Spare Shoes

[Kerryn]

Hi,

I already have a good pair of Columbia Gortex hiking boots. I've heard that I need to take a spare pair of shoes in case by boots break, so I've been looking around for a lighter pair of walking shoes. I think that I will need something that is supportive but still lightweight with a fair bit of grip. So far all the shoes at the hiking stores have felt really uncomfortable. One of the shop assistants suggested something that was more like a non-waterproof trail runner (Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra), and said that some people do the whole trek in these. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do you think that a good pair of runners would be OK instead of a proper walking shoe? What kind of shoes have other people worn?

Thanks

Kerryn

[Geoff Hardie]

Hi Kerryn,

In my opinion a second pair of hiking boots,in case of emergency, is an overkill and totally unnecessary. You simply should not have the capacity, weight wise, for this luxury.
The Columbia hiking boots are of a good quality and you should not have any difficulties. A spare set of laces is important though. If it gives you comfort, a spare set of runners as you suggest, will suffice and will get you through should an unexpected emergency occur. I just had my trusty Kathmandu "Trail" Boots and a pair of "crocs".
Best wishes with your continuing preparation.

Regards, Geoff Hardie

[cantwait]

Hi Kerryn,

I did the trek in April and it did nothing but rain (and rain and rain some more!) I took one pair of boots and a pair of crocs for river crossings & camp. I did take extra shoe laces – thankfully they wern't required. My feet got alittle "damaged" from all the water but that was my fault and not because of the boots I was wearing. One pair of boots and crocs are all you need.

Good luck and enjoy.. when are you going? I'm doing it again in June – I loved it that much

[Boss Meri]

Hi Kerryn, have noticed your post and thought I would add a reply. To date we have taken over 3500 trekkers on the track and only a handful of those had their shoes not make the distance but it has happened.

One young lass from Lismore had to walk for three days with no shoes as her trusted pair of some four years gave up on her. When I came across her at Owers' Corner believe me her feet were a mess as we have been spoilt since kids here in Australia and always have a pair of shoes to our name.

In PNG the boys are used to walking without shoes as the 'norm' and we often joke they could walk on glass and not feel it! Out the front of our base in Port Moresby and the few times I have walked without shoes on the stoney bitumen it really hurt but these guys walk around all the time on the same bitumen without flinching when they are in town.

So the answer is you do not have to purchase an expensive walking shoe as a backup but you should have something in your pack such as tape. Often I have seen trekkers with their boots taped at the end with bandage they took as part of their medical kit but they have still managed to walk out in their original boots. If anything breaks it usually the sole of the shoe subsequently letting water into the shoe. The tape holds it together.

Perhaps a lightweight shoe that can be used for walking around in the village and for creek crossings of which there is only two that you wade through on average based on rainfall, all others have log crossings. I bought myself last year a pair of walking shoes from Anacondo which I wear constantly day in day out in PNG. They have adjusting back velcro straps and the sole grip is just like a normal trekking shoe. I know these would be ok to walk in as well if my boots gave way.

The brand is MERRELL and it also has the words 'Continuum' and 'vibram' written on them. Lots of open vents and are very comfortable to wear.

I once bought one of our guides a brand new pair of boots which cost at the time $260 and the second time he walked, water leaked inside the boot. They were a good brand so you just can never tell.

The strap is also removable if preferred but I normally leave mine on as I broke my ankle two years ago and prefer the support it gives me when I walk around.
Merrell_shoe.jpg

[Fluppy]

I'm taking as my extra pair of shoes, a set of 'Crocs' for walking around the campsite/river crossings.

Hubby is looking at taking those fishing-slipper type things (I have no idea what they're called, sorry). Basically, (from what I understand) they're made out of wetsuit material and suitable for fishing on craggy rocks/barnacles/rock pools and the like. Don't really know how these will fair and trying to talk him into getting a pair of crocs, but each to their own…

[Lorna]

Fluppy, your hubby will still need something to wear around camp at night, such as crocs. Those wetsuit type booties are a real sauna for dry feet. He'll sweat buckets in them…. and i think the idea is to dry/air your feet once we've finished trekking for the day. They'd probably be fine for the creek crossings but will necessitate the taking of three pairs ( i.e trekking boots, cocs or similar plus wetsuit booties) on the trail.
I've got new Scarpa boots and have been breaking them in for a while now. I'm taking a roll of 'thousand mile an hour tape' in case of a blowout, spare laces … and crocs.

[Kerryn]

Thanks for all the replies guys. They helped a lot. Sounds like I'll be investing in some crocs or those velcro shoes! I'm going in July. Hopefully I'll love it as much as you, cantwait.

Kerryn

[Times two]

My daughter and I walked in September last year, each with a high quality boot. The sole fell off hers on the first day! She walked the entire trip with the soles taped on!
The best advise for boots is to make sure you water proof them several times before you go. They get waterlogged from constantly wet clay, and water will eventually seep in. Take the laces out before you waterproof them, and repeat monthly before going.
I too took crocs as my second shoes. They were fantastic – feet could dry and air at the end of each day, toes could spread out, and the feet were protected. I did a coupls of river crossings in them, and walked a couple of km on a particularly wet day in them. I considered the wet suit booties, but am glad I didn't bother. They are overkill for the water crossings and totally useless for around camp. I liked the look of those merrell open sandles though – do they weigh much?

[Geoff Hardie]

A member of our group in August 2007 also lost the sole of one boot within two days of commencing the Track. Problem was overcome in the main with grey duct tape.
His boots were a quality brand . The major problem was that they had been unused for 10 years beforehand, left in a back shed without proper leather conditioner protection. The other major issue was that he failed to adequately test boots in his preparation.
Cheers, Geoff Hardie

[walkerman07]

[Author]

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