footwear suitable for scratchy desert grassland hiking?

You could try the goretex version of the XA?

I have had similar issues with my inov-310. My solution was to use the gore-tex version (flyroc-345). Not as breathable… but more protective.

–mark

I've used the XCR, but it's just too warm for 3 season hiking. Something truly breathable (non-W/B) but less meshy would be ideal. Ideally, a trail runner.

Brett, you brought back bad memories of hiking in Texas and Arizona with the grass seed problem. They are terrible; like little one-way barbed arrows. Only way to get them out of cloth is to push them through. Even on my full leather upper boots they covered the laces, and worked their way past the tounge into the boot.. Maybe the desert equivalent of a super-gaiter (covers entire boot) is a custom solution.

I reached the 'supergaiter' conclusion while out for a jog just now. (perspiration = inspiration)

But rather than a one-piece design, I'm envisioning a separate piece for the forward portion, with 3 small velcro attachment points: one atop the end of the toebox, and at either side behind the forefoot (glued on). Don and doff the "super" portion atop a standard shortie gaiter as necessary. Problem hopefully solved, as I've had no problem with the stickers passing through spandura gaiters – too sheer to succumb to a casual brush-up.

But how long will glued-on velcro swatches hold up in such a location? Solving that may be the rub.