Pondering- shoes to hike in mucky weather - YouLookFab Forum

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Pondering- shoes to hike in mucky weather

Anonymous

Proof below that I am trying to become less of a weather wimp

I have gone hiking in our little bit of snow, just wearing my normal snowboots. But, the snow is melting and getting a bit mucky. We have sandy soil so it's not that bad yet, but it can be pretty grotty in spring. I've been wearing my Merrills for normal cold days to hike, but wondering if they'll be ok. They do seem to be pretty waterproof.

Do you all have designated shoes that are good for hiking in grotty conditions? Wellies or something like that?

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Merrell Women's Vapor Glove 4 Sneaker

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Jules

Bonnie

Veteran

The only experience I've had with walking in these conditions have been on trips and I just usually wear my hiking boots.

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Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX

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Pat_P

I’m the same as Bonnie - I wear my hiking boots for pretty much all my walks, including in snow and mud. I do wear a full hiking boot rather than a sneaker style, which provides a little extra protection.

JAileen

Veteran

I have waterproof hiking shoes, like #1. When we were in Alaska and it was snowy, muddy, and wet. I wore high neoprene boots like #2. I don’t generally wear them around here. For hiking in snow I have Santana boots similar to #3. They are easier to walk in than Sorels.

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LaPed

Veteran

I hike in snow/ice Nov - May, or even Oct - June at higher elevations. For shorter outings, I often wear my Blundstones, especially if I'm also out doing errands before or after. For longer hikes and runs, my waterproof Altras. If I expect really deep mud (spring conditions here) I'll wear my Bogs, and if it's super cold I use my Ugg Adirondacks. All of them work fine with microspikes or snowshoes, depending on conditions (Kahtoola Microspikes are the best winter gear purchase I've ever made!).

Not that I'm starved for options, but I also have my eye on these cute Merrells, and wouldn't mind adding a pair of Lowa boots again (had a pair years ago but my feet changed size and I miss them!). My road is minimally plowed, icy and hilly, so I need decent boots every day for dog-walking, checking the mail, getting down to the pond for skating, etc.

Blundstone Blundstone Women's 1448 Chelsea Boot

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Altra Footwear Altra Footwear

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Merrell Merrell

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Synne

Veteran

Yes, wellies! I currently have four pairs, one for dirty work or forest hiking, and three fashion wellies

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Helena

Veteran

I love my Hunter wellies (I have various liners in fleece and puffer material for different weather) although they would not be great for any too-challenging terrain. My DH swears by golf shoes, funny enough ... he has an older pair that he designated for forest walking, and they are waterproof, designed to be worn a long time, and have a bit of grip to them so he won't slip on light ice or mucky bits.

Anonymous

I may just end up getting hiking boots- though they look so fussy to put on. I know that sounds lazy!
Oh and my terrain is almost totally flat. I'm just thinking of them for the woods behind my house.
Any long farther away hikes I'd do in warm weather and wear my Birkies

rachylou

Veteran

I have some random, furry-lined duck boots. Unlike most duck boots, they have a firm sole. I hate the thin rubbery sole of most such boots because you can feel the ground through them, every rock and pebble. Sadly, tho, I cannot recommend these current ones. They only lasted a month and half of daily dog walks. I’m still wearing them, but they’ll be trashed end of winter. The heel is worn down and I can see honeycomb understructure. I have some sleeping bag boots that are ten years old, so I know somewhere out there is a sole that will stand up. However, not waterproof

Anonymous

My Merrills I can feel the ground. It's ok in the woods but not nice on my rocky driveway

Glory

Veteran

I’m still doing my daily outdoor walk despite insane snow and cold. For really frigid I wear Kamik boots, moderate temperatures I am using Columbia minx shorties. Recently I’ve started using my DDs hiking shoe which is like the Solomon and waterproof. This one is great in muck and very grippy.

Anonymous

I don't trail walk in rain boots, the treads aren't grippy enough for wet rocks, etc and with low volume feet and a small heel the fit isn't snug enough to avoid blisters.

I have Asolo waterproof hiking shoes and my husband loves Oboz.

Sal

Veteran

I am hoping to wear these but in the past I have just worn Asics Kayano and they have got wet. Not ideal.

We don't get the snow though where I would hike - but it can be muddy and wet underfoot.

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nemosmom

Veteran

I have a waterproof, insulated hiking boot by Vasque that I love. Super warm and the sole is grippy. I like that I can cinch them around the ankle for stability. I wear them in the snow when we hike around the lake and ravines on the weekends (my kids love to go geocaching).

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Anonymous

Hmm- there's not any rocks back there, but lots of leaves which can be slippery, and tree roots. Thinking I want to stick to zero drop, cause I think the heavy soles of my old sneakers caused me all the back pain.

LaPed

Veteran

Have you looked at Vivobarefoot Trackers? They're a popular barefoot/minimalist boot for mild winters, and that brand tends to work well for narrow and low-volume feet. (And they apparently come in a dark green!)

