Camp Shoes Types And Tradeoffs

Camp shoes provide an alternative to wearing primary hiking footwear during non-hiking periods. Options range from very light sandals and minimalist flats to more structured clogs or slip-on shoes. The core idea is to give feet a chance to rest in a different environment, often with more ventilation and fewer pressure points.

Using camp shoes allows main shoes or boots to be opened up, insoles removed, and interior areas aired out and dried. This can be particularly valuable after wet days, in muddy conditions, or when river crossings have saturated footwear.

However, carrying camp shoes adds weight and volume to the pack. The tradeoff is highly individual. Some hikers value the comfort and consider it worth the extra grams, while others prefer to minimize carried items and use their primary footwear for all activities.

Durability and protection expectations for camp shoes are usually lower than for primary footwear, but they often still be safe to wear around camp, on short side trips, or when walking on uneven ground. Certain hiking routes, such as those with many water crossings, may encourage dual-purpose footwear that can serve as both camp shoes and dedicated crossing footwear.

Ultimately, decisions about camp shoes depend on personal comfort priorities, climate, and how often conditions are likely to leave primary footwear very wet or muddy at day’s end.