Footwear from car to water...

[Kuya]

What footwear can people recommend for walking from the car to the water. Looking for comfortable, lightweight shoes which are ok on the rocks and good for distance (1 mile +).

One choice could be crocs.. not sure what they are like for any distance though and don't like the look of them.

They will be stored on a float.

 

[bobdonny]

Cheap and cheerful, lasted me ages... I ended up getting sick of replacing socks so often!

 

[Scoobaru]

I use crocs. They go over the top of your socks, are very light and quite grippy even in clay. I thread them onto my stringer on my float and don't even notice they are there.

 

[Mr. X]

Crocs look like a good option as they provide toe protection - I've been thinking of getting some (handy for getting firewood in too). Being ugly, they are less likely to be taken if you leave them on shore. Do they grip ok on rock?

I generally keep an old, rank pair of running shoes for this. I leave them on-shore. I occasionally stick them in the washing machine. When they start falling to pieces badly, they get glued or binned.

Those stretchy mesh-topped beach shoes look like they might be good, although the soles usually lack stiffness/support/protection, which can be useful sometimes. I've had thorns & metal spikes come through the soles of shoes.

 

[Kuya]

Given they don't have a heel, I am not sure how suitable crocs would be when scrambling down the steep hills around Chapman's Pool for example.

I have worn imitation crocs before and did find they were very comfortable.

 

[Jon]

I used to use a pair of crocks- until they came off my float and drifted away.
Now, I use a pair of Choco sandals. I tried a pair of running shoes once, but it was too much hassle with the laces. If the distance is close I just wear my socks, but that puts holes on them pretty fast.
Jon

 

[Slicky]

I am not sure how suitable crocs would be when scrambling down the steep hills around Chapman's Pool for example.

Having been to Chapmans for the first time this year whilst the olympics were on it's a great dive but man do you earn it as the walk in/out is a killer.

I use wetsuit boots over the top of my neoprene socks. They squeeze into the little bag i keep on my float and the rubbery sole has always looked after me over the rocks as well as helping reheat my feet during the walk back after a winter session.

 

[Broseidon]

I brought a pair of cheap, plimsoll-type shoes, ripped the thin rubber soles off them and glued them to the bottom of my 5mm Omer booties with neoprene glue - they work even better than I expected.

I can chomp around over the rocks with no worries and they fit in my fins perfectly. Not sure how great they'd be for serious rocks / cliffs though but great for added protection.

Crocs are probably the best way to go, functional or not, I couldn't bring myself to wear bobdonny's Jesus creepers rofl

 

[Scoobaru]

Given they don't have a heel, I am not sure how suitable crocs would be when scrambling down the steep hills around Chapman's Pool for example.

I have worn imitation crocs before and did find they were very comfortable.

I dived chapmans pool for the first time earlier this year. I wore my crocs and they coped fine, even when we thought we found a shortcut goats track and decided to go off the main track up steep inclines etc. they have a strap that goes around the heel to prevent them coming off.

I've also used them at Portland where I had to scale cliffs and steep clay banks then walk about 1mile back to the car. Again no problems.

Failing that someone on here (broseiden I think) said about glueing hessian sack onto the bottom of your socks. This is thin enough to still fit in your fins but gives a tough layer of protection against rocks etc. This may be worth a go