Wet hiking shoes

[Genecamino55]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

 

[Grousedoctor]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

Not having waterproof shoes in September might be a good thing. You’re likely to hit some hot weather. My experience with my GTXs is that they can become uncomfortably hot.

Nonetheless, you’ll hit wet weather as well. Pull your insoles and stuff your shoes with newspaper. That will dry them out pretty well by morning. In fact, because they’re light weight, I carry a second pair of insoles with me. I have stayed in albergues with shoe dryers, but they seem few and far between. If it gets chilly enough, you might also find a heater to help dry things out. Buen Camino.

 

[Juspassinthru]

If it rains enough, your feet will be wet. “Waterproof” shoes/boots are also very hot. I walked 43 days earlier this year, 7 in the rain, me in my Keens, my buddy in his waterproof trail runners. Both had very wet socks at the end of the day. No such thing as waterproof IMHO. Wear what feels best on your feet. Good luck.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I bring hiking sandals and waterproof socks for rain days.

 

[trecile]

I bring hiking sandals and waterproof socks for rain days.

This combination works well for me too, except I wear hiking sandals every day in the Camino.

 

[C clearly]

what to do if it rains.

Either walk in wet shoes or take a day off and probably still get wet feet from walking around the town

 

[dreaming]

I use a simple hand held umbrella. New balance runners weren't very wet despite two weeks of solid rain. Just put newspaper in at night. Sometimes replaced it once.

 

[tjz]

Foot comfort is a very personal thing. Some folks can't stand wet feet, some, like myself could care less. My experience is that whatever type of shoe you wear, you are likely to have wet feet, either from the weather, or more commonly from sweat. My experience is also that there is no harm with wet feet. Given proper socks and well fitting shoes with lots of room for your feet to swell when walking long distances, you won't get any more or less blisters. My preference is to go with cooler, well-ventilated, non-waterproof shoes and take advantage of their ability to dry more quickly. Even in snowy conditions, on the Camino, I have never wished for waterproof shoes or boots.

 

[davejsy]

Even waterproof shoes will get wet eventually, and when not raining they are less breathable than non-waterproof.

The comment above about it being hot in September is very valid. I started the last week in September and it was 30+ most days for the first 3 weeks, and we only saw rain during the last week.

I wore trail runners, which basically were mesh uppers so zero water-proofing, but as a result extremely breathable and comfortable in the heat. And because they were so lightweight they dried really quick. They were also fine to walk in when soaking wet as they didn't become heavy. I remember on the rainiest days you'd start off trying to dodge the puddles, but it wasn't long before you'd realise there was little point and ended up just wading through everything!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I echo everybody else. I wear trail runners - not waterproof- or sometimes my sandals (with socks). Insoles out and newspaper overnight as above. I, too, carry a second pair of insoles - I normally wear orthotics but changing out to the lightweight originals is actually really beneficial occasionally - particularly on a long day. Super useful if the shoes are still damp the next day (which actually only happened once, the Albergue had a lousy shoe storage area).

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Not alot if it rains all day. I've just finished the West Highland Way, boy did it rain over the last 2 stages especially. My waterproof trail shoes ( NNormal Tomir) couldn't cope so arrived with wet get and socks but I didn't get any blisters so a wet foot doesn't mean you arrive with blisters. I also had waterproof gaiters that work up to a point but eventually water gets in somehow.

 

[Anhalter]

Had pretty wet Primitivo with my absolutely not waterproof runners. Not an issue. Yes, they get wet instantly, but thats a lot less of a deal than you might think. The guys with waterproof shoes or boots got wet feet anyways after a few hours, but had lots more trouble with them.

 

[lt56ny]

just stuff your sneakers with newspaper when you arrive at the albergue and do it again before you go to sleep. I know some people get blisters from wet socks and shoes but if you don't just walk with wet socks and shoes.

 

[stevepjq]

Another vote for newspaper stuffing. I always do it 3 times and even the wettest shoes are dry by morning.

 

[Joynz]

Not having waterproof shoes in September might be a good thing. You’re likely to hit some hot weather. My experience with my GTXs is that they can become uncomfortably hot.

