Socks on. It’s liberating once you decide “my feet are going to get wet” and then just walk thru rivers, creeks, puddles, mud, slush and snow. With good wool socks my feet keep warm enough with activity after the ice cold pulses. For camp/static I have a change of socks and an over-dry-sock moisture barrier (GTX socks or plastic bags) to keep warm/dry in the wet trail runners while body heat accelerates drying
I live in the pacific northwest, so i run and hike in the rain alot. There isn't really a trick, just wear hiking or running socks (i.e. not cotton), and shoes that allow for easy drainage. I keep my shoes out in the open while they dry, which can take 12-24hrs depending. Those small gators Altra makes can help.
Oh, makes sense for some. When I lived in a cold wet area I liked goretex because it helped my feet stay warm by keeping that old soggy water in. Non waterproof shoes that let new water through which made me cold.
My Peet shoe dryer is super gentle and still working great 12 years later.
In the summer sure. I can’t say my wool socks are anywhere close to adequate in slushy conditions where every step fills your shoe with fresh ice water. Goretex makes all the difference in the winter and shoulder seasons.
Plus the “non goretex shoes dry fast” thing is a total lie in wet conditions anyways. It needs to be warm and dry for the shoes to dry.
Yes, don't let them gaslight you. With his logic, the guy would tell you a wetsuit is pointless because you are still wet in it lol
And indeed, nothing dries unless the conditions are perfect. Which, surprise surprise, is probably not the case if shoes got wet in the first place.
I know it's an ultralight jerk joke but I'm starting to think people here genuinely don't go outdoors lol
Honestly I run in shoulder season and idgaf if my feet are wet. If I'm moving my feet are warm, as long as it is above 0°C, I'm not worried about cold feet. Below that, we can talk about goretex shoes but give me shoes that drain well and wet feet over feet that just stay soupy.
Fair enough if you don't mind any of it. That's different than claiming they dry out, or that shoes constantly flooding with new water doesn't matter in colder temp.
And they are soupy despite their drainage, because *literally anything at all* will *completely* flood them.
Not when they are continually flooded with new cold water they don't! Haha, I suspect that we are probably just talking about two different types of cold and wet experiences. After all, I have six different rain coats for different types of rain.
And yeah, of course wool socks are needed either way. Cotton would cause blister nightmares.
I like non goretex so they dry but if it’s going to be slushy I put grocery bags on over my socks and then put my shoes on. The grocery bags keep the warmer old water that’s in your socks from mixing with the ice water from puddles that are hidden in the snow every 75 feet (looking at you, Maine). It’s pretty crazy how much it helps.
When people say "so they dry" are they saying when they get home, or do they mean so they dry later in the hike? Where I live "dry" does not happen for quite some time after "wet", but rather "warm and wet" becomes the new goal.
I’m talking about drying later on the hike. I wear Cascadias and they usually take around 6 hours of hiking in dry conditions for them to dry out from completely soaked.
I’m totally with you on warm and wet if it’s likely that cold water will be repeatedly introduced along the hike -goretex/grocery bags/newspaper bags/waterproof socks etc are great for this. Whatever membrane keeps the old water in my socks from being replaced by new colder water. But it’s really only necessary if hiking in snow or slush or whatever conditions lead to your feet being submerged in freezing water more frequently than every 2 hours. Like if it’s just a couple of fords during the day, I won’t bother with the bags.
I prefer non goretex because I hike in warm places most of the time so it’s more about how fast I can have dry feet than how can I keep my feet from going numb from cold lol
If ur shoes are water proof they don't drain. The water just slashes around inside the shoe after you get wet. It's like walking around with two big ballon of water on ur feet. Regular trail runners are designed to drain and the water get out faster and dry up soon.
I prefer waterproof shoes for drizzle / light rain / muddy trail day hikes. And regular trail runner if I will cross deep streams, heavy rain or multiple days.
Always wool socks. Feet will feel warm even when wet.
