Shoes

Feet are one of our biggest concerns. We have both had feet trouble from time to time and want to be sure we have solutions for any problems that might arise. I am actually carrying 8 pairs of hiking footwear and a pair of sandals that could also see some action. That might seem extravagant but, then again, I have considered adding another pair of running shoes!

If at all possible I will walk in the lightest shoes possible for the conditions, all with Superfeet insoles. I would rather not wear boots, but am carrying one big pair and three light pairs of boots to deal with snow, wet or cold conditions.

Packing Comments

Sportiva, Trango S EVO

A fairly sturdy pair of three season mountaineering boots. Unfortunately, these are the older model that are not waterproof. Hopefully, I can let them dry between usage. Amy also has a pair, but of the newer variety.

Montrail, CTC Mid

A new light boot. They are very tight in the toe box, but if I can wear them without blistering they should be excellent for scrambling. Though waterproof they will not be a very good snow boot. I think my feet would get very cold in them.

Nike, Cinder Cone

A nice well fitting pair of light scrambling boots. Comfortable enough to walk many miles. They are old and have seen the wear of many seasons in the mountains. I wish they were new but they don’t make them anymore.

Patagonia, Karakoram

A new scrambling/approach shoe from Patagonia. The fit is great, I just hope they walk comfortably and true.

Five-Ten

Five Tennies scrambling/approach shoe. Tried and true climbing shoe. If other shoes do not work, I will rely on these.

Nike, Kyotee

A great trail shoe. Well-vented but not very tough. If they hold up, they will be my choice for class one or two hikes. Nike does not make them anymore, naturally.

Other Running Shoes

I am going to bring at least one more pair and probably two. I have a good collection of old shoes that are worn out from running but are still more than cushioned enough for hiking.

Keen Sandals

I think they are the Newport H2O. They are a good fitting, good walking shoe. If it is really wet, I might resort to these guys. They are broken in but have a deck shoe kind of sole. At best, I think they would be skis in mud.

Crocs

Just a pair of slip-ons for traveling and around camp.

Post-Trip Comments

Sportiva, Trango S EVO

We used these the first couple of weeks when there was so much snow. After that we used lighter boots.

Montrail, CTC Mid

Amy wore these every day. I could never get mine to fit right. After trying forever I was playing with the insoles and found that on the tongue of the shoe they were size 42 womens instead of size 43 mens. That was why the toe box was so tight! I felt like such a fool - the box and the order said they were mens size 43.

Nike, Cinder Cone

They were great. The only problem was that they are so old, they are falling apart. I glued them together long enough to use them on four peaks. Wish I had another pair.

Patagonia, Karakoram

Just sort of liked them. They never seemed to break in properly and I never liked the heel cup. When my toes were jammed into the toe box, my heel was still slipping out of the heel cup. Maybe I can find an insert for them.

Five-Ten

Used once and had to throw them away. The soles separated from the shoe in a seemingly unglueable fashion. I lowered the flag to half mast and tossed them.

Nike, Kyotee

Used these guys as the back up to my regular running shoe.

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX Trail-Running Shoes

After having blister troubles, Amy bought these for me for Fathers Day. They were my shoe for the rest of the trip. If they had stickier rubber, they would have been the perfect shoe.

Keen Sandals

I used them to hike in on a few occasions and to ford creeks on others. They were heavy though.

Crocs

I did not use them.