Hi Marshall,

Welcome to this forum where you find a great deal of information on boots based upon the experiences of many past Kokoda Trekkers. Just click on "Trek Preparation" and follow the relevant topic.
In summary though, based upon your enquiries to date, with due respect to the Ray's Outdoors chain of stores, I would move "up market" for more reliable advice. Seek out the advice from experienced hikers generally employed by stores such as Paddy Pallin, Wilderness, Kathmandu and maybe Annaconda.

In my opinion, the advice to buy boots one size larger is very very bad, certainly for Kokoda where you do not want to be wearing excessive layers of socks. You must buy the best boots your money can afford. Whether they be leather of Gore Tex is a matter of personal choice. You will find almost any type of boot will become water logged whilst trekking Kokoda. This only adds to the overall experience.

Best of luck with your preparation.

Geoff Hardie

I agree with the above as well,,,larger boots are a no no.
Breathable boots are good, but Kokoda is way too wet for them and your boots wont dry out. It took 4 days to dry a single pair of socks that were hanging off my pack, its just too humid and you are beneath the jungle canopy and not in direct sunlight for very long.
Water proof boots will stay that way unless you sink them in a creek or deep puddle and fill them with water.

Not everyone will agree,,but the good thing about the forum is that everyone chucks in their different ideas and you can choose for yourself what best suits you.

Hi Eve,

For boots to dry overnight on Kokoda suggests use of fire to accellerate the drying.
Be carefull, as frequent or even occassional quick drying is not good for the long term vialabilty for your boots. I would think two days is about the right time to expect boots to dry out naturally.

Cheers, Geoff Hardie

Hi I am an old hand from New Guinea, – Ex-Army PNGVR unit – but keep up to things pretty much (I'm 62 feeling like 32) – Vaseline is good for protection, yes… but if Tinea strikes, use Apple Cider vinegar and wipe on affected areas – stings – but goes and let dry, put vaso over before replacing socks and boots. I always wore 2 army socks on each foot – my boots had room for it. Dont eat too much processed European food… Eat native kaukau, taro or yams, and especially orange cooking banana with them, bully beef added okay, but not too much. Especially get to drink young green coconut juice for bowel and intestinal health. Use bHIP sachets with 500 or 600ml water every day for best energy, stamina, concentration and immune system booster to help protect from disease … There is a bad virus that can hit you in PNG, hits the lungs like a band around your chest… is not a heart problem… but local green leaves like HOVOI or NONU Fruit (Noni also comes in sachets from bHIP agents) I found work best and also good with Malaria. (Kerema people GD, know this.) – So if you need to know where to get some of these things, just Give me a HOY at Brisbane on +61 405 161 778, or email me direct at rkoomans@yahoo.com or (2nd backup email) – bob.bhip@gmail.com

I would personally stay away from Goretex or "waterproof" boots. As far as I know, the goretex water evaporation mechanism only works when there is a temperature difference and the inside is hot while the outside is cold. Also, waterproof boots are best used in climates where rain is expected but you aren't expecting to trek through extremely wet terrain.

The Kokoda track is in a tropical climate so your boots are going to get waterlogged regardless. I would recommend army jungle boots – the US army jungle boots are the best I've tried and considering their experiences with Vietnam, it's not surprising! I've tried UK issue ones but they're not as comfortable. In fact, many UK servicemen in tropical climates will buy the US ones.

Another thing you really need to consider are socks – don't just use your usual sports nike ones. Choose socks meant for the tropical climate. Again, I'd go for army issue ones which you can find from most army surplus shops. Although if you have to go commercial the Bridgedale socks haven't let me down.

1st post, but there's my 2 cents

Hi,

I walked 19 times last year wearing a pair off light weight Solemans, that weren't waterproof. Light weight is important, as you lift your feet up and down 30,000 times + a day.

They didn't need wearing in at all, and didn't get any blisters at all.

They lasted the whole year as well. Need another pair for this trekking season though.

The sales lady suggested that I didn't get the waterproof pair, as when waterproof boots do get wet inside, they stay wet inside, whereas the pair I bought dried out over the day usually when they got wet, and next to the fire at night.

I think everyone will have different opinions on whether to buy waterproof boots or not though.

My next pair will not be waterproof.

As much as I love camping gear stores, I only go into Rays if absolutely necessary. The staff are way under trained and have never been able to "sell" me anything!
I trekked in 2010 and wore Keen Targhee II mid hike boots. They were excellent and I had no blisters, soreness, cramping or any other problem with my feet. Really lightweight for a boot and you can pull the inner sole out at night for easier drying.

Also I took a small bottle of talcum powder and gave my feet a good sprinkling at night to dry up any residual moisture. I dan't use talc for anything at home but was glad I took it along to Kokoda.

My fav socks would be Wigwam but as I bought mine at a clearance in Anaconda, I haven't been able to find any more-I do know they are a US brand though.