On my first actual camping trip, 10 days at Isle Royale, I brought no camp shoes. Not only didn't I have camp shoes but I used my hiking boots as waders because I was not able to walk the banks to fish. They were brand new but one of the soles de-laminated and I had to keep it together with cable ties and parachute cord.  . Ah, those were the days, great trip BTW, nice place, I want to get back.

Now I have camp shoes! Teva sandals actually. I think I'm going to replace them. The reasons are two fold. First they are open toed. I think a guy or gal could potentially lose a toenail. Unlikely perhaps but possible.

Secondly, I would like something sturdy enough to do portages with if push came to shove. I detest the thought but you never know. I'm thinking of going with these but before I do I have learned to run things by this community as I am often pleasantly surprised.
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I like that they have an adjustable heel strap. You can really lock them in place if need be.

What say you?

I'll echo your (and Kenny's) reasons for selecting a camp shoe.  While the model I use is not Keen, it seems to be a collaborative effort between Keen and Simms ... and it bears a Simms brand name -- (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links).  [Since I've had mine for a couple of seasons now, I'm not sure if they are still available.]  I'm also very fond of my Simms fleece fingerless gloves for cool weather use (paddling and fishing).

Also, like Kenny, I'm now using an OTB boot (but mine is the Ohdin model--a high-top version of the Abyss).  Of course, if the weather is likely to be cold, I still have Chotas (Nunavut II-neoprene and fleece lined knee-highs) for that.

dd

This is probably going to get me in trouble...

The gal that busted her leg was wearing those things, the keens. The boy has had a couple of pair over the years; whenever it was wet saw him slip a bunch...and he is normally very firm on his feet.

I run tevas with a couple pair of wool socks, keeps the bugs at bay and reasonably warm for the late trips. Been doing so for decades as a camp shoe. Never lost a nail or such.

But the reasonable part I would like to improve on for the late season trips...any notions on that...thought about some type wool, down, synthetic filled/constructed soled booty.....any notions that would be workable even in wet conditions that are as light and small in size as the tevas and a couple pairs of wool socks.

PhantomJug wrote on Oct 30^th, 2010 at 6:40pm:


Sounds epic  Why were you portaging in the rain around midnight? Do tell. Were the police, mafia, jealous husband/s or the IRS involved  .

I like this style for a camp-shoe.
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I found a knock-off at Sam's Club for $20. Warm/comfortable around camp and waterproof enough that you can fetch water/step in puddle and they won't get wet. With a warm pair of Merino wool socks, in cool weather there great. Sole gives better than average traction. I wear Teva water shoes with Brookie Knee highs for paddling/portaging. The slip ons would do on dry trails, but if you really want a serious back-up pair of shoes, Mad_Mat's choice of footwear or the Teva brand would be hard to beat. Teva's Spider sole technology is amazing on slippery surfaces. I'm guessing any name brand water shoe would prove the same.

Knowing where you plan on going, I think a closed toe/heel shoe would serve you better as a back-up shoe. Any opened toed shoe/sandal or with exposed strapping is a potential snag spot. A badly hurt foot for a solo traveler would be more than a inconvenience

For what it's worth, STP is a great source for items at a deep discount price. Their a Christian business that really does hold to their values.
I bought a pair of shoes that were way to small due to a mix up on their part in labeling. I called and they said send them back no problem. A day later they 2nd day air mailed me the correct size before I even mailed the other pair back!! You can't beat that.