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Footwear for Cactus Country?


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Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
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  • #1274663
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    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.

    #1742919
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    Trail runners with a titanium inner sole.

    –B.G.–

    #1742924
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    The 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.

    #1742925
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    I'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.

    #1742927
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    John,
    Glad they work for you.
    They don't work for me.
    Been there, done that, don't want to go back.

    #1742929
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    How about some leather tennies?

    #1742932
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    I'd love some leather tennies –

    Keen has something like that, but they have a "magic insole" and weight 15 ounces per shoe!

    #1742942
    rOg w
    BPL Member

    @rog_w

    Locale: rogwilmers.com

    deleted

    #1742947
    Ken Thompson
    BPL Member

    @here

    Locale: Right there

    http://www.zappos.com/reebok-lifestyle-classic-ace-white-navy

    Reebok makes quite a few with leather uppers.

    #1742958
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Rog –
    Five Ten it is. The "Guide".
    REI, on sale, free shipping.

    Done.

    Thanks All.

    #1742989
    R S
    Member

    @rps76

    Nooooooooooooooooo. 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.

    #1743028
    Nick Gatel
    BPL Member

    @ngatel

    Locale: Southern California

    Greg,

    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:

    DSC00589

    DSC00593

    DSC00608
    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.

    DSC00318

    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!!

    #1743083
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    Nick, is that the Chihauhuan desert?

    #1743085
    Joe Clement
    BPL Member

    @skinewmexico

    Locale: Southwest

    I'd say no, and will take Mojave for $25.

    #1743088
    Ron Burleson
    Member

    @ronburleson

    Locale: So Cal

    I'm thinking Anza Borrego. Where is it Nick?

    #1743105
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Nick,
    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?

    #1743109
    Brendan Swihart
    BPL Member

    @brendans

    Locale: Fruita CO

    I 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

    #1743192
    Rob Vandiver
    Member

    @shortbus

    Locale: So Cal

    Yucca, cholla, ocotillo, sage… That wierd "plated" rock… I'm guessing Nick was tromping somewhere in the Palm Canyon area.
    Sorry for the thread hijack.

    #1743420
    Nick Gatel
    BPL Member

    @ngatel

    Locale: Southern California

    Not to hijack the thread. I will post a trip report.

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