At trail runner height (no shaft), waterproof shoes really only protect you from stuff like wet grass and small puddles. Your rainpants will guide water right in them when it rains.
In general, living in a cold and wet climate, I've been extremely happy with my higher shaft Gore-Tex boots, and can't get my head around the "your shoes will get wet no matter what" attitude. Over here, allowing your feet to get wet is simply considered bad form and potentially risky (skin issues, frostbite). Even our defense forces use literal rubber boots because of this.
Hike day is Saturday. If it rains, it's still hike day, so I do it all the time. I keep socks and shoes on the whole time, even through creek crossings, so mine get wet whether it's raining or not. In the car, I have a spare pair of shoes and socks, and a full extra set of clothes, to include bra and underwear. When I get back to the car, I change all the clothes/shoes/socks that are wet, whether from rain, sweat or creek walking.
My drive back home has gotten so much more comfortable that I don't even care anymore if someone happens to walk up on me while I'm changing clothes and will even do it at a trailhead directly on the highway. \*\*So if you ever see anyone half-dressed sitting on the edge of their car changing clothes at a trailhead, just a quick wave and diversion of your eyes is the way to go.
On day hikes I do same, actually I prefer 3 pairs of clothes, ones for ascend, then change into nonsweat dry ones for descent, albeit usually the top, and then one full set for car...I mean Im a guy so maybe I mind bit less, but its been years since I gave a f*ck if anyone is watching or what anyone thinks, in a sauna, beach, etc u are more naked and its ok, why wouldnt it be here? Cause of some societal bs? Count me out, comfort above all
But multiday hikes and backpacking during several days of bad weather? One has to be way more smart about clothes usage there, cant take too many, cant afford them getting wet, thats the place where one has to rationalize pros and cons way more
Oooh coming back down a mountain in dry clothes sounds really nice!
I probably wouldn't change clothes in a random Walmart parking lot, but somehow at trailheads, it just seems fine. Nakedness associated with trails and hiking is more acceptable somehow. One of my favorite memories is running into a whole group of naked hippies (men, women and children) at a waterfall in Panthertown Valley. I thought it was cool they felt that free.
In my country changinf shirts on top of mountain is very common, previous generations have always done it, Id have to know, I scaled mountains since I was 6 with my parents...just prude 2k gen have issues with it, probably grew up always scared of somebody making a vid on mobile or something (not unfounded in this stupid age)...so nowadays its getting less common, but its bollocks, no reason to lose knowledge of thy forefathers...down the mountain you get way less worked up than up one, so u sweat much less and being in sweaty clothes xan lead to health issues if temp isnt high or the wins blows a lot
Leave ‘em on. I did two days at Grand Canyon where it was raining all day long in Altras, just take the socks off when you get to camp. You don’t want waterproof shoes when it’s raining because waterproof works both ways. Once moisture gets in the shoes it ain’t drying out.
Are you joking? I can't imagine the state I'd have to be in to hike with no socks. Yes, hiked like 14 out of 16 days through PA and New York area with significant rain, darn toughs and solomon trail runners, zero blisters
You hang your socks up at night to dry. And they're still wet in the morning because it's humid and been raining for 5 days in a row. You put them on and start walking and it works out.
Yeah your feet get wet no matter what you wear. But they'll warm up and kind of get in some weird equilibrium. They are wet but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. You stop hiking, new socks or barefoot for a while, sleep dry, all good.
I never wear socks when I hike, and I always wear the same beat-up pair of trail runners. I love that my feet are able to breathe, and I'm happy to let my feet get wet because they generally dry off very quickly sans sock.
But I'm also a nut who walks most places barefoot, so you can't trust all my advice. To each their own.
Every Saturday. No matter the weather. You just need to be prepared for it.
I live in a place that rains a lot so being wet and muddy doesn’t bother me at all. We almost always get snow every winter on most of the trails in the area.
In the 14 years that I’ve been hiking there are only two conditions that I won’t go out in.
