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?

[Owlie]

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

Those are actually my go-to "sneakers" most of the time.

[Anelia]

I just bought these 5.10s

[emily_in_nc]

I don't have any suggestions but would love to hear what you end up with, Irulan, as I have a low-volume foot as well. I also have a rather narrow foot. Buying shoes is thus NOT one of my favorite activities, and mail order is out of the question unless it's a model I've used before. I have to try them on!

I will say that I've gone all over hot and sultry Belize, including long walks on city pavement, gravel roads, packed sand, and muddy jungle hikes in my trail runners (which just happen to be Vasque Blurs I got at REI several model years ago), and I never noticed my feet getting hot. My body and face, yes, but not my feet. I always wore lightweight and low-cut Swiftwick socks, which may have helped. They are amazing socks and wick like no other I've ever tried. So my feet never felt clammy at all.

[Irulan]

Mesh lightweight Hiking Shoes. The ones I like are by Chaco, but they stopped making them. (The Redrock).

I live on the South East Coast, and wear the Chaco's constantly. Winter and Summer. Temperatures with heat index can get to 120 degrees during June/July/August. And I do a lot of beach hiking.

These Teva's appear close to the Chaco's I love. I have two pair of those, and they are 4 years old. The are not bulky or heavy, and full synthetic, which is important when they get wet. Stay away from leather.

Edit: For an actual water shoe, I'm looking to replace my keen sandals with something like these. I hate it when sand gets into sandals, too, and I think I could swim in these. Since you specifically mentioned not wanting hiking shoes, maybe a water shoe would be better.

I have a water shoe by Salomon that's very similar to what you have pictured. As a whitewater rafters, I've tried everything. That style of shoe is great if you need more lateral support that you get from sandals, but they still get full of sand.

[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.