Slippers???

[bullfisher]

A backcountry partner of mine, swears by bringing some sort of light footwear, like slippers, on extended hunts. It seems like a good idea when your out there, to be able to get out of your boots when the sun goes down or in the middle of the night. But I just can't bring myself to pack extra weight in footwear!  Who else packs slippers and what kind?

[lghtnquik]

Quite a few pack Nike Free's along they are comfy and weigh just a few oz.

[sirmissalot]

Absolutely. I refuse to wear them but a buddy of mine brings crocs... They are very light I know that.

[washelkhunter]

Mocossins or water shoes. You have to have something other then boots. Crocs look like clown shoes.

[kentrek]

Unless you plan on spending lots of time "hanging out" in camp i dont see the point in packing "camp" shoes

Just spend your time hunting then you dont need to pack camp shoes

[jackelope]

Unless you plan on spending lots of time "hanging out" in camp i dont see the point in packing "camp" shoes

Just spend your time hunting then you dont need to pack camp shoes

Hunting in the dark?

I bring crocs. A lot more comfortable when it's time to take the boots off. Also a lot easier if you have to get up to take a wizz in the middle of the night. At a few oz's, I'd much rather hook them on the outside of my pack than have to worry about tripping over my boot laces in the dark or cutting my foot going barefoot. And it's not a fashion show so I don't care if they look like clown shoes. I will probably change to a minimalist shoe this year for better traction and support than croc's and it keeps the sand and gravel out for creek crossings if needed. I'd rather keep my boots dry.

[Smossy]

Id always take these along, multi-use. Stalking, lounging in camp, extra insulation, they go right over your boots to reduce noise - they say by about 80%

[sirmissalot]

I use those to slip over my boots smossy but those won't work for camp shoes they are much too big since they are designed to go over your hunting boots. They do work well for stalking though and a nice alternative to stalking in socks.

I have a light pair of flips flops I throw in but they aren't the best. Never ran into the creek crossing issue, my flip flops would not work well for that.

They do have camo crocs that look a little less clown like and help you blend in at night when you are draining the lizard so nothing sneaks up on you. Stealth peeing. In crocs. Heck yeah.

[270Flat]

A pair of flip flops for me. Take up little space, and let your feet air out.

[casey58]

I brought my nike frees last year.  The spot I hunt is a 30 mile hike each way and being able to take the boots off is a huge plus!

[PolarBear]

I use my house slippers that look like bunnies.  Unfortunately every now and then I am attacked by eagles and coyotes.

[Smossy]

I use those to slip over my boots smossy but those won't work for camp shoes they are much too big since they are designed to go over your hunting boots. They do work well for stalking though and a nice alternative to stalking in socks.

I have a light pair of flips flops I throw in but they aren't the best. Never ran into the creek crossing issue, my flip flops would not work well for that.

They do have camo crocs that look a little less clown like and help you blend in at night when you are draining the lizard so nothing sneaks up on you. Stealth peeing. In crocs. Heck yeah.

True, Maybe Ill look into some cheap lil slips myself. Sounds logical to be able to take off boots to relax your feet or even dry your boots out over a fire.

[vandeman17]

I have a pair of really light weight camo slip on shoes that I bring. I wear them when I have to run to the store or around town but they are also perfect around camp. They are soft besides the soles so they take up no room in the bag.

[bullfisher]

I brought my nike frees last year.  The spot I hunt is a 30 mile hike each way and being able to take the boots off is a huge plus!

 Ok, I'm almost sold on the crocs. The nike free runs are light and sweet but are 100$.
 I have to ask casey, where are you able to go in this state that's 30 miles in on foot from any other access?

[sirmissalot]

I brought my nike frees last year.  The spot I hunt is a 30 mile hike each way and being able to take the boots off is a huge plus!

 Ok, I'm almost sold on the crocs. The nike free runs are light and sweet but are 100$.
 I have to ask casey, where are you able to go in this state that's 30 miles in on foot from any other access?

  30 miles... wow

I thought 10 miles in on foot was ridiculous 

[Andrew]

Go fast and light has a pair of flip flops that weigh under an ounce!  I've debated this too since last year I'd pull my boots and socks off as soon as I got back to camp and would walk around barefoot.  I've debated bringing approach shoes as well for the haul in and out and maybe at camp, but this is contrary to what I'm trying to achieve this year (going lighter).

[RockChuck]

Having something to cross creeks in and wear at night to cool and air my feet is a must for me, I take a pair of cheap light crock like sandels.