Nonetheless, you’ll hit wet weather as well. Pull your insoles and stuff your shoes with newspaper. That will dry them out pretty well by morning. In fact, because they’re light weight, I carry a second pair of insoles with me. I have stayed in albergues with shoe dryers, but they seem few and far between. If it gets chilly enough, you might also find a heater to help dry things out. Buen Camino.

Best never to dry hiking shoes in front of a heater. The direct heat can damage the glue and cause the shoes to fall apart!

 

[JerryStroebele]

Minority report here. I wear Gore-Tex lined La Sportiva Raptor GTX. These are a very light weight synthetic mid high boot. Very comfortable. If if is pouring down rain I put on extremely light weight Zpack gaiters. My feet stay dry. Even when wading short overflow drainages several inches deep. My feet do sweat some. As soon as I takes off my boots I also remove the innersole. And if very wet, yes, newspapers go in. My wife wears Keen sandals with socks. Buen Camino

 

[davebugg]

Just a bit of a foreword here: If there were a pair of hiking or backpacking or distance walking footwear that would cause me to modify my wet weather walking routine, it would be the pair of boots that I most recently spent a large amount of rigorous testing with. I will post information on Merill's Moab Tactical Boot in a separate post below. It is, by far, the one pair of footwear that I have had no issues with when extensive testing for either a trail backpacking boot, or as a wet weather walking boot. Or as both.

NOTE: this above is not a recommendation to blindly purchase the Moab Tactical. It is footwear I would say is a consideration for "audition" for suitability and fit and feel to your own feet).
----------------------------------------

Water can enter trail runner shoes, hiking shoes, or backpacking boots through any opening during a rainstorm, when walking through wet grass and brush, or drench into them if you walk through puddles or other standing water along the Camino.

Heavier, full-leather boots, properly treated, are much more resistant, but the penalty of the extra weight might not appeal to everyone.

There are two potential remedies to this problem, neither of which is always effective.

• First, you can try keeping rain pants over the tops of shoes, so the water runs down the pants past the opening. But this system can be uncomfortably hot in warm weather during rain-soaked conditions. It offers no protection for puddles or having to cross water runoffs on the pathway.
• You can try using a footwear with a waterproof gaiter or some other waterproof cobbles -- like thick plastic bags. I have not often seen a gaiter or other waterproof trapping that would both keep the water out and keep the feet dry.

“Waterproof” shoes are a misnomer for several reasons.

• They can fail because the materials simply don’t work over the near and long term because it is difficult to apply and cover all areas of the footwear sufficiently.
• The waterproof coating or laminate in the shoes does not last. Some manufacturers of the lightweight trail shoes, which are usually constructed as a hybrid of fabric and leather, have treated them with a coating which can quickly wear off. It also keeps sweat in the shoe and your feet get soaked in sweat. Fairly quickly, coatings break down and will no longer be waterproof.
• Footwear which relies on a “Gore-Tex” style of waterproof/breathable laminate will break down through both wear and tear and dirt buildup on the material which renders it ineffective.

When I’ve tested so-called waterproof / breathable fabrics in shoes for various manufacturers, their actual performance never matched what was claimed. My reports to their QA departments have always reflected these weaknesses as found during testing. Sometimes a shoe will start the test period working fairly well under a narrow range of wet conditions, but as the testing progresses the failures increase.

Waterproof/breathable membranes, like Gore-Tex, are only marginally breathable — water vapor from perspiration does not pass through the fabric as efficiently as is claimed. It can't. Unlike outerwear, the shoe material radically inhibits the ability of the membrane to allow water vapor to escape, thereby trapping it in the shoe.

So, on warm days the experience of having sweat being trapped in the shoe is common. Combined with the fact that the fabric waterproofing is quickly damaged by dirt, sweat, grime, and abrasion and it’s only a matter of time before exterior moisture begins penetrating the fabric and allowing feet to get wet from outside moisture as well.

This is why most experienced trekkers and backpackers no longer go to great lengths to keep feet dry. They accept that when the weather is wet, feet will also get wet. Even the US military uses footwear for wet conditions which is not waterproof. The strategy is how to minimize any problems when feet are wet.

In working with folks new to backpacking who ask about waterproof footwear recommendations, I have asked why they wanted waterproof shoes. Sometimes, they will look at me as if I had spaghetti sticking out of my nose. Most will answer that they think their feet will stay dry, and that having wet feet is akin to getting into horrible trouble.

