I’m planning a SoBo thru-hike of the AT for this summer and am seriously considering wearing some burly sandals through those hot summer months. Does anyone have any advice on this idea? Which states would be too cold/ difficult to hike with some chaco’s on? thanks- Yeti
Yeti
The whole AT is an easy sandal trail, unless there’s snow, then I suggest an alternative.
the only real problem is foot dryness which almost invariably leads to some or a lot of painful callous cracking.
Do some searches on sandals, and you’ll find a lot on it recently.
Tha Wookie
I hiked over 1000 miles in mine and loved them. I had just too much cracked heel in the Whites and had to go back to sneakers.
I know a number of hikers who manaed to do the whole 2000+ in Chacos.
When your feet start getting to cold change…
It is also wiae to put a little jelly of heel cream on you heels at night and if possible carry a piece of sandpaper and sand down some of the callous.
Good luck. Sue/Hammock Hanger:girl
Hammock Hanger
Has anyone ever tried Keen’s Banff style sandal/shoes? I’m interested in trying them.
2 Questions
Maybe other have had better experiences but saw two hikers on the PCT have problems with their Keens. Just too many points of stitching that can fail. Chacos seem to work much better because of quality material and simplicity of their design.
Ganj
I have a pair of sandals that are called Bites, very good
and quite comfortable. does anyone else know of these, or
use them. Very good traction.:boy
Cutty
Im planning a SOBO thru hike this summer as well. I am questioning footwear too. The things you have to realize is that the whites and the Maine section are alot of mountains, with that in mind coming down hills its very easy to roll an ankle (or stubb a toe). Thats why I think im going to wear boots. Also when you have to cut through rivers and streams constant wet/dry impact will crack the skin. Im also wearing gators. Im bringing a pair of flipflops or moccassins for when I’m at camp. Good luck, hope to see you on the trail!
Timbo
I’m thinkin’ that with hot weather, rain at times, stream crossings ocassionally, and rocks in PA, that these shoes would fit the bill. It looks like the mesh should keep out the little twigs that constantly get under my toes with regular sandals, and a great toe guard to keep from stubbed toes. Looking for feedback…thanks
http://www.trackntrail.com/Catalog/buydetail.asp?rnd=9979810&NavID=&ProductID=9826&SizeTypeID=M&NavType=B&BrandId=32
2 Questions
I have a pair of Keens. I thought they would be great for hiking but I ended up getting the largest blister I have ever had when wearing them on my Ocala hike last year.
In 2003 I hear alot of good reports on the Bites. I tried them on but they were uncomfortable to me.
PS: I have a nice pair of practically new red Keen sandals size 8 women’s for sale…
Sue/HH:girl
Hammock Hanger
hey chaco is a better company to support, and those sandals are bomb proof and extremely well made but everyone who hikes in them says “you will experience dryness and cracking in sandals.” i am pretty convinced that cracking is caused by the chacos, because the chacos have an abrasive footbed which makes for unruly calouses, which crack.
tevas are a bit flimsy, but they have a soft footbed, and give a little. i experience no foot problems whatsoever when hiking in them. i have done about a grand in each brand.
but regardless, its sandals from georgia to maine, all the way!
milo
You might find that you will need some ankle support.There are a lot of rocks to walk through, and it is easy to turn an ankle.I had thought about sandels on my section hike, but, I was really glad I had boots after the trail got rough. Good luck!!
Sallysot2000
I wear my Chacos 90% of the time down here in FL. No problem with heel cracks. As soon as I get up into the north my heels crack. SO I went to the doctor about it. He said that it can be casued by “dehydration”. I told him at camp I always have a water bottle with me and do not feel that I am dehydrated. He said I probably am anyway. He also said it could be a reaction to some micro-organism in the dirt.
With hikers I feel it is probably more of a dehydration thing. No matter how much water we drink on the trail we sweat so much we are probably always a little dehydrated.
As for the ankles… You actually make your ankles stronger by using them more. My ankles were kind of weak in the begining and my main concern. After 1000’s of Chaco miles my ankles are now like rubber bands, if they turn they spring right back and I have no pain. I do however, feel that if you are hiking in sandals you should be carrying a light pack.
Just my 2 cents worth. Sue/Hammock Hanger:girl
Hammock Hanger
I wore a pair of Keen sandals with great success and comfort last year. I found that I needed to wear socks to avoid rubs/abrasions, although I saw folks out there that went without. I also find that they did not last quite as long as a pair of trail shoes and that 450-500 miles was the maximum I could wear them with comfort. I would surely hike in Keens again. (I knew when I tried them on that they fit me just right.)
Flash
I thru-hiked the A.T. in '04 with Chacos. I did have some trouble with my feet drying out after about 1500 miles. So, I decided to wear socks with my Chacos once every few days to keep moisture in. It wasn’t a problem after that. I used socks that were two sizes too small in order to prevent the socks from flopping around. I made it from GA-ME with one pair of Chacos. I would HIGHLY recommend them! Oh yeah, don’t get the ones with the toe loop. It’s just another spot that rubs your foot and it makes it harder to adjust.
Opie
Opie