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Hiking Half Dome

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ultraNoob

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
So a bunch of us are hiking half dome this June. I haven't done much hiking over 5miles since I was in the Army so I figure proper footwear is a must since we're looking at 16-18 miles. I have been hiking in my trusty jungle boots for years had enjoy the ankle support. The stiff inner sole keeps it comfy when walking on gravel and the side vents keep my feet pretty well ventilated. Drawback is that traction on rocks sucks.



So I'm contemplating on getting them resoled with this


Or should I just buy a new spiffy pair of boots?


OR...... should I just go with a off the shelf pair of hiking boots? Hiking tips would cool too. Thanks!
 
vtjim

vtjim

Beware of Milo & Otis
Jan 6, 2006
1,346
0
North Andover MA
I would suggest a good pair of hiking boots. I don't know how heavy those military issue boots are, but hiking boots are generally super light, very supportive and very comfortable over long distances.
 
geargrrl

geargrrl

Turbo Monkey
May 2, 2002
2,379
1
pnw -dry side
Take work gloves. Really. The hike up the backside is sort of a slick rock deal, very, very steep. They set up lumber crossbars for traction, and steel cables to hold onto. You'll really want the gloves for the steel cables. It's definitely NOT an easy walk up.

I've done this several times, there was the annual Halloween on Half Dome party that went on for 25 years before they closed the top to overnight camping.

Drawback is that traction on rocks sucks.
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Then these boots will be a bad idea. You'll be hiking a good portion of the way on granite slickrock.
 
dhmike

dhmike

Turbo Monkey
Dec 20, 2006
4,304
43
Boise Idaho
just get a new pair of spiffy boots sherman. my hiking tip for you is to take ozzer with you on your hiking trip , ditch him in the widerness and leave him for cougar bait.
 
EvilShenaniganZ

EvilShenaniganZ

Chimp
Apr 29, 2008
16
0
Travis AFB
the ones in the 3rd pic i have on right now. First day I used them was a 18hr day for me and i got a pretty good blister on my heel. just through in some gel inserts and break them in a little befor the hike. they are not even close to being heavy....but i also have some keen hicking shoes that rock. i used them for when we go rafting and stop to climb. they work really well on wet rock surfaces....
 
LordOpie

LordOpie

MOTHER HEN
Oct 17, 2002
21,022
3
Denver
Boots are like a road bike, the fit is the primary concern. In fact, this is even more true with boots. If you love your boots, then yes, re-sole them.

Are they heavy? Answer is to anyone who cares, suck it up princess.

I kept trying different boots, but kept going back to my cheap Nike boots I got for $30. They were heavy, but after hiking all day, would you rather be tired or sore with torn open flesh?


If you do get new boots, break 'em in before you go. Get them good and soaking wet and walk 'em until completely dry.

Have fun storming the dome!
 
JohnE

JohnE

filthy rascist
May 13, 2005
13,550
2,180
Front Range, dude...
Dump the jungles, you will be amazed at the support and comfort a pair of decent hikers gives you. And dont forget a change of socks. Great morale booster when you start draggin' ass.
I also resoled a pair of jungles with Vibrams, and they were great field boots til the uppers rotted away...
 
buildyourown

buildyourown

Turbo Monkey
Feb 9, 2004
4,832
0
South Seattle
Get some real boots. For me, boot size is dictated by pack size. If you're day hiking, you can get away with a good trail running shoe. A 50# pack requires some angle and shank support.

Last time I did the dome there where 40 pairs of gloves at the bottom. The hike was longish, but the first half was a lame paved trail to a super over-populated water fall. After that it got a lot better.
I also remember our time was much better than what the ranger station said it would be...and I have a bum knee.
 
stoney

stoney

Part of the unwashed, middle-American horde
Jul 26, 2006
22,002
7,886
Colorado
Be a man run it. 53min from the valley floor, up the stairs, to the shoulder. 7miles, 5000 vertical feet.
 
ultraNoob

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
The Joker said:
Be a man run it. 53min from the valley floor, up the stairs, to the shoulder. 7miles, 5000 vertical feet.
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Here's a thought...

If being able to do that is a measure of being a man... and you did that in your youth.... and you are unable to do that in your old age... does that make you less of a man? :brow:
 
Acadian

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
SkaredShtles said:
Forget boots. Get a pair of comfortable hiking/approach shoes:

They'll be lighter, stickier, and likely more comfortable than boots. And you can wear them day-to-day as regular tennis-type shoes.
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agree...I've done Half Dome a few times and nice approach shoes with a solid sole is best. I have some 5.10 Insight which are about just right (e.g. light, sticky and re-enforced sole). I did that hike once with big Asolo boots and that was a bit much...although I was happy I had them on that day since the last 3 miles was in snow. :) just bring extra socks in case you're feet get wet.

make sure you check the conditions before heading out. I was just in Yosemite this past weekend and Half Dome is still closed. to bad I probably won't be able to do that hike anymore....

good luck and have fun!
 
