Hiking SW US trails and rivers

Hello,

I will hiking Havasu Canyon and the trail to the Colorado river includes frequent river forges of 1-4 feet deep, what kind of shoes are best for this activity? It is hot and 15 miles and my experience with river sandles is they rip your feet apart after 1-2 miles

Thanks
Brian

I have thought about going there as well. You'll have to tell us how your trip turns out.

As for your question, I can only tell you not to wear running shoes; I wore them while backpacking in Escalante NP, Utah thinking that they would be able to dry quickly from all of the stream crossing. I will never wear them again in those conditions. Sand would fill in my shoes through the little mesh holes and it would become extremely annoying; almost enough to completely ruin my trip. Not just a little sand hear and there, but enough so that a couldn't wiggle my toes anymore. I'm not sure if the conditions will be the same, but I would think twice about wearing running shoes if you were considering them.

Braden,

Thanks, I did this 11 years ago and I wore canvas low top tennis shoes and socks and I did ok, no sand problems, but I hear what you are saying. I realize now not to wear mesh or anything that will allow sand in. I know people hike up the Virgin River in Zion which involves much more sand and river wading, so there must be someone out there with good information.

Brian

well, you could opt for a pair of wading shoes (check fly fishing supply shops) - some have rubber soles - some have felt soles (good traction on wet rocks) - some have felt soles with carbide studs in them (fantastic traction on wet rocks - I upgraded last year to a pair of these for fly fishing) - most have a neoprene cuff that keeps stream debris out of them but the light synthetic ones (look for "packable" in the description) dry really fast.

A cheaper alternative are the old vietnam style "jungle boots" - the cloth dries pretty fast - the water drains out and if you get the mesh insoles your socks actually dry out in fairly quick order.

Another may be a pair of high top "chuck taylor" sneakers (canvas) - they drain well and dry fast also - but the vent holes will let sand get into the footbed ....

Steve,

Thanks for the reply, do the first options that you have mentioned work well for 15 miles of hiking?

Thanks

Brian