Questions tagged [shoes]

Anything on shoes (not boots or sandals) used for outdoor activity.

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How can I improve gaiter adhesive area on hiking shoe?

These are currently my go-to hiking shoes for basically everything now: Danner Trail 2650. I love them. Also, I recently got a pair of Dirty Girl gaiters. They are loud, fun, and functional. ...
nate's user avatar
  • 173
0 votes
0 answers
69 views

LOWA renegade insole is sliding

I used my Lowa renegade for 10 years and I bought a new pair. On the first 7km the insoles are sliding back. I tried again, same problem... I just realised even with hands I can slide the insoles up ...
Attila's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
244 views

How far can a pair of shoes last?

The expert consensus seems to be that shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles or thereabouts, as they will by that point no longer have their original characteristics. Fair enough. But the rated ...
rwallace's user avatar
  • 1,691
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

how to distinguish between Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent vs Merrell Men's Moab 2 Waterproof at a glance?

I have the Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoes and the Men's Moab 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes and it's not sure to me how I can tell them apart at a glance. They're very different kinds of shoes. The ...
neubert's user avatar
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5 votes
7 answers
2k views

What's a good shoe for long-distance walking?

I recently walked for over 4 hours in a not-so-great pair of shoes, which is a lot more than I usually walk, and of course my feet were sore afterward. A few days later I saw a letter-carrier and, ...
Ray Butterworth's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
376 views

Using running shoes to hike Mt St Helens

I am hiking/climbing Mt St Helens in 8 days, and I haven't found a pair of hiking boots that I like. My feet are very particular, and I am very concerned that even should I find a pair of boots that ...
LucasMcGraw's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
186 views

Improvised shoes in coniferous forest (winter conditions)

My question is inspired by 'Naked and Afraid' where the participants have made their shoes from the bison fur they've received (and their toes were numb up to that point). Assuming I get in the stupid ...
Danubian Sailor's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
184 views

When to say my running shoes goodbye?

How to find out that my running shoes need to be replaced? I've switched recently from hiking to the trail running. I've hiked with the membrane shoes, which was quite an obvious indicator - if the ...
Danubian Sailor's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
94 views

Where to buy running shoe sole replacements?

I've got a comfy pair of runners that I primarily use for walking. I've put them through the wash a few times and they come out spotless. The only ware is on sole, which appears to be 1/2 cm thick ...
ElHaix's user avatar
  • 113
10 votes
6 answers
2k views

Boots or trail runners with reference to blisters?

I know that I can significantly improve my hiking efficiency by reducing the weight of my footwear. However, I have historically had trouble with blisters while hiking. I also often do long distance ...
Richenda's user avatar
  • 101
2 votes
1 answer
214 views

Can excess sweat dissolve shoe stitching?

I have an issue with excessive sweat in my feet, and separately I have noticed my shoes no matter the quality, function or use-profile do not last more than a year, often less. It's been suggested to ...
AncientSwordRage's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
453 views

How to choose shoes for long-distance urban walking for durability first then comfort?

I'm an international hitchhiker and I've never been sure what kind of shoes to buy. I do the vast majority of walking on roads, carrying 15kg or so. Sometimes I'll be off-road in the same shoes. I've ...
hippietrail's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
575 views

Do the stitches on Adidas shoes' foot (out sole) make the shoes more durable for walking?

Are the stitches on Adidas shoes' foot (out sole) part for decor only, or do they have a purpose for more durability via sewing and gluing? (see on linked image, foot part with white stitches) I am ...
Anne Kate's user avatar
  • 151
7 votes
1 answer
318 views

Shoes for hiking and minor rock climbing in Australia?

The reason I'm asking this is, I currently have a pair which I purchased from KMart for around $30 AUD, I've been using them for a while but I found they do not have proper griping on steep and uneven ...
Nigel Fds's user avatar
  • 307
9 votes
3 answers
5k views

How to prevent metal eyelets from rusting?

I have these hiking shoes that have metal hook type of eyelets. Since I frequently go to the leech infested areas of the western ghats in India, I'm forced to use salt on my shoes to prevent leeches ...
Ricketyship's user avatar
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22 votes
6 answers
54k views

Should one buy a higher shoe size while buying hiking shoes?

I've heard this multiple times from different people that while buying a hiking shoe, always go for one size larger than what fits you perfectly. The most recent one being a local store where I went ...
Ricketyship's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
304 views

Is it unhealthy to wear minimal footwear?

