boots for rainforest trekking

[griddles]

Hi-a, my wife and I are going on a gorilla trekking trip to Uganda in mid March. This is involving lots of planning as you can imagine. One area where I am struggling is with footwear. I read lots of blogs where it says "hiking boots that go over your ankles to provide support". I have poot ankles, but for most hiking (even backpacking) in Colorado and other areas in the US I have switched to trail runners (Salomon x ultra) as has my wife.

I really don't want to buy some heavy waterproof boot that doesn't actually help with anything. I was thinking just getting some higher gaiters and matching with our current hiking shoes. Knowing that we will have wet feet.

Has anyone done anything similar? Should I just bite the bullet and get boots?

[randalmartin]

I would stick with your current footwear and maybe look into waterproof socks and light weight gaiters to keep debris out.

[nyker]

I have not been to Uganda but for other rainforest hikes I've done I've used my normal Gore-Tex trail shoes in some cases with a short gaitor and was fine. If it was really wet I usually had an extra pair of socks with me. On one trek where I was told by locals that there were several venomous snakes around I used snake gaitors also, but don't know if that's relevant or needed where you're going.

On another note you may want to check here for some updates and thoughts:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... DUzNTc1MTk.

[wmanke13]

+1 to the above. You may also consider using waterproofing spray to make your current footwear temporarily waterproof. Not sure how long you will be out there, so re-application may be necessary.

https://www.rei.com/product/142162/nikw ... r-footwear

[pvnisher]

Depends on how wet and for how long.

I got some pretty bad water logged feet (like when your fingers turn to prunes) by trying to have waterproof boots during survival school.

Other dudes had the ones with drain holes and they were wet, but could dry.
Mine eventually got wet, then never dried.

Some poor schmucks also got issues by trying to dry their prune feet by the fire and burning the water logged skin, but that's a different problem.

In summary, research the likelihood of getting soaked, and how long it would last.
In the end, lots of socks and foot powder might be your friend.

[Scott P]

Don't get heavy boots. Get some lightweight breathable ones. Running shoes and gaiters may work, but may not keep the mud out. Try some light weight running type shoe hightop boots and see if they are comfortable for you. I definitely wouldn't go for heavy boots for that elevation in Uganda.

[curt86iroc]

i've hiked and climbed in uganda. some of the rain forests can be complete swamps, and i would not recommend the approach of "i'll just deal with wet feet."

for all of our treks, i wore over the ankle waterproof hiking boots without gaiters and managed just fine.

[griddles]

Thanks for the replies. I think we will get some light weight boots and pair with gaiters.

[dirschld]

You could also consider your regular hiking shoes and some Neos overboots. Light, waterproof, rather durable - and you get to wear your own comfortable shoes. I have not used these in warm weather conditions, but first used them on a photography trip on the Isle of Skye where we were in constant rain and hiked 3-5 miles at a time in reasonably rugged terrain (e.g. Old Man of Storr). Stayed dry, didn't overheat, could cross small streams and bogs w/ abandon, and my socks weren't drenched in my own sweat (which will happen w/ boots like Bogs). Also, they pack down very nicely.