Topic
Footwear for Cactus Country?
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Gear (General) › Footwear for Cactus Country?
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
May 30, 2011 at 6:15 pm #1274663
On an upcoming trip I'll be doing extensive cross-country through prickly-pear land.
I know from personal experience (painful) that trail runners won't cut it.I assume a solid leather boot is the way to go, but it has been a long time since I've looked at those.
Recommendations?
Edit: And I do not want shoes with a waterproof membrane. Fine sand trickles in, fills the spaces as you walk, redefining the inside of the shoe with lumps and bumps that soon render the shoe un-wearable. (Keen said "To Bad. Not Our Problem.")
Thanks.
May 30, 2011 at 6:25 pm #1742919Trail runners with a titanium inner sole.
–B.G.–
May 30, 2011 at 6:35 pm #1742924The sole isn't the issue.
It's the abundance of mesh just above the sole that is the problem. One miss-step can mean a lot of time picking out the major and minor spines so they don't work their way in. If they get below the first layer of mesh it is really hard to find them. But your feet Know they are there.
Not much fun.
May 30, 2011 at 6:35 pm #1742925I've only worn trail runners in the Chihuahuan desert and did fine, with much of it cross country. You have to watch your step. I have had a rare spine get through the mesh and one lechuguilla spine go through the bottom of my shoe where I felt it in my heel, but it had not penetrated the skin. Your legs will take much more of a beating (scratches) than your feet. If you don't like watching your step as one of my friends doesn't (always bleeding through pants by trips end), then boots would be your choice.
May 30, 2011 at 6:37 pm #1742927John,
Glad they work for you.
They don't work for me.
Been there, done that, don't want to go back.May 30, 2011 at 6:38 pm #1742929How about some leather tennies?
May 30, 2011 at 6:44 pm #1742932I'd love some leather tennies –
Keen has something like that, but they have a "magic insole" and weight 15 ounces per shoe!
May 30, 2011 at 7:06 pm #1742942deleted
May 30, 2011 at 7:14 pm #1742947http://www.zappos.com/reebok-lifestyle-classic-ace-white-navy
Reebok makes quite a few with leather uppers.
May 30, 2011 at 7:41 pm #1742958Rog –
Five Ten it is. The "Guide".
REI, on sale, free shipping.Done.
Thanks All.
May 30, 2011 at 9:06 pm #1742989Nooooooooooooooooo. The soles are going to be gone after 50 miles. It's a thin, sticky (read not durable at all) dot rubber sole. I own a pair that I only use when it's a short approach or when I know I will be doing some technical scrambling. They also don't have very good cushioning at all. And wearing them in the desert, be prepared for some serious foot funk.
Go with the Boulder X's instead.
May 31, 2011 at 12:37 am #1743028Greg,
I know you said NO trail runners… but perhaps you might want to reconsider. I did this about 3 years ago and it has worked out well. Here is some typical terrain for me:
These shoes (Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra Trail Running Shoes) have been great. When I have get into a ton of lose sand, I sometimes wear XA Comp 4 GTX which keep the sand out with no other problems.Other than that you might look at something like the Merril line, they have models with leather/mesh. I have no experience there.
For leather, I think Danner still makes the Mountain Light (right), and I have a pair that I wore for 20 years. Not light. Also, the best leather boot I have ever owned are Lowa Banff's (on the left). Gosh, digging up this picture makes me miss both those boots, but not the weight!!
May 31, 2011 at 7:51 am #1743083Nick, is that the Chihauhuan desert?
May 31, 2011 at 7:54 am #1743085I'd say no, and will take Mojave for $25.
May 31, 2011 at 8:20 am #1743088I'm thinking Anza Borrego. Where is it Nick?
May 31, 2011 at 9:02 am #1743105Nick,
Glad they work for you.Been there—
—Soloman XA Pros
—New Balance 875 – 16 days in Southeast Utah – ouch, ouch, sh*t, ouch, etc…
They don't work for me. Done that, don't want to go back.And based on RS's somewhat distressed call, Boulder Xs will be added to the mix.
Any other "nearly all leather" suggestions?
May 31, 2011 at 9:17 am #1743109I had a pair of these Merrells a few years ago. Looks like you might be able to find some on ebay (searching Merrell traveler). I think they did have goretex, but they were very comfortable, required no break in and would be better than a boot if you can find them. http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-merrell-chameleon-wrap-traveler-gore-tex-xcr-shoe-reviews
May 31, 2011 at 11:59 am #1743192Yucca, cholla, ocotillo, sage… That wierd "plated" rock… I'm guessing Nick was tromping somewhere in the Palm Canyon area.
Sorry for the thread hijack.May 31, 2011 at 8:15 pm #1743420Not to hijack the thread. I will post a trip report.
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.