This post is meant to help inform, reassure, and give a different line of thought and reasoning to this issue.

I like to have dry feet. I always try to avoid wet feet. I have tried many ways to keep my feet dry:

• “Waterproof” shoes, which, as I’ve said, don’t work well.
• “Waterproof” socks, which don’t work for similar reasons: shoes still get wet, and feet soak with sweat. However – In cold weather these soaks can be the basis for using vapor barrier warmth conservation of the feet.
• Wearing multiple pairs of socks, frequently changing from wet to dry, which eventually all get wet.
• Carrying multiple pairs of shoes, which eventually all get wet, too.

I have never had total success at keeping my feet dry in very wet conditions, which led me to research what has been done to develop effective strategies. If I can’t keep my feet dry, then I need to try and eliminate or minimize the risk of any of the bad things that could occur to my wet feet when walking.

Some of these lessons I learned while in Vietnam…. Like the fact that our boots had fabric tops and numerous holes in the thin leather bottom portions so that water drained out quickly and never sat in the boots.

What are the most frequent and problematic 'bad' things?

• Maceration is the medical term for pruning, where the skin’s outer layer absorbs a lot of moisture and gets “soggy” from that moisture. The skin gets sore and extremely soft which makes it more prone to blistering and developing other problems.
• Cracking of the skin when the macerated feet dry. The natural moisture and oiliness of the skin is gone. The severity depends on how much stress the skin is exposed to after it is dried out.

So, what does work for me, and others, if I am going to be walking or backpacking in wet weather?

• Apply a good, thick coating of a Goop (ointment or salve) to my feet and between toes before putting on socks and shoes in the morning. If rain occurs later in the day, then remove shoes and socks and do the same. This helps protect from external moisture.

Goop which has a high content of wax – either bee or paraffin – is most ideal, especially if it also has a high lanolin content.

• Wear non-waterproof shoes which can drain and then dry out quickly. This minimizes the amount of puddling in the shoe that bathes the feet in moisture. Modern trail running shoes, and trail shoes often have nice open mesh fabric which is terrific for draining water.

Non-waterproof shoes will also eliminate moisture from sweaty feet. Remember, it doesn’t matter what the source of the moisture is that feet are exposed to: be it rain or sweat, each can cause the same problems.

• Wear thin, light-cushioned merino wool socks, which don’t absorb as much water as thicker socks. Merino wool will also keep wet feet warm and comfortable in most seasons and temperature ranges, unless the weather is frigid winter-cold.
• Take off shoes and socks to let feet air dry during rest stop that will be longer than 20 minutes.During this time, I will wring out any excess moisture from the socks, but I will not put on either of my dry pairs (I take three). I will also wipe off moisture on my feet and then reapply a goodly amount of Goop to my feet to help keep them from becoming macerated.
• When stopping for the day, apply Goop to the bottoms of feet, both before and after showering.
• Carry an extra pair of insoles. These insoles do not have to be your preferred “walking” insoles that you may have purchased separately. These can be the lightweight pair which came with your shoes. These will be the barrier between your wet footwear and your dry socks when you are done for the day and if your shoes are a bit damp come morning.

I find that at days end, I can remove the wet insoles and use absorbent paper or toweling to sop up as much moisture as is possible while I am showering and dealing with end of the day chores.

When I get ready to go to dinner or wander around town, I put on a pair of dry Merino wool socks, insert the extra pair of dry insoles into my shoes, and put the shoes back on to walk around in. This accelerates drying out the shoes. Depending on the shoe’s material, within a couple of hours the shoes are mostly dry.

• At bedtime, I remove the insoles and stuff absorbent material into the shoes to continue the drying out process, if need be, during the night.
• Apply more salve or ointment and wear dry and warm socks at while sleeping; this gives feet 8-9 hours of recovery.

 

[davebugg]

My findings on Merrill's Moab Tactical Boot. This review is specific to their higher top boot. But this same model does come with a shorter top version and is a bit lighter. The mid-version does not have a side-zipper.
-------------------

Merrill Moab Tactical Boot as tested. The side zipper was a joy to use.


After 9 months of use in the Grand Canyon and Cascade mountains while backpacking, as well as using them while a glacier and whale watch tour guide around the Juneau area during their rainiest time of the year, these boots seem to defy the problems of degradation that I have previously experienced in untold numbers of boots or trail shoes that used a waterproof/breathable liner during my decades of gear testing.

