Post by: gutters on April 19, 2015, 08:42:26 AM
We are in the very early stages of planning a 6 month trip around the top half of Australia. Last night the missus and I were discussing footwear and of course she was keen to take several pairs to cover most occasions... Me on the other hand I'm happy in double pluggers and work boots...
We are looking to travel through Central Australia, North West Coast WA, Pilbara, Kimberley, Darwin and surrounds, Gulf Country and then Central QLD to home on the Sunny Coast. I'm trying to cut down on the gear we cart (wife and 2 daughters...) on this trip but I'm mindful that we will be travelling through varying terrains and climates. I was thinking we could get away with a pair of hiking boots/shoes, thongs and a set of aqua shoes...
I'm interested to hear what swaggers have done in relation to their foot wear for similar trips and would love any recommendations for good brands or styles we should be looking at.
Cheers.
Post by: scarpsD40 on April 19, 2015, 08:50:21 AM
Having said that swmbo takes 1 x casual sandals, 1 x dress sandals, 1 x thongs (for the shower), 1 x Joggers/walking shoes, 1 x blundstone boots.
I've learnt not to argue the point and if more are needed, well that's ok.........
Post by: D4D on April 19, 2015, 08:52:17 AM
- Good walking/hiking boots, obviously for hiking
- Elastic work boots - for everyday wear, these are good for slip on/off, laces on hiking boots will get tedious for everday
- Thongs - for manky showers and evening loo runs
- Aqua/water/mesh/hard sole shoe - for when in the water/boats etc.
Obviously the 'ladies' are going to want some sort of 'going out' shoe.
Post by: edz on April 19, 2015, 09:15:42 AM
Post by: slave on April 19, 2015, 09:19:38 AM
1 x thongs
1 x dressy sandals
1 x runners
1 x hiking boots
I purchased
1 x Aqua shoes
I wore hiking boots, thongs, Aqua shoes and the sandals once.
We only went out for lunches so the casual dress was acceptable.
I am female but not a 'shoe' person
Post by: cyberess on April 19, 2015, 09:34:51 AM
I really like the keens Gypsum Ox
(http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/files/photo_gallery/main_3947.JPG)
http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Product/Men/Trailhead/Gypsum-Ox---ShitakeBrindle (http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Product/Men/Trailhead/Gypsum-Ox---ShitakeBrindle)
They are sort of a cross between a "hike boot", sandal, and a runner, I have found them waterproof and can survive tropics where I find soles just fall off the most expensive shoes/boots (The joys of living in Darwin.) -- The Keens do O.K.
I travel with 2 pair as i do a fair bit of bush walking though creeks etc -- I try to keep one pair dry
I find them O.K. looking to wear everywhere ;)
:cheers:
Post by: tk421 on April 19, 2015, 10:59:49 AM
Barefeet
Thongs
Merrell Boab Hiking shoes as they double us as going out shoes -
(http://img.wolverineworldwide.com/is/image/WolverineWorldWide/MRLM-J87577-083013-F08-HERO?wid=1200&hei=1200&qlt=70&fmt=jpg&extend=0,0,0,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.5,1)
I used to have a pair of TEVA rafting sandals that were good for clambering through gorges at places like Karrijini but they always end up stinking and I look like an middle aged swedish tourist so I haven't replaced them (But you can swim in them if required)
(http://www.rei.com/media/cc/22a260f3-a1c7-46c8-b693-5721441a7c27.jpg)
Post by: Alan Loy on April 19, 2015, 11:49:52 AM
These protect my feet but are still cool and fine for walking through water. I find I live in these.
Thongs
Walking/hiking shoes
Slip on leather shoes (optional but more dressy) These can be worn without socks and are easy to slip on if its a bit cold or raining in the middle of the night
Post by: JCOJ on April 19, 2015, 11:53:07 AM
1 x Keen sandals with the toe protector
1 x comfy sandshoes (which I never wear!)
1 x thongs for caravan park showers
Post by: dales133 on April 19, 2015, 12:17:25 PM
Post by: gutters on April 19, 2015, 12:33:52 PM
A set of Uncle Ho's combat boots will get you through .http://www.instructables.com/id/Tire-Sandals/ (http://www.instructables.com/id/Tire-Sandals/) AT tread of your choice ;D
I love them edz, don't think the girls will be up for them but I reckon they are great.
We went out this morning and visited a few of the big camping stores to look at Hydrated Backpacks and stumbled across the Keen Aqua shoes at Anaconda, I was really impressed with how sturdy they felt and looked really well made.
http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products/Men/Waterfront (http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/Products/Men/Waterfront)
I think we are going to go with these in place of sand shoes, take our elastic sided boots and some thongs. Thanks to everyone for your input.
Post by: oldmate on April 19, 2015, 12:45:48 PM
"There's an awful lot you can tell about a person by their shoes." Where they're going. Where they've been. I've worn lots of shoes. I bet if I think about it real hard I could remember my first pair of shoes. Mama said they would take me anywhere. She said they were my magic shoes.
