Lets Talk Boots/Shoes/Socks

[Tacky Hiker]

I saw a few old threads, but what is new !

What is everyone using?

Me....

Shoe: New Balance MT609GR ’Trail Running Shoe
Boot: Merrell Chameleon 3 Ventilator Mid Gore-Tex (getting tomorrow)
Socks: Smart Wool Medium Cushion (getting Heavy Cushions soon)

Oh and I carry Crocs. !

[dogwood]

Shoe: Chaco Z-12(i think( sandals)
Boot:  Vasque Sundowners or Vasque Wasatch II
Socks:  Definately Smartwool Heavy(sometimes medium) cushion with sock liners

[Tacky Hiker]

I have been thinking about getting some sock liners.

Some Injinji Liners maybe ? Any suggestions?

[dogwood]

I use smartwool liners and have been very happy with them.  They're pretty durable...

[4x4]

Finished my AT thru-hike this year wearing Salomon XT Wings, Tarn Tough mid socks, and Lowas Kerano GTX boots, the latter from GA to MD.

[Lesley]

Montrails, both the running shoe and boot.

Smartwool and Thorlo socks. I've never tried liners. What are the benefits/drawbacks to this?

I keep an old pair of slip on keens in the car for after.

[dogwood]

Lesley,
   I've found that liners help wick moisture away from my feet and also add more "cushion" in the boot.  Overall, i hiked with them and without them, and have been fine either way.  If you've never used them, try some out on a hike and see if there's a difference.

[JC785]

Boots: Merell waterproof (Don't know the name)
Shoes: Saloman
Socks: Smartwool (worth every penny)

[Jackalope]

I've never tried liners. What are the benefits/drawbacks to this?

I've tried liners a couple of times and didn't like them. The extra layer made my feet slip around inside my socks. It didn't really cause a problem but I just couldn't get used to them.

I wear Smartwool mid-weight hikers inside Vasque Breeze (Goretex) year round, backpacking or day hiking. I also carry a pair of Crocs for around camp and if it is cold, I'll throw in a pair of heavier Smartwools to wear around camp too.

I do want to get another pair of boots, something that will dry a little quicker (maybe Merell Moabs) for those creek walk hikes.

[Phreak]

Shoes: Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX trail runners
Boots: never
Socks: Wrightsocks Coolmesh

[Cuffs]

Hey Phreak!  Good to see you round here! How was your Pinhoti hike? Did you find the trailhead ok?

[SmokeDiver]

I wear Merrels as well. Good boot for the price. I use wool socks, I have several brands. Wool seems to breathe and wick moisture the best. Honestly, I can pick up a pair of surplus combat boots and wear a good pair of wool socks and be perfectly fine.

[Pathfinder]

A few months ago, Pully and I were hiking down in a hollow about a mile or 2 from the car.  I had climbed up to a fairly steep little rocky crag and the pressure on the sole of one shoe caused the shoe sole to tear away from the rest of the shoe.  The heel section was all that remained intact.  It was kinda funny except I didn't want to climb out of that canyon and hike back to the car with one shoe and one bare foot.  It finally occur ed to me to take off my belt and wrap it around the broken shoe so that it held the sole in place sufficiently to walk on it somewhat.  With me having to stop every few steps and readjust the belt, I was able climb back up the hill and hike to the car.  We left the woods and went to Wally World to grab a new pair of shoes and then went back to the woods and hiked some more.  I think Pully may have a picture of my old blown out shoe.  It was a hoot.  Needless to say, I got my money's worth from that favorite pair of hiking shoes.

[Phreak]

Hey Phreak!  Good to see you round here! How was your Pinhoti hike? Did you find the trailhead ok?

Hey Cuffs! The hike was awesome! We covered 37 or so miles in 2.5 days. Woke up the last morning to about an inch of snow on Davis Mountain.

Planning to finish the AL portion sometime in the next couple of weeks.

[SmokeDiver]

A little Gorilla Tape would have given you another hundred miles Pathfinder.

[Nalgene Ninja]

Vasque Blur trail runners
low cut running socks

Stopped wearing boots

[Pathfinder]

Smokediver, I imagine you are right about the tape.  At the moment my blowout happened, I would have used anything to keep from going barefoot.  Chewing gum and baling wire might have held things together also.

[Jackalope]

Smokediver, I imagine you are right about the tape.  At the moment my blowout happened, I would have used anything to keep from going barefoot.  Chewing gum and baling wire might have held things together also.

I keep a very small roll of duct tape in a little "essentials" kit (with probably way too many "essentials") in my pack for such emergencies. The duct tape may be the only item in it I've ever had to use.

I've never thought about having a boot blow-out but if it ever happens.....

[4x4]

Gorilla tape saved my a$$ on the AT this year. Went through a whole roll of it. Had a blowout in Va and several other emergencies. Glad I had it.

[SmokeDiver]

You know what I find extremely useful for repairs? Zip ties. You can use zip ties and Gorilla Tape to fix just about anything. I keep em in my lumbar pack and my backpack at all times.