These boots are a leather/synthetic fiber hybrid, but unlike civilian 'hikers' they appear to be more robustly fabricated, thus better able to withstand normal backpacking related damages to the integrity of both the laminate membrane structure and the construction.

The leather parts are all impregnated at the factory with waterproofing treatments. I would periodically apply Snow Seal to the leather, especially if the leather showed abrasions from a day's usage, to help maintain the waterproofing.

I am also liking the incorporated, heavy-duty, smooth-operating side zipper located on the inside of each boot. After I initially achieved the correct tension to my tightened laces, I did not have to untie and then re-tie them again each day. Foot entrance and removal is accomplished by the zipper. So far, I find that I rarely need to redo tensioning of the laces. Boot removal and putting on time is quick. I know from experience that for military use, the speed taken to get ready to move-out can be important.

These Boots are a 8" height, a bit above mid-ankle and I believe that height has helped with water intrusions. They required no break in, although I allowed a few days for my feet to adjust to the feel of the boots while walking before starting my evaluation.

Weight is about 1.5 pounds per boot, vs up to 2.75 pounds (average) for similar height full leather hiking boots. They come in various widths and lengths. I find with the correct footbed, they can be wonderfully comfortable on the feet.

As with all mentions I make of specific gear or clothing, this is not a recommendation to make a blind purchase for use. It is solely meant to inform those who are looking at similar items for purchase, of the availability of one product they may wish to add to their "audition" list. It is vitally important for an individual to properly assess any boot or shoe to be a good match for your feet and needs.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Merrill Tactical 'Shoe' model. No zipper. I did not test this version of the boot.

 

[JanosB]

Another vote for newspaper stuffing. I always do it 3 times and even the wettest shoes are dry by morning.

Newspaper. Maybe a stupid but practical question arises.
Ok, but where do you get newspaper from? Pls. don't get me wrong, I'm not teasing...

 

[Genecamino55]

Funny that you said that.. i assumed it must be readily available as so many people recommended it.

 

[trecile]

Newspaper. Maybe a stupid but practical question arises.
Ok, but where do you get newspaper from? Pls. don't get me wrong, I'm not teasing...

The albergues often have a stack of newspaper available for this purpose.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Yes, actually a good question. Please don't just take the ones lying around a bar/cafe. They are for the local people to read. You can ask if there are any old ones. Or buy new ones, not expensive for the good they do your feet. Buen Camino

 

[pelerine]

Newspaper. Maybe a stupid but practical question arises.
Ok, but where do you get newspaper from? Pls. don't get me wrong, I'm not teasing...

Funny that you said that.. i assumed it must be readily available as so many people recommended it.

Yes, actually a good question. Please don't just take the ones lying around a bar/cafe. They are for the local people to read. You can ask if there are any old ones. Or buy new ones, not expensive for the good they do your feet. Buen Camino

Exactly! You cannot be certain to find newspapers when you arrive. In rainy conditions make sure to carry your own…

 

[asl]

I walked a week in rain last summer wearing Topo Ultraventures. Like you, I worried how this was going to work out. Turns out, just fine. Feet got wet, stayed wet during the rain. The water created a comfortable squishy-ness in the shoes. Had no real issues other than feet feeling heavier because of the water. The albergues had shoe heaters or just a heater to help dry the shoes and socks.

 

[pelerine]

Just a bit of a foreword here: If there were a pair of hiking or backpacking or distance walking footwear that would cause me to modify my wet weather walking routine, it would be the pair of boots that I most recently spent a large amount of rigorous testing with. I will post information on Merill's Moab Tactical Boot in a separate post below. It is, by far, the one pair of footwear that I have had no issues with when extensive testing for either a trail backpacking boot, or as a wet weather walking boot. Or as both.

NOTE: this above is not a recommendation to blindly purchase the Moab Tactical. It is footwear I would say is a consideration for "audition" for suitability and fit and feel to your own feet).
----------------------------------------

Water can enter trail runner shoes, hiking shoes, or backpacking boots through any opening during a rainstorm, when walking through wet grass and brush, or drench into them if you walk through puddles or other standing water along the Camino.