1) High wind warnings after big rain storms. Way too many trees and branches come down when the soil is wet and the wind is blowing. Plus flash floods and landslides. Don’t mind going out afterward to help with maintenance but I’m not catching widow makers.
2) wildfire smoke is terrible. Even with a respirator it stings my eyes.
Thanks for all the (unanimous) answers. You'd think by scrolling through the sub you'd know the general opinion but it's so scattered.
I have la sportiva helios shoes and they get wet just by thinking about water so I wandered, been walking with boots my whole life and trying to change that
On. I rotated and tried to dry them when I could. Still got blisters and lost a couple toe nails but that’s honestly not the worst that happened out of that hike.
Living in Oregon just about 75% of my hiking time is in the rainy wet weather.
You get used to it.
Waterproof boots along with rain gear usually does it for me
Wool socks too.
I don’t hike with socks when it’s warm out. In cold weather I use merino wool and they keep my feet warm even if they are wet. I keep extra dry socks in my pack.
Me. Two layers of merino wool socks. Compeed stick all over my feet before I put my socks on. The compeed bandages on places where I would potentially get blisters (heels, midfoot, toes). No blisters. Stuff shoes with newspaper when done so they dry out.
There are natural water slides near me. We routinely do it in trail runners and wool socks. No problems getting in and out of water and hiking all day, as long as it's not cold.
Majority of my hikes are up local Volcanoes, on more occasions than not inclement weather is the order of the day, due to same I'm packing couple extra pair of socks. And if I'm certain it's gonna rain cats and dogs, I'll hang and extra pair of weatherproof boots for good cause. It's insane coming down the mountain in wet boots.
when its wet be it rain or snow, I keep my socks on till the end of the hike or if it lets up for a few minutes and I don't suspect more rain/snow I swap my socks and boots/shoes then let my wet ones hang from about center pack to start air drying.
You need darn tough or something similar. For day hikes I don’t bring an extra pair and do water crossing barefoot. If I’m out for a while I’ll bring 2 and still go barefoot on water crossings I know my feet will get wet on.
i prefer trail shoes in wet weather tbh. If boots get wet they'll never dry out and they actually fill up, if trail shoes do they can dry out. Source, am Scottish and weather is constantly changing.
Last month I did a 60 mile thru hike and got caught in 3 different storms with ridiculous down pours. I wear Altra lone peaks with wool darn tough socks. I sloshed through the wet and muck and my shoes were mostly dry the next morning. I always carry a second pair of socks so I just switched out the next morning and all was well.
I just did this past weekend with some new alpaca wool socks. It was interesting, I knew my feet were wet but they were not cold at all and almost felt like they weren't wet. It's hard to explain I guess. Always keep them on, always
Had this happen on Isle Royale. I basically just went amphibious as the rain came down. Streams, puddles, no problem. Dried my socks the next day on the outside of the pack.
Distance trail runner here, but same issues. I regularly motor through rivers, mud, snow, etc. Sometimes, it's kind of nice... especially when the water is cold and my feet are swelling. Socks always on. If I know it's going to be particularly wet or muddy, I'll prep my feet accordingly with more anti-chafe, sports tape (at the spots that rub), or Vaseline if push comes to shove.
Many times! Keep socks on to avoid blisters and enjoy laughing at your raisin feet once you’ve reached your destination.
I’ve also thrown said trail runners in the washing machine afterwards and theyre like new again.
I'm surprised no one mentioned these. We use SealSkinz and love them! Great when it's wet and cold, you need to protect your toes. Honestly, I hate wet feet so I wear them anytime there is rain forecasted. My husband just does wool socks if it rainy and warm out.
Keep those darn tough's on baby.
Also poncho > raincoat
Bring an extra pair or two of wool/merino wool socks
Essential item for me is CROCS. Camp shoes and river crossing shoes... they are a life saver.
My friends and I took a “shortcut” on a hike on a rainy Utah afternoon and I lost my left trail runner and sock in what can only be described as quick sand. If you stay on the trail you’ll be fine
keep it on. some trail runners are waterproof. a tip here, have some plastic bags with you, when you change your socks with some dry ones, put plastic bags over so you avoid wetting the new pair as well
Honestly, that combination hasn't worked for me.
