Coming to Alaska? You need the right shoes!

No one ever complains that their feet are too comfortable or too well protected from the elements. I’ve led hundreds of trips in Alaska, and I’ve heard many complaints, but not that one. Not once.

Summer or winter, happy feet make happy photographers, happy hikers, and happy naturalists.

Summer

You’d think, in the summer, when the temps are warm that good footwear would be easier to find… not so much. In fact, I’d say it’s more difficult, and almost impossible to find the one pair that does everything. I’d suggest you plan on bringing two pairs for outdoor activities.

Hikers

A pair of comfortable hiking shoes or boots are an absolute must on any trip to Alaska. If you aren’t backpacking (and have decent ankles) then a pair of sturdy-soled low, mid-height hiking shoes will do the trick. I favor these Salomons but there are literally hundreds of other models and brands out there that will work just fine.

Keep in mind that hiking in Alaska is frequently off-trail or on little-maintained routes. You’ll be walking over grass, and tussocks, and rocks. A sturdy sole is very important, and if your ankles are less than ideal, then some support might be useful too.

Waterproof or not? There is some argument about this in my outdoor circles here in Alaska. Some argue that no matter what you do, your feet are going to get wet, so you may as well go with a highly breathable pair that can eventually dry, and water can drain from. Others, contend that IT IS possible to keep your feet dry, if you have some waterproof or GoreTex shoes on and mind where you walk. I guess I fall somewhere in between.

If you are backpacking, your feet will get wet. Best just to accept that. In fact, don’t just accept it, embrace it. Some of the riskiest behavior I’ve observed is when people are trying to avoid getting their feet wet by rock hopping across a swift moving stream. One slip, and you can be head first into a boulder filled creek. Bad news. Seriously, just wade in, it won’t kill you. In that case, it doesn’t matter if your boots are waterproof or not. Wear what is comfortable.

However, if you are a typical traveller just planning on some day hikes, waterproof boots or shoes might be just the ticket. Splash through a puddle, or wet grass, or a shallow stream, and you can keep those socks dry.

Knee Boots

The second type of shoes that just about everyone who lives in Alaska owns is waterproof knee boots. Brands like Xtra Tufs are nicknamed “Alaska Sneakers” because they are so ubiquitous. If you are planning to spend time outdoors in Southeast Alaska where it rains a lot, or in the Arctic where there are miles of soaked ground, aiming to do a river trip, or plan on getting off the trails and roads and into the tundra and swamps, then you’ll definitely want a pair of knee boots.

But not all are created equal. There are some very cheap options available. These are likely black rubber, hard, and uncomfortable. If you spend any time walking in them, you will regret not spending more. However, brands like Xtra Tufs, LaCrosse, and Muck all make excellent boots that are genuinely comfortable to wear. In fact, during breakup (the melt season) I live in my Xtra Tufs and love how they keep my warm and dry. When I’m leading trips in Southeast Alaska, I rarely wear anything else, even while hiking.

For birders, photographers, and paddlers, good knee boots are a necessity during a trip to Alaska.

Winter

On just about every Arctic Aurora Tour I’ve led, someone gets cold feet. Fortunately, I’ve never had someone get frostbite, but several of my clients have missed out on glorious images of the northern lights because they were busy warming up their feet indoors or in the vehicle. In the winter, cold feet are a bummer, and can be dangerous if you aren’t careful.

I’m not gong to lie, keeping your feet warm can be a real challenge when the mercury drops to -20, -30 or even colder. The right pair of boots is vital.

There are numerous brands that make good winter boots: Sorel, Keen, LaCrosse, Baffin and others are all options. Many of these will have a “rated to” temperature on them somewhere. Don’t for a second believe that number. If you are making a trip to photograph the northern lights between October and early April, there is a chance you’ll be out in temperatures well below zero. A -20F rated boot will NOT keep you warm at -20F, if you are standing around outside for hours.

Rather, plan to get something in the -60F range, that might start to keep you warm at -20.

Just as importantly, you’ll want to purchase your boots at least a size and probably two sizes too large. The extra space allows you to wear a couple of pairs of thick socks and a set of chemical toe warmers without cutting off circulation to your toes. I normally wear size 12 shoes, but my winter boots I buy in size 14.

This doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg on winter boots. There are affordable options or purchase a pair at the right time of year (spring) and you can often great deals. That said, this isn’t the place to skimp. A good pair of winter boots can quite literally save your toes!