Vivobarefoot Women's Tracker FG L Leather Walking Shoe

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cjh

(website)

Veteran

I have Merrell brand, both low hiking shoes and hiking boots. The low hikers are great for weather that is warmer and not actively precipitating. I feel nimble, balanced and supported in both pairs.

The best way I’ve found to clean dirt or mud from the bottoms of shoes is to walk in the snow.

My furry lined snow boots are not good for trail hikes, or even longer road walks. They are pretty waterproof, and great for walking around the town on sidewalks, or errands in bad winter weather.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just ordered a couple of pairs — one from Kamik and one from Sorel — to wear hiking in snow/slush/ice. I love my Merrell’s but I want something that comes up a bit higher on the calf to keep possible snow out. It’s probably a good idea to give my Merrell’s a bit of a beak anyway — they’re getting used a lot this past year. I wore an old pair of Aquitalias on the trail last week when it snowed and slipped and fell twice. Good thing I was dressed in lots of layers for padding, LOL.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Walmart men's hikers and low hike boots. are phenomenal for muck and water proof long walks.

JAileen

Veteran

Have you thought about gaiters? REI has a bunch. Just a thought.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sure. I hike in these conditions. If it 's a real hike, (i.e. I'm going to be on trails vs. pavement and doing some hills) I wear my Goretex trail runners or hiking boots.

If it's just on pavement and I'm not going for more than an hour and/or am going into town as well, I wear my new Blondos. What you want is something with a bit of grip in the sole and something warm (or warm with the right socks).

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Samoon Women's Speedcross 4 GTX W Trail Running Shoe

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Blondo Cayla Waterproof Chelsea Boot

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unfrumped

Veteran

For me it would depend on how far and what terrain under the muck.
I don’t think I could use pull- on rain type boots for a real walk- usually not enough support, and I need some kind of laces. Whereas that would be great for just a brief tromp around the yard.
I have some leather Magellan hiking type boots I wear for gardening in cold/damp/ wet/ mud - because yard has uneven places and I use garden spade, fork, pickaxe. And some other leather hiking boots. I figure they can be weatherized and cleaned for just mild slush or muddy hikes. Again, not for deep snow or water.
I also have Lowa Gortex sneakers that I wear for most “ dry” winter walks because they are warmer than other sneakers, and are good for wet/ slush , but not deep over- the-foot stuff.

Anonymous

Thanks all for the recs! Of course the ones I like most so far are spendy :/ Will probably be a goal for the fall. Luckily some of the trail was completely dry already-yay sandy soil- though we may get more snow this week.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow, trails over here are a mud fest! I went out to Quiet Waters today because unpaved is just too messy right now. That’s the difference between sandy soil closer to the bay and the stuff just a few miles further inland!

Joy

Veteran

I like my Merrell hiking boots for these conditions. They are worn with Smart Wool socks.

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Merrell 'Siren Edge' Waterproof Hiking Shoe (Women)

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Anonymous

I think our whole side has sandy soil Janet! Some of the places in the woods look to be pure sand, so I wonder if the river was wider or had little branches once.
Will definitely consider more Merrills Joy, but don't think I'd last 5 minutes with wool by my skin.

jacquez

In case you need more options:

I have a selection of hikers but my favorites for almost all weather are from Ecco. They're men's boots that I bought in an emergency (in an airport on an international trip when I realized I'd forgotten to pack my hikers) and they have since become my go-tos.

https://us.ecco.com/ecco-mens-.....olor=52600

They aren't cheap, but they are waterproof, sturdy, supportive, and four years and many many miles later, are still in great shape. (I'm going to dupe them soon, just in case, but they appear to be a mainstay of Ecco's line.)

For higher snow I have a pair of Sorels that go up another few inches, and for EXTREME temps I have a pair of shearling-lined Frye hikers, but the Eccos cover a good 95% of my hiking year-round, from 95F days to 20F days, mud, sand, snow, rock, forest, you name it.

nuancedream

Veteran

My La Sportiva hiking boots or Sporto Duck Boots and wool socks work beautifully in tough weather and/or terrain conditions. The Duck Boots were very handy yesterday because Seattle got hit with approximately 7" to 9" of snow.

Jules

Veteran

I find my Timberlands work pretty well for muddy snow conditions. Mine are burgundy and a shinier finish than the typical yellow ones, so they don’t stain at all. They’re waterproof, warm enough for those types of conditions (ie/ if it’s well below freezing the mud is frozen anyway), have a good tread and ankle support, and just very supportive and comfortable over all. And I also like the look, which I can’t say for most hiking boots If I had a true need for winter hikers I would definitely get some, and being in Canada I do also have true snow boots, but the Timberlands are pretty darn functional. I also have Hunters I love for rainy days or muddy gardening but the tread and ankle support are not good for real walking.