What’s the secret?
Bill White
Keeping your feet dry
system
#4
avoid water if your feet are wet from it or if from sweat use a lighter sock[liner only] better footwear[more breathable]…if all things fail cut off your feet ask bilko for 2 of those ziplocks and put your feet in those…:lol :cheers
nitewalker
system
#6
Your feet will stay dry in dry weather, if you don’t wade across any streams. Otherwise, your feet will get wet in the rain or if you submerge them when crossing a streat. It’s that simple. It’s also not as bad as the novice hiker imagines.
The key is to carry a dry pair of socks for camp in a ziplock, and wear them only in camp so they stay dry.
Mug
system
#7
Thanks Mug
Do Gaiters help? The reason I ask is I want to take a several day hike in colder weather. I know hypothermia can set in much quicker when your feet or body is wet. I am most worried about my feet. Perhaps I am over worried.
Bill White
system
#8
The gaiters I use mainly keep the skree out of my boots. The rain just runs down my legs and into the boot. They don’t seem to keep my feet any drier.
Peaks
system
#9
I’ve hiked in snow with wet feet and wet boots (unavoidable) and my feet have stayed warm while hiking. As long as you’re hiking you’ll stay warm, just wear light layers. Wear Smartwool socks, as wool will keep your feet warm even when wet.
Then when you get into camp, change into your dry “camp” socks and clothes (which you keep in a ziplock), put your wet boots and socks into a separate waterproof stuffsack and put it in the foot of your sleeping bag to keep from freezing overnight.
Mug
system
#10
I agree, generally your feet will get wet in wet weather. I find the gaiters do help somewhat, especailly if you are pushing through some brush. They mostly just retard the inevitable. It also helps to stop occasionally and wring out your socks, especially if your feet are getting cold. With wool socks it’s amazing how much warmer damp socks are then dripping wet ones. Again this is a temporary solution, but does give your feet a chance to warm up a bit.
Lyle
system
#11
I never had a problem with wet feet. I wore Smartwool socks and kept my gaiters on. That is not to say they didn’t get wet. It was never a problem. I didn’t hike with a rain jacket either. I only put it on when we stopped for break, lunch or camp. One day in GA the wind chill was below 0 and I put it on because I was freezing my but off. But I hiked in the rain and never had a problem. My sleeping bag got wet one day because I forgot to put it in the garbage bag I used over my compression sack. Now, that was not a fun night. GA-ME 02
Papa Smurf
system
#12
I woke up to some snow out of the NOC last year. I had a couple of those small chemical warmers and put them in the front of my shoes at my toes. They kept them warmer and weren’t uncomfortable to hike with.
0101
system
#13
Hike in sandals and don’t worry about it. When the rain stops or you emerge from a ford, your feel will be dry within moments.
Eric
system
#14
My feet always seem to get wet. Gore-tex of course helps. I’ve even used plastic bags although I’ve heard it causes blisters…didn’t bother me.
Doc Holiday
system
#15
Eric, have you ever used your sandals in cold weather and snow? Seems it would be a bit too cold.
Apple Pie
system
#17
Hiking in sandals worked out well for me on my 2004 thru-hike and 2005 PCT section hike. I didn’t even get one blister, but I did have a few problems with cracked calluses probably because my feet were too dry (rubbing Vaseline on my heels and sleeping with socks fixed that problem). I also always hiked with socks to help my feet from becoming too dry. As for the cold and snow use seal socks with sock liners, and change into dry warm socks (I keep one pair of socks for camp that I never hike in) shortly after you arrive in camp. As long as I was hiking I didn’t have a problem with my feet getting cold. Hiking in sandals will help your feet breath more, which will keep your feet relatively drier.
Flippy