Chacos/Sandals

[footslogger]

Been wondering if Chacos or other sandals are reasonable/functional footwear ...at least during the desert part of the PCT ??

Thanks in advance ...

[Ender]

Been wondering if Chacos or other sandals are reasonable/functional footwear ...at least during the desert part of the PCT ??

Thanks in advance ...

One of the people I hiked with in 2003, One Breath, pretty much hiked in sandals the entire time. I forget exactly when it was he switched to sandals, but it was very early on... I'm thinking within the first week. He wore those things in the desert up into the High Sierras, and had no problems at all, even in the snow. The trick is to just carry extra socks, because they're going to get a lot dirtier, so wearing them multiple days isn't always an option with the accumulated dirt in the socks acting like sandpaper. I think he carried 6 pair, plus one pair for camp.

[Magnet_]

Assuming you are carrying an average weight pack, you might be at increased risk of repetitive stress injuries from walking with less support. I don't know much about the subject though. Maybe someone else can provide accurate info.

[footslogger]

One of the people I hiked with in 2003, One Breath, pretty much hiked in sandals the entire time. I forget exactly when it was he switched to sandals, but it was very early on... I'm thinking within the first week. He wore those things in the desert up into the High Sierras, and had no problems at all, even in the snow. The trick is to just carry extra socks, because they're going to get a lot dirtier, so wearing them multiple days isn't always an option with the accumulated dirt in the socks acting like sandpaper. I think he carried 6 pair, plus one pair for camp.
==========================

For the "penalty" in terms of socks it might just be smarter to stick with my current plan and wear my NB trail shoes.

Thanks for the feedback ...