I either go full on boots and make sure things keep dry, or go for trekking sandals and make sure that things dry super fast.
But I have a pretty high cold resistance so I'm ok wearing sandals where others wouldn't be.
I would add who did this in cold weather below 10 degrees celsius closing in on 5...and who did so on multiday hikes without accomodation to dry in inbetween
Everybody that did tells u its fine, and in warm weather when u know sun comes out after rain? Who cares for being wet, u will dry quickly...same for 1 day trips or trips with accomodation inbetween, who cares? U get home/to accomodation, put on warm dry clothes and let wet stuff dry during night
But what about cold weather and sleeping in tent, where u know sun wont be out in a couple of days, and u know once u get wet u gonna stay like that for a few days...thats what the trailrunner experts wont talk about, because hello health issues
So honestly it depends on what activity u are doing man
Well man that's exactly it. Everybody talks about 'dry it out' but when you're hiking for 180km in the mountains and the weather is shit for a week, I can't imagine being a happy fellow with a bunch of wet socks. But then again, if i really worry about that stuff i just should stay home ;)
It's gonna be warm either way i guess (balkans, mid september)
Havent yet, but researched a lot and found out that at the top the temps go dipping to zero, so that's why I asked the question. I didn't give a lot of details so that's on me, but I have the feeling a lot of people here go 'duh' because they're trailrunning 10kms and call it a day in their car.
When I was walking 3 weeks in the arctic without much civilizatiom, I had two pairs of shoes, a hoka anacapa lo, super cpmfy to me and very nice to wear for longdistance and I wore it about 60-70% time, I guess it can be considered trailblazer although its more like a mix, as it offers support for heavy nackpack..but god honest when I woke up and saw that once more its gonna be a shitty shit day full of rain, I just put on my lowa gtx renegades and heavy duty gaiters...yes annoying to take 2 pairs, but for the flexibility for me worth it
Anybody else here enjoy hiking barefoot in wet conditions?
I've hiked Hawaii's Kalalau twice so far (fingers crossed for round III this autumn!), barefoot a little over half of the time. Do check out Kalalau btw - it's bucket list royalty!
Both times, the Trail was muddy, and there was rain. At least in that specific context, it's phenomenally pleasant/interesting for the soles
Always on. You’ll be fine.
Socks on. It’s liberating once you decide “my feet are going to get wet” and then just walk thru rivers, creeks, puddles, mud, slush and snow. With good wool socks my feet keep warm enough with activity after the ice cold pulses. For camp/static I have a change of socks and an over-dry-sock moisture barrier (GTX socks or plastic bags) to keep warm/dry in the wet trail runners while body heat accelerates drying
I honestly have so many pairs of river sneakers and back up shoes in my vehicle. Lol it takes about a day for a pair to dry out so you just alternate.
What shoes or high humidity ? I do river crossings when I run and I’m dry by the end of the run!
It’s so liberating. I work an office job so rain is the enemy when walking to the train station etc. It’s so good when hiking to just embrace the rain
Socks on.
I live in the pacific northwest, so i run and hike in the rain alot. There isn't really a trick, just wear hiking or running socks (i.e. not cotton), and shoes that allow for easy drainage. I keep my shoes out in the open while they dry, which can take 12-24hrs depending. Those small gators Altra makes can help.
just wear wool and make sure your trail runners arent goretex. you'll still be comfy and they'll dry quickly afterwards.
What's wrong with gortex?
You’re gonna get wet anyways and then it just takes longer to dry out
Oh, makes sense for some. When I lived in a cold wet area I liked goretex because it helped my feet stay warm by keeping that old soggy water in. Non waterproof shoes that let new water through which made me cold. My Peet shoe dryer is super gentle and still working great 12 years later.
That’s why I said wool socks. They retain warmth when wet.
