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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:17 pm
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For many years I have been using Oboz hiking boots. Nothing on the market fits my feet better (long and narrow feet).  They have just one downside, they are absolutely awful on wet slipery surfaces - even the slightest bit of moisture on rocks makes them treacherous.  While not generally a problem in my home state of Arizon, in many parts of the world I feel like I am often living more dangerously than I need to be.  Virtually any shoe I have ever worn except dress shoes have better wet-rock traction.  So my question for the outdoorsy types here is for a recomendation for great wet-rock hiking boots.  Keen is out - they are all way too wide, I need a much narrower heal.  Any suggestions would be welcome.
 

by rjacobs on Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:50 pm
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Don't know about sizing, but I used Astral Rassler 2.0 Water Shoes wandering the canyons that flow into the Escalante River (Wolverine, Little Death Hollow, etc).  They are pretty light weight so I would not backpack with them, but great traction on wet slick rock.


russell
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by E.J. Peiker on Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:30 pm
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Thanks!!! I'm talking about boots with ankle support, not water shoes
 

by Walter Flint on Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:39 pm
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You might look into Five Ten shoes or boots. They have "stealth" rubber on them which is a composite sticky rubber formulated for rock climbing. They make approach shoes/boots and I can assure you that they are as grippy on rock as anything made. Water on rock of course is a lubricant and no shoe/boot is perfect but I have owned and used them for decades for my climbing photography and they are about the best you could hope for. They seem like a medium width type of shoe  from my experience. 
 

by Jeff Pearl on Thu Oct 03, 2019 4:09 pm
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E.J., I would look at some of the hiking boots by Danner. I've hiked many rocky trials and cliffs in this area wearing Danner boots and haven't slipped yet on wet rocks. https://www.danner.com/productfamily/mountain-600/men:hike/?sortId=position-asc
 I have 2 pair of slip on boots with no laces ( a 5" and 7" high which protects my ankle some but they don't provide a lot of ankle support), so for ankle support, I'd go with a boot with laces.


Last edited by Jeff Pearl on Fri Oct 04, 2019 9:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
 

by Joerg Rockenberger on Thu Oct 03, 2019 7:34 pm
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What about something like these? You can continue to use your hiking boots you're used to...

https://www.magidglove.com/Tingley-Work ... 111XL.aspx

Or maybe some variant of Microspikes, Yaktrax... How are the NEOS overshoes actually?

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by Mike in O on Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:15 pm
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As a Steelhead fisherman, I have a lot of experience but maybe these can help.
https://korkers.com/
 

by calvin1calvin on Thu Oct 03, 2019 8:55 pm
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I use North Face and found them light weight, comfortable, good ankle support and grip well.  There are several models and I use a gore-tex low quarter and a higher top for ankle support.   
 

by Andrew_5488 on Fri Oct 04, 2019 9:27 am
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All shoes will have some problems with wet rocks and a lot of problems if there's any trace of
clay anywhere.
For me I always look at mountaineering boots when it comes to wet rock surface but again
,when it's wet it's very dangerous while hiking so you always have to pay extra attention.
And when you're on limestone it'll be slippery no matter what your wear.

Mammut is pretty good in Europe and tested in the Alps.
:-)

https://www.mammut.com/us/en/cat/102020 ... ble&page=1

You can also check https://www.backpacker.com/gear/tested- ... taineering
and other reviews over there.
 

by E.J. Peiker on Fri Oct 04, 2019 11:26 am
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Thanks for all of the help so far.  I don't want anything that will require me to carry anything else.  I want to be able to use what I have on, not slip something on which requires me to travel with more stuff.  I do use the NEOS and those are lightyears better than my normal hiking boots.  I basically want the best hiking boot that comes up onto the ankles (mid-high) that aren't wide fit for wet rock traction.  I realize nothing is perfect and that there are special use slip on options.  I just want something that isn't like walking on ice even when there is just the slightest amount of moisture even on something abrasive like sandstone.  My research has come up with Keen which I can't wear and Salomon which I haven't tried on but want some other options to try.  Money is not an object.

