QuietJourney Forums - Camp shoes?

Sep 3^rd, 2026 at 10:33pm (UTC)

QuietJourney Forums › Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums › Strictly Gear - Gear specific reviews and ideas. › Camp shoes?

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Camp shoes? (Read 18563 times)

TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Camp shoes? Jan 10^th, 2019 at 3:20pm	Quote Print Post
	It appears that Salomon has discontinued their Tech Amphibian line of water shoes. I've used them since 2008 and went to buy another pair but no luck. So, what do you folks wear when on day trips or hanging in camp?


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #1 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 3:40pm	Quote Print Post
	I bring 2 pairs of low-cut water type shoes. I don't need the extra ankle support and like a light shoe. I buy my shoes from places like Sierra Trading Post and try to get the best deal I can. From my personal experience, I've torn up more shoes than I ever worn out. If can get a decent shoe at low price and get a couple trips out of them, then I'm happy. My camp shoe has to be able to be my traveling shoe in a pinch too. This is what I bought last year. I got them on sale. I like them alot. Only problem is that like many shoes like this the innersole is junk. I bought a nicer pair with better arch support at CVS. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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Solus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 967 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Oct 6^th, 2006	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #2 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 3:43pm	Quote Print Post
	I bring a pair of running shoes, usually trail oriented for better traction. Lightweight, but at size 13 take up at least as much room as my sleeping bag. I've use water shoes (feet get wet from dew- mosquitos bite through them), moccasins (slippery), Tevas (mosquitoes) and finally have accepted the bulk and the notion that I don't have to buy anything new.


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #3 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 3:53pm	Quote Print Post
	Solus wrote on Jan 10^th, 2019 at 3:43pm: I bring a pair of running shoes, usually trail oriented for better traction. Lightweight, but at size 13 take up at least as much room as my sleeping bag. I've use water shoes (feet get wet from dew- mosquitos bite through them), moccasins (slippery), Tevas (mosquitoes) and finally have accepted the bulk and the notion that I don't have to buy anything new. Salomon has come out with a water/trail/running shoe. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) Could be interesting. They are a quality company. I get my feet wet a lot and don't want pebbles and twigs getting in my shoes. These might do the trick but I'm open for more input. Solotripper I like the look of yours but because I dedicate the shoes I wear for trips only, I end up buying name brands that I know are quality made. I wouldn't want a "shoe fail" on a trip.


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #4 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 4:09pm	Quote Print Post
	Quote: Solotripper I like the look of yours but because I dedicate the shoes I wear for trips only, I end up buying name brands that I know are quality made. I wouldn't want a "shoe fail" on a trip TomT, I get that. No-body wants a shoe failure. When were discussing traveling shoes people posted about buying highly rated/expensive shoes that didn't live up to the hype and least for them. You need to remember that almost ALL of these shoes are MADE in CHINA of someplace similar. You paying a huge premium in price for a NAME BRAND item vs a house brand like those Bass Pro ones. Since you have those Solomon shoes, take a cruise to your local Bass Pro and compare what they have to those Solomons? For all you know the SAME vendor that makes Solomons makes the Bass Pro ones?


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #5 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 4:23pm	Quote Print Post
	Makes good sense Solotripper. I had good luck as far as durability using the Salomons over the years. The sole is a bit worn down now but they've held together well. Last fall my brand new pair of Chota Lightweight portage boots failed on me. The sole started coming apart at the toe on one of them towards the end of the 12 nighter. I'm just leary now of boots and want quality. I've been looking at Merrells because that's another brand I like. I'm a bit of a boot snob because I go through a lot of them at work. My new favorite brand is Vasque. I'm on my third pair of their Breeze shoe. Unfortunately they don't make anything for water.


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Solus Inukshuk Offline Posts: 967 Location: Northern Minnesota Joined: Oct 6^th, 2006	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #6 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 5:40pm	Quote Print Post
	Tom- Those Salomen's look nice- about the same bulk level as my Asics. Unfortunately most Salomen products don't fit my feet. The problem with buying portage boots (or really almost any boot except for early spring or fall hiking) is the near universal use of Gortex or similar fabric (which is in my opinion neither waterproof nor breathable). Gortex is helpful stomping through slush or puddles. Useless for immersion boots and impossible if you need to wear your boots for hours indoors or in comfortable ambient temperatures. Like fungal and bacteria incubators. Red Wing bought Vasque about a decade ago. Their quality is excellent but nearly all their hiking boots are cursed with Gortex and the like. I've had good look with the Merrell Moab- though I wish the sole was just a little stiffer. My current favorites are by Oboz. Last year they discontinued the non-Gortex model I liked (dried much quicker than the Moab and a little bit stiffer sole). I just saw that their bringing two non-Gortex boots out this year. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #7 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 5:43pm	Quote Print Post
	Quote: Last fall my brand new pair of Chota Lightweight portage boots failed on me That was one of the brands that I couldn't recall offhand. Other's love them and yet yours failed. I think you have to differentiate between MATERIAL failure and CONSTRUCTION failure. If your comparing the same materials and the sole starts to come off etc, then that's a MFG/QUALITY control issue. Like the person who buys a LEMON auto when others rate it a superior buy. Someone didn't do their job assembling it and others failed to catch it. One of the things I do that seem to help is to put THREAD sealer on ALL exposed stitching. I think it helps prevent fraying which becomes a weak spot. I also replace the actual foot lace with 550 Paracord. Your NOT going to break that, plus you have the cord/strands for emergency use. I use CORDLOCKS as well, no knots for me. Works well and you don't have to worry about lace loops snagging on something.


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8126 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #8 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 5:49pm	Quote Print Post
	TomT, Are these the Solomons you were talking about? (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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TomT Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1052 Location: Chicago Burbs Joined: Aug 26^th, 2007	Re: Camp shoes? Reply #9 - Jan 10^th, 2019 at 6:49pm	Quote Print Post
	No but that's a grerat price for those. I used the Tech Amphibians. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) They are available just not in size 12. I could buy used on ebay but I won't do that. These shoes were absolutely perfect on canoe trips. Fast drying, good traction and I rarely got any debris in my shoes. Why they quit making them is a head scratcher. I like the look of these (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) but the open back on them is a concern. Good spot for pebbles and twigs to sneak in.


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