What exactly is an "approach" shoe? The slides in the whites (from what I've seen) are usually a mixed bag of loose rock, other junk with some slabs. The slides in the ADK's (I've never been on one) seem more "slabby", am I right? Is this where approach shoes come in handy? What makes them different than low cut boots or trail runners?Neil said:Bushwhacking in dry weather: trail runners
Hiking on a trail in dry weather: Low tops with a fairly rigid shank.
Wet weather: light ankle high boots.
Slides: "approach" shoes.
Scrambling in the Rockies: big, clunky, heavy-duty ¾ shank boots.
Gaitors: almost never, ever.
who needs shoes???bruno said:as reported on trail conditions about 2 or 3 years ago, i hiked field, tom, and willey barefoot just for the pure-tee hell of it. so i was definitley in the avant garde of barefootin' in the whites. ok ok ok, i know some are gonna say they were barefootin' longer ago than that but i demand proof. i have photos somewhere with the li'l date thingys on 'em. so there.
i've never winter hiked barefoot though and if someone says they have, i'll call bull****.
take yer boots off and set yer mind free!!
word.
post'r boy said:who needs shoes???
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=86&catid=searchresults&searchid=2547
these sisters yo-yo'd the A.T. barefoot
bruno said:whoa!! i got too full o' myself! i bow down to these trail goddesses!! pedicures all roun'!!!
post'r boy said:they did the knife edge on katahdin...barefoot!
Approach shoes are little runners with a sticky sole. They are nice on steep slabs. I don't know why they call them that. Maybe cuz you approach the real technical climbing in them and then switch.dr_wu002 said:What exactly is an "approach" shoe? The slides in the whites (from what I've seen) are usually a mixed bag of loose rock, other junk with some slabs. The slides in the ADK's (I've never been on one) seem more "slabby", am I right? Is this where approach shoes come in handy? What makes them different than low cut boots or trail runners?
Why big clunky boots for the Rockies? Is this the type of boot you'd use to scramble on some of the uglier slides in the Whites?
-Dr. Wu
it's widely known in A.T. circles what they have done i met them in hanover nh at the A.L.D.H.A. gathering in 2001. they said it was all about foot placement.bruno said:cause it's you tellin' me i believe it! whoa!! all dap to these two!! got anymore pics? how 'bout on the knife edge!! them ladies must have 'em some cloven hooves!!! pics! we need pics!!
post'r boy said:who needs shoes???
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=86&catid=searchresults&searchid=2547
these sisters yo-yo'd the A.T. barefoot
chipc said:I am a "messy" walker so I like the protection for my feet and ankles. At least once every hike I end up in deep mud!