There are a million tips and lists to be found about what exactly you need when you are planning an adventure. Camp shoes are one of the items that are often forgotten and sorely missed. Finding the best camp shoes will be easy now with this Adventure How To guide, Finding the Best Camp Shoes!
Your camp shoes are a welcomed break from confinement of hiking boots, wet paddling shoes or cold ski boots. It may seem like an unnecessary addition to your gear but having a second pair of footwear that you can slip into at the end of a long day is priceless.
What are camp shoes?
Camp shoes are an extra set of footwear brought along on an overnight adventure to wear around camp or in cabins. Like everything on your packing list, they should serve multiple purposes; they can be used during evenings at camp, the occasional river or stream crossing to avoid getting your hiking boots completely soaked, or as a slipper to warm your feet.
3 Reasons Why you Need Them
Most experienced adventurers know that camp shoes are worth the extra weight and there are a number of reasons you should add camp shoes to your next adventure:
1. Camp shoes work great for river crossings
Camp shoes will keep your boots dry during the inevitable river or stream crossing. Wet boots and backpacking are a recipe for disaster when hiking long distances. Throw on your camp shoes at the river crossing and you won’t be the one suffering through wrinkled feet and wet skin with blisters.
Pro tip: carry a small microfiber towel to dry your feet after the crossing, so they are dry before you try to put your boots on.
2. Keep your feet clean, dry and warm at camp
Taking your boots off at camp after a long day is one of life’s greatest joys on the trail. Once your boots or paddling shoes are off, you can clean your feet and dry them off and throw on your camp shoes. Now you can set up camp and get water without getting your feet dirty, more wet or even save yourself from the discomfort of tender feet.
Pro tip: getting your feet dry at the end of the day is key to avoiding blisters, athletes foot, trench foot and other awfulness that comes from a warm, damp environment.
3. Give your boots time to dry out
Wearing camp shoes or booties gives your boots or paddling shoes a chance to dry out and breath at night. Hiking in wet boots means there is more slippage, which in turn leads to more blisters. Letting your paddling shoes breath will help reduce that ‘river stink’ that comes with always wet fabrics. Allowing your ski touring boots to dry out ensures warmer feet the next day.
Pro tip: position your footwear in the sun as long as possible for optimal drying but be sure to bring them into the vestibule at night to avoid the dew!
What to Consider when Choosing Camp Shoes
Camp shoes come in all shapes and sizes. Finding the best camp shoe for your overnight adventure requires considering the following;
Your budget
Buy what you can afford. Camp shoes do not need to be super fancy. If you’re a newer adventurer, you may only wear these shoes once a year, upgrade once you know you love the sport. If you’re a seasoned veteran, still consider the hourly trade off.
Are they lightweight?
Weight is always at the forefront of every adventurers mind when you alone must carry the gear to your destination and back again. A general rule of thumb is to keep camp shoes at 10 ounces or less, there is obviously wiggle room either way, but the lighter the better.
Are they compact?
You’re going to have to find a place for them somewhere in your backpack or hatches therefore, you want them to be packable. A good pair of camp shoes is small and easy to stuff into a tiny space.
Will they need to dry quickly?
This is especially important when they are used as an alternative to hiking boots or bare feet when crossing rivers or streams. They need to be either 100% waterproof (which is basically rubber) or made of a quick-drying synthetic material.
Can you walk comfortably in them?
You probably won’t be walking circles around camp but your water source could be half a kilometre away. Your camp shoes need to be walkable for trips to the backcountry toilet, fetching drinking water, and in case you need a back up shoe.
Are they easy to put on and take off?
Velcro, slip on or quick draw systems are ideal for camps shoes. This makes changing at the stream crossing faster, but also easier for midnight runs to the toilet.
Do they need to be breathable?
You’ve been in your boots all day and your feet are a sweaty, stinky mess. Your camp shoes should let your feet breathe. Socks and sandals won’t earn you any style points, but they sure are great!
Do they need to be warm?
You’re on a winter overnight trip, camping in the snow. Yes, you want to ensure you have warm, dry feet. Your camp shoes need to be both waterproof (not absorb or melt snow) and warm.
Top 5 Recommended Camp Shoes
1️⃣ Old Sneakers
Best for: Hiking or Paddling
Price: Cheap or Free
We like: that pair of sneakers you just can’t throw out…their comfy and good enough!
2️⃣ Sport Sandals
Best for: Hiking, Paddling or Active Adventure Trips
Price: used store $5-20, new $80-200
We like: Teva and KEEN sandals with their comfy straps and good soles. Add socks for added warmth.
3️⃣ Lightweight Watershoe
Best for: Hiking, Paddling or Active Adventure Trips
Price: used store $5-20, new $60-120
We like: Sockwa as it is one of the lightest available with an average weight of 5oz (142g). Made of neoprene/lycra or aeroprene/lycra they dry quickly in the sun.
4️⃣ Down Booties
Best for: Ski Touring or Winter Trips
Price: $60 +
We like: MEC synthetic or down booties with waterproof soles, super light and very warm.
5️⃣ Packable Rubber Boots
Best for: Paddling or Winter Trips
Price: $70 +
We like: Baffin Packables Rain Boot
Now we are curious, do you have one ‘go to’ camp shoe or do you have a few key players depending on the adventure?
Leave links to your fav’s in the comments below!