Well I've tried them all, crocs, teva's, industrial bag type things :) I've even made my own. Recently I came across Jingas on another backpacking forum (won't mention any names :)) and prompty ordered a pair and finally my search is over.. lightweight, under 300g the pair for UK size 10, very packable, and look almost like regular trainers, not waterproof but dry very quickly. I can't mention durability yet from my own experiences but 1 guy had had a pair for a couple of years and still going strong for camp wear use. Just thought I'd share the love.

http://www.jingashop.com/jinga_shop.asp

they look good, weigh less than my recolite's by at least 120g. Do you find them comfortable?

You can get that weight of camp shoes to zero by simply leaving them behind!

You can get to zero weight by leaving everything behind.

Yea you can leave camp shoes behind but it's like everything backpack gear wise, looking for some compromise. My Jinga's weigh less than North Face flip flops and pack just as well. And yes they are very comfy, although I ordered a half size larger than normal to accomadate heavy socks.

Where can I find a pair for men? Their website seems to only have womens' shoes.

Looking for a size 11 US

Mike! You're back!

LOL Mark, there website had me confused for a while and I've brought a pair heh. The Jinga's are unisex, you will soon understand if you purchase a pair. The website is very confusing about sizes as it doesn't state M or F but I'm 99.999% sure sizes given are in mens sizes. Mainly because they go upto UK size 11 and womans only tend to go upto size 8. Mine fit !. US size 11 is UK size 10.

I've ordered a pair of these a matter of hours ago. Then to read confusion over mens or womens argh. I googled jingas on pic search and could only find men wearing them :) although lots of women talking.

Edited by Daveyboy on 07/05/2010 13:25:14 MDT.

if anyone can tell me how i get pics portrayed verticaly instead of horizontal I'd appriciate it.

I know you mentioned you tried Crocs, but if you are looking for even lighter camp shoes, the knock-off crocs at Target weigh ~8.9 ounces for a size 10.

Edited by HikeUltralight on 07/08/2010 12:07:08 MDT.

Some light running shoes are called racing flats. Some are in the range of 3-6 oz per pair and are sold by the running shoe stores.

--B.G.--

if your trail shoes are not comfortable enough to use as camp shoes, then maybe the effort should be spent trying to find a better pair of trail shoes.

separate "camp Shoes" are a waste.

Edited by asandh on 07/06/2010 12:43:40 MDT.

Agreed Art!

What is the purpose of "camp" shoes?
How about barefoot?
If shoes are needed, why not just unlace whatever you're already wearing and take your socks off?
If you're not up and walking around, why wear anything at all?

I don't get it. Camp shoes seem to be a very redundant item, especially amongst folks that often spend big $$$ to shave ounces off shelters and sleeping bags.

Often, my boots are off-trail boots rather than trail boots. Sometimes they get wet as a result of rain or stream crossings. In the interests of foot health, it is nice to change out of wet boots and into something.

Sure, it is possible to leave the boots out for drying only while you are in the sleeping bag. However, it is much better to dry the wet boots on a sunny rock.

Years ago, Japan Air Lines used to issue padded socks to each air passenger on a trans-Pacific flight so that they could walk up and down the aisles easily. Alas, I no longer have any of those left. They had been my camp shoes.

--B.G.--

I've done some trips where camp shoes would have been real nice to have. Think of hiking across a river all day with fields of foxtails in between. Might be nice to spend time in the evening pulling the foxtails out and drying the shoes, socks and feet.

I don't always take camp shoes with me, longer periods I do prefer to have them though after going without and missing having a pair to often. Besides while I do go as light as possible and consider the weight of... everything :) I'm by no means SUL and take some comforts with me, I do enjoy the camping side. I also take a small radio, the smallest pair of binoculars I'd ever seen and a backpackers size food for free book.. consider them all to be worth the weight. Everyones different.

Like many I have struggled with a should or shouldn't bring them. Just got done with 100+ mile trek here in the AK backcountry. Multiple stream crossings everday so my shoes were wet from the start to the end of the hiking day. In the interest of saving weight I left my crocs behind and brought my wife's. There was only a night or two I really wished I had them and that was when the ground in the shelter was wet so I didn't want to wear my "sleeping designated" socks just under the shelter as then they would get wet.

Really the best thing I have found for myself to use for camp shoes consistently is a pair of synthetic booties. They have a bit of a sole on them and are warm as toast and let my feet air out and dry a bit while my hiking shoes make a meager attempt to dry out by the next morning. PLus they double to keep my feeting extra warm when sleeping if needed and the temps dip that low. I didn't think to take this on this last trip, but I wish I had. Would have been nice. Though it gave me a great excuse to not have to be the one to retension the shelter out a little prior to bed as the rain caused the silnylon to expand a bit. "I have no camp shoes, I can't possibly go out there on the wet ground, you better just go do it for me hun." :D

I just got these to give more support to my ankle. http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/mens-aquaduck-daytona-sandals-black.aspx?a=399047
An xxl weighs 12 oz. They are 1 ounce heavier than my Crocs.I won't always take them but they are nice to have sometimesand are suitable for river crossings.

Bob, could you please provide a company or link for racing flats that light. I've had a look and the ones I've seen are around 8 - 9 oz mark, In size 10 that would make them slightly heavier than the jingas for a guess. If i could find a pair in my size for around 5 - 6oz I'd be more than tempted to purchase a pair.. cheers.