[mngreg]

A couple years ago, I thought I had traveling footwear figured out, but was struggling with camp shoes. Today, I guess it’s vice versa.

Basically, I think Crocs are ideal camp shoes, for my purposes at least. Dorky as all get out, but I don’t paddle and camp to be fashionable. 🙂

Here’s what I like about Crocs as camp shoes:

• so lightweight, which counts for camp shoes when, by definition, they’re going to travel on your back on portages)
• toe protection. important in rocky canoe country.
• heel strap – they stay on one’s feet pretty well and don’t slip around. the heel strap also flips up so you can slip them on and off very easily, which is great for getting in and out of the tent.
• comfy in warm and cold. well-ventilated for damp feet and warm weather, roomy enough to put some wool socks on with on chilly nights.

So, Crocs do the job for me. Just don’t expect to see me wearing them around town.

A couple years ago, I was content with my 8″ Red Wing leather boots (with Gore-Tex) for traveling, but now I’m not so sure. The problem is that if I step into water over them (which, as the stern paddler at tricky portages/campsite landings, usually happens at least once a day) my feet are wet and they stay wet. And the boots usually don’t dry overnight. And they’re heavy as all get-out, so my legs and feet feel exceptionally tired by the end of the day (another reason it feels so good to put on Crocs).

I think I’m going to give Wellingtons a shot. I’ve been using them for early/late season canoeing outside of the BWCA and think they might work. My biggest concern is ankle support on portages.

Thanks for the information article and discussion. It is an interesting and enjoyable dilemma. 😀

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