(Correction: 17!) I just finished making this pair of US Size 9 ultralight camp shoes for my Dusky track walk which I start on Monday. They are made from 3.6oz/yd2 Dyneema fabric. Together with a pair of down socks from https://goosefeetgear.com/products/down-socks/ (approx 50 grams per pair), I should have nice dry, warm feet at the end of what is usually a fairly wet slog each day. I will post the pattern and instructions when I get back (promise). I made these in a hurry . I could have trimmed a couple more grams off the back pieces which i simply sewed inside. I will see how much the next pair weighs. My guess is 16- 17 grams.
Update: The uppers (Dyneema) held up well to 10 days in Fiordland (Dusky Track) but the inners (blue foam) became compressed. I have replaced them (now I am home) with Urethane inners at a cost of 10 grams each. However, they were comfortable camp shoes which protected my feet when I went outside, and also kept my socks dry – so they admirably served their purpose, moreso than anything I have bought or used before. They also allowed my feet to breathe at the end of the day unlike others I have tried. I recommend you make a pair. I will post the instructions soon – once I have caught up on my other chores – such as a report on my trip! See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/from-dawn-to-dusky/ & ff.
PS:When I cut the unnecessary pieces of Dyneema away, the shoes weighed 17 grams! As you can see the shoe on its owned weighed 12 grams! I am trying two different inners: the Ascent urethane (27 grams) and the Redbacks (30 grams) total. Weights as shown on the scales:
Of course you do not need to carry inners fro your dyneema moccasins. You can simply dry out the inners from your shoes and use them. Therefore total carried weight of the pair of moccasins = 24 grams!
See also:
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/no-sew-sandals/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/toughened-foam-flip-flop/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/cold-weather-hut-booties/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fifteen-gram-blue-foam-flip-flop/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-ideal-camp-shoe/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/spare-shoes-great-for-river-crossings/
Thank You so much!
Hope you enjoy them Les. Good luck, Steve.
Hmm, this looks like exactly what I want. Thanks for the inspiration!
The pattern is here: https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2021/02/05/sub-ounce-per-pair-camp-shoes/ Cheers, Steve.
Hi,
If you have time, I will be pleased to know how to make a pair like these.
Best
Hi, When I made them I just hunted around on Pinterest, Wikihow etc and downloaded some moccasin patterns. There are only three pieces of material. The sole, Front and back upper, plus a draw string. You can also get some guidance from my photo. These worked fine and I have never worn them out so never needed to make another pair. However, I will soon make my wife a pair so I will try to sort out a pattern which works for every foot soon. From memory I stood on a piece of material then drew a line around my foot. I needed to go out another half inch for the tops and bottoms to make enough space plus an allowance for hems. It was a little difficult sewing around the curves if you have only done straight stitching but you will get the hang of it. Sorry I can’t be more help right now. There are lots of big jobs around the farm I have to work on before lambing – but when I come up with a pattern I will post it as I promised to do years ago. My mind is just so full of new ideas for all sort of things: I have unfinished projects of every conceivable sort lying around all over the house and farm. I have three I started just last night lying on the kitchen table which my wife greeted me first thing this morning with the comment, ‘We must tidy up this kitchen table some time’. She is very understanding. One is about drinking straws – which will form the basis of my next post. Cheers, Steve.
thx for this post. I was thinking of making camp shoes out of dyneema. but good to know that they only lasted 10 days. because I will need them for 5 months 🙂
Hi Julia. You have misread the post. The blue foam inners did not hold up. The Dyneema was fine. Of course it can be further reinforced by painting the soles with some liquid latex. As I also said in the post if you use the inners from your shoes, the pair of moccasins only weighed 24 grams. I think they will hold up to five months as tent shoes etc just for going outside to answer the calls of nature etc. Cheers, Steve. PS: 4.8 oz Dyneema would also obliviously hold up longer and would only add a couple of grams.
thx. then I will look again into it. I will need some who go with socks for colder weather and also without for the hotter days.
I think you will need light socks for warmer weather and down socks for very cold. Cheers, Steve. Good luck.
Any update on when you’ll post the instructions for these? I’m looking forward to making and trying out a pair. Thanks!
I had forgotten. Sorry. I will do so. I have to get out all my bits and pieces and try to remember the best way to do it. Might be best if I made a second pair for my wife. I am very busy just at the moment with Della being ill, work on the farm etc, but I will post the instructions as soon as I can. Thanks for your interest.