Hiking/Backpacking Footwear?

mykroberts

Barefooters
Mar 31, 2011
82
4
8
Planning on a bit of backpacking at the end of July in Yosemite and was wondering what others use for hiking. I have done plenty of day hikes in my unshoes sandals but I am not too confident about carrying around a 30lb pack for 3-4 days in those...

Any experienced backpackers out there with an opinion?
 
I hike a lot and have been going barefoot or in Unshoes sandals. I don't backpack though. I guess the added weight of a backpack could change things. What are your concerns with your Unshoes? Which model do you have? The Pah Tempe is a great hiking model and I would trust it in any condition. Before my sandal days, I did do a lot of trail running in VFF Treks and they worked well also.
 
I've done a lot of backpacking/hiking in minshoes with packs up to 40lbs. I haven't noticed any negative difference in my feet with the added weight. In fact, since switching to minimal my feet, legs, hips and back feel better than they ever have on long backpacking trips. My longest and most technical hike/backpack in minshoes was the Inca Trail in Peru where I wore my Treksports the whole time (4 days, thousands of feet of elevation gain/loss and a total about about 26 miles).

I was nervous about a long backpacking trip in minshoes at first too, and I did pack in my heavy hiking boots for my first longer trip just in case, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was completely unnecessary. I hike with a friend that also converted to minimal (hiking/walking but not running) last year and her experience was the same. I know a sample of two doesn't mean it's going to be the same for everyone so if you're worried specifically about carrying more weight while still wearing the Unshoes, it might help you decide how your feet will handle it if you pack a heavier pack and go for a long day trip carrying the weight you would otherwise take on an over night trip and see how your feet feel rather than test it out on your big trip?

Most of my hikes are in the Vibram Treksports, but I've done a few in Merrel trail gloves as well. I'm planning on trying out hiking in Unshoes this summer as soon as they are delivered.
 
I will test shoes out by taking small "hikes" around my local neighborhood with with a pack on. If it's not comfortable on these short 5 mile walks then they sure won't be comfy on longer backpacking trips.
 
I've done a lot of backpacking/hiking in minshoes with packs up to 40lbs. I haven't noticed any negative difference in my feet with the added weight. In fact, since switching to minimal my feet, legs, hips and back feel better than they ever have on long backpacking trips. My longest and most technical hike/backpack in minshoes was the Inca Trail in Peru where I wore my Treksports the whole time (4 days, thousands of feet of elevation gain/loss and a total about about 26 miles).

I was nervous about a long backpacking trip in minshoes at first too, and I did pack in my heavy hiking boots for my first longer trip just in case, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was completely unnecessary. I hike with a friend that also converted to minimal (hiking/walking but not running) last year and her experience was the same. I know a sample of two doesn't mean it's going to be the same for everyone so if you're worried specifically about carrying more weight while still wearing the Unshoes, it might help you decide how your feet will handle it if you pack a heavier pack and go for a long day trip carrying the weight you would otherwise take on an over night trip and see how your feet feel rather than test it out on your big trip?

Most of my hikes are in the Vibram Treksports, but I've done a few in Merrel trail gloves as well. I'm planning on trying out hiking in Unshoes this summer as soon as they are delivered.

Jenn sounds like you hike a lot! (I would too if I lived in CO). I used to hike a lot when I was growing up but just getting back into it in the last couple years. Unfortunately I dont really have the ability to go on long hikes much with my schedule and son who isnt really old/mature enough yet. I did do one hike in the smokies this summer and I tried wearing my VFF Bikilas, but didnt have quite as pleasant of experience. I wasnt injured or anything, and until about 3/4 the way I was really feeling great about them. But it might have just been a bit too much anyhow regardless of footwear. It was about 10-11 miles round trip which is longer than any bf/minimalist trip I've done, and longer than any day hike I've done since I was a kid. It didnt help that the last mile it started to pour rain and the trail was covered with an inch or so of water and I was fatigued and in a hurry to get out. I ended up stepping on some rocks towards the end which really added to the foot pains. If the trip was about 1-2 miles shorter would ahve been perfect but those last two killed my feet it seems. They were sore the rest of the day but woke up 100% back to normal (well the feet I mean, my quads were still toast). If I could do it over again I;d have to say I'd pick my boots for that rugged rocky and wet trail.

