Hiked in Sandals?

[monde]

I never hiked with sandals. I know two annoying people who hiked with sandals and after they have reached the peak, they complained of swollen feet. It was raining that time so it was difficult for them to climb.

[ppine]

For river trips I have used Teva sandals and done some day hikes with them. A better alternative are the new shoes designed for water use that worked well for a Grand Canyon trip. I have met people on the trail backpacking with $2 flip-flops, that had no problems but they were young and used that type of footwear all the time in Hawaii.

It is possible to work up to almost any type of footwear, or even hiking barefoot. It takes practice and a little more caution in where you put your feet. Our ancestors carried heavy loads with minimal footwear. If you talk to the old timers, modern footwear is one of the great things they wished they had. I like high tops for ankle support to overcome a lifetime of basketball injuries.

[eyebp]

Originally Posted by bsmit212

I have hiked in Keens before. There are a couple of trails in the Cohutta wilderness, sure other areas as well, where you are doing a river crossing ever 1/4 to 1/2 mile, sometimes less, where changing in and out of crossing shoes is just not practical. Better to just hike in something like Keens or Chacos so you can just cross and keep going.

Examples of the numbers on two of the trials: Conasauga River Trail has 38 crossing on a 12 mile trail and the Jack river trail has 43 crossing in 26 miles. It is just easier to hike in river shoes. haha.

The Cohuttas is the place that came to mind when I read the original post. I've done all those crossings in sandals or Keens.

BTW.. we are neighbors. I'm on the other side of Atlanta and pass your town all the time.

[Barney]

OK, that is an interesting point. Another question: wearing socks on sandals, a must? I guess so because of all the lurking critters out there?

[Gondor]

Let's put it this way: I would never be without socks, unless I'm going for a swim. You never know what might be crawling under those rocks and in that grass.

[IndianaHiker]

Originally Posted by Barney

OK, that is an interesting point. Another question: wearing socks on sandals, a must? I guess so because of all the lurking critters out there?

I don't as I fear the fashion police. believe that there is a standing shot on sight order for socks and sandals

[Barney]

Hahahaha! I guess so. I wouldn't want to be seen with that combination either. Who knows, maybe we could fashion a new trend with this.

[ChadTower]

What makes folks think a thin sock is going to protect their feet from any critter that is actually dangerous?

[Grandpa]

Fashion police (grandma) is constantly on my case for wearing socks and sandals. I've commented before about my exposed skin never burning but I have never wore sandals before and the first day, my lily white skin burned where the straps weren't. Hence, I wear socks despite the fashion police, grandma, or the grandkids nagging at me. I also wear socks with my crocs crossing rivers. Keeps my feet warmer. But despite my poor taste in fashion, I've yet to make the "people of walmart" clips.

[IndianaHiker]

Yes Grandpa you know you need to rethink the fashion when you make the "People of Walmart" clips. lol