Best Camp Shoe - What's the lightest and most versatile?

I bought a pair of knock-off crocs at the Wally World in Las Cruces, NM a few years ago. They cost me $4.00 and weigh 8.8 oz for the pair (size 10.5ish). You may be able to go a shade lighter, but but you sure can't beat the price!
 
None.... Don't want to carry any extra. Loose lace my hiking boots when in camp or barefoot
 
I just use an old pair of flipflops for camp, I can do short wanderings/hikes in them if I want and the pair weighs ~6 oz. I hike in trailrunners and just get my feet wet for creek/river crossings.
 
Good option. The Xero Z-lite is far more packable than Croc-likes. Size 10 was measured at 13 oz by an Amazon customer. Does lack toe and side protection for streams with sharp granite. Have a pair of knock offs at 9.5z. Had to add an elastic strap since they didn't have the rubber one like Crocs. I envy those that can use trailrunners to backpack rough off-trail conditions with temps 20-40 in the mornings. Use them for dayhikes and overnighters in warmer conditions though. Can't beat 0 oz for camp/stream-crossing shoes. @Bob That was exactly what I do if no wading is needed. I use GTX mids (impossible to find non-GTX that fits) for most trips so need to have something for stream crossings like near Ross Lake. Looked like you were up to your waist in Joey's video!
 
I think there's a good argument to be made for auxiliary shoes in certain shoulder season conditions. I did the Ozark Highlands Tr in March a few years ago during a cold snap. Highs around freezing and lows in the teens for the first 4 days. If I had to do stream fords in my hiking shoes, it was cold enough that frostbite was a real possibility.

I guess what I'm saying is that even for the most dedicated minimalist, camp shoes sometimes have their place.
 
I've been packing a pair of these from Walmart on a lot of my trips lately.


They do weigh 11 oz for the pair, but they've become a luxury item I'm willing to carry. Just this week, I used them for a creek crossing. I had a long uphill section to get up to a pass right after the crossing as part of a 15+ mile day and didn't want to be doing that with water soaked shoes and socks, so it was worth a minute to change into them for the crossing and they're super comfortable for wearing around camp and for answering any nature calls in the middle of the night.
 
WasatchWill said:
They do weigh 11 oz for the pair, but they've become a luxury item I'm willing to carry.
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Hard to beat that price too! Nice to have the protection on upper foot. Maybe if this thread gets bumped again in a few years there will be a 6 oz/pair made using carbon fiber soles with thin rubber tread for traction, a lightweight flexible top that protects the upper foot, compresses for transport and a single-pull cord lock for secure fit.
 
Miya said:
I use Xero Z trail, but they have lighter options under 7 oz for men.
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Huh. I have the Z-Trails, too, but don't keep up with that stuff, and hadn't seen the Z-Trek.
My Z-Trails are 317g/11.18oz for the men's size 10.
<7oz would be mo' betta!

I got them for camp shoes and/or infrequent water crossings. With frequent water crossings, I just get my shoes and socks wet, then use the sandals in camp.

I like the idea of camp shoes, but the reality is that I only carry them on specific occasions. Certainly not toting them around for a week in dry conditions.
They'll go on an overnighter next week, though, since I'm planning to camp by a swimming hole.


LarryBoy said:
I think there's a good argument to be made for auxiliary shoes in certain shoulder season conditions. I did the Ozark Highlands Tr in March a few years ago during a cold snap. Highs around freezing and lows in the teens for the first 4 days. If I had to do stream fords in my hiking shoes, it was cold enough that frostbite was a real possibility.

I guess what I'm saying is that even for the most dedicated minimalist, camp shoes sometimes have their place.
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For sure! Similar conditions to what you described-the shoes and socks I took off were frozen solid by the time I made camp and got a fire going. Think I could have used some insulated booties instead of just dry socks and sandals, but it beat being wet and freezing.
20181128_080918.jpg
:D
 
OwenM said:
Huh. I have the Z-Trails, too, but don't keep up with that stuff, and hadn't seen the Z-Trek.
My Z-Trails are 317g/11.18oz for the men's size 10.
<7oz would be mo' betta!
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Uh oh, did I enable your shopping again? LOL

Yeah, they had the lighter pair when I bought my Z trails, but I knew that I would be HIKING in them, so I wanted the extra support. If I was just going to use them as camp shoes, I would definitely go with that thinner sole.
 
No worries, you didn't cost me any money!:p
I haven't even ordered those pouches you tempted me with, because the friend that half of that order was going to be for switched packs on me!
 
OwenM said:
No worries, you didn't cost me any money!:p
I haven't even ordered those pouches you tempted me with, because the friend that half of that order was going to be for switched packs on me!
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I would recommend Merrill Hydromoc’s im a size 16 and they’re 14oz.
I hike to fish and use these for both wading and camp.
they're a bit pricey but I can’t be as picky with my size feet.
 
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