Many backpackers carry camp shoes or water shoes with them on backpacking trips for relaxing and for stream crossings to keep their boots dry. But how do you choose between the most popular camp shoes available like Crocs, Zems, Sockwas, Vivobarefoot Ultras, or flip flops? Here are the most important features to consider.
- light weight, since you have to carry them
- compact and easy to pack
- protect your toes from injury
- stable enough for stream crossings
- dry quickly
Lightweight camp shoes
If you're trying to cut the amount of weight you carry in a backpack, you're not going to want to carry a pair of camp shoes like Crocs, that weigh close to 16 ounces a pair. Shoot for shoes that weigh under 8-10 ounces/pair like Zems O2 Oxygen Ninjas or Sockwa X8s.
Compact camp shoes
Some camp shoes can be very bulky to pack in a backpack. Ideally you want a pair with very soft side walls that will fold flat against the sole so you can pack them inside your pack. Hanging camp shoes on the outside of your backpack is awkward and a good way to lose them when they get ripped off by overhanging vegetation. Flip flops like Xero Barefoot Sandals pack very flat or the ultralight Vivobarefoot Ulysses.
Camp shoes that protect your toes
If you backpacks in areas with a lot of stones or tree roots, it's important to get camp shoes that will protect you from stubbing your toes. A broken toe can take you off the trail for weeks and can take a surprisingly long time to fully heel without pain (like 6 months to a year). Look for camp shoes with front padding or toe kick protection like the Vivobarefoot Ultra II Sport Shoe or Classic Croc Clogs, for the ultimate toe kick protection.
Camp shoes for stream crossings
If you want to use your camp shoes for stream crossings, you're going to want a shoe that's not going to come off mid-stream and that's going to provide good stability when you can't see your feet underwater. Look for shoes with a closed heel and ones that close with laces or a velcro strap that helps provide better ankle stability and control like the Adidas Jawpaw or the Sockwa G Hi Water Shoe.
Camp shoes that dry quickly
If you cross stream in your camp shoes or decided to wear them instead of boots in the pouring rain (when the trail is a stream), you'll want shoe that dry quickly. Mesh, plastic, or neoprene camp shoes are the best in this regard, like the Vivobarefoot Ultra II or the Speedo Surfwalker.
Are camp shoes really necessary for backpacking?
It depends on personal preferences, your other gear choices, and the environmental conditions of your hike. For example, if you wear heavy hiking boots when backpacking, having a pair of camp shoes for relaxing in at night or crossing streams is often worth the extra weight of carrying them. But if you hike in mesh trail runners that dry quickly after getting wet, you can often get by without them if it's warm enough at night. It really is a matter of taste.
Do you bring camp shoes on backpacking trips? Which ones?
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