In a couple weeks I'm doing a 4 day/3 night group trip at Pictured Rocks. I've never been there, but I hear it is a very flat and pretty sandy trail.
I've been loving my LaSportiva Wildcats+Dirty Girl gaiters this summer, but for this one I'm thinking my Chacos may be the better option.
Anyone with experience on sandy hikes or specifically Pictured Rocks - help?
Posted Jul 30, 2016, 2:58 PM UTC
I did that trip last year. You'll be fine with your current setup. The sand isn't too bad until the last little section. Enjoy it! It's an awesome trail.
Awesome thanks!
i agree with u/dasalt . the sand isn't until the last section and regular trail runners will likely be perfectly fine. plus, you'll be down at the lake level by then and can rinse your feet off to get rid of sand that does end up in your shoes.
enjoy that FREEEEZING cold water!
Light weight Gaiters have worked well for keeping the sand out of my Altra Lone Peaks.
My experience with Chacos has been that if the sand is wet, the straps would become abrasive and cause blisters. Maybe I just need to wear them more so my feet get used to it. In contrast, they might be nice if you are doing a lot of swimming. I'm not sure how fast Wildcats dry out, but I imagine that it is fairly quick.
Also, my Chacos weigh a lot more than my Lone Peaks so there is that. I would probably just take my Lone Peaks if I were to be hiking more than swimming. Maybe bring some cheap Walmart flip-flops for goofing around at camp or the beach with the group.
Pictured Rocks looks amazing. Have fun!
With how meshy trail runners are - especially wildcats- I'm worried that sand will get in despite gaiters. Hmm.
I did a long day hike in Pictured Rocks in Chacos. My feet were pretty torn up by the end. This was a little while before I swore off Chacos because all they do is cause me misery.
Basically as long as there is sand, dust, grit of debris, it will get in between the straps and your feet, and chafe in tons of places. If it's wet, it's way worse. The trails at Pictured Rocks, at least in May, were badly eroded and flooded, so lots of stuff to work its way in. Better off getting some waterproof shoes.
I've sworn off waterproof shoes because they don't dry. I'll be going with my Wildcats and gaiters.
One of the keys I've found to sandy/rocky hikes is to wash your feet, wash your feet, wash your feet. Every time you get to a stream and you think about, clean out your socks and wash your feet. Stop the blisters BEFORE they start! I think you'll be fine in the Wildcats + DGGs! Have fun!
Lol I opened this post expecting to see pictures of the Michigan rocks that are getting into your shoes
Yeah... way to let us down OP.
I think I fulfilled my surprise post quota with my "ultralight ruined my overnight" post