Any ideas on a lightweight shoe for river crossings? Don't want to get my biking shoes sodden for days. Currently thinking crocs, or something similar.

For the weight I can't think of anything better than Crocs really, maybe neoprene beach shoes might offer a bit more grip but I'm sure they would weigh more (although might pack smaller).

If you kept your cycling shoes on and got them wet you could always carry a pair of flip flops to wear off the bike, which would be even lighter still, although I get it that having wet shoes for a day or two is unpleasant.

I'm planning on bringing crocs for the WRT this year (depending on space and weight) - they should be ok for rivers too as they'll dry quickly. I don't mind having wet feet while riding, but for hanging about in the evenings it's pretty unpleasant.

Wet shoes would be for days, I'm heading out for 9 days! I have a hydropel for the feet, but wet shoes for days is not really a option.

Yeah, my WRT will be a 5 day trip so it's worth bringing a little extra I reckon.

Neoprene beach shoes here, as Nick suggests. Not that heavy and foldable so easy to pack ... much warmer than crocs too. If my feet get damp rather than wet through I wear the neoprene shoes at night around camp.

Well in that case looks like my Vibram five fingers will need packing :)

didnothingfatal wrote:Any ideas on a lightweight shoe for river crossings? Don't want to get my biking shoes sodden for days. Currently thinking crocs, or something similar.

If it's not that deep "barefoot" otherwise I would recommend flippers.

Might look like an elf in them, but these work quite well & light too:
http://www.onemoment.es/en/

Are they not going to be really sweaty?

Those shoes are rather 'special'

Do they come in red with a heel?

Shoes for shoe sake.

Whats the point? might as well go barefoot.

G

griffdowg wrote:Shoes for shoe sake.

Whats the point? might as well go barefoot.

G

Which will be all well and good until I'm sat with a bloody foot and looking at days of riding or hiking.

Looks like Inov8 Evoskins are coming, silicon 'five fingers'

£40 for a pair of jelly shoes?

Compared to the price of vibram fives, they're cheap!

didnothingfatal wrote:

griffdowg wrote:Shoes for shoe sake.

Whats the point? might as well go barefoot.

G

Which will be all well and good until I'm sat with a bloody foot and looking at days of riding or hiking.

Looks like Inov8 Evoskins are coming, silicon 'five fingers'

Sorry DNF, I was refering to the Spanish jelly moulds, I cant see them offering any protection.

As long as you have some sole protection it should be all good

Aren't there any quick drying SPD shoes around? I'd love something like my Salomon xa pro 3d but with a stiffer sole. I can get them soaking wet and after a dry night in a tent I can enjoy dryish shoes in the morning.
My current spd shoes take ages to dry under a radiator! :(

Dusza wrote:Aren't there any quick drying SPD shoes around? I'd love something like my Salomon xa pro 3d but with a stiffer sole. I can get them soaking wet and after a dry night in a tent I can enjoy dryish shoes in the morning.
My current spd shoes take ages to dry under a radiator! :(

Mavic is owned by Salomon, and they have the Switchback model, made of a soft shell fabric, comfortable o hike a bike and dry quickly in my experience.

Thanks DNF, I actually have Mavics myself (Alpine model) and apart of them being slow drying and a bit on the snug side, I'm quite happy with them. I'll keep an eye on the Switchbacks.

See if you can find a pair of reebok travel trainers on ebay. They are super lightweight and they role up in to a ball and they dry dead fast.

I have a pair of goretex socks, wear them over my normal socks and inside the cycling shoes, when it gets wet, easier and lighter to pack than shoes.

I've got the old style Shimano winter boots which have the neoprene ankle cuff but not fleece lined so i'll be fine up to ankle height!

It might be my old and worn crocs or the model but, IMO, they're bloody lethal in the wet, like wearing a pair of banana skins. They're one of the last thing I'd want to use for the average river crossing. By-the-bye, my old ma took a flyer on a wet kitchen floor and got a colius (?) fracture with a pair as well. Unless you're a septugenarian planning to mop utility surfaces this may or not be such a relevant comment

For your trip, on a similar tack to some other suggestions above - sealskin socks. Take them off and just wear riding shoes for the crossing, put the socks on afterwards to keep your feet comfy from the wet shoes, repeat at subsequent crossings. Take the absolute lightest / smallest alternative footwear for camp if you want to change out of sealskins / wet shoes. At least round camp it doesn't matter so much about how well they'll "work". Plus, unless you get blistering weather and/or skirt every puddle on your ride (tut, tut, what would the evangelists say ) then aren't your riding shoes bound to get wet through the course of the trip. I accept maybe not as much as dunking in a river, but probably a lot.

Only thinking like, might not appeal / fit for your trip 8-)