Lightweight, breathable, waterproof shoes

Im not sure about the weights, but I love the merrell Moab Gtx mids, and I have a pair of the low hiker versions coming in the mail now.
They seem to breath the best for Gtx shoes, but definitely do fall apart after a few hundred miles. (I'm on my fifth pair now in about 4 years.)

Andrew Skurka and others will tell you to just forget WP shoes, and go with the lightest most breathable and quick drying shoe you can find and count on getting your feet wet. I'm thinking they are right, and I'm sure I'll go that way eventually, but like you I'm still clinging to hope that I can keep my feet dry :)

"Andrew Skurka and others will tell you to just forget WP shoes"

Note that his recent big trip was in Alaska.

Lots of backpackers arrive in Alaska and then they try to figure out how to travel across the muskeg and tundra and keep their feet dry. Instead, they are told to find the first big puddle and jump in feet first. The point is that you won't keep your feet dry, so don't even bother.

–B.G.–

David Chenault had a recent article about footwear and socks for wet/cold conditions:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/fast_light_shoulder_season_footwear_tips.html

Suffice it to say, waterproof shoes were not part of his solution.

I'll cross an icy stream with mesh trail runners and thin merino socks, where the water is painfully cold, and within just minutes on the other side, my feet are perfectly warm. Not dry, but warm.

Edit: BTW, have you had the Salomons on a scale? Some sites seem to be reporting that 14-15 oz weight as per pair. Going strictly by looks, per shoe seems more likely. My size 10 Trail Gloves are 14 oz per pair, and look way more minimal.

So, if 14 oz per pair for the Salomons, then no, there aren't a whole lot of shoes lighter. But if (as I suspect) it's 14 oz per shoe, then there's plenty of lighter options.

"I'll cross an icy stream with mesh trail runners and thin merino socks, where the water is painfully cold, and within just minutes on the other side, my feet are perfectly warm. Not dry, but warm."

David, prior to last August, I don't think that I would have agreed with you. Then I got some new trail shoes. As of the second day on a trip last August, I agree completely.

–B.G.–

Whats so wrong with having your actual shoes wet? I still think the best option out there is goretex socks and non waterproof shoes. It's more versatile.
Just letting your feet get wet is not the solution if you are hiking in near freezing temperatures with sloppy snow everywhere and wet coming pouring down.
Even if your feet and socks are getting wet from perspiration, at least it's trapped in a closed off layer where it can be warmed instead of being constantly replaced by new, cold moisture from the outside.
Or you could just go all the way with actual rain boots and replace your socks often. I met an Alaskan who hiked all over the place, all day long in rubber rain boots, even when it was dry out. It worked for him. If I was seriously slogging through boggy ground all day in chilly weather that's what I would use.

I agree with the wool socks, they make crossing icy streams so much more bearable. All of my hiking buddies freak out when crossing, I just dive right in. On a recent trip both of my friends were wearing leather boots, and it was painful to see them cross and get their boots filled when they had no other choice.

Just to clarify: I was talking about wet feet in temperate conditions, crossing cold streams (snow melt). Dave Chenault's piece addresses wet feet in more severe weather. IIRC, he's a fan of neoprene socks.

> wet feet in temperate conditions, crossing cold streams (snow melt)
Been there, done that, in bare feet, and then put warm dry socks on pretty quick. And started walking quickly. You live.

Cheers

Roger's method works mostly. Some of us are wimpy in bare feet, especially when the rocks are sharp on the stream bottom.

–B.G.–

I can confirm that the Salomons are indeed about 14.5 oz per foot. That is about 29oz for the pair (I weighed mine at ~28.75oz.)

My first pair of Salomons were very breathable and I loved them in most conditions. But I didn't love constantly having wet feet. I found that lead to blisters and discomfort.

I guess the problem is walking through streams in cold weather and in very humid weather.

I have a pair of goretex socks that I used to stop and put on right before crossing a stream, but the hassle of it was a bit much. I did use those socks continuously while hiking in heavy snow and found my feet would stay warm, but also wet.

I suppose in a backpacking scenario, this would be acceptable as long as I had a dry pair to change into at the campsite and the wet pair would dry itself overnight. Perhaps drying over the fire is an option as well.

For the first few times of wearing the GTX shoes on a longer day hike with a number of stream crossings and constant rain, I was very happy that my feet were dry. Then again, the shoes felt too heavy.

Do you have any specific shoes suggestions? Perhaps I could go try some on at the store and see what I think.

Here is what Andrew has to say about wet feet

http://andrewskurka.com/2012/minimizing-the-effects-and-aftermath-of-wet-feet/

OK. You've convinced me. I want to go back to breathable shoes.

I was talked out of it by my hiking friends who shiver at the thought of wet feet and we continually cross streams on our hikes. However, I'm just not loving the weight and heat of the gore-tex shoes.

So, I've read the suggested articles and I'm looking at lightweight shoes.

I'm looking at New Balance Minimus, but I'm concerned about pointy objects and reviews of the shoe wearing out prematurely.

Is there any shoe that compares to the Minimus but has a little more protection to pointy things? Or do you recommend getting used to it?

What about an aggressive sole for grip in muddy and slimy terrain? The Minmus MT20 and MT00 appear to have more of a street shoe tread pattern.

Have you looked at the Altra Lone Peak?