I just recieved my Unshoes Pah Tempe a couple days ago, and hope to test them on the trail too. Might try shorter trips first. Not really sure if I'll get a chance to go to the mountains the rest of the year though. :(
 
Wow Tristan, that sounds like an adventure!! I try to hike a lot, but I haven't hiked more than about 9-10 miles of trail in a single day in my VFF's and I haven't been out on a good hike (more than 2ish miles) at all yet this year. Just haven't been able to make it work out with my schedule plus the heat, forest fires, and now rain/storms, etc..

I tried hiking in Bikilas once, but I found them to be way too slippery on smooth and/or wet rocks. I'm pretty clumsy and tend to slip and fall at least once on every hike so adding slippery shoes to the mix was recipe for disaster for me. :) That last mile of your hike sounds like torture! Glad your feet were fine the next day though! :)

I hope you get a chance to take your Unshoes out for a hike (or any shoe for that matter!)!!
 
You could always just go completely :barefoot: like this guy. (The blog is in German but the pictures are awesome! He's a travel photographer. :) )

Martl and his barefooted family were at the 24 hour run in Munich with our BRS group. As far as I know, he's the first person to have crossed the Alps completely barefoot.
 
You could always just go completely :barefoot: like this guy. (The blog is in German but the pictures are awesome! He's a travel photographer. :) )

That's inspirational! I'm not sure I can find via ferrata in Utah next month but some of the terrain there is quite similar to the Dolomites!
 
Jen, I think another year of barefoot and my feet would do better in the mountains, I've still got less than a year under my belt. I was actually surprised I thought the Bikilas did well on the slick rocks - I didnt have much a problem there. I'm not sure if the treads have changed though, I do have the newer LS version not sure if that makes a difference. Well maybe you'll get a chance to hike yet this year, I hope I do but not sure. 10miles or so is a good distance in a day I think, especially with a heavy pack, I've done 15+ a few times but it takes its toll, and seems like your worried about making to the end all day and in a hurry and not enjoying the trail as much. I do stop a lot for pictures. My buddy I've hiked with in the last few years isnt great a distances and never wants to go more than 4-5 miles a day. Its almost painstakingly slow, so I'm going to start trying to do some solo trips.

Barfuß Chelsea... :eek: thats impressive!

I did see Vivobarefoot makes a minimalist hiking boot so I was toying with the idea of that... I suppose if you wanted some ankle protection they are probably the only minimalist option? And waterproof too. Sometimes I want waterproof if I know I'm hiking a wet and muddy trail, but otherwise I prefer not since they are always too hot! The reviews on them arent as good as the rest of thier barefoot line though, but they do look nice...
mens_off_road_hi_black_listing_image_half_boot_adult_angle_1.png
mens_off_road_mid_black_listing_image_half_boot_adult_angle.png
In high and mid.

I know in mucky and bugy stuff I might want to have my feet covered, and gaiters too. I hate getting chigger bites. And through boulder fields and such having leather around your ankle might prevent some scrapes. But I'd love to be able to do huraches on some easier trails first.
 
Hmm, I have the LS version of the Bikilas, too. Maybe it's just me -- I *am* extra clumsy, I suppose I could slip on just about anything while wearing anything on my feet. :)

Some of my favorite out-and-back hikes are in the 8-10 mile range. I try to pack light for those and bring along a light lunch to eat at the turn-around point. Most of my backpacking trips with heavier packs are typically less than that, usually no more than 5-6 miles in a day.

Those Vivobarefoot hiking boots look awesome! Those would be great for being able protect ankles from bugs, twigs, scrapes, etc. Merrell had an ankle high glove shoe at one point I think? I've seen ankle high Zems before too but can't seem to find anywhere to buy them at the moment. Not sure how they would be on a hike though..