I reckon one pair of magic shoes and you will be covered :cup:
Post by: McTavish on April 19, 2015, 12:55:03 PM
Going out, rock hopping, wading in the creek, general bits and pieces...
Now I don't have a pair - yet?? - but a mate of mine wears them all the time - Coral Farming in Fiji to going out at night! :)
Post by: Clouty on April 19, 2015, 01:31:48 PM
As most have said, pair of thongs, slip on work boots or bush walking shoes and a nice pair of going out shoes..
Post by: wakychapmans on April 19, 2015, 01:51:07 PM
1 x cycling shoes (for actually riding in)
1 x hiking boots (hardly ever put them on)
1 x Teva sandals (worn whenever I wasn't on the bike)
in the mid 90's I rode from Cairns to Cape York and took:
1 x Teva sandals. (I used flat BMX style pedals)
that was it. 21 days from Cairns to the tip. one pair of shoes.
for our yearly Simpson Desert trips I'll take:
1 x Keen sandals (better toe protection to thorns than the Tevas)
1 x Blunstones. (they've never been worn in the last 7 years)
If you're seeing a trend here... you're correct. We live in the Blue Mountains and I wear (sport) sandals 12 months of the year.
A good set of sport sandals can substitute for trainers, thongs, aqua shoes and hiking boots. But I stress... a good pair.
Wayne
Post by: JD-120 on April 19, 2015, 01:54:03 PM
Maybe some Crosskix? One pair for everything !!I must have these now
Going out, rock hopping, wading in the creek, general bits and pieces...
Now I don't have a pair - yet?? - but a mate of mine wears them all the time - Coral Farming in Fiji to going out at night! :)
. I love my crocs. These look awesome
Post by: trevc on April 19, 2015, 02:03:30 PM
I was thinking we could get away with a pair of hiking boots/shoes, thongs and a set of aqua shoes...day
Bingo!!!
That's pretty much what my son and I took, hiking boots just about every day, even when 'dressed-up' on the very rare occasion we went anywhere remotely fancy.
Pluggers and creek shoes for anything else. I wore through a pair of boots and picked up a pair of Rossi in Alice - a very good boot.
The girls had some uggies and flats but took very little room.
We went for 12 mths last year - any question just ask.
Trev
Post by: Kangaron on April 19, 2015, 03:08:50 PM
1 x pr Birckenstocks
1 x pr thongs.
Anything else needed on the way source at the local op shop.
Post by: gutters on April 19, 2015, 04:40:41 PM
We will also take a pair of elastic sided work boots for general day to day duties and thongs for everything else.
Next task is convincing the girls that they won't need their entire wardrobe of clothes....
Post by: McTavish on April 19, 2015, 04:50:15 PM
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT !! :laugh:
Post by: edz on April 19, 2015, 05:07:01 PM
Post by: Terry W4 on April 19, 2015, 05:12:44 PM
I will be taking:
1. Pair of Columbia walking/hiking boots - for everyday use
2. Casual walking/runners - back up
3. RM Williams - for nights out
4. Sandals - around the camp
5. Blundstones for off-road and other dirty work.
Post by: dales133 on April 19, 2015, 05:32:17 PM
for a "round the country" bicycle tour I did back in the early 90's... I took:I've done alot of traveling over the years and all sorts of places, some pretty serious tracking and caving as well and done almost all of it in a pair of tevas
1 x cycling shoes (for actually riding in)
1 x hiking boots (hardly ever put them on)
1 x Teva sandals (worn whenever I wasn't on the bike)
in the mid 90's I rode from Cairns to Cape York and took:
1 x Teva sandals. (I used flat BMX style pedals)
that was it. 21 days from Cairns to the tip. one pair of shoes.
for our yearly Simpson Desert trips I'll take:
1 x Keen sandals (better toe protection to thorns than the Tevas)
1 x Blunstones. (they've never been worn in the last 7 years)
If you're seeing a trend here... you're correct. We live in the Blue Mountains and I wear (sport) sandals 12 months of the year.
A good set of sport sandals can substitute for trainers, thongs, aqua shoes and hiking boots. But I stress... a good pair.
Wayne
Post by: Rumpig on April 19, 2015, 06:44:27 PM
- 2 pair of pluggers (1 is spare incase of blow out, learnt that the hard way when left for a few days with no pluggers to wear)
- water resistant type ugg boots...more of a ski boot then a ugg boot really, lined on the inside to keep feet warm for colder weather and water resistant is good for dew on the ground in mornings or rainy days
- a pair off hiking boots that sort of look like half dressy going out boots also...I wear them if we go hiking or somewhere out to dinner that requires shoes
....and that's it. Anymore then that is not required for me, just takes up space
Post by: edz on April 19, 2015, 07:39:12 PM
Post by: chester ver2.0 on April 20, 2015, 10:08:13 AM
1 Pair of crocks
1 Pair of hiking boots
1 decent pair of sneakers..
Yep you guessed it the sneakers never even got taken out of their box