I am partial to the 295s but they carry a variety of light, meshy shoes.

I'm going to try to track down some of these shoes at local shops if possible. There isn't much around here, so I don't plan on holding my breath.

I am sort of leaning towards buying from REI, because of their warranty and because I can exchange my Salomons for a new pair if I want.

From what I can tell, REI has the Minimus and the Glove shoes available.

The only zero drop is the Minimus MT00. They are also lighter than the other options by 5oz/pair.

Hi Zack,
FWIW, here's my experience going from traditional full-leather goretex boots (Danner Mountain Lights) to mesh trail runners.

>Started with Keen Ridgeline (no longer made), @ 13 oz/shoe. Pretty traditional raised heel, padding, "support" etc. Nice wide toe box. Went through two pairs–these changed my mind about the need for boots and keeping feet dry.

>Next shoes were Inov8 Roclite 295s, @ ~11 oz/shoe. Narrower toe box than the Keens, but works for my feet, esp. upsizing a bit. Still some drop, heel to toe. Love the tread and sticky rubber soles. Definitely felt the difference in padding and structure, and changed my gait accordingly. First hike in them was 45 miles over two days. No blisters (but then I almost never get blisters), several mid-calf stream crossings (which would have swamped any shoes or boots, goretex or not), some manageable foot soreness that stopped short of bruising. Later in the season, had zero comfort issues on days that approached similar mileage. So I would say, in my experience, there's some period of getting used to a more minimal shoe, but with a transitional model like the 295s, it's not bad. If Trail Gloves don't ultimately work for me, I'd be happy going back to 295s.

>Current shoes are Trail Gloves, @ 7 oz/shoe. Trail Gloves are a zero drop shoe, and have very minimal padding (maybe 2mm?). More anatomical last than Inov8, at least for my feet. Since I got them a few months ago, I've used them on day hikes, as well as rough paths and hill climbs on my walk to work. I like them a lot, but there is an adjustment–even walking, I find heel striking painful (no big deal–it just keeps me on my mid and fore foot). Great ground feel. I'll have them backpacking for the first time this weekend, with maybe a 14 mile day as the longest.

>In my opinion, you'll notice a dramatic difference going from the shoes you've been using to something like the Minimus or Trail Glove. And there'll be adjustments.

I'm willing to adjust. :)

Growing up I always had some crazy heavy leather boot like Vasque Sundowners. I still have these actually, but rarely wear them even casually around town. :( At the time, I thought those were the absolute pinnacle of hiking shoes.

Then I moved into the full mesh Salomons and loved them. They kept my feet cool even to the bottom of the grand canyon and back in the middle of summer. I've worn them through mid calf deep snow and slush for 14 miles in 10 degree weather with a pair of gore tex socks and loved them.

Unfortunately, I let myself be talked into the heavier gore-tex shoes as replacement. They've never felt right to me unfortunately.

I think I'll try either the MT00 or Glove from REI and if I can't stand it, I'll try the other and go from there.

Those GoLite shoes look intriguing. Moreso than the other GoLites I've seen.
I looked somewhat in-depth on the net and couldn't find anything that looked even remotely like the black and yellow ones pictures.

It'd be great if someone could ID those.

Zack, one shortcoming I keep running into with lighter mesh hikers is the lack of durability in the upper. I'm still using the heavier Crossleather because (for me) they are the only thing which holds up well. Something to think about.

There are a number of lower, but not super-minimal shoes which have a grippy sole. The Salomon Speedcross might be worth looking at if Salomon's suit you. The Lasportiva Crosslite/Crossleather/XCountry series has excellent grip in mud and loose terrain. The XCountry is more minimal than the others, and a fair bit roomier. The Inov8 X-Talon is also well regarded.

I own a pair of NB MT00's, and I like them. Quite a bit. But they are extremely light, almost an exercise in how minimal an upper can be. I don't believe they would hold up to extensive rough terrain hiking, and would not protect for long against serious abrasion. They're just too lightly built. They would work for a while but wear out quickly.

Occasional day hikes, trail runs and the like, yeah. I like them. But I would suggest the MT110 or maybe a Brooks Pure Grit for regular trail duty. Both are, I believe, 4mm drop and plenty light…but quite different from each other. REI does or did carry both.

The Vivo Neo Trail is a nice shoe. But it's not very breathable and dries very slowly. The low ankle height means anything deeper than a minor puddle gets you wet feet and the fabric doesn't dry well. I like mine, very comfortable and well made, but imperfect for wet terrain hikes.

Meanwhile the newer, lighter, cheaper Breatho Trail breathes and dries much better, but I don't like the tongue design. Specifically, the tongue is an integrated part of the upper (not a separate part) which forces it to "bunch" under the laces a bit across the top of my foot. That could be peculiar to me but it is an issue.

I use the Merrell Trail Gloves. I also bought them from REI so I could return them if they didn't work out for me. I love them and wear them casually as well as hiking. I hike in Southern California where trails consist of all manner of sized rock, packed dirt and scree. You can sense what is under foot but not feel it. I rarely get an ouch moment. I found them to be very durable both upper and tread. I've used them in all 4 seasons (snow) and they work great. I don't use gaiters and never have an issue with debris entering the shoe. They have a wide toe box but fit, well, like a glove. I highly recommend them.