Footwear for spring trip

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Footwear for spring trip

Postby rM788 » Sat 19 Aug, 2017 11:01 pm

Hi All,
We are planning to do overland track in second week of september. And i have great concern (wet feet) what boot to wear? Leather hiking boot? Mountaineering boot? Winter resort boot? Bring extra boot? Also, do we need to carry snowshoe?
Much appreciated for any advice given. Cheers
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby wayno » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 4:12 am

search the forum, its been discussed before.
depends, you're coming into spring the weather conditions can vary,
If you have all of the above types of footwear already, then check the conditions just before you go to make your decision.
if theres late season snow or cold rain and you dont normally walk in those conditions, you could just put up with the conditions if you dont have winter footwear and wear what you normally wear. if your footwear isnt waterproof or thick leather, put your feet in plastic bags inside your footwear to assist with reducing the worst of the cold.
if the weather is warmer , you wont have to do that and just about any walking footwear you normally use should do.
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby Peaksnik » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 12:13 pm

If you are greatly concerned about wet feet then wear boots with built-in Goretex or similar lining and wear gaiters. Not guaranteed to prevent wet feet because water can still get into the boot or shoe over the ankle tops if conditions are very, very wet. But if you have well-fitting boots (leather or synthetic) and wear woollen socks your feet will stay relatively warm even if damp whilst you are walking. At the end of the day wear a spare, dry pair of socks and insert into hut shoes (crocs, booties, slippers etc.) or into your boots loosely tied and fitted with plastic bags if your boots are wet on the insides.
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby rM788 » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 1:18 pm

Thanks Wayno n Peaksnik for the advise. Yes i do have hiking boot with gtx lining as well as alpine boot (rigid) seems i will take my hiking boot with gaiter. And considering to buy a waterproof socks too :)
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby Peaksnik » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 3:44 pm

Alpine boots are not required. You won't be using crampons.

I'm curious (but don't feel you must answer), what concerns you so much about getting damp feet? If you can dry off at day's end and your feet are relatively warm during the day, wet feet are not harmful.
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby rM788 » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 4:12 pm

Hi Peaksnik..
I normally get cramp (feet) quite often when having cold feet. Not sure why. Cheers
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby wayno » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 4:15 pm

just wet or wet and cold?
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby rM788 » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 4:43 pm

Wet n cold Wayno.
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Re: Footwear for spring trip

Postby wayno » Sun 20 Aug, 2017 4:51 pm

the cold is most likely the issue.. not uncommon
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