Heavier, full-leather boots, properly treated, are much more resistant, but the penalty of the extra weight might not appeal to everyone.

There are two potential remedies to this problem, neither of which is always effective.

• First, you can try keeping rain pants over the tops of shoes, so the water runs down the pants past the opening. But this system can be uncomfortably hot in warm weather during rain-soaked conditions. It offers no protection for puddles or having to cross water runoffs on the pathway.
• You can try using a footwear with a waterproof gaiter or some other waterproof cobbles -- like thick plastic bags. I have not often seen a gaiter or other waterproof trapping that would both keep the water out and keep the feet dry.

“Waterproof” shoes are a misnomer for several reasons.

• They can fail because the materials simply don’t work over the near and long term because it is difficult to apply and cover all areas of the footwear sufficiently.
• The waterproof coating or laminate in the shoes does not last. Some manufacturers of the lightweight trail shoes, which are usually constructed as a hybrid of fabric and leather, have treated them with a coating which can quickly wear off. It also keeps sweat in the shoe and your feet get soaked in sweat. Fairly quickly, coatings break down and will no longer be waterproof.
• Footwear which relies on a “Gore-Tex” style of waterproof/breathable laminate will break down through both wear and tear and dirt buildup on the material which renders it ineffective.

When I’ve tested so-called waterproof / breathable fabrics in shoes for various manufacturers, their actual performance never matched what was claimed. My reports to their QA departments have always reflected these weaknesses as found during testing. Sometimes a shoe will start the test period working fairly well under a narrow range of wet conditions, but as the testing progresses the failures increase.

Waterproof/breathable membranes, like Gore-Tex, are only marginally breathable — water vapor from perspiration does not pass through the fabric as efficiently as is claimed. It can't. Unlike outerwear, the shoe material radically inhibits the ability of the membrane to allow water vapor to escape, thereby trapping it in the shoe.

So, on warm days the experience of having sweat being trapped in the shoe is common. Combined with the fact that the fabric waterproofing is quickly damaged by dirt, sweat, grime, and abrasion and it’s only a matter of time before exterior moisture begins penetrating the fabric and allowing feet to get wet from outside moisture as well.

This is why most experienced trekkers and backpackers no longer go to great lengths to keep feet dry. They accept that when the weather is wet, feet will also get wet. Even the US military uses footwear for wet conditions which is not waterproof. The strategy is how to minimize any problems when feet are wet.

In working with folks new to backpacking who ask about waterproof footwear recommendations, I have asked why they wanted waterproof shoes. Sometimes, they will look at me as if I had spaghetti sticking out of my nose. Most will answer that they think their feet will stay dry, and that having wet feet is akin to getting into horrible trouble.

This post is meant to help inform, reassure, and give a different line of thought and reasoning to this issue.

I like to have dry feet. I always try to avoid wet feet. I have tried many ways to keep my feet dry:

• “Waterproof” shoes, which, as I’ve said, don’t work well.
• “Waterproof” socks, which don’t work for similar reasons: shoes still get wet, and feet soak with sweat. However – In cold weather these soaks can be the basis for using vapor barrier warmth conservation of the feet.
• Wearing multiple pairs of socks, frequently changing from wet to dry, which eventually all get wet.
• Carrying multiple pairs of shoes, which eventually all get wet, too.

I have never had total success at keeping my feet dry in very wet conditions, which led me to research what has been done to develop effective strategies. If I can’t keep my feet dry, then I need to try and eliminate or minimize the risk of any of the bad things that could occur to my wet feet when walking.

Some of these lessons I learned while in Vietnam…. Like the fact that our boots had fabric tops and numerous holes in the thin leather bottom portions so that water drained out quickly and never sat in the boots.

What are the most frequent and problematic 'bad' things?

• Maceration is the medical term for pruning, where the skin’s outer layer absorbs a lot of moisture and gets “soggy” from that moisture. The skin gets sore and extremely soft which makes it more prone to blistering and developing other problems.
• Cracking of the skin when the macerated feet dry. The natural moisture and oiliness of the skin is gone. The severity depends on how much stress the skin is exposed to after it is dried out.

So, what does work for me, and others, if I am going to be walking or backpacking in wet weather?

