cbflowers

My husband and I are trying to keep wardrobe down to a minimum and are trying to decide if we should bring our hot and heavy gortex hiking boots, or can we get by with the "keen" type heavy soled sandals? We will be hiking mostly the Bosque del Cabo trails.

Thanks

hopefulist

I can't speak directly regarding CR, but for Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras during the rainy season I've been pleased to just have my Keen H2Os and a pair of flipflops for beach and shower. For high altitude hiking or to keep my feet dry I wear the Keens over light neoprene socks. I have never done any heavy trekking in CA, but lots of miles on muddy trails. I usually travel for at least 3-4 weeks at a time and pack everything in a loosely-filled carry-on sized bag. My Keens are my most comfortable shoes (better than my slippers!) so that's what I want to wear and I love not lugging heavier shoes around that I'll only miss a moment or 2 per trip. Happy trails!

janemm

We are going to Costa Rica for just one week in March and I too want to keep what I take to a bare minimum. Having never been there before, I don't have a feel for how wet it is. Would walking shoes get too wet? Is a pair of Keen water shoes all I will really need? Thank you! jmm

shillmac

Going in March also. . .that's what I'm taking (Keen's). Same for July/August. We do quite a bit of hiking also, but never in a million years would I take hiking shoes/boots. I've just bought the Keen's and so far in many visits involving much hiking, our walking/running shoes have been more than sufficient.

cbflowers

Thanks for the tips. When a couple of you mentioned your keens-I just wanted to make sure you were refering to keens sandals because keen does make hiking shoes. I could handle hiking in keens-don't really care about feet getting wet in hot weather, but was thinking of biting bugs. Would this even be an issue?

hopefulist

I wear the Newport H2Os (nylon sandals), and have never had a problem with biting bugs, but I can't speak for CR. I wouldn't consider hiking in Teva-type sandals because I at least want toe protection. My Keens dry quickly and wash up well, have great traction, and are extremely comfortable for me. The main disadvantage is occasionally little rocks or sticks get in when I'm hiking. For that reason, my husband prefers his Soloman Tech Amphibians for light hiking in CA, but I'll stick with the Keens.

shillmac

Biting bugs won't be a problem. You'll want a bit of repellent while hiking anyway. My husband hikes in Tevas. . .but I prefer the toe protection.

janemm

I really enjoy this Fodor's talk site. I find it very informative and very entertaining! Guess I'll go with a pair of waalking shoes and my Keen h2o sandals. Any thing else for the feet? If my feet feel good I'm happy. Thanks for your help. jmm

Suzie2

Happy feet are what is really important. After almost sliding down the mountain in Sequoia Nat'l Park I switched from my expensive Vasque hiking boots to my Solomon Techs and I felt like I was hiking in my bedroom slippers. The ST's are pretty much all I wear in CR when hiking. I do bring another pair of sandals for the evening to wear to dinner etc.

tully

I always take a pair of hiking shoes, a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of water shoes (Columbia or Teva). Now, my hiking shoes look almost the same as my tennis shoes as they are low around the heel, just a little sturdier with a super grip. I switch out depending on the weather and the trail. On, say, the Pacific Trail I'd wear tennis shoes, but on the Golfo Trail, especially if it rained recently I'd wear my hiking shoes. I really don't like hiking in open toed shoes myself.

mamc

Jmm,

Do you already have Keens water shoes? If so, what do you recommend? I have looked at several styles and, like you, am looking for the most comfortable.

mamc

cbflowers

I hope who posted before check back. I posted a couple of of links to shoes that I think people are talking about. Please check out if you can! I couldn't find keen h20, just newport h2 which I assume is the same. Thanks so much for your help!

http://www.salomonoutdoor.com/us/pro...amp;currItem=3
http://www.keenfootwear.com/pdp_page.cfm?productID=21

hopefulist

Not all Keens fit exactly the same so what's most comfortable for me might not be your best fit. I have a pair of clogs, a pair of near flipflops, and 2 pairs of Newport H20s (one a hand-me-up from my daughter). It's my original pair of H2Os I travel with. Here's an REI link to check out, but you'd need to try them on to be sure:

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Sear...&orig=keen

Happy trails!

kpie

Great advice on the shoe front. We will be hiking around Arenal and down in Osa. I am going to source some Salomon amphibians and Keens. Still a bit concerned about bugs sneaking through the holes!
And, are they tough enough for a big hike?

Any advice for kids shoes? Reluctant to buy hiking boots if they don't really need them. The only hiking we do is summertime and they have outgrown the last pairs (now about size 4 and 6)

thanks!

kpie

forgot to say we'll be there in March - so probably not too too wet.....

fishee

I just got my Salomon Tech Amphibians today -- they're super light, look like the water will drain right through, no rocks or twigs will get underfoot, and they feel very comfortable.

So I guess I'm supposed to wear these around to break them in before I go?

Thanks for the rec's for these shoes(from a diff thread, I think) -- I think these will work great. Before ordering on-line ($59) I checked ebay and found my size for only $29, brand new in the box.

shillmac

I wore mine to work yesterday (school), thinking I needed to break them in a bit. They were great, comfortable all day. They do feel better with a light sock, but I absolutely love them. The kids liked them as well!

kpie

$59? $29? eeek. I think my husband paid $80 at REI. They weren't available in our city so he got them on a trip. They look nice though....kids got the Keen H2O as REI out of techamphibians for kids.

shillmac

Yeah, me too. I cringed when I saw those prices! Good for you, though! I think I paid $80 as well. .but they are a new color! Woo-woo!

fishee

Well, if it makes you feel any better, my $29 (+$10 shipping) tech amphibs have bright orange and grey coloring, not the most attractive pair of shoes.

I can't imagine how I'm going to break these in living in Chicago. Did you all wear a thin cotton ped sock with these shoes?