Acadian

Acadian

Born Again Newbie
Sep 5, 2001
714
2
Blah Blah and Blah
SkaredShtles said:
Huh? :confused:
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sorry...should have elaborated.

I shattered my right heel back in 02 and have 1) lots of hardware 2) restricted movement. jogging is a strict no-no and long extended hikes really puts a hurt on it. :( short hikes are okay tho and biking, well that's just fine as long as I use flat pedals :banana:
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
67,833
14,170
In a van.... down by the river
Acadian said:
sorry...should have elaborated.

I shattered my right heel back in 02 and have 1) lots of hardware 2) restricted movement. jogging is a strict no-no and long extended hikes really puts a hurt on it. :( short hikes are okay tho and biking, well that's just fine as long as I use flat pedals :banana:
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Damn. Hope the long hike thing gets better. :(
 
MikeD

MikeD

Leader and Demogogue of the Ridemonkey Satinists
Oct 26, 2001
11,735
1,819
chez moi
Since leaving the military, I've gradually ditched the military footwear. I have a pair of Bates M6 low desert boots which I wear on the job (some Oakleys, too, which kinda suck), and they're good for semi-athletic activity--better for jogging or sprinting than real hiking boots.

But I also just got a set of Asolo boots that are mind-blowingly great; really only necessary when carrying heavy loads or doing really rough terrain, though.

And I have a set of Salomon trail runners which I can use for lighter trail walking/jogging/running. I might wear those if I was in your situation--I imagine you'll be using a daypack or smaller on the Half Dome hike?
 
ultraNoob

ultraNoob

Yoshinoya Destroyer
Jan 20, 2007
4,504
1
Hills of Paradise
Just gonna carry a Camelbak Mule with maybe an extra bladder if the temp is really up there. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm still gonna get my jungle boots resoled but I'm prolly gonna score a set of trail runners for this trip.
 
M

MTBstud12

Monkey
Jan 24, 2008
484
0
Tejas
ultraNoob said:
Or should I just buy a new spiffy pair of boots?


OR...... should I just go with a off the shelf pair of hiking boots? Hiking tips would cool too. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Bad, Bad, Bad idea. I have a buddy in ROTC and he did a 10 mile ruck march with boots that were a few weeks old, never seen worse blisters. Stick to the broke in pair IMO, change the soles for comfort, i know a lot of people who hike in there combat boots(in part to the fact i live next to the largest military base in the "free" world)
 
S

skinny mike

Turbo Monkey
Jan 24, 2005
6,415
0
if you are looking at getting some hiking boots, might i suggest the vasque clarion gtx? i have a pair and absolutely love them. took almost no time to break them in and i have never gotten any blisters with them. they worked great on a 6 day backpacking trip when i was lugging around a 50+ pound pack and they also are great for day hikes on sketchy terrain where plenty of support is needed.

and screw hiking half dome, climb it!

god i need to get out to yosemite sometime soon.
 
gsweet

gsweet

Monkey
Dec 20, 2001
733
4
Minnesota
i'm backing miked on this one; i've had a set of asolo fugitives that have been unreal. i spent all summer last year field mapping in blow-down areas of northern minnesota and these boots didn't even hickup. in fact, they required no break in. i bought them, drove to mn, put them on and went out into the field for 2 months. no blisters, no issues. totally worth the price!
 
SkaredShtles

SkaredShtles

Michael Bolton
Sep 21, 2003
67,833
14,170
In a van.... down by the river
gsweet said:
i'm backing miked on this one; i've had a set of asolo fugitives that have been unreal. i spent all summer last year field mapping in blow-down areas of northern minnesota and these boots didn't even hickup. in fact, they required no break in. i bought them, drove to mn, put them on and went out into the field for 2 months. no blisters, no issues. totally worth the price!
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I have no doubt those are nice boots. However, Half Dome pretty much amounts to a walk along a sidewalk for a bunch of miles with some stairs thrown in. Backpacking-quality boots are overkill IMO.
 
Lowlight7

Lowlight7

Monkey
Apr 4, 2008
355
0
Virginia, USA
Be advised, if you resole your old boots you'll need to break them in again. Not that resoling is a bad idea, just not something to do a week before your hike.

The Garmont Eclipse is a good compromise between a trail runner and a boot if you're leery of either...
 
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