I am doing long mt traverses where i carry approach shoes 1. for the air and other travel ,2 to get out of my boots at the end of the day 3 sometimes for a hike around a village at lower altitude.I dont use them for hiking or cllimbing but they weigh nearly two pounds which seems like a lot for a lighweight pack. Any suggestions? I was told by Zappos that the INOv8 Flite 230 weighs 1.65 lb which still seeems like a lot. I need them to be trainers to look presentable and to cover my feet and socks in cold wet and snowy camps.

All the trail shoes I have are Montrail. They fit my feet best. I have used the La Sportiva trial runners but they fall apart quickly with not much use. The La Sportiva boots I have are bulletproof.

If travel and a snowy camp are you guidelines I would recommend something waterproof/breathable. Maybe the 312s or the 318s.

I've also had real good luck with montrail, they seem to fit 1/2 size small to me, but everything seems to fit 1/2 size small these days.
Keen has a neat trail runner that has asymmetrical lacing and a event wb liner. A bout 28 ounces a pair, I think it is called the wasatch crest.

I realize nowadays that there are no airport lockers, otherwise I'd suggest leaving them in there, for pickup on the return trip.

But perhaps there is a hotel, store, or other business that would be willing to hold them for you.

Seems like this is a mental block you need to get over, more than anything else. Bring a couple of clean pairs of socks instead. They are useful as stuff sacks, provide emergency warmth for feet or hands, and keep your bag from stinking up.

Is the additional wear and tear on your body, and increased chance of catastrophic injury really justified by your desire to appear respectable as you hike around some alpine town?

You could try crocs if you just want to get out of you boots. Tell people you're Dutch or something.

Paul Tree wrote, "You could try crocs if you just want to get out of you boots. Tell people you're Dutch or something."

Paul, I'm going to use this. I like my crocs but I always feel a little apprehensive in them, sort of like the feeling I get when I suddenly think that I left my fly open! Great imagination!

> Is the additional wear and tear on your body, and increased chance of catastrophic injury really justified by your desire to appear respectable as you hike around some alpine town?

On our 3 month walk in France we worried about this in alpine towns - but we eventually realised that the locals are very used to walkers and mountaineers turning up somewhat wet and muddy. It is part of living in an alpine town. In fact, some hotels even had drying rooms at the front door for footwear - or skiwear in winter.

Are the best approach shoe there is (in my opinion). I've carried 60 pound packs with them, and climbed up to 5.10 in them. I don't know the exact weight, but they seem pretty light and low profile. The all leather is pretty stylee for town too. I'm on my 3rd pair. They seem to last about a year for me. Hands down Stealth rubber is the stickiest. cheers

I love my old Five Ten Mountain Masters, great rubber, but they fit wide feet better. I have to put in extra insoles and wear thick socks to make up in the volume.

A shoe I've had real good luck with is the five tne. Camp Four, there are a couple of reviews of it around here, but what I noticed compared to other five ten products is it doesn't breakdown as quickly.

My size 9.5 Inov-8 F-Lite 250s weigh 15.8 oz/pair (shoes, laces, no insole) and are for sale cheap.