• Apply a good, thick coating of a Goop (ointment or salve) to my feet and between toes before putting on socks and shoes in the morning. If rain occurs later in the day, then remove shoes and socks and do the same. This helps protect from external moisture.

Goop which has a high content of wax – either bee or paraffin – is most ideal, especially if it also has a high lanolin content.

• Wear non-waterproof shoes which can drain and then dry out quickly. This minimizes the amount of puddling in the shoe that bathes the feet in moisture. Modern trail running shoes, and trail shoes often have nice open mesh fabric which is terrific for draining water.

Non-waterproof shoes will also eliminate moisture from sweaty feet. Remember, it doesn’t matter what the source of the moisture is that feet are exposed to: be it rain or sweat, each can cause the same problems.

• Wear thin, light-cushioned merino wool socks, which don’t absorb as much water as thicker socks. Merino wool will also keep wet feet warm and comfortable in most seasons and temperature ranges, unless the weather is frigid winter-cold.
• Take off shoes and socks to let feet air dry during rest stop that will be longer than 20 minutes.During this time, I will wring out any excess moisture from the socks, but I will not put on either of my dry pairs (I take three). I will also wipe off moisture on my feet and then reapply a goodly amount of Goop to my feet to help keep them from becoming macerated.
• When stopping for the day, apply Goop to the bottoms of feet, both before and after showering.
• Carry an extra pair of insoles. These insoles do not have to be your preferred “walking” insoles that you may have purchased separately. These can be the lightweight pair which came with your shoes. These will be the barrier between your wet footwear and your dry socks when you are done for the day and if your shoes are a bit damp come morning.

I find that at days end, I can remove the wet insoles and use absorbent paper or toweling to sop up as much moisture as is possible while I am showering and dealing with end of the day chores.

When I get ready to go to dinner or wander around town, I put on a pair of dry Merino wool socks, insert the extra pair of dry insoles into my shoes, and put the shoes back on to walk around in. This accelerates drying out the shoes. Depending on the shoe’s material, within a couple of hours the shoes are mostly dry.

• At bedtime, I remove the insoles and stuff absorbent material into the shoes to continue the drying out process, if need be, during the night.
• Apply more salve or ointment and wear dry and warm socks at while sleeping; this gives feet 8-9 hours of recovery.

I want to express my appreciation of the detailed assessment you always give on whatever subject! Voilà! Thank you!

 

[Anamiri]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

Even if your shoes are waterproof, they won't stop the rain/puddles that come in through the top.
They will dry, stuff them with newspaper.

 

[Genecamino55]

That seems to be the nearly unanimous solution.

 

[JerryStroebele]

No, tight gaiters stop a lot of water from coming in over the top of my mid high boots. Rain or fully submerged. A rain kilt over lapping the top of the gaiter keeps the rain out of the gaiter. A roof shingle effect. Buen Camino

 

[David Tallan]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

The suggestion I've heard most often is to stuff them overnight with newspaper. That seemed to work for my shoes, which got soaked on the Salvador when I stepped into mud up now my knees, and even more soaked subsequently when I stopped to wash them out as throughly I could in the first water source I found.

 

[MesaWalker]

Two comments. Non- waterproof shoes dry out much faster walking than wet waterproof shoes. And if good socks and well-fit shoes, wet shoes were no problem for my wife and me, but only in mild weather conditions. Wet and cold (maybe sub-50 degree F temperatures for daily high) is a different story. That shouldn't be an issue on the CF in Septmber.

 

[williamlittig]

Just a bit of a foreword here: If there were a pair of hiking or backpacking or distance walking footwear that would cause me to modify my wet weather walking routine, it would be the pair of boots that I most recently spent a large amount of rigorous testing with. I will post information on Merill's Moab Tactical Boot in a separate post below. It is, by far, the one pair of footwear that I have had no issues with when extensive testing for either a trail backpacking boot, or as a wet weather walking boot. Or as both.

NOTE: this above is not a recommendation to blindly purchase the Moab Tactical. It is footwear I would say is a consideration for "audition" for suitability and fit and feel to your own feet).
----------------------------------------

Water can enter trail runner shoes, hiking shoes, or backpacking boots through any opening during a rainstorm, when walking through wet grass and brush, or drench into them if you walk through puddles or other standing water along the Camino.

Heavier, full-leather boots, properly treated, are much more resistant, but the penalty of the extra weight might not appeal to everyone.

