Lightweight water/camp shoes that cover your toes?

Not sure if these will tick the box in terms of keeping your toes separated from the ground/environment but I am seriously considering a pair of Umari Z-Trail sandals from Zero Shoes.

I’ve been using the Vivobarefoot Ultra II shoes. They’re great for water crossings, and not bad for camp shoes. I tend to stub/sprain my toes when I’m barefoot or wearing sandals on trails, so I needed full toe coverage. I wear a women’s 39 and they came in at 10.5 oz. for the pair on my kitchen scale.

I’m not saying they are the prettiest(but backpacking isn’t a fashion show, o.k. for some it is :) or cheapest( I payed $32 for mine) but my MIZUNO WAVE 5’s weigh 4.4oz for a pair of women’s size 8.5 (the 2mm drop minimalist racing flat remains one of the lightest (2.8 ounces each in standard men’s size 9)  and yes they cover your toes.

The New Balance Men’s MRC5000 Racing Flat are 3.1oz each for a men’s size 9

I’ll check out the wave 5. I wonder what they weigh in men’s 12?

Do you find them grippy enough for water crossings?

I am afraid you will have to keep looking, they don’t make them anymore and the largest I can find them is SIZE 10 .

. 6PM says that a size 11.5 weighs 4 oz

. 6PM does have the MRC5000v2 for $68.99(I know kind of expensive and not the ones you were interested in and I have no experience with these shoes)in size 12 and 12.5 and it says a size 12 weighs 4ozs. Sorry about the Mizuno not being made anymore.

This REVIEW says the NB MCR 5000v2 are lighter than the Mizuno’s, they seem to have stopped making these also, if they are of interest to you they may disappear .

I like the VivoBarefoot Ultras…these are the first generation replaced by the Ultra IIs a couple years ago. Same design just lighter and less durable than the IIs.  My size 13s come in at 8.78 oz/pair without the sock liner. There is nothing to absorb water and they protect the entire foot.

The Ultras (come with a sock liner) and the Ultra Pure (no liner) are getting really hard to find now but if you wear a smaller size and aren’t picky about color you may find a pair.

Do they still make the Ultra ?

The Ultra was replaced by the Ultra II a while back, thus there are very few new Ultras and Ultra Pures still to be found.

…the shoes you already are wearing to hike make the lightest camp shoes.

Well, my hiking shoes are often wet when I get to camp and wet all night and wet the next morning. I don’t mind hiking in them…but when I get to camp, I need a break from the damp feet! OR an alternative for water crossings as needed….