Looking for hiking boots that work well in wet/slippery conditions

[LRiz]

I seem to have the absolute worst luck when it comes to summer hiking boots. Both pairs that I've owned in the past would completely fail on me in wet, slippery conditions. It's very unsettling - having to slow your pace to a crawl simply because you cannot trust your footwear.

Can anyone recommend a pair of boots/trail runners with good, sticky soles that work well in wet conditions? I'd be ever so appreciative...

 

[adktyler]

Do the boots that you have used have Vibram soles?

http://www.vibram.com/index.php/us

 

[LRiz]

Do the boots that you have used have Vibram soles?

http://www.vibram.com/index.php/us

Yes, both pairs did. The first pair, which I got on sale at EMS last spring, felt so unsafe to me that I refused to wear them again after one hike. The other pair, which I ordered online at Cabela's, did work a lot better, yet I still wasn't impressed.

I don't know if it's me, or the boots. Perhaps I'm just too tentative in slippery conditions?

 

[adktyler]

Yes, both pairs did. The first pair, which I got on sale at EMS last spring, felt so unsafe to me that I refused to wear them again after one hike. The other pair, which I ordered online at Cabela's, did work a lot better, yet I still wasn't impressed.

I don't know if it's me, or the boots. Perhaps I'm just too tentative in slippery conditions?

Hmmm, well maybe you should try some non-Vibram then? I have a pair of Asolos, and have been pretty pleased with their performance in wet conditions. I've only had one pair of Vibram shoes, and they were approach shoes a long time ago, so I can't really compare them to my boots now. But Asolos boot traction have worked pretty well.

Also, maybe you've thought of this before, but what about putting more of the boot on the rock/trail? The more surface area you have, the better the traction will be. I usually slip the most when I use only my toe to bite into the path. But when I use the friction of the entire boot tread, it works a lot better.

Beyond that I don't know! I hope you find a good answer. Please keep us posted.

 

[DougPaul]

Hmmm, well maybe you should try some non-Vibram then?

We should note that Vibram http://www.vibram.us/products/default.asp makes a variety of boot soles, which likely differ in their traction on wet rock.

Doug

 

[adktyler]

We should note that Vibram http://www.vibram.us/products/default.asp makes a variety of boot soles, which likely differ in their traction on wet rock.

Doug

Yea, thanks. Having little experience with them I kind of think of it all the same. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Seeker]

The best boots for wet traction I ever had hands down were Contragrip soles on Salomon boots. I LOVED the bottoms, but the boots themselves gave me ball-of-foot pain. If it weren't for that I would only buy Salomon. In fact, I might give them another try!

 

[1ADAM12]

Well the ultimate test will be: Take your new boots and head to the Allen Slide in the ADK. If they stick on your ascent please let me know what you bought. I will definately buy a pair


Nice Avatar BTW you finally got one! Although winter is over hahahahahaha

 

[Stash]

Stabilicers?

I'm not much of a summer hiker but on those occasions where I'm out there have thought that it would be handy to use a pair of the "sport" Stabilicers to supplement Vibram soles on some of those green wet rock crossings.

 

[sardog1]

I'm not much of a summer hiker but on those occasions where I'm out there have thought that it would be handy to use a pair of the "sport" Stabilicers to supplement Vibram soles on some of those green wet rock crossings.

Stabilicers would be a very bad idea on rock. The surface area in contact between your foot and the rock would be drastically reduced, which would drastically reduce the friction. In fact, I think the manufacturer even warns against using them on hard surfaces for this reason.

I have used Stabilicers for traction on wet leaves and slimy sticks in the woods on a couple of late winter situations. They were a boon in that case.

 

[leaf]

I don't know if it's me, or the boots. Perhaps I'm just too tentative in slippery conditions?

Sounds like it's just you. What's wrong? Afraid of a little water?

 

[marty]

LRiz,
Here are a couple of outdoor footwear companies that specialize in sticky rubber soles:
http://sportiva.com/
http://fiveten.com

I have a pair of Vasque Catalysts (Vasque Ion for women) that have Five Ten's Stealth rubber. They grip incredibly on wet or dry slab. I feel like Spiderman walking in them. I think Vasque discontinued the Catalysts/Ions in 2008, but they may still be around. WARNING: they run a bit narrow in the forefoot. Thankfully for me, they used to offer wide sizes a few years ago.

Good luck in your decision.

Marty

 

[sardog1]

The uppers are still in great shape, usually -- it seems to be more cost-effective to buy a new pair rather than re-sole the old pair (if someone knows whether or not Vibram will re-sole old boots...?).