[Bigshooter]

Unless you plan on spending lots of time "hanging out" in camp i dont see the point in packing "camp" shoes

Just spend your time hunting then you dont need to pack camp shoes

I guess you have never woke up in the night and needed to go to the bathroom?  Or you take the time to put on your boots if you do?  Takes me less than a second per foot to put my camp shoes on in the middle of the night.  And I know it takes my dad about 3 mins per foot when he puts on his boots in the middle of the night.

I take my crocs with me.  They are great camp shoes.  Everyone that goes with me is always trying to use them.

[biggfish]

If it isn't snowing just go bare foot. 

[casey58]

Quote from: casey58 on Yesterday at 10:26:40 AM

    I brought my nike frees last year.  The spot I hunt is a 30 mile hike each way and being able to take the boots off is a huge plus!


 Ok, I'm almost sold on the crocs. The nike free runs are light and sweet but are 100$.
 I have to ask casey, where are you able to go in this state that's 30 miles in on foot from any other access?

The only hint I'm giving is it would be a 20 mile hike if the road wasn't destroyed.  We were hoping to be the only ones in the area but instead we had a few guys on horses ask if we were nuts.

[wilsongideon]

I am thinking flip flops would be a cheap light campshoe...I have went barefoot but its not always fun in the dark or cooking dinner and you want to air your feet out.



Casey - So the next question is, was the hunting in there worth going back for?

[nwhunter]

I always take my crocs in the backcountry if its a couple day stay. Nothing better than airing out stinky feet at night and not going out barefooted to the bathroom. They are light and comfortable and they strap to the back of my pack. nwhunter

[Alpine Mojo]

Crocs are lighter than most flip flops.

[kentrek]

Unless you plan on spending lots of time "hanging out" in camp i dont see the point in packing "camp" shoes

Just spend your time hunting then you dont need to pack camp shoes

I guess you have never woke up in the night and needed to go to the bathroom?  Or you take the time to put on your boots if you do?  Takes me less than a second per foot to put my camp shoes on in the middle of the night.  And I know it takes my dad about 3 mins per foot when he puts on his boots in the middle of the night.

I take my crocs with me.  They are great camp shoes.  Everyone that goes with me is always trying to use them.

yeah i think the last time i had to take a wizz in the middle of the night was like 9 years ago  its a pointless skill of mine 
if you u pack em youl def use em but im just saying its not hard to get by with out em..i take my boots off every chance i get to air out my feet..hot weather and cold..usually a backcountry" style camp has everything within arms reach from the sleeping bag so ive nev been a fan of camp shoes...but i also dont take 6 minutes to slip on my boots either..usually half way  tie em up to save my laces


now if we are talking recreation camping during the summer were a guy will be spending a good amount of time in one spot il deff give the  to some flip flops


everyone has there own comforts 

[nocklehead]

for crossing a creek crocs are way better than flip flops, they have an ankle strap to keep em on, and padding and traction on the bottom.....other than looking like clown shoes the only drawback is bees and wasps seem really attracted to the round vent holes in the top....

[Shawn Ryan]

Crocs for all the reasons Jackelope and others said plus, I want my boots to dry (rain or sweat) so getting them off as quickly as possible at night is important, plus the crocs are lighter than my flip flops and have better foot protection for fetching water or other near-camp chores and bodily functions.  I was really surprised at how light the crocs were and how my feet enjoy the reprieve from the boots once back at camp.

Casey, I'm in the group that stumbles to find a destination that is a 30 mile hike in WA that isn't accessible from a shorter hike.  Idaho, Montana, Alaska, or Wyoming wouldn't surprise me.  Glacier Peak or Pasayten Wilderness's are the only ones I can think of that come close for that.  I'm believing you; just wondering where, without asking specifics.  I'll respect you not answering; you just have our curiosity piqued. I don't think you have to worry about too many people joining your heroic efforts, so give us a morsel to satisfy our appetite.

[casey58]

Casey, I'm in the group that stumbles to find a destination that is a 30 mile hike in WA that isn't accessible from a shorter hike.  Idaho, Montana, Alaska, or Wyoming wouldn't surprise me.  Glacier Peak or Pasayten Wilderness's are the only ones I can think of that come close for that.  I'm believing you; just wondering where, without asking specifics.  I'll respect you not answering; you just have our curiosity piqued. I don't think you have to worry about too many people joining your heroic efforts, so give us a morsel to satisfy our appetite.

