at the usual hiking shops.

Any suggestions? Or maybe I should ask - what do you wear after you've set up camp?

What about neoprene shoes or crocs. Neoprene you can fold away, crocs you cant. Croc are light, neoprene isn't.

Have a look at Zem shoes. Do a Google.
Might fit the bill. Wow I just looked myself, darn they cost a lot for camp shoes. I think mine cost like $30 2 years ago from the US direct. They are light though, mine are I recall 144g for the pair.
Crocs are cheap and not heavier if wet. They will not fold up though.

Found the perfect thing : http://www.amazon.com/Columbia-Packed-O ... r+slippers

A fair bit of discussion about this here http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1407&hilit=hut+booties

Check out the Merrell Barefoot range too, they weigh nothing, and pack flat.

Thanks for all the responses. It looks like there are many more options than I thought....will have to consider whether I can live with buying crocs, although the merrell range looks pretty cool....

Look at Unshoes, in particular the Pah Tempe. This is what I wear. There also custom made to fit you.
My custom made pair are apx 320 grams for the pair and they have vibram soles.

If you want something lighter, look at Bedrock shors. Again custom made and much lightet at apx half the weight. I also own a pair of them. Bedrock sells socks specially made for these.

The Unshoes Pah Tempe can be worn with any socks at any thickness. These are just what your looking for. I'm wearing mine walking around Sydney.

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ErichFromm wrote:Thanks for all the responses. It looks like there are many more options than I thought....will have to consider whether I can live with buying crocs, ...

And whats wrong with crocs???

aquasocks, kathmandu i think they were about $5, silicon rubber soles. pretty light... i dont think they sell them at the moment maybe only in summer , can get similar at other sports shops, surf shops
kathmandu are doing fleece and puffy booties at the mo.

Moondog55 wrote:And whats wrong with crocs???

I'm fairly new to this forum so in the interest of global harmony and world peace I'm not going to say anything......

The unshoes look pretty cool too...

No no you can say it, crocs are totally uncool and ugly, they look like a bathtub mat for your feet.

Anyway, after a day with your feet sore and blisters, I wouldn't recommend sandals or unshoes. Their soles are too hard and it's actually more comfortable to just untie your hiking shoes, so maybe you could try outdoor slippers instead, and buy a size up so they'll fit with your thick socks.

Hallu wrote:No no you can say it, crocs are totally uncool and ugly, they look like a bathtub mat for your feet.

Anyway, after a day with your feet sore and blisters, I wouldn't recommend sandals or unshoes. Their soles are too hard and it's actually more comfortable to just untie your hiking shoes, so maybe you could try outdoor slippers instead, and buy a size up so they'll fit with your thick socks.

Sorry but thats non sense. There not hard and I been wearing them everyday and my feet are thanking me for it.


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Aldi have faux crocs with a fleece/sheepskin liner in them atm for $4.99, they are comfy,light and perfect for sitting around sipping your wine as you cook your meal.

But crocs are exactly the same shape as my feet LOL and are so comfortable. They are lightweight and bulky but have advantages over softer shoes as they are so easy to put on. I have bivvy boots and the old S2S "Jiffy" as well but truly I find nothing wrong with lightweight running shoes either

And I will now throw the Feathered friends Down booties into the discussion.

Very comfortable, very warm, nice bright silnylon over-bootie with waterproof barrier at sole/upper join. Padded sole so you can wander aound to get the wood and water (better to collect it before settling in though) and then you don't even need to take the booties off - just slide into the SB with already warm toasty feet

*shrug*
I just keep my boots on (often loosely laced) until it's time to crawl into the tent. Extra footwear is too heavy and bulky. Only time I have spare footwear is if I carry the sandals for warm weather track walking.

KANANGRABOYD wrote:Aldi have faux crocs with a fleece/sheepskin liner in them atm for $4.99, they are comfy,light and perfect for sitting around sipping your wine as you cook your meal.

As does Shiploads

Lightest would be a couple of bread bags ,take off wet socks put on dry ones then breadbag each foot and put your wet boots on so no need for extra shoes however must admit to being a fake croc user

north-north-west wrote:*shrug*
I just keep my boots on (often loosely laced) until it's time to crawl into the tent. Extra footwear is too heavy and bulky. Only time I have spare footwear is if I carry the sandals for warm weather track walking.

After a few weeks on the trail your feet really appreciate some fresh air at the end of the day. Maybe not for short trips of a week or so, but for extended walks the extra weight of camp shoes can be beneficial.

I love my crocs as they are so comfortable & light, but they are very bulky. I have recently replaced them with the Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/eu/mens/ult ... white.html

These are great. made from the same material as Crocs, but they squash down flat & take up much less space. Same excellent ventilation and only 220 grams
Not cheap, but I'm willing to invest in happy feet !!

Well, if I was doing the AT, maybe. But that's a different style of walking. Besides, sandals give your feet even more air.

Wowsers could get a lifetime supply of fake crocs for that price (look good though)

I wear down booties in tent (and in SB when it's super cold) and I confess I am a faux croc wearer in camp (they make my 15 year old daughter roll her eyes at me though)
Perfect for most creek crossings (I know the controversy), cheap so if one gets lost or broken I won't cry over it, easy to slip on for a late night pee or go sit with a friend by the fire over a pannikin of red. You can wear 'em with socks for compete lack of style, but cosy feet, and mozzie proofness.
What else do you get that offers so much for $5? (for the knock offs)

Before the days of Croc, I use to wear maseur sandles after a long day, the type with all the massage nodules. Trouble was I still felt stuffed
Quote from their web site
"By wearing your Maseurs you can receive a massage as deep and as therapeutic as you would receive from a massage therapist. Your entire body feels re-energized, The inclusion of the hundreds of massage nodules stimulate the approximately 7200 nerve endings that terminate in your feet and promote blood flow and increased circulation., ".

I use crocs. They are cheap any ugly but comfy and also I find they are good for the occassional creek crossing. The Zem 360s are amazingly light but how do you find the soles on the rough stuff?

I used to puzzle over the lightest camp shoes. I have tried thongs etc, and quite liked croc knockoffs - but in the last few months I have discovered MY PURRFECT shoe (for me it is Salomon Synapse, low cut, non-waterproof). It's like walking in slippers so I no longer need to consider a camp shoe. Extra weight 0 grams.

I've tried thongs - to open, no protection. Merrel trail gloves - good as back up shoes, but 2 closed in, at the end of the day I just want my feet to breath. Seem 2go back to the crocs - protected, could do short emergency distance in, but ventilated so breathe, plus easy slip on/off.

Turfa wrote:I love my crocs as they are so comfortable & light, but they are very bulky. I have recently replaced them with the Vivobarefoot Ultra Pure

http://www.vivobarefoot.com/eu/mens/ult ... white.html

These are great. made from the same material as Crocs, but they squash down flat & take up much less space. Same excellent ventilation and only 220 grams
Not cheap, but I'm willing to invest in happy feet !!

They look good for kayaking too

65 euros for the men's
100 euros for the women's
Typical.........

Onestepmore wrote:65 euros for the men's
100 euros for the women's
Typical.........

I see 65E when I click the link. But when I navigate to them via the drop down menu they are 100E

You can get them much cheaper than that

http://106alexander.com.au/vivobarefoot ... ite-1.html

"Only" AUD$50