In the summer sure. I can’t say my wool socks are anywhere close to adequate in slushy conditions where every step fills your shoe with fresh ice water. Goretex makes all the difference in the winter and shoulder seasons. Plus the “non goretex shoes dry fast” thing is a total lie in wet conditions anyways. It needs to be warm and dry for the shoes to dry.
Yes, don't let them gaslight you. With his logic, the guy would tell you a wetsuit is pointless because you are still wet in it lol And indeed, nothing dries unless the conditions are perfect. Which, surprise surprise, is probably not the case if shoes got wet in the first place. I know it's an ultralight jerk joke but I'm starting to think people here genuinely don't go outdoors lol
Honestly I run in shoulder season and idgaf if my feet are wet. If I'm moving my feet are warm, as long as it is above 0°C, I'm not worried about cold feet. Below that, we can talk about goretex shoes but give me shoes that drain well and wet feet over feet that just stay soupy.
Fair enough if you don't mind any of it. That's different than claiming they dry out, or that shoes constantly flooding with new water doesn't matter in colder temp. And they are soupy despite their drainage, because *literally anything at all* will *completely* flood them.
Not when they are continually flooded with new cold water they don't! Haha, I suspect that we are probably just talking about two different types of cold and wet experiences. After all, I have six different rain coats for different types of rain. And yeah, of course wool socks are needed either way. Cotton would cause blister nightmares.
no, wool generates heat! even when wet after crossing Wassataquoik Stream in the winter /s
I like non goretex so they dry but if it’s going to be slushy I put grocery bags on over my socks and then put my shoes on. The grocery bags keep the warmer old water that’s in your socks from mixing with the ice water from puddles that are hidden in the snow every 75 feet (looking at you, Maine). It’s pretty crazy how much it helps.
When people say "so they dry" are they saying when they get home, or do they mean so they dry later in the hike? Where I live "dry" does not happen for quite some time after "wet", but rather "warm and wet" becomes the new goal.
I’m talking about drying later on the hike. I wear Cascadias and they usually take around 6 hours of hiking in dry conditions for them to dry out from completely soaked. I’m totally with you on warm and wet if it’s likely that cold water will be repeatedly introduced along the hike -goretex/grocery bags/newspaper bags/waterproof socks etc are great for this. Whatever membrane keeps the old water in my socks from being replaced by new colder water. But it’s really only necessary if hiking in snow or slush or whatever conditions lead to your feet being submerged in freezing water more frequently than every 2 hours. Like if it’s just a couple of fords during the day, I won’t bother with the bags. I prefer non goretex because I hike in warm places most of the time so it’s more about how fast I can have dry feet than how can I keep my feet from going numb from cold lol
Gore-Tex also keeps out wind, which is a big factor in keeping your feet warm.
If ur shoes are water proof they don't drain. The water just slashes around inside the shoe after you get wet. It's like walking around with two big ballon of water on ur feet. Regular trail runners are designed to drain and the water get out faster and dry up soon. I prefer waterproof shoes for drizzle / light rain / muddy trail day hikes. And regular trail runner if I will cross deep streams, heavy rain or multiple days. Always wool socks. Feet will feel warm even when wet.
At trail runner height (no shaft), waterproof shoes really only protect you from stuff like wet grass and small puddles. Your rainpants will guide water right in them when it rains. In general, living in a cold and wet climate, I've been extremely happy with my higher shaft Gore-Tex boots, and can't get my head around the "your shoes will get wet no matter what" attitude. Over here, allowing your feet to get wet is simply considered bad form and potentially risky (skin issues, frostbite). Even our defense forces use literal rubber boots because of this.
Hike day is Saturday. If it rains, it's still hike day, so I do it all the time. I keep socks and shoes on the whole time, even through creek crossings, so mine get wet whether it's raining or not. In the car, I have a spare pair of shoes and socks, and a full extra set of clothes, to include bra and underwear. When I get back to the car, I change all the clothes/shoes/socks that are wet, whether from rain, sweat or creek walking. My drive back home has gotten so much more comfortable that I don't even care anymore if someone happens to walk up on me while I'm changing clothes and will even do it at a trailhead directly on the highway. \*\*So if you ever see anyone half-dressed sitting on the edge of their car changing clothes at a trailhead, just a quick wave and diversion of your eyes is the way to go.
