Bushwalk Australia

by **Scarecrow_78** » Mon 11 May, 2015 5:38 pm

Am currently training for Kokoda in August and as of yet still trying to find the right footwear. Have done some walks in boots but feel that they may be too heavy for the walk. I have also done some walks in Oboz walking shoes which are okay but feel that they may not cope with being wet for a majority of the time. Have been reading some other blogs/forums and it would appear that the Merrell Ventilator are being used a bit they are not waterproof however dry quite quickly. Wondering if anyone has used these shoes and if they are likely to stand up to the rigors of the Kokoda trail.

by **Zone-5** » Mon 11 May, 2015 11:14 pm

KEEN have a good range of open weaved waterproofed material shoes and sandles...

by **GPSGuided** » Tue 12 May, 2015 6:56 am

Is it an issue to wear those Keen sandals in places where leeches are prevalent?

by **gayet** » Tue 12 May, 2015 7:43 am

I wear similar Teva sandals and have no greater issue with leeches than others. At least in these you can see them better. Actually never had leeches attack my feet. Might say more about my feet than the leeches though.

by **north-north-west** » Tue 12 May, 2015 8:08 am

How many threads do we have to have on this subject?

by **Scarecrow_78** » Tue 12 May, 2015 8:55 am

Thanks, i will have a look at the Keen shoes as well.

@north-north-west first time i have posted on this forum, so thanks for your most constructive input!

by **icefest** » Tue 12 May, 2015 12:08 pm

Scarecrow_78 wrote:Thanks, i will have a look at the Keen shoes as well.

@north-north-west first time i have posted on this forum, so thanks for your most constructive input!

by **Nuts** » Tue 12 May, 2015 12:34 pm

I wouldn't buy Merrell again s'crow. Had the ventilator and wasn't impressed with longevity at all when wet much of the time, same with Vasque & TNF- 'Americo/Chinese' brands.

Personally, I do love Keen but wouldn't trust the slippery soles. They make nice water shoes (McKenzie?) but the mesh is too openly woven to be ideal for scrub.

The buying points i'd be looking for are a European manufacturer, minimised stitching, tighter-weave mesh. Scarpa, Zamberlan (mid-cut or shoes, some ankle protection is nice) come to mind but you'll probably need to search for cheaper prices/sales.

by **Turfa** » Tue 12 May, 2015 4:59 pm

I have had several pairs of Merrell Moab ventilators now..(low cut, non Goretex version) and I find them a fantastic shoe. I have done many thousands of K's in them. I find the durability is pretty good though typical of a synthetic shoe (will never last as long as bomb-proof leather boots). I find them great in wet conditions as although they don't keep the water out at all , they dry out very fast. I have worn them through 3 solid weeks of rain & knee deep, sucking mud, as well as multiple days of snow & slush & they have always performed well. Great shoes !

by **Scarecrow_78** » Tue 12 May, 2015 5:08 pm

Thanks all have given me plenty to think about when it comes to purchasing shoes

by **Zone-5** » Wed 13 May, 2015 12:08 am

north-north-west wrote:How many threads do we have to have on this subject?

Scarecrow_78 wrote:@north-north-west first time i have posted on this forum, so thanks for your most constructive input!

by **wayno** » Wed 13 May, 2015 3:38 am

its been discussed before? who knew? :mrgreen:

by **Turfa** » Wed 13 May, 2015 6:51 am

wayno wrote:its been discussed before? who knew?

Maybe once or twice ...... :wink:

but if you read the entire post the OP is actually after advice/feedback on a particular shoe. The thread title isn't really accurate & was perhaps an unfortunate choice........ but only long term members would know that.......let's be nice !!

by **north-north-west** » Wed 13 May, 2015 9:15 am

Turfa wrote:......let's be nice !!

Not on a caffeine-free day.

by **icefest** » Wed 13 May, 2015 9:56 am

@turfa

How about this then:
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Merr ... shwalk.com

by **wayno** » Wed 13 May, 2015 10:29 am

those open shoes like sandals let any grit tats around in and it can get into your socks if you have any and or grind away between the shoe fabric and your skin or your sock and skin.
not to mention letting any mud in...

by **slparker** » Wed 13 May, 2015 11:22 am

Advice from a trekking company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9vApK2Sv2c

http://www.noroadskokoda.com/footwear-s ... kking.html

by **Zone-5** » Sat 16 May, 2015 1:59 am

by **Whits** » Mon 18 May, 2015 9:25 am

Something enclosed but non gortex, that is quick drying. i.e the Merrell Ventilator or even a pair of heavy duty trail runners like the Salomon XA Pros. Then wear a pair of light elastic style gaiters to keep the mud and sticks out.
I have never done the Kokoda but I hike a lot in the Philippines and Indo. Your likely to have porters right? So not carrying a lot of weight, so shoes should be fine if you have experience walking in shoes.

by **Strider** » Mon 18 May, 2015 10:01 am

It seems that most people commenting read the thread title but not the first post.

I have the shoe version and absolutely love them. If boots are needed then I will wear proper boots (Zamberlan Baffin).

by **Zone-5** » Mon 18 May, 2015 2:14 pm

Strider wrote:If boots are needed then I will wear proper boots (Zamberlan Baffin).

The new Bestard Canyon Guide canyoneering shoe is comfortable to use during both the approaches and canyoneering itself.

* Design and high quality European materials focus on very high levels of durability and lightness
* Very good support and a precise fit, combined with high sensitivity and freedom of movement
* The closed cuff prevents debris from entering the boot
* "No-marking" Vibram® Best outsole

by **Strider** » Mon 18 May, 2015 2:21 pm

I don't get your point Z5, but that is the old model Baffin no longer in production.

This is the current model

by **Zone-5** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:00 pm

Strider wrote:I don't get your point Z5...

The point is most don't know what A Baffin looks like unless you can actually see one.

Question is what are the reasons for you recommending this $400 boot?

:?:

by **Strider** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:00 pm

I'm not recommending it. Try reading the first post.

by **Zone-5** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:04 pm

Strider wrote:I'm not recommending it. Try reading the first post.

Please try not to be so obtuse!

We are all trying to advise here and learn from each other.

Again please explain for my own interest at least why these boots are being suggested by you.

by **Strider** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:08 pm

The OP is asking for pro/cons for the shoe and boot variants of Merrel Moab Ventilators. I am not suggesting any other boot/shoe. I am saying I this I what I prefer to use when my Merrel MV shoes are not suitable, instead of his option - being a Merrell MV boot.

by **Zone-5** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:14 pm

Strider wrote:The OP is asking for pro/cons for the shoe and boot variants of Merrel Moab Ventilators. I am not suggesting any other boot/shoe. I am saying I this I what I prefer to use when my Merrel MV shoes are not suitable, instead of his option - being a Merrell MV boot.

Thanks for that.

I'm not sure if the Merrel is made out of water proofed material, meaning that water may affect the structural integrity of the shoe over time by wetting the materials. Do you know if Merrels are made of water proofed materials?

:?:

by **Strider** » Mon 18 May, 2015 3:22 pm

Ventilators are mesh.

Bushwalk Australia

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