Ultralight Backpacking Footwear System for Cold Wet Weather - Rain, Snow, and River Crossings

Some of the gear I use:

Eddie Bauer Sandstone Backbone Grid Hoodie Softshell - 16.9 oz / 480 g
Mammut Alugator Light Shovel - 16.6 oz / 475 g
MSR Front Range Pyramid Tent - 28.7 oz / 814 g
Thermarest NeoAir XTherm MAX ground pad - 25.8 oz / 731 g
Marmot Lithium -18C Sleeping bag - 47 oz / 1333 g
MSR Whisperlite International Stove - 13.7 oz / 388 g
MSR Titan 2L Kettle - 6.8 oz / 193 g
Fenix HM50R Headlamp - 2.7 oz / 77 g
Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator - 3.4 oz / 96g

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This is the footwear system that I have been testing this fall in cold and wet conditions in the Canadian Rocky mountains.

Backpacking boots are a challenge when the temperatures drop, when there is snow, and especially if you need to cross rivers and streams.

Check out the video of the backpacking trip that made switch my ultralight footwear system for inclement weather:

Check out my video on what solo winter camping is really like:

The system was originally described by Dave Chenault, check out his website at:

Check out my sub 20 pound late season/early winter ultralight gear list:

#backpacking #hiking #wildcamping #ultralightbackpacking #winter #snow #gear

[onogrirwin]

I would wear a darn tough sock over my whole body if I could. Excellent socks.

[craigcampbell]

Several thoughts: winter in Canada, Alaska 1) if you have to cross streams, waterproof socks or vapour barrier socks rather than neoprene; 2) overnight put those socks and boots in a dry sack and put in bottom of sleeping bag (along with water bottles with hot water) - in the morning they will be wet but not frozen - often same for wet clothes; 3) wet wool socks - put on your stomach under clothes for you body to dry out by morning. On multi-week glacier trips, nothing ever dries except what your body heat can dry (unless you get a crazy sunny day - a few times skied in underwear with other clothes drying on top of pulka). Clothes - if your base layers get damp, put rain gear or vapour barrier over (don't want to drive moisture into insulation) and then a good amount of insulation - let body heat dry out those inner layers - release moisture through neck and underarm zips. A lot of UK areas are miles of swamp/marsh until really cold.

[SanaurRehmanShahmir]

It will do for me my great friend! Lot of love and respect from a solo mountain hiker from the Lower Chitral District of Pakistan.

[craigcampbell]

Another option - The Maine hunting boot created by LL Bean is good in a lot of conditions. Rubber Botton, waterproofed leather upper, felt removable liner. Good until the water is deeper. It works ok in snowshoes. Some version can be fine for dog sledding. On the heavy side. Maybe you can keep micro-spikes on it (?), but really can't use crampons, so not good on more technical situations. Add to the previous post - you can dry glove liners on your body also. And the boot liners can be in your sleeping bag - don't need to put the whole boot in. Having been in your sleeping bag - Warm socks, warm boot liners, warm clothes, warm water for coffee - makes getting up in the morning so much nicer...

[Tony_The_Torch]

I use this system with Jerrell chop rocks for early spring/late fall canoe trips with portages, works amazing.

[ITER]

I go walking in the UK across saturated moorland and think this is exactly what I need. Thanks for the advice.

[craigrobertson]

Excellent advice. A lot of folks have leaned into the goretex boot / shoe system which just won't work in real wet conditions.

[SalmondOutdoors]

Yeah I've heard using waterproof socks like sealskins is a decent option, I'm guessing they’re very similar to the neoprene socks you're using

[ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Excellent video! Great tips here. New follower to your channel. Well done. Crow

[gabbette]

I so wish I could get with the bread bag method….I am still toting my down camp shoes and I love them- guiltily.

[MrWumm]

Interesting system! I use waterproof boots that are light weight and do not take up water when crossing rivers or when it's raining. They have a rubber lower part and single layer leather uppers. Lundhags makes a few different models with that style. They will not get cold bc they take up no water.

[handlers]

Really interesting, gonna try it out - thanks for sharing! In the mornings, do you pack up everything in that camp sock/bread bag/frozen shoe combination or how do you manage to wait with putting on the frozen shoes until you start walking?

[SM-qkdy]

Hey Kane! Thanks for another super informative video :) Just wanted to get your thoughts on neoprene socks vs WP/B socks like Sealskinz?

[jnmnjclka]

So this system is for daytime above 0 celsius ? I live in the tropics and haven't seen snow in nearly two decades. Trying to do some proper preparation. Not sure what to get for really cold.

[yuriklaver]

Why don't you use rubber walking boots? If it's not too warm, they really aren't that sweaty.

[robinr.]

I understand your feet stay warm, but don't you squelch as you walk? Apart from the temperature, that squishy feeling is pretty gross.

[hermeticallysealed]

and ooh boy open the shoes up before they freeze or you're gonna be mandolining skin layers right off

[solukhumbu]

or what if you carry ultralight waders that resemble stockings that you put on just for the stream crossings?