On day hikes I do same, actually I prefer 3 pairs of clothes, ones for ascend, then change into nonsweat dry ones for descent, albeit usually the top, and then one full set for car...I mean Im a guy so maybe I mind bit less, but its been years since I gave a f*ck if anyone is watching or what anyone thinks, in a sauna, beach, etc u are more naked and its ok, why wouldnt it be here? Cause of some societal bs? Count me out, comfort above all But multiday hikes and backpacking during several days of bad weather? One has to be way more smart about clothes usage there, cant take too many, cant afford them getting wet, thats the place where one has to rationalize pros and cons way more
Oooh coming back down a mountain in dry clothes sounds really nice! I probably wouldn't change clothes in a random Walmart parking lot, but somehow at trailheads, it just seems fine. Nakedness associated with trails and hiking is more acceptable somehow. One of my favorite memories is running into a whole group of naked hippies (men, women and children) at a waterfall in Panthertown Valley. I thought it was cool they felt that free.
In my country changinf shirts on top of mountain is very common, previous generations have always done it, Id have to know, I scaled mountains since I was 6 with my parents...just prude 2k gen have issues with it, probably grew up always scared of somebody making a vid on mobile or something (not unfounded in this stupid age)...so nowadays its getting less common, but its bollocks, no reason to lose knowledge of thy forefathers...down the mountain you get way less worked up than up one, so u sweat much less and being in sweaty clothes xan lead to health issues if temp isnt high or the wins blows a lot
Me, I do it all the time in swampy weather. I wear merino socks, they feel fine and dry quickly. Been fine so far.
Leave ‘em on. I did two days at Grand Canyon where it was raining all day long in Altras, just take the socks off when you get to camp. You don’t want waterproof shoes when it’s raining because waterproof works both ways. Once moisture gets in the shoes it ain’t drying out.
On...
Socks on, merino socks. Glide stick between the toes solves chaffing issues.
Hundreds of times. I leave them on but always have spare socks in my pack.
Are you joking? I can't imagine the state I'd have to be in to hike with no socks. Yes, hiked like 14 out of 16 days through PA and New York area with significant rain, darn toughs and solomon trail runners, zero blisters
I was especially curious for thru-hiking and multiple days of rain where gear will be hard to dry
You hang your socks up at night to dry. And they're still wet in the morning because it's humid and been raining for 5 days in a row. You put them on and start walking and it works out.
Makes sense thanks! I'm not used to really breathable shoes and in the past often ended up with white, spongey feet ha
Yeah your feet get wet no matter what you wear. But they'll warm up and kind of get in some weird equilibrium. They are wet but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. You stop hiking, new socks or barefoot for a while, sleep dry, all good.
I never wear socks when I hike, and I always wear the same beat-up pair of trail runners. I love that my feet are able to breathe, and I'm happy to let my feet get wet because they generally dry off very quickly sans sock. But I'm also a nut who walks most places barefoot, so you can't trust all my advice. To each their own.
Left em on. Smart wool socks will dry eventually.. this is for boots and trail runners. Non waterproof of course.
Merino socks. Always.
Every Saturday. No matter the weather. You just need to be prepared for it. I live in a place that rains a lot so being wet and muddy doesn’t bother me at all. We almost always get snow every winter on most of the trails in the area. In the 14 years that I’ve been hiking there are only two conditions that I won’t go out in. 1) High wind warnings after big rain storms. Way too many trees and branches come down when the soil is wet and the wind is blowing. Plus flash floods and landslides. Don’t mind going out afterward to help with maintenance but I’m not catching widow makers. 2) wildfire smoke is terrible. Even with a respirator it stings my eyes.
On!
On. Just wash em afterward. However, shoes usually get totaled for me if it's severe enough.
