February 28, 2000


What's a good boot for a wet trip?


I'm going to be hiking the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island in late May and am looking for a good quality boot that will support my weight and a 30-pound pack. The trail can take up to a week to complete and I've heard it can be quite wet at that time of year so the boot should probably be waterproof and the sole should be able to stick to the algae-covered rocks and moss covered ladders. I've read that Vibram soles don't provide good traction on slippery surfaces. Is there any truth to this statement? What boot do you recommend for this hike?

— Ross McDonald, Vancouver, British Columbia

That's a good hike, Ross. And yes indeed, it should be plenty wet there.

For starters, I wouldn't worry much about the Vibram/algae issue. The reason: What on earth could possibly stick to a wet, algae-covered rock? No, Vibram won't stick -- but neither will anything else short of loggers' corks, and they're only good on woody surfaces. So that whole issue is a red herring. Boots with Vibram soles will be fine. To help keep yourself upright, tread carefully and use a pair of trekking poles for balance.

Now, to the proper boot. For the support you'll need, get something with full-grain leather that comes fairly high up above your ankle. A Gore-Tex liner might be nice, but personally I think a well-made boot, properly treated with waterproofing, will be fine. The big risk is water topping over the boot when fording a stream or having water trickle down your legs and into your boots when walking through wet brush. Minimize that problem by taking some Gore-Tex gaiters such as Outdoor Research Crocodiles ($53).

Boots on my short list would include these: The Scarpa SL ($219), a new boot from this top-flight Italian maker, with high-quality leather and rugged construction; the Montrail Vercors ($190 - new and may be hard to find), a well-made boot that is sort of a de-tuned version of the Moraine AT that's better suited for trail-pounding; the La Sportiva Makalu ($245), a very tough boot that still offers good trail comfort; and the Boreal Bulnes ($215), a gorgeous Spanish-made boot. All of these boots offer excellent support, way above-average waterproofness, and good durability. Get a pair now and start breaking them in -- by late May they'll be comfortable and ready to go.