What shoes should I wear for water hiking?

You need to wear shoes and socks that are comfortable in preparation for water hiking. In this case, you should wear wool socks, hiking boots, among others, that do not cause discomfort leading to blisters, the opening of cuts, injuries, and the risk of contracting foreign pathogens. 

Knowing the appropriate types of shoes and socks to wear for water hiking is the best thing you need to consider thoroughly and carefully. This article responds to the following questions; key features of water hiking shoes, which shoes to wear for hiking? What type of shoes are ideal for river crossing, and what do you need to wear on a waterfall hike?

What is the point of water shoes?

It would help if you had water shoes to engage in activities where your boots become wet. It doesn’t necessarily need to be waterproof; however, it deals with water if subjected to such circumstances. 

For instance, shoes made with mesh material with comparative advantages on breathability, insulation, and temperature regulation for the feet. Having said this, you need to be mindful that it’s still OK to wear water shoes going where there is even no water because the idea behind wearing them is to keep your feet safe and protected.

Key features of water hiking shoes

The key features of water hiking shoes are many and varied. These include stiffness and breathability, cushioning and functionality, lightweight, comfort, and stability. Among other features, ensure that these shoes fit properly to your feet, protect your feet, and will need to be durable. These physical and non-physical critical features of water hiking shoes are essential in several ways buttress by their advantages and disadvantages, to be explained briefly in this section are three among other features as follows;

Firstly, good water hiking shoes protect your feet from bad weather conditions such as rain, snow, morning dew, and other wet environments. The shoes’ capability to provide protection depends on various factors such as the shoe’s weight, material, and extra features such as toe cap, etc. 

Secondly, breathability is a vital feature for hiking shoes as they need to provide proper ventilation. In this case, water hiking shoes need to ventilate moisture or humidity and temperature. Such features reduce skin problems like blisters, infections, and foul odor. 

Thirdly, water hiking shoes provide comfort. They can regulate temperature and deter the formation of blisters on your foot.

Are water shoes OK for hiking?

Water shoes are OK for hiking given their capacity to provide the necessary features and characteristics such as comfort, regulation, breathability, flexibility, and lightweight. It’s imperative to be mindful of the type of terrain you would want to visit and well and the prevailing weather conditions. 

For instance, hiking rocky-mountainous landscapes require wearing heavy-weight shoes with rubber soles. Water shoes are OK for hiking because they provide considerable support and stability. 

For example, regarding ankle support, water shoes tend not to have stiff ankle support, enabling you to run over steep and rough terrain. Henceforth these shoes are apt and appropriate for hiking as they are strong, flexible, and more comfortable.

Which shoes to wear for hiking?

You need to wear sturdy hiking shoes to protect your feet from external hazards such as rocky terrains, rain, snow, cold and hot temperatures, among others. These sturdy shoes enable you to gain traction on wet and dry surfaces, given the complex areas you may pass through during hiking. 

Also, don’t forget to spend a bit of time considering the size, weather, and distance for your chosen location for hiking. A classic example can be drawn from hiking during winter in a thicket; all you need is lightweight shoes married with appropriate socks.

How do you know if hiking shoes are waterproof?

Well, it’s shocking news to you that no hiking shoes are 100% waterproof! Hiking shoes are synthesized concerning this revelation, balancing their waterproofing ability and breathability capacity. I am sure by now you’re no longer hoping to see hiking shoes made of an impermeable membrane. 

The exterior cover of hiking shoes is made with a waterproof membrane using Gore-Tex. So there are two ways you can determine whether a shoe is waterproof or not. Firstly, you can read the information provided on it explaining if it is waterproof or not. 

Secondly, I can tell from experience wearing the shoes. Waterproofed shoes won’t allow water to soak inside shoes, whether through infiltration or drenching from inside, informing of sweat due to poor breathability.

What type of shoes is ideal for river crossings?

In a general sense, river crossing means your feet will end up getting soaked in water either intentionally or unintentionally. The ideal type of shoes for river crossing are water-shoes. Sturdy, lightweight, and fasten-able shoes to walk confidently in the flowing water are needed. Moreover, these shoes ought to dry quickly due to breathability enabling the socks inside to dry as well. Importantly, please note that this article does not encourage you to cross intense, fast-flowing, and cold rivers, as this is associated with health risks.

What to look for in river hiking shoes?

The choice for suitable river hiking shoes is of significant consideration. You surely need to know the critical features to look for in river hiking shoes. These are water shoes as opposed to waterproof shoes. The former are water-permeable equally as they can dry up quickly. 

Thus, River hiking shoes need to have the ability to drain water quickly such that you don’t have to walk long distances with heavy loads on your feet. Among other features, you need to consider shoes that are protective to your toes, lightweight, sturdy with a firm grip, and the ones that give you comfort.

What to look for in river hiking socks

When preparing for river hiking socks, you need to be conscious that your hiking involves immersing your feet in the water. 100% cotton socks have a high moisture retention capacity compared to other materials like merino wool. 

Meaning you will have to wait a bit longer to dry up. Short socks are preferred over long socks to avoid accumulating dust and sticky red soil on your wet socks. Therefore, you are supposed to look for light sock socks that dry quickly.

Tips about Drying Times

After being soaked by rains or crossing a river and becoming where you end up wet, you need to know what to do to get dry up fast. It usually takes at least 15 minutes to dry up your clothes on a cool and dry day. In all that, you can practice the following to speed up the drying times; basking in the sun and utilizing wind, drying up by the fireside, and hanging the clothes on a rope, among others. 

You surely need to consider other basic practices such as selecting light garments and turning them separately as they tend to dry fast.

What should I bring on a waterfall hike?

It is pretty good to adventure on a waterfall hike with friends and colleagues. You can prepare an itinerary that includes sturdy hiking shoes, wool socks, a sunhat and sunglasses, and water shoes. Waterfall hiking may involve crossing the river, so you need to be ready to wear shorts to avoid the need to dry up your clothes. 

Slippery rocks are often situated where there are water bodies, so be careful when stepping, especially if the sturdy of your shoes are gradually vanishing. Above all, bring the right attitude to the waterfall hike and expect lots of fun there!

Do you wear socks with water shoes?

Wearing water shoes without socks depends on the occasion. You can always wear water shoes only when swimming or hiking in rocky, wet areas. 

However, some water shoes may not be enough to offer the warmth required for specific aquatic conditions. You may also feel that your water shoe isn’t adequately taking care of your feet. Do you feel you need your feet kept under a perfect and soothing temperature? Well, the solution to that is getting a sock.  

Many hikers understand that going out on water hiking activities requires a sock. Socks are essential because they protect you from getting blisters or bruises from sand or other sharp objects. The main issue is what type of sock is appropriate with water shoes. 

Neoprene socks are the best for water-based activities because they are waterproof and keep you warm. You are guaranteed protection from harmful elements in the water. 

As you can see, socks are vital on every occasion and with every type of shoe, in this instance, water shoes.