What Are Camp Shoes? Are Camp Shoes Necessary?
Camp shoes are footwear worn to replace hiking boots when arriving at camp after a hike. These are an absolute must-have for backpackers as they give your feet a much-needed break from the shoes you have been hiking in all day. There is no better feeling than taking off your boots after a long day’s trek and putting on a pair of comfy camp shoes.
Camp shoes are a piece of gear frequently left off a beginner backpacker’s gear checklist. Most people don’t realize they even need camp shoes until they arrive at camp without anything to change out of their hiking boots with! Without camp shoes, you are left with two options: keep walking around in your sweaty boots or walk around camp barefoot, neither being very pleasant after a full day of trekking. If you don’t have a pair of camp shoes yet, you should check out some recommended options in my backpacking gear guide. They are affordable and super helpful.
Why Are Camp Shoes Necessary?
Hiking long distances with a heavy pack can put a lot of stress on your feet. After a hike, your feet will swell and ache, and if you have poorly fitting boots, you may even lose some toenails (if this happens to you, check out how to prevent it)!
The fact is that your feet need a break after a long hike, and camp shoes give them just that. In addition, camp shoes are very lightweight and easy to pack, giving you a ton of comfort without sacrificing much pack weight.
Some other benefits of camp shoes include:
- Airing out your feet
- Allow your feet to swell
- Give you something to walk around camp comfortably in
Air Out Your Feet:
Changing into a breathable set of camp shoes gives your feet some fresh air after a long day of hiking. Airing out your feet is important because as you hike in sweaty boots for a long period of time the moisture can increase your risk of developing a fungal infection or blisters on your feet.
Switching into a breathable set of camp shoes after a long hike helps give your feet rest from your boot as well as the opportunity for your feet to dry off reducing your risk of getting athlete’s foot while on the trail.
Allow Your Feet To Swell:
Your feet will naturally swell with the repetitive microtrauma from thousands of steps taken when hiking. Because of this swelling, it is crucial to have a pair of camp shoes to allow your feet to swell and be comfortable when finishing a long hike.
Walk Around Camp In Comfort:
You want to be able to keep your feet covered when walking around camp. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal to walk around barefoot, I assure you it is not comfortable. I recommend just spending the extra money, adding some weight to your pack, and getting yourself a comfy pair of camp shoes.
Different Kinds Of Camp Shoes:
There are many different options you can choose from when looking for a pair of camp shoes. You can get creative with this as there is no hard or fast rule when selecting a shoe to wear around camp. However, I would keep in mind that your camp shoe should be lightweight, comfortable, and breathable. The goal is to give your feet a break after a long day of hiking without adding too much weight to your pack.
Some examples of possible camp shoes you can use:
- Crocs: That’s right, these dorky-looking clogs that have been making a comeback make an excellent pair of camp shoes. They are lightweight, durable, and, as everyone on the planet knows, COMFORTABLE!
- Sandals: Sandals are a great budget option, especially since many people already own a pair. These can easily fit on the outside of your pack.
- Hiking sandals: Alright, now these are one of my favorites. While comfy and breathable for camp, hiking sandals are also an excellent alternative to hiking boots when on the trail. Check out my alternatives to hiking boots article if you want to see a complete list of benefits for this hiking boot alternative. But a big thing I love about them is that they come in handy when crossing a river, no more wet boots from river crossings! The only Down sides to these is that they can be a bit heavier than other options
- Comfy Shoes: These are typically a last resort as they can can be a bit more of a pain to pack. If I had to pick one option for these it would have to be old pair of Allbirds. I like these because they are super flexible, comfortable, and lightweight. Also, Allbirds are made of wool, so they help keep your feet warm on those cold nights!
