Profsuzy

Hi - This may seem like a silly question, but I'm wondering what kind of shoes it would be best to bring for our first trip to CR. I had planned on sturdy sandals - maybe lightweight hikers - but a friend of mine who has done field research in CR told me that in late May (that's when we'll be there) in Manuel Antonio, we'll be shin deep in mud. We're planning on hiking through the park as well as doing a canopy tour, maybe some kayaking. We need to keep luggage light - since we're flying from SJO to Quepos - so I don't want to bring more than is necessary. Any thoughts?

hopefulist

Search for "shoes" and select a Costa Rica focus - this comes a lot and you'll find plenty of opinions. Happy trails!

janenicole

Hopefulist is right - lots of shoe info if you do a search. But I will mention that one thing I wish I would have invested in for our trip was a pair of Saloman (sp) Tech Amphibian shoes. I had already spent enough for our trip that I didn't feel I could justify more, and so bought a cheap pair of Land's End ship to shore shoes. They were okay, but not great.

sandyc

Love my Keens -- I'd be surprised if you're shin deep in mud in May -- that's the start of the rainy season and it isn't usually that bad. I've been shin-deep in Tortuguero...

Sandy

Pat_Hewitt

I am headed out to Costa Rica tomorrow (been pretty busy, no time to post) and I needed a new pair of shoes. I found a great website for this: JoesNewBalanceOutlet.com offers outlet prices. The best deals are always in odd sizes, but even more current stock is much cheaper.

I purchased a pair of hiking tennis shoe types made by Dunham (a small company owned by New Balance) that specializes in this kind of thing. These are like a cross trainer, with a hiking tread.

I saw them for $80-85 elswhere. I paid $45 plus shipping.

If you are going to be in serious mud, you can always buy cheap rubber boots in Quepos, and leave them behind. Not as comfortable as the others, but this will work. Pack some really thick socks!

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel professional)

nonstop

I second the Solomon Tech Amphibs. I bought my first pair 2 years ago and loved them. Have worn them through everything. This year I stepped up to the Soloman Trail runner that has a little bit more support. I like them even better.

Suzie2

Thanks for the heads up on the trail runners. I have a pair of Solomon Techs that I just love as well and have used them for hiking in a lot of places. I was hiking with them in the High Sierras out in Cali and the other hikers thought I was nuts. I just bought a pair on sale for $45 to put away for the time when I wear these out. Hubby bought some Solomon hiking boots and can't wear anything else now even for everyday wear. He has terrible arthritis in his feet so those trail runners with the good support might be perfect for him.

Pat,
Thanks for the web site for the New Balance shoes. Those and Sauconys are pretty much the only sport/casual shoes that I buy(other than my Solomons of course but those don't look too great for everyday). I used to swear by my NB's in CR. the 800 series with the all terrain soles were great.

hills27

Love my Solomon tech amphibians!!!

hipvirgochick

First I will say, NO, I don't work for Travelcountry.com LOL! But, I do like passing on deals and since other mention the Solomon Tech's above, if you like them, they're on sale for $39.99 at TC. Lot's of sizes

I love Keens too. We'll be taking both.

hills27

Oops, I actually have the Salomon Karma...slightly different, but same idea.

Suzie2

I got my spare pare of Techs from travel country....came to about $45 with shipping!

Suzie2

Hills27, good to know there is another type of Solomons to think about. Thanks for letting us know about yet another. Will have to check them out.

tully

I finally bit the bullet and bought some pro tech amphibians. Trying to break them in; be much more comfy with socks but I imagine that would be icky if they get wet so trying to do without. They are orange & silver - so if no one sees me they will definitely see my shoes from afar.

Suzie2

LOL tully,
I wear thin socks with mine. Made all the difference in the world. They dry so quickly that I don't even think about them being wet.

The key word in all of our posts is comfort.....not looks LOL .

Even my husband, who I call a fashion emergency most days, laughs about how ugly he thinks his grey and orange boots look but he wouldn't trade them for anything.

Dare to be different!!!!

sparklegem

Suzie- Please tell me, where did you find your socks and what are they called? That is the last item on my list and I had no idea what kind to get.

To find our shoes I looked at Sierra Trading Post, Campmor and did several searches for hiking shoes. I ended up buying Timberland Hydroscape Vibram, on Ebay, in pink, for myself, some Teva hiking shoes for my husband (they look like tennis shoes) and a pair of Land's End hiking/ water shoes for our daughter. I tried out my shoes last weekend on a hike and they were very grippy and comfortable.

bumblev

Wow hipvirgochick, that's a great deal from Travel Country. I'm seriously tempted!

Suzie2

Hi Gem,
Gem,
I just go to Wal Mart and buy the thinnest, cheapest socks I can find. I know they will take a beating so I don't feel bad about just throwing them away when I get home. I always end up with little bits of sand or something in my shoes and they just help a little with any possible rubbing.

There are neoprene socks you can buy at REI and other places like that but those sound hot to me. Getting my feet wet in CR is actually a nice feeling when I am hiking around on the Osa. Even hiking up in the Sierras it felt good.

haydencat

Are the Soloman Tech Amphibians as good in the water as the Keen H2s? Do they dry as quickly? They look more sneaker-like than the Keens, but I've only looked at them online so it's hard to tell.

I want to pack one pair of multi-tasking shoes suitable for river rafting and hiking (in Arenal and Bosque del Cabo). Is this feasible, or should I lug a pair of regular hiking boots as well?

trhggr78586

I found a good looking amphib shoe on Zappos, has anyone tried The North Face, Cipher? It looks similar to the Salomon Tech Amphib, but with better colors.
I would like to try these, but hate to be the guinea pig!

hopefulist

I've never been to CR but for my last 2 summer trips to Honduras I've taken just my Keen H2Os and a pair of flip-flops. The only times I've worn my light neoprene socks with them have been high altitude ones where my feet would have been chilly if wet, unlikely for most travelers to CA. My husband prefers the amphibs because they don't let sticks and rocks in, but they don't dry quite as fast in our experience. My son prefers them because they look more like regular shoes and he volunteers extensively in health clinics on his trips.

The best one for you will be the one that is the most comfortable. I try to pack really light (just a loosely filled carry-on sized conversion pack) so don't really want to take extra shoes. I'm thinking about it for this summer, as I'll be in Guatemala doing some overnight treks in the highlands and climbing some volcanoes; I might take my low top Vasque goretex hiking shoes in addition to the Keens.