A stupid question about sneakers

imported
#1

Hey everyone. Like many of you i search to simplify weight and other things for when im out there. I read about so many thru-hikers switching to trail running shoes instead of boots, and many starting at springer with them. i wanna start wearing maybe new balances on my section hikes so i can see if they are right for my thru-hike in a couple yrs. I know many have argued against them twisting ankles, saying it doesnt matter, but how do you possibly keep these things dry?? Can you waterproof them? I wanna get rid of my bulky boots, but is it worth it if you have to succumb to wet wrinkled feet everyday? Thanks for the info

A-train

#2

Give it up. The dry hiking boot is a myth. In all my years of boot wearing and trying every imaginable boot idea that has come around from GoreTex to Snowseal, mink oil to rubber overshoes, there is no such thing as a dry boot. The harder you make the boot to wet thru, the longer it takes to dry except with all rubber - and that will make your feet so wet from sweat when walking you should just go ahead and put your feet into a meat grinder.

One of the things about running shoes is they dry quickly compared to boots. Usually overnight. They don’t always get completly dry in high humidity like on the AT or here in Louisiana, but better than boots in my experience.

I carry some GoreTex socks that I started carrying back when I was still in boots in case I had really cold wet weather. They work pretty good IMO, but I rarely use them. I’ve read some people use Neopreme (sp?) socks. But that gets more into the relm of what socks to use with running shoes. My favorite is still no socks when ever possible.

SGT Rock

#3

This year I also switched from Boots to Trail Runners ( Montrail Vitesse ). Like yourself, I was worried about wet conditions with the Trail runners. What I did was to buy a pair of Seal Skinz Socks and a thin coolmax liner. Last weekend we had 2 solid days of rain with water running 6 inches deep throughout the entire trail in the Smokies. My feet stayed dry the whole trip. The Seal Skinz are waterproof, but still will breathe well. I found they actually had more shock absorbion than using my Thorlos alone. Overall, I was very pleased with these socks.

As far as turning my ankle, I find that I watch the trail more carefully than when i hiked in boots. Last year I turned my ankle in boots numerious times. So far this year, not once. It is also alot easier on the uphills and stepups lifting 14 oz per foot instead of 2 or 2 and half LBs.

Most people with trailrunners just went ahead and got wet. This is fine as long as your wet feet dont develope bad spots due to the softer skin potential.

On my thru hike this year, It will be Trail runners for me. Besides boots get wet also and stay wet a Looong time :slight_smile: My trail runners dry out suprisingly fast.

Jim Deane, Rebel with a Cause !!

Jim Deane

#4

I just bought some Saloman w/Gore-Tex Trail Running shoes that I’ll be trying out for a section hike in June. Hoping to keep my feet somewhat drier as I trek through the rain. Anyone have any experience with these?

patty