Woods/Hiking/Camping type shoes?

M

markisharp

Joined
Jul 24, 2010
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116
So I did a search so I hope this isnt one of those types of threads that are beat to death.

These are what I usually wear in the woods
ksotrekblack1.jpg


But as it gets colder, its harder to wear them, well not harder as I think they are the best all-around shoes ever, but uncomfortable as the temperature drops.

I've seen alot of guys on here post about moccasins, but they all just remind me of house slippers. When I think outdoors type moccasins, I think knee high and made of soft leather. Am I missing something with the moccasins? What about deeper snow? You cant always wear snowshoes can you?

For people who like to camp in the snow or cold, what are your favorite type of shoes/boots? Keep in mind Im a minimilist so while I do love my boots, and I own quite a few pairs, I like simple effective footwear thats not too heavy, any recommendations?

In closing, I picked you guys a flower :D
Campingjuly4014.jpg
 
I also enjoy hiking in my KSO Treks or vibrams in general, but you are correct that they really don't make for warm toes in cold weather. You could look at the neoprene ones they make.
 
I go barefoot sometimes... :) I also run barefoot all the time. Have for a few years now.
if I know I'll be on rocks a lot of the time I just wear some sort of low cut Columbia hiking shoes that I picked up at Academy for like $50.
 
Thats funny i wanted to post about the KSO basics i got two weeks ago. I went on a 9 mile hike, on what i would consider not a rough trail. Had about 1,500ft gain and then loss. What i liked about them the most is the balance you have while walking. You could feel the trail rocks, twigs and everything. Compare to other people in the group i walked much quieter. The reason for that is that after a while you start walking diffrent then with regular shoes. Now the bad thing about them. You can feel every rock that you step on. I could feel the calf muscles work harder then with shoes. This part im sure would be solved after getting used to the shoes. But the very worst part is the rough parts of the trail. If you walk on alot of small rocks or big ones. At some point you would step on the wrong one and it would bruise the bottom of the foot. I would still use them for hikes but on realy rough trail a good shoe would be a better bet. Regular KSO are 2mm thick on the bottom the KSO Trek are 4mm thick. Im sure it would make a much much better shoe for long hikes and rough trail.

Sasha
 
The Treks do make much better Hiking shoes, I have a few pairs of Vibrams as I've been wearing them for a while, KSO, Treks, Flows, Classics, and a couple others. I've had the Flows, the neoprene ones, out in the snow before, sure its fine with an inch, but ones its goes over your ankle your sure to get a tiny amount in the shoe and freeze your feet.

I was thinking about getting the smartwool toesocks, but I can still see the shoes getting cold. The Neoprene keeps me dry not warm. And while that helps, if I get lost or something I don't want to have to worry about my feet more then I have too.

So while I definitely might still keep them in the bag when its cold out. When it snows, Im going to need something else, and thats why I've been asking about moccasins, pretty minimalist and I like that.
 
I have a pair of KSO Flows. I love them but I only wear them to the gym. Olympic lifts rule with those.
As far as what I wear on the trail, I'm pretty much inlove with my Merrell Chameleons.
 
I have tried a number of different kinds of "minimalist" hiking footwear over the years, and in the end concluded that there are so many ultralight "real" pieces of footgear out there, that it makes no sense to mess with any weird and exotic stuff.

I have a pair of trail runners right now, that are so ultralight that they feel barefoot! Yet, I am getting more substantial protection than wearing some sandals or weird whatever. So, I don't see any downside to wearing "real" footwear.
 
reconranger said:
I have tried a number of different kinds of "minimalist" hiking footwear over the years, and in the end concluded that there are so many ultralight "real" pieces of footgear out there, that it makes no sense to mess with any weird and exotic stuff.

I have a pair of trail runners right now, that are so ultralight that they feel barefoot! Yet, I am getting more substantial protection than wearing some sandals or weird whatever. So, I don't see any downside to wearing "real" footwear.
Click to expand...

Define "real" footwear.:confused:
 
reconranger said:
I have tried a number of different kinds of "minimalist" hiking footwear over the years, and in the end concluded that there are so many ultralight "real" pieces of footgear out there, that it makes no sense to mess with any weird and exotic stuff.

I have a pair of trail runners right now, that are so ultralight that they feel barefoot! Yet, I am getting more substantial protection than wearing some sandals or weird whatever. So, I don't see any downside to wearing "real" footwear.
Click to expand...

