Plan to hike the trail next year, wear Keen Newport H2’s everyday now,to church and everywhere, just sooo comfortable, does anyone hike in those great sandals and any drawbacks, besides the cold, have a pair of the Keen mid boots, they’re great just love the sandals, can it be done, realistically!
Crawl
I’ve thru-hiked the A.T. twice in sandals (Tevas). I can’t report on the Keen’s, but here are some of my observations about hiking long distance trails in sandals:
(1) They’re ideal when it comes to comfort, expense, and wet conditions.
(2) When its cold, neoprene socks work well (Campmor sells them). When its really cold - lots of snow, etc. - wet suit booties work great. (used the sandal/wet suit booties combo in the high Sierra on PCT thru-hikes)
(3) Too much ventilation can be a problem after a few hundred miles (cracking in the heels is normally the first indication of this issue). This can be resolved by wearing socks & by carrying a bit of “bag balm” which works great on dry cracked skin.
Many hikers have completed the A.T. wearing sandals. I finished a hike with a guy who hiked in flip-flops in '04 and I know of at least 4 thru-hikers that have hiked the Trail barefoot!
Happpy Trails!
freebird
It can absolutely be done. While I opted to do the Whites and the beginning of my thru hike in trailrunners I’ve hiked 1400+ miles on that hike and section hikes in Keens. In the final analysis they were the perfect hiking footware for me. I suggest just like any new item that you try it out on a shorter hike or at least have a back-up plan if the Keens don’t work for you. It’s like so many things on the trail there is as many ways to accomplish your goals as there are people on the trail. I found that I needed to wear socks to avoid rubs, but never had any blisters. On the downside any wetness on the trail means you have damp or wet feet, but they dry quickly. I chose to carry three pairs of ankle socks for this reason. Best of luck with your hike!
flash
…in a brilliant beauty day upon our 05’ thru I believe we met you there, at, as a four-year old suggested, Tele-tubbie Land, that Max Patch. Is this you, flash? I am one of Bubble Boy, G.Q. (or Steve was his Daily Trailname), Josh…we all started that year on Earth Day. Small world when its two feet wide…
fishngame
Thanks for all the inputs, my Keen’s I wear everyday now are the reason I asked, they are the best…and I’m not small and they have lasted over a year. I do have backups but the neoprene socks and wetsuit booties were a great idea…Thanks all, see ya on the trail! Crawl
Crawl