Lightweight water shoes?

[weaselmaster]

Wondering whether to take a pair of water shoes to help with river crossings on the CWT soon. Don’t know whether to bother, but guess it might be nice not to have wet boots all the time. Sometimes use a pair of gel water shoes out of Lidl, but they’re too heavy to take. Don’t want to use Crocs as they’d have to hang on the outside of the rucksack and I don’t want that. Anybody use anything that is lightweight and non-bulky and if so: is it worth the hassle?

[jmarkb]

If you didn't see it, this recent thread https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=111123 discussed some alternatives (e.g. aqua shoes, flip-flops)

[Skyelines]

Maybe something like these https://www.marsport.co.uk/footwear/crewsaver-aplite-neoprene-shoe

[weaselmaster]

If you didn't see it, this recent thread https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=111123 discussed some alternatives (e.g. aqua shoes, flip-flops)

No, I completely missed that thread. D’oh!

[weaselmaster]

Maybe something like these https://www.marsport.co.uk/footwear/crewsaver-aplite-neoprene-shoe

Ah these look possible, depending on weight and bulk.
I’ll explore, thanks.
Bare feet is possible but Allison broke her toe crossing the river Etive in bare feet and grip isn’t good on jaggy rocks. Bare feet inside boots is what we normally do if we need feet protection when crossing. I used rubble sacks on our first ever crossing going to Ben Lui and they developed holes pretty quickly. The gel shoes I have are good in terms of grip and comfort but just too heavy for what we plan to do

[ahukippax]

How soon are you doing the CWT ? I walked the Scottish National Trail in trail running shoes last September and found it to be something of a revelation. If my feet got wet, they dried quickly and I had no blisters and my feet ached less at the end of each day. However, I wouldn't consider this until May at the earliest as I think your feet would be too cold. Its a tough choice. Extra footwear means extra weight.

[WalkWithWallace]

How soon are you doing the CWT ? I walked the Scottish National Trail in trail running shoes last September and found it to be something of a revelation. If my feet got wet, they dried quickly and I had no blisters and my feet ached less at the end of each day. However, I wouldn't consider this until May at the earliest as I think your feet would be too cold. Its a tough choice. Extra footwear means extra weight.

Wet feet isn't for everyone but I'd do the CWT again in trail runners, wading through rivers without worrying was fine. My friend carried aqua shoes, which he wore at camp or in the bothy if they were dry.

[weaselmaster]

How soon are you doing the CWT ? I walked the Scottish National Trail in trail running shoes last September and found it to be something of a revelation. If my feet got wet, they dried quickly and I had no blisters and my feet ached less at the end of each day. However, I wouldn't consider this until May at the earliest as I think your feet would be too cold. Its a tough choice. Extra footwear means extra weight.

We’re going at the start of May. I decided I wanted boots, for the ankle support- using Scarpa Maverick GTX which are pretty light and I’m used to them. Not that they stay waterproof for long - about 4 days from new in my experience. Will have goretex army boot liners inside them and lightweight socks. That’s a common combo for me.
I used them for the WHW at the start of January- and my feet were cold at times, like when we had to break trail for 10 miles in six inch deep snow.

I bought a cheap pair of neoprene water shoes off Amazon - will test them out this weekend if they arrive in the next hour😂

[SteveNorthumberland]

Bit late to the party but decathlon do these at £8.99 and a size 9.5/10.5 weigh 366g


https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/aquashoes-for-adults-aquashoes-100/_/R-p-102440?mc=8330684&c=GREY


or teva do these at 423g for a size 11 at £35 or less

https://www.teva-eu.com/en/gb/men-sandals/hurricane-drift/1124073.html?dwvar_1124073_color=DGRY

[weaselmaster]

I go these on Amazon and tried them out at the weekend - perfectly satisfactory

£13.88 /£14.88, fit comfortably and have a reasonably thick rubber sole to cushion jaggy rocks. Pair weigh 200g (dry)

Brand is Braveover - can't manage to put a link in

[bar72]

Been using waterproof socks (Sealskins) all winter and I absolutely love them for the wet underfoot Corbetts. Your trotters get cold but not wet. Wouldn't like to do multiple days out in a single pair though or you risk trenchfoot but for a quick day out you could keep them in rucksack then just pop them on at river crossings if you fancy a lightweight option.

[weaselmaster]

Been using waterproof socks (Sealskins) all winter and I absolutely love them for the wet underfoot Corbetts. Your trotters get cold but not wet. Wouldn't like to do multiple days out in a single pair though or you risk trenchfoot but for a quick day out you could keep them in rucksack then just pop them on at river crossings if you fancy a lightweight option.

I’ve used both Sealskinz thick mid-calf socks and the Dexshell (non-wool) equivalents. I have done multiple days in the same pair and kept them on at night in the sleeping bag to dry them off - they can smell a bit after that😂. They do damage quite easily though, the membrane between the layers is rather fragile (never twist them or wring them out). I have found the thinner ankle length versions tend to wear thru really quickly.