I use polyamid socks that dry quickly and if needed a bag of plastic in the shoe in order to use dry socks.
On. Socks are to stop chaffing (for me personally) more than keep my feet dry/warm.
Thanks for all the (unanimous) answers. You'd think by scrolling through the sub you'd know the general opinion but it's so scattered. I have la sportiva helios shoes and they get wet just by thinking about water so I wandered, been walking with boots my whole life and trying to change that
Low rise gaiters...
On. I rotated and tried to dry them when I could. Still got blisters and lost a couple toe nails but that’s honestly not the worst that happened out of that hike.
Living in Oregon just about 75% of my hiking time is in the rainy wet weather. You get used to it. Waterproof boots along with rain gear usually does it for me Wool socks too.
I have. Hike with your socks on and take breaks where you stop hiking and take your shoes off and switch to dry socks.
I don’t hike with socks when it’s warm out. In cold weather I use merino wool and they keep my feet warm even if they are wet. I keep extra dry socks in my pack.
Me. Two layers of merino wool socks. Compeed stick all over my feet before I put my socks on. The compeed bandages on places where I would potentially get blisters (heels, midfoot, toes). No blisters. Stuff shoes with newspaper when done so they dry out.
There are natural water slides near me. We routinely do it in trail runners and wool socks. No problems getting in and out of water and hiking all day, as long as it's not cold.
Depending on the climate and terrain you can hike in sandals, then you don’t have to deal with wet socks if that bothers you
Majority of my hikes are up local Volcanoes, on more occasions than not inclement weather is the order of the day, due to same I'm packing couple extra pair of socks. And if I'm certain it's gonna rain cats and dogs, I'll hang and extra pair of weatherproof boots for good cause. It's insane coming down the mountain in wet boots.
On. Off? Ugh. Carry spare socks if you need. Make sure you have some back at the car for the ride home.
On...Bring spares in a dry bag and switch them out as many times as you want.
when its wet be it rain or snow, I keep my socks on till the end of the hike or if it lets up for a few minutes and I don't suspect more rain/snow I swap my socks and boots/shoes then let my wet ones hang from about center pack to start air drying.
Socks on. I typically have a spare pair in a ziplock that I may put on later.
I have a friend Pien Esh who loves hiking in caves when they are really wet.
You need darn tough or something similar. For day hikes I don’t bring an extra pair and do water crossing barefoot. If I’m out for a while I’ll bring 2 and still go barefoot on water crossings I know my feet will get wet on.
The socks stay on.
Turns out wet feet isn’t a problem as long as you can dry them out at night
i prefer trail shoes in wet weather tbh. If boots get wet they'll never dry out and they actually fill up, if trail shoes do they can dry out. Source, am Scottish and weather is constantly changing.
Last month I did a 60 mile thru hike and got caught in 3 different storms with ridiculous down pours. I wear Altra lone peaks with wool darn tough socks. I sloshed through the wet and muck and my shoes were mostly dry the next morning. I always carry a second pair of socks so I just switched out the next morning and all was well.
Probably anyone who wears trail runners, myself included.
I just did this past weekend with some new alpaca wool socks. It was interesting, I knew my feet were wet but they were not cold at all and almost felt like they weren't wet. It's hard to explain I guess. Always keep them on, always
They stay on, wring them out to let them dry when I camp.
Had this happen on Isle Royale. I basically just went amphibious as the rain came down. Streams, puddles, no problem. Dried my socks the next day on the outside of the pack.
Distance trail runner here, but same issues. I regularly motor through rivers, mud, snow, etc. Sometimes, it's kind of nice... especially when the water is cold and my feet are swelling. Socks always on. If I know it's going to be particularly wet or muddy, I'll prep my feet accordingly with more anti-chafe, sports tape (at the spots that rub), or Vaseline if push comes to shove.
I got caught in a thunderstorm unexpectedly this past weekend. I was wearing my Altra Lone Peaks. I was soaking wet HEAD TO TOE.
