Footwear

[DrWackadoodle]

To be frank I think you've left it a bit late for serious walking boots; it's taken me a year to break in my latest pair. With most things you get what you pay for, as I'm sure you've found out with your Hunters.

I'd recommend walking boots and gaiters, did me fine in the “I survived the 2007 mud” mud. The trainers you’ve linked to would be fine if it’s … er … fine, no good in the wet though.

You could just get a camp chair, a massive flag and a cool box and plant yourself in front of the pyramid all weekend but you’re not one of those are you?

[Abster]

To be frank I think you've left it a bit late for serious walking boots; it's taken me a year to break in my latest pair. With most things you get what you pay for, as I'm sure you've found out with your Hunters.

I'd recommend walking boots and gaiters, did me fine in the “I survived the 2007 mud” mud. The trainers you’ve linked to would be fine if it’s … er … fine, no good in the wet though.

You could just get a camp chair, a massive flag and a cool box and plant yourself in front of the pyramid all weekend but you’re not one of those are you?

[DrWackadoodle]

In that case, get some good socks and you'll be fine.

[ukslim]

"Difficult terrain" - bollocks. Try climbing a mountain. Trainers/converse are fine for a dry Glasto. As are sensible sandals.

In the mud, wellies, Docs/similar, or walking boots -- it's a matter of taste.

One important distinction: walking boots not walking shoes. Boots go higher than your ankle, shoes stop short. That inch or so is important for keeping water out.

I wouldn't wear my walking boots if it's warm; however much the marketing says they're "breathable" etc, they keep heat in, and hot feet are not comfortable. Although that might just be a genetic trait of mine.

Edited May 20, 2011 by ukslim

[Andre28sharp]

There is so much to take in,I didn't see half of what I wanted to see but I had a amazing time anyway. But I hope to see more this year!

[Andre28sharp]

"Difficult terrain" - bollocks. Try climbing a mountain. Trainers/converse are fine for a dry Glasto. As are sensible sandals.

In the mud, wellies, Docs/similar, or walking boots -- it's a matter of taste.

One important distinction: walking boots not walking shoes. Boots go higher than your ankle, shoes stop short. That inch or so is important for keeping water out. I get hot feet too but still going with walking boots for the comfort.

I wouldn't wear my walking boots if it's warm; however much the marketing says they're "breathable" etc, they keep heat in, and hot feet are not comfortable. Although that might just be a genetic trait of mine.

[Andre28sharp]

I get hot feet too but still going with walking boots for comfort.

[r0cky]

To be frank I think you've left it a bit late for serious walking boots; it's taken me a year to break in my latest pair. With most things you get what you pay for, as I'm sure you've found out with your Hunters.

[r0cky]

"Difficult terrain" - bollocks. Try climbing a mountain. Trainers/converse are fine for a dry Glasto. As are sensible sandals.

In the mud, wellies, Docs/similar, or walking boots -- it's a matter of taste.

One important distinction: walking boots not walking shoes. Boots go higher than your ankle, shoes stop short. That inch or so is important for keeping water out.

I wouldn't wear my walking boots if it's warm; however much the marketing says they're "breathable" etc, they keep heat in, and hot feet are not comfortable. Although that might just be a genetic trait of mine.

[DeejayDawn]

I was just gonna take an old pair of Nike Air Max, pretty comfortable..for lots of walking,

wellies just in case and flipflops

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

"Difficult terrain" - bollocks. Try climbing a mountain. Trainers/converse are fine for a dry Glasto. As are sensible sandals.

In the mud, wellies, Docs/similar, or walking boots -- it's a matter of taste.

One important distinction: walking boots not walking shoes. Boots go higher than your ankle, shoes stop short. That inch or so is important for keeping water out.

I wouldn't wear my walking boots if it's warm; however much the marketing says they're "breathable" etc, they keep heat in, and hot feet are not comfortable. Although that might just be a genetic trait of mine.

Just because you don't find the 'terrain' difficult doesn't mean others don't. This especially comes into play if people are inebriated and / or stoned. The Glastonbury Festival website even mentions the rocky nature of some paths. I wore the wrong footwear one year and was in agony by the end. I was wearing boots which had the ground been perfectly flat would have been fine. It wasn't and I wasn't. I did build in the caveat that I was under the impression that others had found trainers to be the wrong choice. Add to this the OP has also actually managed to break one leg at Glasto and you wander into the territory that they should play it safe footwear wise.

[HurrahBrother]

There are as many answers to this one as there are feet!

Things I have tried.

Boots and gaiters those didn't last at all!

Converse, got caught in a downpour and wound up slipping and sliding all over the place as they had no grip! The same with morning dew and grass, every 4th step I was on my face/arse!

Crocs, the lace up type I found OK for walking about in in the dry.

Wellies. With sports insole, have proved very comfy. I lucked out with a cheap pair that actualy fit well enough to skank to Dreadzone and the Specials in one after noon and then keep going 'till 3 in the morning (OK i'm a lightweight ).

Latest try. Old school (as in late veitnam war) US army panama soled style jungle boots. In my opinion, the best grip in the mud ever, some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, and all the ankle support I could want. They are designed to let water through. So while it is dry, breathing is no problem, if it is wet, I just put on some sealskinz socks.

I do have wierd shaped feet so milage will vary.

[ukslim]

Just because you don't find the 'terrain' difficult doesn't mean others don't. This especially comes into play if people are inebriated and / or stoned. The Glastonbury Festival website even mentions the rocky nature of some paths. I wore the wrong footwear one year and was in agony by the end.

[Dorgon]

I've got waterproof trail hikers for every day use, some Tretorn Stralas if it gets muddy and sandals for kicking around.

Tretorn Stralas are amazing, BTW. http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=18361394

[ukslim]

Addendum:

Last year I wore these, with some Docs in reserve in case the weather turned.

Fivefingers shoes by ukslim, on Flickr

The picture is of them new, but for Glastonbury the soles on this pair were worn to practically nothing. They were perfect for the whole of the site, *except* the railway track wasn't much fun.

[Abster]

To be fair, you can break a leg in a town centre.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Addendum:

Last year I wore these, with some Docs in reserve in case the weather turned.

Fivefingers shoes by ukslim, on Flickr

The picture is of them new, but for Glastonbury the soles on this pair were worn to practically nothing. They were perfect for the whole of the site, *except* the railway track wasn't much fun.

[r0cky]

The path at the top of Pennards near the entrance to the Stone Circle had some pretty chunky hardcore on it last year.

[donthaveacoolname]

I wear hiking boots with over ankle height, gives more support and can be worn in fairly wet weather with gaitors for mud; hedge my bets -

You won't feel it until festival proper starts - more walking stage to stage, more standing will get uncomfortable - I found that apart from the metal grid walkways its pretty rough on the feet along the paths

[HurrahBrother]

The path at the top of Pennards near the entrance to the Stone Circle had some pretty chunky hardcore on it last year.