Pes Planus
Newbie
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« on: April 10, 2012, 12:09:44 PM » |
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Hi there, just wondering if anyone here has any experience with the Flows when hiking in rain? I was planning on walking the West Highland Way (about 160km). I walked it last year (in standard hiking boots) and had 5 (out of 6 days) rain (typical Scotland). While I don't mind my KSOs getting wet (when I'm running for an hour or so), I don't think that walking 6-8h in wet Fivefingers would be ideal for my feet/skin -> blisters  That's why I thought I would get the Flows (as they are supposed to be waterproof) & some gaiters. But does anybody have any experience with them? Would they actually stay dry in constant rain? Thanks for any help! |
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 12:18:46 PM by Pes Planus »
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BirthdayShoes.com Vibram Five Fingers Forum
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« on: April 10, 2012, 12:09:44 PM » |
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nowster
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« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2012, 12:34:36 PM » |
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As far as I'm aware (I've not got any Flows), although the panels are waterproof (being neoprene), the seams are not. Your feet may be wet and/or very sweaty.
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VFF: M46 KSO (Blk/Orange, Blk/Blk), Trek (Brown), Treksport (Blk/Blk, Orange/Blk), Komodosport (Blk/Silver), Flow (Blk), Speed (Blk/White),
Sprint (White/Blue)
M47 Speed (Black/White), M47 Classic (Grey/Green — too big)
Non-VFF: 46 Merrell Tough Glove (Black)
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The Yeti
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« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 12:37:19 PM » |
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Unfortunately the flows are not waterproof. They soak up water like a sponge actually. One thing they are good at is warming up the water that makes it in, so your feet don't freeze instantly. If you are hiking for 6-8 hours you can probably get away with them in the rain, though after a long wet run I found that it started to rub against my instep, and it got fairly raw by the end of it.
If you're going to get wet, there are currently no VFFs that will keep your feet dry, though they are working on it. There is a make of Merrell gloves that use goretex, so that may be a better option. I'm going for a pair of Vivobarefoot off road hi's which are apparently waterproof, and will post an update on them once they are in.
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To err is human, to arr is pirate.
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Pes Planus
Newbie
Reputation: 1
Posts: 5
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« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 01:00:47 PM » |
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Okay, thank you two! Think I'll just stick to my hiking boots then |
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BirthdayShoes.com Vibram Five Fingers Forum
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« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 01:00:47 PM » |
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chronin
Jr. Member
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« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 01:53:56 PM » |
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If you are able to find a pair of Bormios, then you can waterproof them using Aquaseal. I used it on mine and can stand in a puddle without getting wet. They would probably be perfect for a hike just not for running.
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KSO - Black M40
KSO Trek - Brown M40
Bormio - Brown M40
Bormio - Black M40
Spyridon - Military Green/Grey/Black M41
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nowster
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« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 04:35:42 PM » |
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If you are able to find a pair of Bormios...
The only problem then would be the price. If you were to try to get them in the UK, you're not seeing much change out of £200. The Merrell Toughglove is about half that. |
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VFF: M46 KSO (Blk/Orange, Blk/Blk), Trek (Brown), Treksport (Blk/Blk, Orange/Blk), Komodosport (Blk/Silver), Flow (Blk), Speed (Blk/White),
Sprint (White/Blue)
M47 Speed (Black/White), M47 Classic (Grey/Green — too big)
Non-VFF: 46 Merrell Tough Glove (Black)
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The Yeti
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« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 06:35:48 PM » |
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I'm pretty sure the toughgloves with an aquaseal treatment would work nicely. A friend of mine has some vivobarefoot neo trails, and she loves them for off road. They are decent at keeping water out, and have very good grip for slick terrain.
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To err is human, to arr is pirate.
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paulr
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« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2012, 07:07:38 PM » |
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Okay, thank you two! Think I'll just stick to my hiking boots then As you have done it before you have some experience of the wonderful (ahem) Scottish weather - I cant imagine tackling the WHW without Goretex lined boots or walking shoes.......theres standing in a puddle and theres the cold driving, horizontal rain that is frequent in the West of Scotland..and thats just the summer  This is a good read about walks in Gods Country.. http://www.scottishwalks.com/ free too !! |
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« Last Edit: April 10, 2012, 07:16:09 PM by paulr »
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koffeekev
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« Reply #8 on: April 10, 2012, 08:39:58 PM » |
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Flows aren't even close to being waterproof and your feet will look like prunes in a short time. I do have 2 pair of Vivo Barefoot Aquaeos and they are indeed completely waterproof but run $195.00 American. For the thinness they are surprisingly warm as well.
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*I'm barefoot for skeletel correctness*
kso black x 4
kso gray x1
kso flow black x1
kso treksport black x1
kso trek black x 2
kso trek brown x 3
classic tan x1
seeya's black neon x1
vivo aqueous black x1
vivo aqueous grey x1
vivo dharma black x1
vivo aqua brown x1
merrill radius glove b
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nowster
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« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 03:10:40 PM » |
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As you have done it before you have some experience of the wonderful (ahem) Scottish weather - I cant imagine tackling the WHW without Goretex lined boots or walking shoes.......theres standing in a puddle and theres the cold driving, horizontal rain that is frequent in the West of Scotland..and thats just the summer And when it's not raining, out come the midges. The end of last April I was in the West Highlands: rain and stinging hail one moment, brilliant sun the next. I was very glad of my waterproof snow boots. |
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VFF: M46 KSO (Blk/Orange, Blk/Blk), Trek (Brown), Treksport (Blk/Blk, Orange/Blk), Komodosport (Blk/Silver), Flow (Blk), Speed (Blk/White),
Sprint (White/Blue)
M47 Speed (Black/White), M47 Classic (Grey/Green — too big)
Non-VFF: 46 Merrell Tough Glove (Black)
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Pes Planus
Newbie
Reputation: 1
Posts: 5
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« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2012, 04:16:46 AM » |
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Thanks for all the feedback  The Borimo are a bit too pricey (and I don't really like the look of them tbh). Yeah, last time I walked it, I had 20°C on the first day (and got sunburned hehe), and then rain for the rest of the trip and some snow after Bridge of Orchy. Some of the paths literally turned into small streams (ankle deep water for a few km's). |
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