From the suggestions so far, the Danner and Mammut boots look like a possibility - just don't know where to go to try them on.  I like the idea of the Mammuts because in my experience, European shoes run narrower than typical American shoes do.
 

by Joerg Rockenberger on Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:30 pm
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Understand your point well... Make sure to try the Salomon's. They are narrow in my experience. Never found a Salomon shoe that fit well. And often I couldn't even get in. Now, I may have wide(r) feet though I never have to go for "wide" models...

Good luck! Jörg
 

by Mike in O on Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:33 pm
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Anything with a hard rubber sole is a no go for traction on wet rocks.  Get a fabric gore-tex boot that is made for trail running, the softer sole won't last very long but will give you better traction.  The best thing for walking on wet rocks is a staff (they make them for photographers) which will allow you to chose a boot that more fits your style of hiking.  Danner lasts are very narrow.  They do have a 2nd's store in Portland where they are made with a large discount (they are expensive).  They are a division of Redwing boots, so they may be available in your area in stores carrying Red wings.


Last edited by Mike in O on Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
 

by mortsgah on Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:38 pm
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I'll second Danner boots. They have work boots in their pedigree (think logging) and have an amazing variety of boots and almost as many soles. They come in various widths and are very well made. Unfortunately, Danner stores are only in the Northwest (Portland and Seattle), but, REI and other outlets do carry some of their models so you can at least try on those versions. Their customer service is top notch. I'd give them a call with your desires and see which models they recommend.
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by Mike in O on Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:07 pm
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Here is the Danner store in Bend Or
https://stores.danner.com/bend?gclid=Cj ... F0QAvD_BwE
 

by SantaFeJoe on Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:10 pm
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If you have a favorite pair of boots, you could re-sole them with grip type soles. Of course, Vibram offers many types and any good shoe/boot repair shop can get you set up.

http://us.vibram.com/company/news-events/megagrip-pro/

http://us.vibram.com/company/news-events/xs-work/

http://us.vibram.com/company/news-events/wavegrip/

http://us.vibram.com/company/news-events/idrogrip/

Click on “Grip” or “Safety” under the products banner.

They also have a list of partners that use Vibram soles and a cobbler locater that lists several in Phoenix.

Joe
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by Gary Gulash on Sat Oct 05, 2019 3:56 pm
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I am using a European brand of boot called Hanwag, the Tatra II GTX in particular. They have been super comfortable from the moment I put them on. They have been excellent in all respects including great traction on all surfaces I haven encountered. The sole is vibram, a variant that is slightly pliable and sticky on slick hard surfaces. The lugs are deep and gnarly too. Definitely worth adding to your list of manufactures to consider. I assume they sell into the US ?
 

by Wildflower-nut on Sat Oct 05, 2019 8:16 pm
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5 10 boots are what I used in Grand staircase escelante and Zion. These are made for canyon hiking with wet rock.
 

by photoman4343 on Sun Oct 06, 2019 1:38 am
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EJ, LL Bean sells two versions of a hiking boot with a Vibram sole. I believe they are called Cresta Hiking boots. One is all leather and the other is leather and gortex. I have a pair that I have used in the Colorado mountains for hiking.

For light hiking I love my Oboz boots as they come in wide widths and the fit around the heel is great. I do agree with EJ's thoughts about its sole not being the best for wet/slippery situations.

Joe
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by E.J. Peiker on Sun Oct 06, 2019 9:54 am
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Wildflower-nut wrote:5 10 boots are what I used in Grand staircase escelante and Zion.  These are made for canyon hiking with wet rock.
Everything I see online does not have ankle support...???
 

by Tim Grams on Sun Oct 06, 2019 3:29 pm
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Foot wear is always a tough subject since everyone's feet are so different, not to mention the plethora of uses for shoes and boots. Hence the bazillion options available.

I've settled on Asolo Fugitives as my boot of choice after trying a multitude of boots in the past 40+ years. I'm on my third pair and intend to stick with them.  I use Superfeet insoles in them. I hike and walk a LOT, usually with at least 10 to 20 pounds of gear, and only expect to get a couple of good years out of them. After that I use them for street shoes or doing canyon hikes with lots of water (Buckskin Gulch, etc). They are quite stiff and remain that way. REI carries them so if you have a store nearby you can check them out.  One drawback for you will be the Gortex lining- they're not a good hot weather boot. YMMV....

https://runrepeat.com/asolo-fugitive-gtx
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