Boots or No Boots?

[chisos muse]

I hiked up Pinnacles and most of Emory last week in a pair of Teva Tirra's. I'm not pushing Teva, but I have to tell you that it's the first time that I hiked for a distance without a proper boot and socks. I left the hike with no blisters, foot pain, stone bruising or ankle rolling.
Mind you, on a bushwhack I would not attempt this, but on an established trail, it's nice to have relaxed metatarsals and open air in south TX summer heat.
Also, I've lived and worked in Teva's since April, and have not had any foot/leg/back issues. I find that there is more lateral stability in the cut of these sandals (than some light hikers or gym shoes) but they are designed for hiking and river use anyway.

I've done several state park hikes and gone in the river with them as well and have had no problems. I used to look at people strangely when I saw them hiking or climbing with sandals, but now I understand! 

Thumbs up for hiking with the proper sandal! 

[sandersmr]

I have some Merrell sandals that I did some like hiking in when in Hawaii and I wore them around some trails in Colorado, but I didn't do any serious hiking with them in Colorado.

[Quatro]

On your way to these, Muse?

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

I haven't tried, but I saw a guy in Pine Canyon with these and he loved 'em.  Said he'd been a little sore by Day 3 on the Rim with a backpack though.

[chisos muse]

Nahh, not for me. I need some cushion and support. We sell a ton of them at the store, though..

[Al]

I hiked up Pinnacles and most of Emory last week in a pair of Teva Tirra's. I'm not pushing Teva, but I have to tell you that it's the first time that I hiked for a distance without a proper boot and socks. I left the hike with no blisters, foot pain, stone bruising or ankle rolling.
Mind you, on a bushwhack I would not attempt this, but on an established trail, it's nice to have relaxed metatarsals and open air in south TX summer heat.
Also, I've lived and worked in Teva's since April, and have not had any foot/leg/back issues. I find that there is more lateral stability in the cut of these sandals (than some light hikers or gym shoes) but they are designed for hiking and river use anyway.

I've done several state park hikes and gone in the river with them as well and have had no problems. I used to look at people strangely when I saw them hiking or climbing with sandals, but now I understand! 

Thumbs up for hiking with the proper sandal! 

Muse, did you wear socks?

Al

[chisos muse]

Muse, did you wear socks?

Al

Nope!

[Sotol Vista]

you are braver than i am.  boots all the way for me

James

[dkerr24]

I do carry some Teva sandals as 'around camp shoes', but I'll stick with my mid-high boots for hiking.

While climbing out on Tanner Trail this past April, I did run into a young lady hiking in sandals.  She was completing a 5 night backpacking trip down the Tanner/Beamer trails, hiked the entire distance in those sandals.  Not sure if I'd be willing to do that!

[Verduretiger]

I am too clumsy.  By the time I finished my backpack trip I would have no toenails left from stubbing my toe on every rock. 

[txhiker]

Sandals FTW! I use crocs a lot and unless temps will be below freezing, i'm not wearing another pair of boots :-)