I'll say that it is in one of those two wilderness areas.  I've had a good spot high jacked by saying to much so i try not to anymore.  From where we park to where we camp is 28.9 miles on the GPS.  I think we could cut a few miles off by coming in from a different direction but the extra driving time is not worth it. I would say the hunting is worth it, the scouting was very promissing but our hunt got cut short last year so hopefully we will find out this year!

[Shawn Ryan]

Thanks, Casey. That is a fair reply to my question.  Wasn't intending for you to give away enough to have a spot high jacked.

[jackmaster]

whats wrong with takin a pair of good ole romeos   

[bullfisher]

Casey, I'm in the group that stumbles to find a destination that is a 30 mile hike in WA that isn't accessible from a shorter hike.  Idaho, Montana, Alaska, or Wyoming wouldn't surprise me.  Glacier Peak or Pasayten Wilderness's are the only ones I can think of that come close for that.  I'm believing you; just wondering where, without asking specifics.  I'll respect you not answering; you just have our curiosity piqued. I don't think you have to worry about too many people joining your heroic efforts, so give us a morsel to satisfy our appetite.

I'll say that it is in one of those two wilderness areas.  I've had a good spot high jacked by saying to much so i try not to anymore.  From where we park to where we camp is 28.9 miles on the GPS.  I think we could cut a few miles off by coming in from a different direction but the extra driving time is not worth it. I would say the hunting is worth it, the scouting was very promissing but our hunt
got cut short last year so hopefully we will find out this year!

Too late, I know right where it is now. See you there casey, I'll be the guy in the crocs!   

[pianoman9701]

I wear these in elk camp. All the rugged guys do.

[Smossy]

In-case anyone's looking. I did come across these at Sportsmans Warehouse in Puyallup.

They weigh virtually nothing and they're Crocs brand, without the weird clogs look. They're even camo

[sirmissalot]

The camo is a must if you want to remain tactical. Of course the hello kitty pink ones are sexy... but I prefer the tactical look.

[Karl Blanchard]

Only reason I switched to flipflops from my croc's is I can wear the flip flops under my heavy wool socks when I am stalking animals.  Socks protect your feet from a few things but cactus is not one of them!

[bullfisher]

Walmart 20$ size 11 weighs 10oz on the nose!

[PolarBear]

[ANDERWAGON]

Aqua socks.... I used to take a cheap pair of Walmart slippers. Then I found a pair of auqa socks in a used boat I bought from a buddy. They rock!, light weight, don't fall off your feet, they breath and there perfect for creek crossing.

Disclaimer...Mike if your reading this, NO your not getting them back. 

[Elkstuffer]

I always take my crocs in the backcountry if its a couple day stay. Nothing better than airing out stinky feet at night and not going out barefooted to the bathroom. They are light and comfortable and they strap to the back of my pack. nwhunter

X2

[Smossy]

Old navy is having a slipper/flip flop sale, sunday I think? $1 per pair.

[Jayfire83]

A pair of reef flip flops Gotta air those rotten a$$ hoofs out after beat'n feet all day! Worth every bit of extra weight when in the backcountry!

[paulf919]

Nike free are great shoes!  Use them other than hunting too.  They are comfy and so lightweight.  Well worth it.  I've had a pair for the last 3 years and have put some serious miles on em. 

[huntnnw]

I use my house slippers that look like bunnies.  Unfortunately every now and then I am attacked by eagles and coyotes.

 

[huntnnw]

that or some big thick socks for me...carrying flip flops is minor compared to the crap in my pack. I carry way more than the avg hunter with film gear in tow

[clindsayrun]

I've carried the same pair of one dollar flip flops since 2001. They've ridden in the bottom of my pack for thousands of miles and I've worn them in camp on a hundred evenings. Those flip flops have been to more places with me than a lot of my other gear. They make the pack every time!
Nothing better for your feet than getting out of those boots and letting your dogs breathe while you're cooking dinner in camp.

[huntnnw]

 

[acnewman55]

here's a new product on the market that i discovered at the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail last month:

Lightweight, packable, breathable and protects your feet from bugs better than sandals

http://www.pakems.com/home.html

[IBspoiled]

We have brought slippers the past two years packing in.  The first year my husband thought I was crazy because I wanted my slippers.  But when you have to crawl out of the tent in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, they sure come in handy.  He was glad after that, that I brought them.  I just get a cheap pair with rubber on the bottom so you can go out in rain or snow and they don't get wet.  It is sure nice when you come in from a day of hiking/stalking to be able to take off the boots.  And yes I sneak in camp pillows too!