There are two potential remedies to this problem, neither of which is always effective.

• First, you can try keeping rain pants over the tops of shoes, so the water runs down the pants past the opening. But this system can be uncomfortably hot in warm weather during rain-soaked conditions. It offers no protection for puddles or having to cross water runoffs on the pathway.
• You can try using a footwear with a waterproof gaiter or some other waterproof cobbles -- like thick plastic bags. I have not often seen a gaiter or other waterproof trapping that would both keep the water out and keep the feet dry.

“Waterproof” shoes are a misnomer for several reasons.

• They can fail because the materials simply don’t work over the near and long term because it is difficult to apply and cover all areas of the footwear sufficiently.
• The waterproof coating or laminate in the shoes does not last. Some manufacturers of the lightweight trail shoes, which are usually constructed as a hybrid of fabric and leather, have treated them with a coating which can quickly wear off. It also keeps sweat in the shoe and your feet get soaked in sweat. Fairly quickly, coatings break down and will no longer be waterproof.
• Footwear which relies on a “Gore-Tex” style of waterproof/breathable laminate will break down through both wear and tear and dirt buildup on the material which renders it ineffective.

When I’ve tested so-called waterproof / breathable fabrics in shoes for various manufacturers, their actual performance never matched what was claimed. My reports to their QA departments have always reflected these weaknesses as found during testing. Sometimes a shoe will start the test period working fairly well under a narrow range of wet conditions, but as the testing progresses the failures increase.

Waterproof/breathable membranes, like Gore-Tex, are only marginally breathable — water vapor from perspiration does not pass through the fabric as efficiently as is claimed. It can't. Unlike outerwear, the shoe material radically inhibits the ability of the membrane to allow water vapor to escape, thereby trapping it in the shoe.

So, on warm days the experience of having sweat being trapped in the shoe is common. Combined with the fact that the fabric waterproofing is quickly damaged by dirt, sweat, grime, and abrasion and it’s only a matter of time before exterior moisture begins penetrating the fabric and allowing feet to get wet from outside moisture as well.

This is why most experienced trekkers and backpackers no longer go to great lengths to keep feet dry. They accept that when the weather is wet, feet will also get wet. Even the US military uses footwear for wet conditions which is not waterproof. The strategy is how to minimize any problems when feet are wet.

In working with folks new to backpacking who ask about waterproof footwear recommendations, I have asked why they wanted waterproof shoes. Sometimes, they will look at me as if I had spaghetti sticking out of my nose. Most will answer that they think their feet will stay dry, and that having wet feet is akin to getting into horrible trouble.

This post is meant to help inform, reassure, and give a different line of thought and reasoning to this issue.

I like to have dry feet. I always try to avoid wet feet. I have tried many ways to keep my feet dry:

• “Waterproof” shoes, which, as I’ve said, don’t work well.
• “Waterproof” socks, which don’t work for similar reasons: shoes still get wet, and feet soak with sweat. However – In cold weather these soaks can be the basis for using vapor barrier warmth conservation of the feet.
• Wearing multiple pairs of socks, frequently changing from wet to dry, which eventually all get wet.
• Carrying multiple pairs of shoes, which eventually all get wet, too.

I have never had total success at keeping my feet dry in very wet conditions, which led me to research what has been done to develop effective strategies. If I can’t keep my feet dry, then I need to try and eliminate or minimize the risk of any of the bad things that could occur to my wet feet when walking.

Some of these lessons I learned while in Vietnam…. Like the fact that our boots had fabric tops and numerous holes in the thin leather bottom portions so that water drained out quickly and never sat in the boots.

What are the most frequent and problematic 'bad' things?

• Maceration is the medical term for pruning, where the skin’s outer layer absorbs a lot of moisture and gets “soggy” from that moisture. The skin gets sore and extremely soft which makes it more prone to blistering and developing other problems.
• Cracking of the skin when the macerated feet dry. The natural moisture and oiliness of the skin is gone. The severity depends on how much stress the skin is exposed to after it is dried out.

So, what does work for me, and others, if I am going to be walking or backpacking in wet weather?

• Apply a good, thick coating of a Goop (ointment or salve) to my feet and between toes before putting on socks and shoes in the morning. If rain occurs later in the day, then remove shoes and socks and do the same. This helps protect from external moisture.