A couple of friends and I have taken up hiking here in South Africa and they're pretty geared up with their ankle guards, and extreme hiking shoes and what not. They've got their hiking underwear and ...
StuyvesantBlue's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
770 views

Vibram FiveFingers or Non-Hiking Boots as a Beginner in Hiking?

I'm very new to/inexperienced at hiking, and I got invited to an impromptu, 7-mile hike tomorrow at Alamere Falls (places online say it's "intermediate difficulty"). I've only gone on what I think are ...
Anonymous's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the top-down (reverse) shoe lacing good for?

I have sees this lacing a few times now and was wondering why people are doing it. Is there any difference to the ordinary lacing and if so, what is that difference?
ruedi's user avatar
  • 549
4 votes
2 answers
13k views

Why do my socks roll down towards the toes of my shoes while mountaineeering?

After nearly a decade of regular mountaineering, I am having this issue for the first time. And, I am almost sure to claim that it may not be because of the shoes that I use since I have been using ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
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56 votes
5 answers
18k views

Is ankle support a myth?

There seems to be an ongoing holy war with "boots people" vs "shoes people". A comment on this question caught my eye: ...Ankle support is a myth for most folks.... Now I've always worn boots and ...
user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
212 views

What to look for in (trail-)running shoes for various terrain?

I'm (trail-)running quite often and I'm used to wear lightweight standard running sneakers. However, I feel like they are made for the gym or flawless asphalt. The pitty is that I like to run on ...
OddDeer's user avatar
  • 23.5k
8 votes
2 answers
327 views

How can I tie my laces so they don't come undone?

This might seem like a silly question but this is a constant issue for me when hiking or even in general. I have "double" looped my laces but I actually really hate it because it's a pain to untie. Is ...
Programmer's user avatar
17 votes
4 answers
30k views

What's the purpose of the sling on the heel of boots?

Nearly every outdoor shoe has this sling on its heel. No matter whether it's a hiking-boot, snowboard-boot or something else. In the left-hand side of this picture for example: What's the purpose ...
OddDeer's user avatar
  • 23.5k
10 votes
2 answers
589 views

Allergic to Neoprene and need water shoes

Really hoping someone else may be able to help me. I am very allergic to neoprene and am looking for some shoes to wear in water and in the pool. Almost all the shoes have neoprene in them -- so ...
JackieinthePool's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
695 views

Are "skateshoes" really necessary?

Skaters commonly wearing special kind of shoes. However, from my point of view they just look like a pair of sneakers. In most cases these are very expensive and I asked myself if they're really ...
OddDeer's user avatar
  • 23.5k
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does newspaper (in shoes) kill Gore-Tex (breathability)?

While reading this question, another one came to my mind: Last summer on a mountain hut some guy told my packing newspaper in Gore-Tex (or any similar) shoes wouldn't be good for their breathability. ...
Phab's user avatar
  • 499
17 votes
4 answers
44k views

Is it ok to wear hiking shoes on street conditions?

I want to buy some comfortable shoes to wear while going to work. I have to walk 4 km every day. I want to use these shoes on rainy (not too heavy) days too. I am looking for shoes for all weather ...
Harun Kocaçalışkan's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
50 views

Insoles rolling in when shoes are wet [duplicate]

I have a pair of shoes that are really not water-proof. But they are good for not-so-serious treks and have a superb grip over all sorts of terrain in India. The only trouble I seem to have with ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
12 votes
3 answers
3k views

When I do and when I don't need shoes with ankle supports?

There has been a lot of lot of discussion about whether the shoes should have ankle support or not. I have seen the discussions (not just on The Great Outdoors, but elsewhere too) that ankle muscles ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
4 votes
2 answers
743 views

How do I keep my shoes from rolling around my feet while trail running?

This summer I started running on trails through the woods, and I'm loving it. Problem is, running on trails seems to involve a lot more lateral force on the soles of my feet, mostly from sharp turns ...
John Walthour's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
843 views

What to look for in hiking shoes?

