[at-l] camp shoes

[agaudet at TheWorld.com (agaudet@TheWorld.com)]

For the first few months on my thru in '97 I used bicycle covers for my
feet. These are waterproof & windproof stretch rubber-like material with a
zipper that goes up the back from heel. Since they normally are used while
wearing bike shoes there was plenty of room to wear thick socks inside
them while at the shelter, I made a habit of keeping one pair of socks
relatively clean for shelter use & sleeping.

Did they work? Absolutely. They have a thin sole so they are likely
similar to aqua socks and I was stepping gingerly around the shelter. Big
advantage? I had warm dry feet while others were walking in mud with their
boots, or, if wearing open sandals, skirting the wet spot in front of the
shelter by carefully navigating to the margins.

Once the weather warmed up, I was just past Roan Mt. I sent them home,
more to save them for other hikes than for their lack of utility.
--RockDancer

> http://trailquest.net/sandals.html
> I think these things are fascinating. But having said that, I've
> not used 'em. As a matter of fact, I've not used *any* camp shoe
> is quite some time -- I just roll in, loosen my boots (if I feel
> the need, which I often don't) -- and go about my business.
> Throwing on boots in the night is easy without even lacing 'em.
>
> What I wore on my throughhike were the leather "slipper"
> moccasins made by Minnetonka -- weighed about as much as the
> aqua socks. Wore 'em every night/morning, I think. Like skeeter
> mentioned, there will be places you have to watch you foot
> placement, but they sure worked well.
>
> --- Pat Villeneuve <pvpvpv@earthlink.net> wrote:
>> I was going through my inventory of camp shoes, and I found
>> some old, knock-off aqua socks. They have a stretchy fabric
>> top and a soft, rubbery sole. They're lightweight, and they
>> feel like an old sneaker or bedroom slipper. I started
>> thinking about using them as camp shoes. I usually use
>> knock-off sandals, but I hate the <rip, rip> of the Velcro
>> when I get up for my nightly trip to the trees. Has anyone
>> tried water shoes in camp? Or do you think these soles would
>> be too soft to deal with the terrain?