warm weather walking shoes

[Irulan]

I am looking for ideas for warm weather walking shoe.... as in type, not necessarily a specific brand. When we do our dive vacations, I like to do lots of early morning fitness walking while DH is out diving. I supposed the obvious answer is sneakers, but I would like to find something with a little more support, that's not a hiking shoes, that isn't going to be too hot in the tropics. Sandals are out because I tend to blister, and gravel etc gets in them. Any ideas, anyone?

I.

[Veronica]

I hiked all over Glacier and Hells Canyon in Merrill Pace shoes. They're a barefoot shoe, but I can wear socks with them if it's cold. I like that they can wet and go through the washer. They mght not have enough support for you though.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

I know you didn't ask for a specific brand, but I am ALL about my LEMs, and they're going to be bringing out some new styles with more cushion very soon. I'm not sure what you mean by "more support than sneakers," since "mainstream" running/athletic shoes tend to be extremely built up, but if you want something that's going to let your feet do their job without restriction, LEMs are just wonderful. If most of your walking will be on concrete, then the thin soles could be a problem, but hopefully they'll have the new styles out soon.

Two bonuses with these: they pack up super small and light ... and they wash up beautifully in the machine.

I have tried on a couple of pairs of Merrells and thought the soles were very stiff ... but I really can't speak for the whole brand ...

[Irulan]

the whole thing about not wanting a specific brand is that some brands just don't fit me at all. I have an extremely low volume foot. Also, I'm hoping i can get whatever it is via REI or Zappos.

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, I'm extremely wide in the forefoot, but reasonably lean and pretty much "normal" boned in the heel and ankle, which translates into volume being an issue for me too, since most shoes that are wide enough for me are made for people who are really big all over. The LEMs don't slop on me at all, and I don't have to lace them so tight the uppers bunch up as I do with some shoes. But, if your feet are narrow, then volume might be an issue for you with these.

[Irulan]

don't have to lace them so tight the uppers bunch up as I do with some shoes.

that is one of my problems, exactly

[NbyNW]

Maybe a trail running shoe? Something with a good stable sole but a light meshy upper that will breathe?

[Irulan]

For me, a water shoe ( for rafting) has to support my feet when I'm carry gear (rigging boats, making or breaking camp), hiking on rough terrain (scouting, short hikes) and walking in water, wet sand, dry sand, rocks. Most people just wear sandals or Keens. My feet get rubbed very raw by the sand and the only thing I've found that sort of works is to wear bike socks with any of the above, which is a trick I got from a Grand Canyon guide. They do make some water shoes with a neoprene cuff- maybe those would keep sand out.

Anyway back to hikers. I've got some ideas now and am heading to the "walk" store.

[Veronica]

For me, a water shoe ( for rafting) has to support my feet when I'm carry gear (rigging boats, making or breaking camp), hiking on rough terrain (scouting, short hikes) and walking in water, wet sand, dry sand, rocks. Most people just wear sandals or Keens. My feet get rubbed very raw by the sand and the only thing I've found that sort of works is to wear bike socks with any of the above, which is a trick I got from a Grand Canyon guide. They do make some water shoes with a neoprene cuff- maybe those would keep sand out.

Anyway back to hikers. I've got some ideas now and am heading to the "walk" store.

I also wore those Merrell pace shoes while rafting Hell's Canyon. I liked them because I did not get sand in them on the beach and could hike up here. It was a single track trail, marginally maintained. They have good traction.





And I could play horseshoes!

Have fun shopping!

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Depends on how fine the sand is. Sand in east central Florida will go right through running shoes and VFFs ... even if I'm not on the beach, just running on grassy margins I'll come back with my shoes full of sand. It never comes out of anything. Yuk.