My friends and I are going on our first hiking expedition through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and I was wondering what type of shoes are recommended by experienced hikers? I have looked up information ...
Ryan Welsh's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
4k views

Impregnation and waxing full leather shoes

I will go to a wet territory (Jotunheimen) next week and would like to prepare my full leather shoes for that. I have read a lot of articles about shoe care and they are either about impregnation (...
ruedi's user avatar
  • 549
7 votes
3 answers
124 views

Waterproof shoes for men for +10°..+15°C and full-day use

I am looking for shoes that I can wear for all day long in moderate outdoor conditions, both in rainy and dry conditions, at +10°C..+15°C (50°F..60°F). My feet sweet quite a lot, so breathability ...
yurkennis's user avatar
  • 261
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

What refilling material or glue did you chose to resole your trekking shoes? (What works, what doesn't)

Theses shoes are still good (picture have been removed), but the small missing part of the heel makes them painful to wear. I'm looking for the most efficient way to extend my shoes life (robust, ...
JinSnow's user avatar
  • 263
40 votes
12 answers
39k views

What is the point of hiking boots, versus any comfortable walking shoes?

I've always used any old shoes for hiking. Are there any real benefits to using specially made boots?
J. Musser's user avatar
  • 1,932
9 votes
6 answers
8k views

How to dry wet shoes quickly?

Is there a way to dry the shoes out when they get wet? I am referring to situations specially when I can not hang them out to dry. Consider a situation wherein I am trekking in the night, and I need ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
15 votes
3 answers
2k views

What are the benefits of Vibram FiveFingers?

Looking at the Vibram FiveFingers shoes, I find myself wondering why? What possible benefits do they bring as opposed to a traditional sole? Their web site seems to suggest that they are a more ...
user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
181 views

Do higher shoes breathe less?

I wonder about the breathe ability of low (=ankle high) versus high (=20cm above the ankle) hiking shoes. Do high shoes breathe less in the area of the foot (and not the shin)? What are the ...
Vorac's user avatar
  • 6,821
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

How can a walking style be changed?

The title may itself sound a little weird, indeed it does. But this I have observed over the time, when I take a look at my shoes. I think I have a strange walking style, in which I probably land a ...
WedaPashi's user avatar
  • 31.7k
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

What are the properties I should look for in running shoes? [closed]

I'm an amateur runner, but I've been constantly doing it for a year or so. My philosophy is to first start doing something before beginning to spend and invest a lot of money in that something. ...
Paul Irofti's user avatar
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9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Will barefoot walking harden the skin and help prevent blisters when trekking in heavy shoes?

Blisters are usually happening if you walk much more than you are used to, or the shoes are much harder than those you usually wear. For example on multi-day trekkings in heavy trekking shoes. The ...
Danubian Sailor's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
139 views

How do I know that I need to add an insole to my shoe?

I am trying to learn more about shoes, but for the near term goal, I have this query - how do I really know that I need an insole? How to select the right insole that I need?
oneworld's user avatar
  • 287
10 votes
5 answers
2k views

What are the minimum set of shoes required for hiking outdoors

I recently moved to US (New York) and planning to go hiking to all nearby places - NY, NJ trails. Some hikes require that I wear waterproof shoes, and some hikes doesn't specify any. I first thought ...
oneworld's user avatar
  • 287
6 votes
1 answer
221 views

What features to consider when buying a bouldering slipper?

I've been using the same Evolv shoes for bouldering that I bought for top-roping. It seems like they're worn enough to start considering a new pair of shoes. Since I'm doing bouldering almost ...
Don Branson's user avatar
  • 3,707
7 votes
0 answers
277 views

How to get rid of the smell from indoor climbing shoes? [duplicate]

When I go climbing indoors I typically wear my climbing shoes without socks because this gives me slightly better control over my feet while climbing which I particularly need in overhangs. The ...
Michiel's user avatar
  • 171
5 votes
3 answers
3k views

A removeable solution for slipping insoles?

Is there anything that can be done to stop my insoles sliding? has a pretty good answer for semi-permanent solving of insole slippage. However, I switch my insoles between two pairs of shoes on a ...
dlanod's user avatar
  • 151
5 votes
1 answer
85 views

How do you get the right shape on trim-to-fit insoles?

My hiking shoes starting having problems with the insoles, so I got replacements. However the replacements I have are "Trim to fit." How do I get the proper shape so that I don't end up with any ...
Russell Steen's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
227 views

What type of shoes would be adequate for varied terrains over a period of months?

I will be traveling for five months and am in need of a good pair of shoes. The terrain I will cross will be Canadian urban village snow, city, forests, and desert. A friend recommended the La ...
Anthony's user avatar
  • 61
11 votes
6 answers
2k views

Water-resistant shoes for Trekking in New Zealand

My spouse and I are going for 3-weeks vacation on the southern island of New Zealand. We intend to go for one multi-day trek (the Kepler Track), and a few more day treks. Do we need water-resistant (...
Adam Matan's user avatar