Boots and Stuff
stomp stomp stomp
Boots
You know, I've never even owned a pair of trailbusters. So as a south African, I'm hardly qualified to write this. However, I have been through more than my fair share of boots. The thing with boots for the berg is, conditions vary. But before we start let me say, for all of you who say that "takkies" are good enough to hike in, You're all dead right. Boots offer real advantages, but "takkies" are in fact more than adequate footwear. In summer especially, they are more comfortable than heavy (often soaked) boots. Obviously they do not provide the ankle support of a good boot, but then again, many poor boots don't either.
So, what do you look for in the perfect berg boot. Considering, like sleeping bags, there is no perfect single berg boot, lets just say its a compromise. Firstly, light weight is good. Plastics are out. So are really heavy leather boots except for mid winter. Comfort is critical, possibly more so than price. Cheap comfortable boots will increase your enjoyment of the berg more than costly blistering ones, but remember that strolling down a pavement is not the same as a gravely river bed. Cheap boots unfortunately, but logically, have cheap soles. Cheap soles can be cushy on the road, but every pebble is felt underfoot on the trail,especially when 20kg of backpack driving your foot into the ground . Anyway, lets look at what a boot does. It protects your foot from the ground, it keeps your foot warm and it keeps it dry. Dry can be a real problem in the middle of a berg thunderstorm. Even treated Gore-Tex lined 4 season boots will eventually let your feet get wet, but it will take a lot longer than an absorbent canvas boot. Wet feet actually are not too much of a problem in summer, and indeed, I'll use canvas boots or "takkies" if the going is going to be very wet. However, if snow starts falling, then dry=warm. I once did a walk in snow in canvas boots, and it is something I doubt I'll repeat in a hurry. So in winter, a good pair of treated leather boots, or lined canvas boots are worth the initial investment. Hence, "takkies" or canvas for summer, leather for winter would be ideal. Of course takkies are fine in winter, and leather in summer, if the weather plays along.
Sandals
Often one needs to walk about camp, or ford rivers or the like. For this it is worth considering an extra pair of shoes in the form of river sandals. Unfortunately in South Africa, you are going to have to endure a heavy pair, as there is no such thing as lightweight sandals here. If you are international, buy some teva's! Slops can be used, but the fact that you can comfortably wear socks under sandals (if you don't mind looking germanic) is a real advantage around camp. Get a pair with as little webbing as possible, as this makes them lighter and generally easier to put on and take off. They must however grip your foot. I have taken to walking in sandals more and more in the summer months when there are a lot of river crossings on the route.
Gaiters
Yes, those well ugly things that the pretentious wear. Well, call me vain, but I use them. They keep your feet dry when it rains (provided you have good boots), are essential in snow, and provide added protection against nasties (read snakes!) in the grass. Ever had socks filled with burrs and grass seeds poking your ankles. No more if you wear gaiters. Now I will admit that gaiters are a personal thing, and hardly needed when there is no snow, but they do at least mean vegetation free socks
Socks
Talking of which, there are socks and then there are socks. And all work. On longer trails the main purpose for a sock seems to be to pick up odour rather than any real function. Which is a good reason to wear light inner socks and heavy outers. The inners collect all that smell, and as long as they aren't cotton (avoid cotton in ALL trekking gear if you can)can be washed overnight. Good socks do cost money, but its well spent. Falke seem to make amazing socks, and the one pair I use fairly regularly have lasted through 4 different pairs of boot!