This is one of the major points in favor of investing in Limmers and other boots with Norwegian welt soles. If you use the boots a lot, it's probably more cost effective over the long haul to buy expensive, well-made boots that you will use for a decade or more, replacing the soles as needed. Personally I abhor most of the glued-on alternatives, but I'm a heavy boot kind of guy. YMMV.

Vibram makes and sells soles, they don't sew them on. Some manufacturers like Limmer and some specialist cobblers do a very good job on replacing soles. But I'd stay away from the neighborhood shoe shop for this work.

 

[carole]

I have used several brands of trail runners and boots. Since I pretty much only use trail runners once the snow is gone I’ll only comment on those. I have been satisfied with the grip of Salomon Contragrip, LaSportiva FriXion (maybe my favorite so far), and a current pair of Montrail (it says GT on the sole). I, also tend to look for what’s a good deal on SAC or Sierra Trading Post or similar.

I personally find as I transition from winter boot to trail runner I need a short hike or two to adjust. The feel on the foot is so different. I also do a couple break-in hikes with a new shoe to see how they feel, get the lacing right, and to rough up the sole. Even though most have more grip then a boot sometimes they need to have a break in time just like new car tires. I found this out with a pair of Salomon’s that I thought were crappy but now are just fine.

But no matter how much grip they have some trail conditions require more caution such as smooth wet rock vs rough rock, wet roots and logs. I just slow down to test the grip and then move along at a pace that feels right for the terrain.

 

[jniehof]

I have a pair of Vasque Catalysts (Vasque Ion for women) that have Five Ten's Stealth rubber. They grip incredibly on wet or dry slab.

5.10 also makes a trail runner with a variant of the Stealth (S1, vs. the C4 that's on my Spires...I have no idea of the difference), as well as several approach shoes.

Nothing's going to be rock-solid on smooth wet rock, though, as my still-throbbing finger will attest. (It was in a really solid crack, but one finger will not hold a fall.) Good slabbing technique will help you get the most--plaster as much of your foot flat on the rock as you can, keep your butt over your heels and resist the urge to lean in. I also find crouching a bit helps me, probably because it keeps me from leaning in. Look for the little slightly lower-angle divots and step there.

 

[DougPaul]

The highest-traction soles for dry rock are smooth soft rubber. (Look, for instance, at rock climbing shoes.) However, such soles do not work very well on dirty, muddy, or wet surfaces (which is why soles have patterns).

Boating shoes have a smooth soles with lots of closely-spaced fine cuts (so the water can drain away) for traction on wet decks.


Combining the above, I'd hazard a guess that a hiking boot with a soft rubber sole and a small pattern would tend to be best for wet/slippery conditions. (You are on your own for wet leaves--sardog1's suggestion of stabilicers is probably a good one. Microspikes might also be good here too.)

Soft soles have the disadvantage that they tend to wear out fairly quickly.


I have certainly read discussions of some boots having much better traction than others, but unfortunately I don't recall the model names.

Doug

 

[marty]

But no matter how much grip they have some trail conditions require more caution such as smooth wet rock vs rough rock, wet roots and logs. I just slow down to test the grip and then move along at a pace that feels right for the terrain.

Nothing's going to be rock-solid on smooth wet rock, though, as my still-throbbing finger will attest.

I completely agree. Nothing is perfect, but sometimes it is nice to have that extra grip that sticky rubber soles can give on many surfaces

Marty

 

[DougPaul]

I completely agree. Nothing is perfect, but sometimes it is nice to have that extra grip that sticky rubber soles can give on many surfaces

On wet, greasy rock (which seems to be common in the UK...), putting wool socks on over your boots can improve traction over the rubber soles.

Doug

 

[grog]

Hiking in the rain is one of my favorite things. Three most impotent things to me are flexible sole, soft rubber sole and placing my center of gravity plumb to the point of contact where the rubber meets the trail.

grog

 

[JohnL]

If we're talking about hiking in the Whites or ADKs, then we're talking mixed conditions; i.e., rock and mud. Throw in some wet leaves, a bit of wet moss and wet wood, then you've got the full picture. IMHO you need something that will handle all of them adequately and none of them optimally. My personal favorites are Salomon and their Contagrip soles. Boots are a personal thing and what works for me may not work for you. I find the soles to be very grippy even on wet slabs. I've gone up Tri's North Slide a couple times in the rain no sweat, no slip. Boot soles are like tires; softer rubber means better traction but less wear. A Vibram name by itself does not necessarily mean a good grip. It will depend upon the type of rubber they are built from. As always there are several factors to consider when you are looking for boots. Good luck.

JohnL