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Posted by rambler on January 23, 2008 at 3:02:32 pm EST
In reply to Waterproof Shoe or not? posted by mikekey on January 14, 2008 at 11:50:21 am EST

For winter I pay attention to waterproof and insulated boots, but come summer, why bother? A water proof shoe might keep your toes dry if you step in a shallow puddle or stream, but hike all day in the rain, your feet are going to get wet. If you wear gaiters, you are going to end up with wet feet, wet shoes and wet gaiters. Gortex is a porous membrane, right? What happens when those pores fill with trail dirt? They will no longer be breathable. That is why you are supposed to keep Gortex jackets clean. Wearing a low cut trail runner means you will have less material to dry out at the end of the rainy spell. Why do leather boots need water proofing? Because, it is not good to get leather wet, and leather takes a long time to dry. Wet boots get water logged and heavier. At the end of the day I look forward to taking off the low cuts, removing the foot beds to let them air out over night,putting on dry socks and dry Crocs, to wear around at camp with my feet dry and comfortable.
Check out the "trail running shoes" at this site. My favorites are Montrails, Merrelles, and Inovs although the Inov's do not fit my feet, so I have never worn any. My wife had a pair of the Golites, but the material over the toe area tore easily. I would not wear them near talus!

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• Re: Waterproof Shoe or not? - fx67 09:39:33 01/24/2008

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