Planning on hiking the Zion Narrows and was thinking about footwear... (1 Viewer)

[Mace]

I have done the Narrows a bunch of times before, but always just used a set of army boots. Good ankle support, Drained well, not too bad price wise...

I have seen some new shoes out on the market recently. Most popular seem to be the Canyoneers. Are they really that great? Is it worth it if I am only going to be realistically using them a couple of times a year?

For those that do not know the Hike I am referring to. It is in the bed of the Virgin River in Zion national park, Utah. 60% of the 16 miles of the hike are spent in the water or walking right next to the water.

Amazing area actually..

 

[GeoRoss]

Go with what you have. I will sometimes take my socks and the footbed out for just a simple crossing, but for slogs like you are talking about I just bring an extra pair of socks.

I would rather have the foot protection than dry feet.

 

[Mace]

Yeah, you will never have "dry feet" on the narrows..

It is more important to drain well than try to keep the water out.

Wool socks and a good pair of jungle boots have been the norm..

 

[MANUCHAO]

If twice is really the times you will hike on water or a river bed setting then yeah I would not spend $$ on a pair of canyoneering shoes...
However if you do go in around thanks giving to Zion the local outfitter stores usually have the year end sales and try to get rid of as much rental gear as possible..
I picked up a pair of canyoneering shoes a few years ago for $10 bucks.. can't beat that price...
Might be worth checking the stores just in case...

Zion is one of my favorite places...!!!!

Have fun and be safe !!!

Manu...

 

[Mace]

lol

the season is running full swing on skiing right now in that neck of the woods.

I'll go look..

 

[MANUCHAO]

Hey I been to Zion almost every year (except for this one) on and around Thanks giving....

Its great !!
No crowds, the whole park just for me !!!!

YEah its freaking freezing but permits for every canyon are easily obtained.. !!

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Keen sandals are very comfortable, and of course will not hold water ...... The wool socks sounds like a good idea. I wear wool socks all the time anyway, but wet feet and wool go hand in hand. Warm when wet.
I wear Wigwam or Rocky wool socks.

 

[Mace]

Keen sandals are very comfortable, and of course will not hold water ...... The wool socks sounds like a good idea. I wear wool socks all the time anyway, but wet feet and wool go hand in hand. Warm when wet.
I wear Wigwam or Rocky wool socks.

Sandals will not keep my toes from being broken or give any ankle support..

 

[Dusty 66]

Sandals will not keep my toes from being broken or give any ankle support..

With 90% of the Zion Narrows trail under water I wore Vasque boots and sox the first few time I went, too heavy after that over the last 16 years i wore one set of enclosed toe Tevas I had ware Polly propylene sox thou several times they don't make anymore they were Ok.

since 2002 I have used the same set of Chico's open hiking sandals I find hiking in sandals are over all less cumbersome easyer to maintain.

thou you do have to watch out for those tow rollers and the twigs jammed between your toe's

Mace what don't kill you just makes you stronger !

 

[Mace]

I am still thinking the tried and true jungle boots are gonna be the ticket

 

[Dusty 66]

Mace REI dose have a nice selection of cross water/hiking shoe I was looking @ in Summer-Land maybe I need to update too...

 

[Mace]

Mace REI dose have a nice selection of cross water/hiking shoe I was looking @ in Summer-Land maybe I need to update too...

I will never shop at REI. They give way too much money to the Sierra Club.

Good for their sales, bad for our ability to go wheeling..

Kinda sucks too, I like a lot of the stuff they have..

 

[MANUCHAO]

The first time I did the narrows we came down from the top of Orderville canyon and out the narrows..
Water back then was chest deep at some spots and murky
My shin got most of the hurting that time... feet were fine.. wish I had Shin guards back then..

 

[ducktapeguy]

If jungle boots work for you, then I don't see any reason to change. I've got the first version of FiveTen canyoneers, and the last time I was at the Zion Narrows I forgot them at home Unless you're doing a lot of wet hiking or canyoning, I woudn't bother. They're just not very comfortable, or durable, or have much support, about the only thing going for them is the drains and the stealth rubber sole. I know they changed the design a while back, but I don't know how much better it is.

You can rent them, but something about wearing rental shoes is just disgusting. I did the hike in my tennis shoes, and some of the people in our group were in Tevas. We all made it without injury, but having proper footwear makes the trip more enjoyable.

I'm hoping to do the Narrows again this year, or maybe the Subway, if I have the time.

 

[Mace]

Yoeah, you can do the trail barefooted if you really want, but, I think I'll stick to the tride and true jungle boots.

I really like the concept of ankle support on that hike.

A bunch of years back we did the narrows during a storm. the river turned muddy and you could not see what you were stepping on. Thank god for a walking stick and good, solid ankle support..

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

I think you can rent La Sportiva canyoneering shoes at one of the shops in Springdale.

 

[Mace]

There is nothing that sounds good to me about renting shoes

 

[Dusty 66]

I think you can rent La Sportiva canyoneering shoes at one of the shops in Springdale.

You mean the ungodly yellow black space boot looking things only the German tourist ware !

Mark you as a tourist for sure...

Yea I vote for the jungle boots, then too

I wore Nam boots for years doing Irrigation work back in the day. just got to watch out for the aluminum pun-gee stick plates eventually brake under your arch.

may be the newer design are better


Mace do you hike through from Chamberlain's ranch in one day or camp one night

outher Zion Hikes
I like coal pitts wash,or Hop Valley trail in the cool season
The Left Fork north creek is a Wild hike in the summer...
The Right fork to Barrier falls is best if you want to get away from people, seldom visited

 

[Mace]

I have done it in a day or in two. I personally prefer two. Much more relaxing and fun.

I have done the grand canyon in one day as well (rim to rim) that, sucked ass.. better to enjoy yourself then kill yourself to say you did it..

 

[Dusty 66]

I thought the permits only allowed for one night in the Narrows ?

I Know some people slip up Kolob creek out of the park to do some fishing maybe spend the night I seen some big rainbows taken out....then return out the Narrows.


Grand Canyon in a day '' Man you are a stud !