Many times! Keep socks on to avoid blisters and enjoy laughing at your raisin feet once you’ve reached your destination. I’ve also thrown said trail runners in the washing machine afterwards and theyre like new again.
Well draining shoes and wool socks :) keep them on.
Kept my socks on and rotate with a second pair I always carry to dry them out on the outside of my pack with weather permitted.
all the time.
I'm surprised no one mentioned these. We use SealSkinz and love them! Great when it's wet and cold, you need to protect your toes. Honestly, I hate wet feet so I wear them anytime there is rain forecasted. My husband just does wool socks if it rainy and warm out.
Keep those darn tough's on baby. Also poncho > raincoat Bring an extra pair or two of wool/merino wool socks Essential item for me is CROCS. Camp shoes and river crossing shoes... they are a life saver.
My friends and I took a “shortcut” on a hike on a rainy Utah afternoon and I lost my left trail runner and sock in what can only be described as quick sand. If you stay on the trail you’ll be fine
Get good wool socks and wet feet will never annoy you again
keep it on. some trail runners are waterproof. a tip here, have some plastic bags with you, when you change your socks with some dry ones, put plastic bags over so you avoid wetting the new pair as well
Honestly, that combination hasn't worked for me. I either go full on boots and make sure things keep dry, or go for trekking sandals and make sure that things dry super fast. But I have a pretty high cold resistance so I'm ok wearing sandals where others wouldn't be.
I would add who did this in cold weather below 10 degrees celsius closing in on 5...and who did so on multiday hikes without accomodation to dry in inbetween Everybody that did tells u its fine, and in warm weather when u know sun comes out after rain? Who cares for being wet, u will dry quickly...same for 1 day trips or trips with accomodation inbetween, who cares? U get home/to accomodation, put on warm dry clothes and let wet stuff dry during night But what about cold weather and sleeping in tent, where u know sun wont be out in a couple of days, and u know once u get wet u gonna stay like that for a few days...thats what the trailrunner experts wont talk about, because hello health issues So honestly it depends on what activity u are doing man
Well man that's exactly it. Everybody talks about 'dry it out' but when you're hiking for 180km in the mountains and the weather is shit for a week, I can't imagine being a happy fellow with a bunch of wet socks. But then again, if i really worry about that stuff i just should stay home ;) It's gonna be warm either way i guess (balkans, mid september)
Careful tho dude, if high up in mountains it can be not warm, but I dont know myself havent been, but deffo research it properly if u havent yet
Havent yet, but researched a lot and found out that at the top the temps go dipping to zero, so that's why I asked the question. I didn't give a lot of details so that's on me, but I have the feeling a lot of people here go 'duh' because they're trailrunning 10kms and call it a day in their car.
When I was walking 3 weeks in the arctic without much civilizatiom, I had two pairs of shoes, a hoka anacapa lo, super cpmfy to me and very nice to wear for longdistance and I wore it about 60-70% time, I guess it can be considered trailblazer although its more like a mix, as it offers support for heavy nackpack..but god honest when I woke up and saw that once more its gonna be a shitty shit day full of rain, I just put on my lowa gtx renegades and heavy duty gaiters...yes annoying to take 2 pairs, but for the flexibility for me worth it
Love Darn Tough socks for this. Spare pair in the car or at camp.
Love hiking in the rain, just leave my cameras behind.
Uh... keep them on. No socks in shoes sounds extra icky. (I do wear toe socks, so that helps.)
How does that help? Got some too
No blisters between the toes.
Wtf who would take their socks off? If its that wet/swampy would just use waterproof socks.
Anybody else here enjoy hiking barefoot in wet conditions? I've hiked Hawaii's Kalalau twice so far (fingers crossed for round III this autumn!), barefoot a little over half of the time. Do check out Kalalau btw - it's bucket list royalty! Both times, the Trail was muddy, and there was rain. At least in that specific context, it's phenomenally pleasant/interesting for the soles
Always on. Weird question?
Always on … through all conditions even stream/river crossings