I honestly havent had better balance and support, even while carrying a heavy (40-60lb) pack with my vibrams. Generally the thicker the sole of a shoe the more ankle support you need. Im interested in moccasins, and even lighter weight boots. I just dont see how moccasins (the ones I've seen) hold up in snow.
 
markisharp said:
I've seen alot of guys on here post about moccasins, but they all just remind me of house slippers. When I think outdoors type moccasins, I think knee high and made of soft leather. Am I missing something with the moccasins? What about deeper snow? You cant always wear snowshoes can you?

For people who like to camp in the snow or cold, what are your favorite type of shoes/boots? Keep in mind Im a minimilist so while I do love my boots, and I own quite a few pairs, I like simple effective footwear thats not too heavy, any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Moccasins in cold weather work well with wool felt liners made from duffle (duffel?) cloth

http://www.jumaka.com/moccasins/MuklukPhotos/muk45duffles.jpg

the leather of the moccasin or mukluk should ideally be smoke-tanned as they're more breathable and will allow moisture produced by your feet to escape, keeping you dry and therefore warm
 
akennedy73 said:
Moccasins in cold weather work well with wool felt liners made from duffle (duffel?) cloth

http://www.jumaka.com/moccasins/MuklukPhotos/muk45duffles.jpg

the leather of the moccasin or mukluk should ideally be smoke-tanned as they're more breathable and will allow moisture produced by your feet to escape, keeping you dry and therefore warm
Click to expand...

Awesome, any way you can post some in-use pictures so I can get an idea of what they look like? Also, can you point me in the right direction to a reputable brand of moccasins?

For everyone else, post up your favorite outdoor shoe, cold weather or otherwise!
 
These are by far the most comfy shoes I've ever owned. Just wish they had fabric around the sides to keep debris out. Then I would wear them all year.

keens__thumb.jpg


Oh and just an FYI, the native americans in my area used fur lined moccasins in the winter.
 
I haven't tried them yet, but I have heard that hedgefrogs are great sandals/shoes. they are made for the water and have better side protection then the keens shown above. Have any of you tried them?
 
I do like softsoled mocs for the winter-the flat surface area has a real good texture to it so it grips ice well, and tends to stay on top of the snow. Minnetonka makes kneehigh mocs too... the problem is I wear out the softsoles in a few months and it's not really worth dropping the 70 bucks on the kneehighs-I stick to the 30 dollar ankle mocs. I wear everything from my TNF Rucky Chuckies to Asolo Echos, and now I have a pair of Born Bronsons and Born Bangors that will see alot of action this winter. Check out H. Trask, they make a few really nice laceup mocs.
 
reconranger said:
I have tried a number of different kinds of "minimalist" hiking footwear over the years, and in the end concluded that there are so many ultralight "real" pieces of footgear out there, that it makes no sense to mess with any weird and exotic stuff.

I have a pair of trail runners right now, that are so ultralight that they feel barefoot! Yet, I am getting more substantial protection than wearing some sandals or weird whatever. So, I don't see any downside to wearing "real" footwear.
Click to expand...
Not to pick a fight, but "real" footwear isn't all that great for your feet, knees, or lower back. I can speak both from personal experience and from a scientific standpoint (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v463/n7280/full/463433a.html) that "barefooting" has as many advantages as a rugged shoe/boot. This summer I did a nice short trek (200+ miles) with a 40lb pack and wore the KSO trek vibrams 90% of the time. This was on the highest part of the Colorado Trail and on some extremely rocky and rough sections. I never rolled an ankle or had foot problems and only stopped wearing the vibrams because they were falling apart (tears in each toe pocket). So my only complaint would be that they didn't hold up to the wear of about 400 miles over the 3 months I had the shoes, but thanks to the 3 month warranty I got my money back.

As the others suggest, it takes a while to build up the strength in your feet and calves in order to compensate for not having a shoe or boot to provide all of the cushioning and support. I hike in both vibrams and trekking/trail running shoes but vastly prefer the vibrams. You might have to watch your step a bit more on extremely rocky stuff, but the upside is that you don't have to worry about injuring yourself because of weak feet.
 
I like those akennedy, Just wish I could find something like that completely waterproof. Might just have to break down and get regular boots I guess.
 
markisharp said:
I like those akennedy, Just wish I could find something like that completely waterproof. Might just have to break down and get regular boots I guess.
Click to expand...

yep mukluks aren't for the wet - just when it's cold enough out that everything freezes so that it's unlikely you're going to get wet, below 20F
 
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