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What shoes do you use for crossing rivers. light weight shoe to use crossing rivers to keep your main boots dry
Tried the crocs thing and they are ok but if you want to hop couple boulders first
Sandal or aqua shoe
https://www.kmart.co.nz/product/func...shoes-s158603/
Wetsuit socks
@Gkp What are like on the rocks if you want to step couple boulders?
Probably more grip than boots. Have used a spare pair if socks before and just hung off back of my pack to dry out.
Just got to make sure you don't twist an ankle
Have done crocs and barefoot, aqua shoes are probably better. You can get them on Aliexpress too
Solid toe sandles like this but a full toe like 2nd photo
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Vacuum bags for back steaks from the freezing works work quite well, they are long enough to bunch the tops in your hand around groin level, after you have crossed the stream you put a stone in them and toss back to your mate so he can use them....you may well laugh at the idea but I have done many stream crossings in them and those vacuum bags are really thick and strong....and you don't take your boots off.
I was looking at these the other day and wondering the same thing. Pros of crocs: non-absorbent, so they are dry by the time you get to camp. Cons: tend to move around on your feet, so the aquas would be better for more serious crossings or to walk out in if your boots crapped themselves. Used to use sandals but always get stones stuck in them.
Sounds like a mint idea. Where do you get yours from?Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidGunn
I 'acquired' mine from the freezing works i was employed at....but these days one can buy rolls of heavy duty vacuum packaging and just need a mate with a sealing machine to make a few pairs, even double layer them...so nice to cross a stream and have dry boots on the other side....use spare bags for boned out venison stashed in a creek.Quote:
Originally Posted by camenzie
Gubbas!
Cheap as chips & lite-weight!
I use these.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...e02f1802SO5xq6
Cheap, super light and stay on your feet better than crocs. Double as camp shoes if you are staying out.
I'm using Crocs and using the ankle strap to keep them on. Have also used trainers.
Think the bag idea that David said is about right. Really depends on how many rivers you’re crossing. Do you want to carry the extra stuff?
Wet feet versus time plus weight, not sure. If it’s racing hard your feet won’t stay that dry anyway.
Mind you if it’s freezing cold dry feet is a plus.
I have these. But never thought of taking them stalking.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Barefoot-Ru.../dp/B0992VN4X7
Tried merrell hydro mocs recently during our Wapiti ballot. Very happy with them for river crossings and then around camp to be able to get out of wet boots. All 4 in our party ended up with the hydro mocs and everyone rated them.
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After a trip to the Raukūmaras where I seemed to be crossing a braided river every 5 minutes, I came back intent on finding a good solution. I looked at a kind of wader that you could slip on over your boots, but they were expensive and had bad reviews. On that trip, I got so pissed off taking my boots of all the time, I just wore them for river crossings. It was then I discovered that they got very squeaky when wet.
@Sika 8
Gubbas!
Cheap as chips & lite-weight!
Have you worked out how to size them though? The sizing provided is to go over shoes, so not sure what size to get for my 11.5 US feet as I only want to wear socks or bare feet in them. I like the fact they are super light and pack down flat taking up almost no space in the pack!
I was looking at over shoe waders too, or something cheap light and disposable.Quote:
Originally Posted by MB
The waders were either going to be brilliant or a commercial drowning tool.
I like the idea of the vaccum bags though, didn't think of that
I am 11UK & just bought the XL's as i wear them around camp with socks on normally :)
Dirt old crocs, wear them around camp/huts . light and stylish as fuck (yeah right)
this is why the cullers n meat hunters ended up with bullers with holes in lower bit of sides so water could just come back out again.... combine that with your feet n socks in a plastic bag and your away laughing..... so a bit like the above idea except you have plastic inside your boots.Quote:
Originally Posted by MB
Some feed back,
i ended up with the aqua shoes from kmart and rate them 100% they are still in one piece after a week in south island back country and want hesitate to buy another pair.
Mates took in there dive boots while a little heavier they thought it was a game changer.
And I thought I was the only poofter that didn't like wet feet:P
Then there was the hunter who arrived on the river bank, took off his boots, put on his alternative footwear, got half way across the river, dropped one boot and watched it bob off downstream never to be seen again. The former Urewera and Fiordland cullers would be spinning in their graves reading the above comments!
Not just Urewera or Fiorfland cullers spinning in their graves. There’s plenty of people still around that would read this thread with mild amusement including musterers. You suck it up and move on. Either you walked your boots dry or you wasted too much time trying to keep your feet dry. It could be a cnut putting on frozen socks and boots in the morning but.
I tip the last of the hot billy water into my already wet boots on frosty mornings.Quote:
Originally Posted by woods223
That must make the tea taste terrible!Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidGunn
That only happens if one soaks their socks in the tea billy....I think some of the hunters and trampers who have gone bush and never been found have been guilty of this when their mates catch them at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger 888
I’m pretty sure if the old cullers of the past had the gear available today they would have loved using it :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger 888
Cullers and hunters of old had gear better than todays: greased Horse Bandages wrapped around ankles and overlaid with oilskin wraps. Heal and toe plates on boots attached with Horse shoe nails and Trikonis on the instepQuote:
Originally Posted by Bush Basher
hard case I was dreaming of hobnail boots the other night...had a pair for years.
