Footwear

It is vital to keep your feet happy.  Blistered or frozen feet will limit your ability to get to where you are trying to get to.  

Hiking Footwear

Selecting the right footwear for hiking if vital to prevent/limit blisters and injury.  It is recommended that you go to REI and try on different shoe and sock combinations and walk around the store for at least an hour.  

See more about this on Hiking Footwear Page.

Sock Recommendation 

• Smartwool 

  • Mountaineer Max or

  • Hike Classic 

Shoes vs Boots

For the most part, Trail Runners will work fine for most of our Hiking and Backpacking Outings.  On Winter Outings, waterproof insulated boots are needed.  There are a few outings in the spring and fall where a waterproof hiking boot might be desirable.

See our Hiking Footwear Page and Winter Footwear Page for more details on footwear.

Shoe Examples

• Trail Runner 

  • Lighter and more comfortable than heavier boots

  • Altra Lone Peak 4 

  • Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator 

• Hiking Boots

  • Merrel Moab 2 Mid Ventilator (This NON waterproof version - is also good for canoeing)

Snow Footgear

Proper footgear if vital for comfort and to protect your toes from frostbite. 

See more about this on See our Winter Footwear Boots Page and Winter Footwear Socks Page 

Wool Mountaineering Socks

• • Smartwool Mountaineer 

  • Ideally pack 2 pairs per day on snow

  • If your boots aren't waterproof, you'll want more pairs of dry socks to change into

  • See our Winter Footwear Socks Page for more information

Snow Boots

• • Waterproof, Insulated Boots are needed for snow travels.

  • See our Winter Footwear Boots Page for more information

Snow Gaiters 

• • Required for deep snow!

  • Keeps snow out of boots

  • This is huge when making snow shelters and breaking a trail through the snow - otherwise your boots will fill up with snow and soak your feet

  • See our Gaiters Page for more information

Canoe Footwear

Canoeing footwear needs to protect your feet when out of the canoe and needs to drain and dry out so your feet don't fall apart (immersion foot syndrome). 

See more about this on Canoe Footwear Page.

Water Boots

• Boots must ALLOW for drainage

• Acceptable options:

  • Water shoes - type that allows for easy draining 

  • Merrel Moab 2 Mid Ventilator (NOT the waterproof version)

  • Merrell AllOut Blaze shoes (mesh lined shoes)

  • Army Jungle Boots are designed to drain  

Dry Camp Shoes

• Wear these in camp - allows feet to dry out

• Sandals that allow you to wear wool socks (NO Flip-Flops!)

• Crocs (fastest drying shoes available)

Cycling Shoes

For shorter trips, walking shoes will be fine for cycling.  But for longer rides, dedicated cycling shoes have huge benefits over shoes made for walking.

See more about this on Cycling Footwear Page.

Cycling Shoe Styles

• Mountain Bike Shoes vs Road Bike Shoes vs Casual Bike Shoes

• Road Bike Shoes

  • Maximum pedaling efficiency

  • Awful to walk in

• Mountain Bike Shoes

  • Two types: Cleats and Non Cleats 

  • Cleated Mountain Bike Shoes

    • Great option for those that will be doing a lot of riding and some walking or running

  • Non-Cleated Mountain Bike Shoes

    • Great option for those that will be doing a lot of riding and a lot of walking or running

• Casual Bike Shoes

  • Made for people who bike to work and will mostly be walking on pavement and office floors