Gear

Hello, i'm new to this forum so I alpologise if this has been asked before. I did do a quick search but only found a thread from back in 2007.

My mates and I are going to do the WHW in Early July this year (midgie season I know!) and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for footwear. I'm a keen runner at present but the WHW will be my first attempt at a long distance walk. I was thinking about a pair of trail/running shoes and in particular something from Inov-8, Flyrocs or Terrocs perhaps? I know the Scottish weather can be changeable so was also wondering whether or not a waterproof pair would be a good choice? We're planning on doing it over 5 days so looking at circa 20 miles per day if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any help, Leslie

Yes lightweight shoes should be utterly fine for it. Ideal actually, especially for days of that sort of length/consequent speed and you being used to them.

Waterproofing is very double edged at best as once they do get wet they'll stay that way far longer than otherwise. I certainly wouldn't bother, especially not in July.

Enjoy and remember not to pack too much

Thanks for the replies Martin and Kelvin. I don't actually own a pair of trial running shoes yet and was just wondering if they would be suitable for the WHW. If I get a pair and don't end up doing any other walks then at leat I can use them for running! Typical Scotsman always thinking about value for money!!

Kelvin, do you not find that your feet blister after they've gotten wet? 

Mine don't no. Not with good quality, sensibly thin socks and fast drying shoes like these. The thing is that they really don't stay anything more than slightly damp as walking dries the socks/shoes out really fast.

Actually - given my tendency to end up off path and fording streams and stuff - I find this a genuinely non trivial advantage of doing things this way. It is genuinely surprising how much of a non issue it seems to be.

Never got a blister yet - the Terrocs fit me well tho and I think it's more a case of rubbing that gives you blisters, rather than wet socks. I think the Flyrocs and the Terrocs have quite different fits, I'm sure someone will offer better advice there.

Last year we went up Scafell Pike and watched everyone taking boots off, rolling up trousers etc to cross that stream from Wasdale but if your shoes have no goretex liner... jump in and then watch them dry as you continue walking!

I'd second Smartwool socks, moved over to Teko this last summer but they are not as fitted as the Smartwool.

Having said that - I've never had blisters in my boots, perfect fit I suppose.

Having not done the WHW... is it not possible to do it in 'proper' running shoes if it is that hard a packed trail? I know my Asics are the most comfy shoe I own and are perfect for walking on anything thats not slippy or too steep.

I would do it in 'proper' running shoes Kelvin. The lack of grip on 'road' shoes may be a problem on the Loch Lomond section though. There is a lot of tree roots that are usually wet and slippy. In July, i would prefer to wear my Teva Terra-Fi sandals though.

Interesting.

Often see the ramblers round here and the area is very falt, never understood why they have big heavy boots when Asics/Saucony etc would be far better for what they are doing, both for feet and knees.

leslie1976 wrote (see)

Thanks for that tip ALS, i'm in Falkirk so Edinburgh's only 30 mins in the train