2 prs. of boots & stuff for 2 weather conditions

It bums me out, but I really hate clunking around in too-warm snowboots if it's at freezing or warmer weather. So I have worn 1 pr. of boots (up to knee) and carried around 2nd pr. (mid calf for snowshoeing) along on snow mountain winter vacation

So we will be going snowshoeing up in mountains. Weather 1 day will be at freezing with some snow on ground. But following days cold will plunge 20 degrees colder to -20 degrees C. with maybe falling snow in mountains.

Sigh, looks like I will have to carry extra clothing layers plus an extra pair of boots (lighter pair).

I really don't like lugging around so much more clothing. I will wear heavier clothing...carefully without sweating too much initially.

But it's necessary to be prepared when there are such weather differences in 1 winter location. Even if I wear 1 garment for 1-2 days.

I don't understand why you need different boots for snow shoeing. I have one pair of winter hiking boots. They are not higher than just above my ankle, but they are waterproof/Gore Tex. I have gaiters for snow shoeing, that go up to mid calf. I wear them (the shoes) whether it's -10 or 35 F. Above that, I'm not usually doing snow sports. The difference is in the type of socks I wear, and the addition of chemical warmers.
And yes, I often bring several layers/choices for x country ski/snow shoe trips where there may be big changes in weather temperatures. Although mostly, it's either very frigid or too warm to ski/snow shoe, with melting snow!

Shoes are the single thing I hate worst about travel.

One pair that's comfortable for walking around. One pair for casual wear. One dressy pair. One pair of running shoes. That's a minimum of four pairs, and it might be for a two-day trip. If I don't have local knowledge I might need a pair of indoor workout shoes too, just to be sure I'll get a workout in regardless of whether there's no safe place to run and/or no local gym.

I can't imagine if I participated in a sport that required boots, too! I'd need one of those $100 extra checked bags just for shoes.


I'm eyeing the Kigo Drive - wish there was a place I could try on a pair. That could at least possibly combine casual and comfortable. (Flit don't come big enough for me...) If only I could run in minimalist (someday, someday) those could serve three-way duty.

Ugh; this thread just reminded me what a headache it is packing for our (mostly) hiking vacations. The one we have planned for April is part mountain biking, part camping, part hiking, part walking around town. So, between clothes, shoes and gear, we're going to have to pack a fair amount. But I realize there are worse problems to have!

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So, between clothes, shoes and gear, we're going to have to pack a fair amount. But I realize there are worse problems to have!

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Absolutely right, worse things.

Just to clarify: I wear a different pair of boots for walking around town compared to the boots for snowshoeing. Haven't spent time to find nor want to spend a lot more money for another (2nd) pair of boots for snowshoeing... So I use a different pair of boots for walking around town. Otherwise I will have blisters and tired feet.

I wear customized orthotics.

So for a 3 day trip: 2 prs. of boots + 1 pr. of clean flip flops for inside hotel. I don't like walking all over hotel room in bare feet..yes, to me, I doubt those floors are really that clean, except for the bathroom which is not carpeted.

(I don't wear shoes, except occasionally, slippers, inside my home..this is how I was raised as a kid.)

I definitely don't wear my winter hiking shoes for "walking around" town. When I am going up north (Vermont, about 15 miles from Quebec border), NH, or western MA, I usually wear my Merrill Mocs in the car, up, or my Uggs that are nice enough for going out. We also usually stay in places where we eat dinner at the inn, which is very nice if it's below 0 degrees F. So I have a pair of shoes for that, my hiking boots, x country ski boots, Uggs, slippers. It's just what we do. We usually put all of our "outdoor" shoes in recyclable grocery bags, as well as the hats, gloves, liners, gaiters etc that we need for actually doing the sport. So, in the AM or the night before, the stuff is easily accessible and I don't have to dig through a suitcase to get it.
I bring a variety of wool socks for different conditions and x country skiing/snow shoeing. My hiking shoes are about 8-9 years old and very broken in, but 2 years ago, I got terrible blisters while snow shoeing in Stowe, because I was wearing x country ski socks with them. Lesson learned.

I wear walking semi-dress knee-high boots that are lined. It can get cold here in the mountain towns. Last year it was -25 degrees C when we walked around on some trails for 2 hrs. Maybe one day I'll get around to the time consuming search for hiking boots @right price @not too non-blistering.

The multiple shoe thing becomes a somewhat a pain in the butt especially bike touring when we do our own route and self-supported: on some trips I've worn my bike shoes, brought along light running shoes for lots of walking around and the flip flop slippers for showers/hotel rooms, etc.

Running shoes are better for me with a customized orthotic and light hiking.

It's better not to think about the extra weight of bike pannier weight. I gave up on dress or semi-dress shoes...a looooong time ago for vacations.