Lightest Camp shoes

[Philip Tschersich]

On a lark I picked up some of the size XL zpacks (I wear a US M12). I can’t begin to describe how dumb these things are. They fit like the pajama feet we had as kids on our onesies. It’s like wearing swim flippers the way the broad toe flap catches on the ground. They might be fine standing around on level ground but they would be awful walking on even a mild side slope since there is zero structure to keep your feet from sliding around.

Nearly useless. Going back.

Ymmv.

[bradmacmt]

 
On a lark I picked up some of the size XL zpacks (I wear a US M12). I can’t begin to describe how dumb these things are. They fit like the pajama feet we had as kids on our onesies. It’s like wearing swim flippers the way the broad toe flap catches on the ground. They might be fine standing around on level ground but they would be awful walking on even a mild side slope since there is zero structure to keep your feet from sliding around.

Nearly useless. Going back.

Ymmv.

After studying them online your report mirrors my initial guesstimate. Thanks for the report.

[JCH]

I’m shocked.  SHOCKED I tell you. 😒

That report aligns with my visual evaluation.

[jscott]

“They might be fine standing around on level ground but they would be awful walking on even a mild side slope since there is zero structure to keep your feet from sliding around.”

these aren’t. meant to be shoes….what did you expect? They’re meant for walking around camp after a long day of hiking. thongs don’t give structure on side slopes either. These are a lighter version of thongs. that’s all.

They are WAY too pricey for me.

[David D]

Thongs I posted with heel diy heel strap easily handles technical terrain in camp such as rocky faces down to the lake to get water

It comes down to 2 things: a firm and grippy enough sole and stability on foot especially fore and aft, not shifting around when on an incline

[talagnu]

sounds like a sizing issue

[Roger Caffin]

I wear thongs maybe 90% of the time. They are great in the dry, but as soon as I get them wet my feet lose all grip on the sole and slide around like mad. Very dangerous.

I am better off putting my joggers back on without any socks, and usually without doing up the laces. Which weighs zero and gives me great protection for my toes.

My 2c
Cheers

[David D]

Use the heel strap, problem solved

I enter and exit water and climb rock slopes no problem site after site

[dirtbag]

I use a vbl over my socks or down booties if itz winter or cold out. If its warmer weather and my feet are dry, I just loosen my laces and wear my runners. Sometimes I bring the vbl if I think my runnes will be wet from hiking or if its raining out.  My time around camp is usually laying down resting/sleeping or sitting beside a cozy fire. The Zpacks look intriguing to me and I was so close to pulling the trigger but I hesitated because just not sure I need them..

[Fifty Weekends]

Just want to note that wearing trail runners in water is not exactly “free” in terms of weight. The shoes (even fully synthetic) will soak up water and will weigh more when wet. Per the tests in this article https://www.backpacker.com/gear/footwear/topo-athletic-traverse-quick-drying-thru-hiking-shoe/ each shoe weighed 2.3-2.7 oz more when wet, and they took 3 hours to dry while hiking on a sunny day.

[David D]

I’d prefer a slide vs thong so I could wear my bridgedale wpb socks in camp like I do in my Crocs when kayak camping.    But no one makes a light one in 14

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