Goop which has a high content of wax – either bee or paraffin – is most ideal, especially if it also has a high lanolin content.

• Wear non-waterproof shoes which can drain and then dry out quickly. This minimizes the amount of puddling in the shoe that bathes the feet in moisture. Modern trail running shoes, and trail shoes often have nice open mesh fabric which is terrific for draining water.

Non-waterproof shoes will also eliminate moisture from sweaty feet. Remember, it doesn’t matter what the source of the moisture is that feet are exposed to: be it rain or sweat, each can cause the same problems.

• Wear thin, light-cushioned merino wool socks, which don’t absorb as much water as thicker socks. Merino wool will also keep wet feet warm and comfortable in most seasons and temperature ranges, unless the weather is frigid winter-cold.
• Take off shoes and socks to let feet air dry during rest stop that will be longer than 20 minutes.During this time, I will wring out any excess moisture from the socks, but I will not put on either of my dry pairs (I take three). I will also wipe off moisture on my feet and then reapply a goodly amount of Goop to my feet to help keep them from becoming macerated.
• When stopping for the day, apply Goop to the bottoms of feet, both before and after showering.
• Carry an extra pair of insoles. These insoles do not have to be your preferred “walking” insoles that you may have purchased separately. These can be the lightweight pair which came with your shoes. These will be the barrier between your wet footwear and your dry socks when you are done for the day and if your shoes are a bit damp come morning.

I find that at days end, I can remove the wet insoles and use absorbent paper or toweling to sop up as much moisture as is possible while I am showering and dealing with end of the day chores.

When I get ready to go to dinner or wander around town, I put on a pair of dry Merino wool socks, insert the extra pair of dry insoles into my shoes, and put the shoes back on to walk around in. This accelerates drying out the shoes. Depending on the shoe’s material, within a couple of hours the shoes are mostly dry.

• At bedtime, I remove the insoles and stuff absorbent material into the shoes to continue the drying out process, if need be, during the night.
• Apply more salve or ointment and wear dry and warm socks at while sleeping; this gives feet 8-9 hours of recovery.

Well written and fair, you covered all the bases the only things I would add is, when buying shoes make sure the insole is removable . If you have orthotics or custom insoles remember to bring them to the store when fitting new shoes and leave some extra room 1/2 size or more.
Do everything you can to dry your shoes at night. Remove the insole, stuff newspaper into the shoes to absorb moisture. New paper after 2-3 hours. Be prepared but not scared.

 

[Michaelg1962]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

Something I had never heard of but now have and am going to try is waterproof socks, not sure if they are good or not but an additional tool .

 

[Juspassinthru]

Something I had never heard of but now have and am going to try is waterproof socks, not sure if they are good or not but an additional tool .

Sounds hot and sweaty to me. Like walking in rain gear. It will be interesting to hear how it works out.

 

[trecile]

Something I had never heard of but now have and am going to try is waterproof socks, not sure if they are good or not but an additional tool .

Sounds hot and sweaty to me. Like walking in rain gear. It will be interesting to hear how it works out.

I use waterproof socks with my hiking sandals, and they work great. My feet haven't gotten overly sweaty in them.

I bought a new to me brand this year called Dry Mile. They are less bulky than my Sealskinz waterproof socks.

https://drymile.com

 

[Genecamino55]

I bought some. They feel like light weight booties ..

 

[JerryStroebele]

I have the Sealskin. They are too thick for me. Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

I have the Sealskin. They are too thick for me. Buen Camino

Sealskinz work fine with sandals, but I couldn't imagine wearing them with shoes. The Dry Mile socks are much less bulky.

 

[David with new Kit!]

My shoes are GTX and they do eventually get wet. So, I'd only choose GTX V non GTX if you have a personal preference.

I hate wet feet and so I'm in the Sealskinz camp

 

[jfgough]

I love my hiking shoes.. but they are not water proof. I would love to hear some opinions on what to do if it rains. I will be doing the CF in september. Im trying to pack as light as possible.

I wore Hoka trail runners which were not waterproof. The were inundated in the great flood in Pamplona last September and a few other days. The advantage of trail runners is that they dry out quickly (overnight). Just take the liners out at night and they should be ready to go by morning. Buen Camino