[pct-l] Boots > goretex trail runners

[scourtway at bpa-arch.com (Steve Courtway)]

roy asked
Does anyone have a comment favoring Gortex-lined boots or trail runners?

I've been using goretex montrail hurricane ridge gtx for sierra hiking
lately........they're great in the mud and shallow water as well as in the
snow w/gaiters to keep the feet dry and warm early season, which is nice,
but your hike revolves around taking them off/ putting them back on for
crossings, and yes, they do take much longer to dry.  Sierra hikers have a
definite advantage in the wet dept. though because there's always (almost)
guaranteed sun, so drying them sufficiently at a rest stop was not too much
of a problem.  I realized the value of the hiking poles (I don't use them)
at the stream crossing above evolution lake this year when I dipped my gtx
shoes in as I stumbled on a rock in my sandals.

skateboarding shoes the rest of the time,
s.c.





----- Original Message -----
From: <ROYROBIN@aol.com>
To: <garretchristensen@yahoo.com>; <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2004 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Boots


> garretchristensen@yahoo.com writes:
>
> > After doing the AT and the PCT, I cannot imagine ever
> > wearing boots again.  I own about a billion pairs of
> > semi-worn out trail runners and low-cut light-weight
> > hiking shoes, but no boots.  I'm curious for other
> > light+fast hikers thoughts on boots--do you ever use
> > them?  If so, in what circumstances? Based on Jardine
> > I wore a pair from KM to Tuolumne meadows on my
> > through hike this year, but regretted it the whole
> > way.  They got wet and stayed wet and heavy.
> > I also want to know what you wear when you go
> > snowshoeing.  Is it only because we hit the Sierra in
> > late season that the snow is so wet and boots suck,
> > and gore-tex vibram soled boots actually make sense
> > for short shoeing trips in early powder?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > the Onion
> >
>
> I, too, have a couple pairs of real boots in the closet.  Can't let them
go
> because they cost a lot, but they'll probably never see another trail.  I
would
> like to wear trail runners but they're pretty scarce in the narrow width I
> need, so I hike in regular running shoes (New Balance 998's in B width.)
>
> Others have recommended specific shoes or boots that work for them.
That's
> all very well, but the shoe that fits one hiker's foot won't do at all for
the
> next plodder.  Find the shoe that keeps your particular feet happy.
>
> For overnight or weekend snow-shoeing, I have a pair of Sorels.  They are
not
> the boots I would choose for an extended trip.  For that, those closeted
> hi-tops might yet come in handy!
>
> Does anyone have a comment favoring Gortex-lined boots or trail runners?
> Seems like pure marketing to me.  Once any water gets inside, running down
your
> legs or in over the top, they would likely take longer to dry out than
shoes
> without the Gortex.  Sure, they're wonderful for standing in shallow
puddles,
> but we don't do that a lot.
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