What do you think wearing Jeans and spiked shoes for the trails in Grand Canyon?

I am soon going to stay at Grand Canyon for 5 days from March 10th to 15th. I will stay one of the lodges on the south rim, and hiked down a trail to the canyon, the Phantom Ranch. Do you think that a jeans is OK for hiking? I am thinking to ware thermal bottoms under the jeans. And the shoes. I understand that the hiking boots is the best, but I don’t have one. How about the spiked shoes for soccer, or is it better to wear adidas sneakers? What is the best clothing to suit this hike on this season?

What do you think wearing Jeans and spiked shoes for the trails in Grand Canyon?
I have worn jeans while hiking in the canyon and they are OK (unless it is really warm or you run into rain/snow), but I would recommend something lighter. Those light, fast-drying synthetic pants with the zip-off lower sections (to make shorts) are ideal. But yes, while not the most comfortable, jeans will do. Unless it is extremely cold, than wearing thermals underneath with probably be way to warm (not to mention harder to hike in).





As for shoes... if you are not carrying a heavy pack (and you can%26#039;t get hiking boots), than sneakers are probably OK. I would definitely NOT recommend spiked soccer shoes. Most of the trails in the canyon are rock or hard packed dirt. Traction is usually not a big issue.





If you are worried about snow and ice in March (a possibility) - it is mostly along just the first mile or so of the trails (when there is any at all) and while spiked shoes might help a little there, but for sections of trail without snow/ice, the spikes would be very difficult to walk with. If it looks like there will be snow, look into getting a $20 pair of %26#039;YakTraks%26#039; which are a wire/rubber mesh that goes over street shoes or boots and act like snow chains.





Temperatures vary a great deal between the top and bottom and weather can change quickly, especially in March. I just came back from a backpacking trip there and when we started hiking up, it was clear and sunny and we wore t-shirts. By the time we reached the top, it was overcast and snowing and we were all heavily dressed. Be prepared for those extremes.





A few general notes about your hike... if you are planning on going all the way to the river and back in one day (a 12-14 mile trip), than I would recommend that you reconsider. That is not a good thing to attempt for your first canyon hike and it does not sound like you are very well prepared. While some people have no problem doing it, many others die - and most of them were in pretty good shape (a couple years ago a top Boston Marathon finisher died while trying to go to the river and back in a day). Until you know how your body handles the canyon, you should try something smaller.





If you are planning on going down to the bottom and staying the night at Phantom Ranch, than you should know that you generally need reservations a year in advance. Even the backpacker campground there opens for permits 4 months ahead and sells out early (although you can sometimes get lucky with cancellations).





There is no law that says hikers have to go all the way to the river and back in a day. Even if you have no problem, you will not get to enjoy the trip much. For a much better day hike experience, I would recommend taking South Kaibab trail down to Cedar Ridge or maybe Skeleton Point. Or take the Hermit Trail over to Dripping Springs.
Reply:I was there, and they said that temperatures in the canyon can exceed 120 degrees Farenheight. I would recomend light clothing, and I think sneakers will be all right. I have no problem hiking with them. They are comfortable.
Reply:I think you should wear a comfortable pair of sweatpants,a t-shirt,and old sneakers.This is comfortable on a walking or hiking trail.You won%26#039;t be freezing but you won%26#039;t be roasting.
Reply:It is best to wear layers. Spiked shoes may be too difficult. Solid tennis shoes are better if you do no have hiking boots. Make sure the shoes you wear are nice and broken in so you do not get blisters on your trip. JUST HAVE FUN!
Reply:jeans are a terrible thing to wear when hiking. Once you start working up a sweat, cotton jeans will absorb the sweat, and then get very cold.





Dress in layers. If it%26#039;s a sunny day when you start hiking up- you%26#039;ll want to be in shorts (it could easily be 75 degrees at phantom ranch). But- also have layers. If there is a storm, you could see rain (at the bottom) and snow on the rim.





A pair of hiking boots is highly recommended. But- they better be well broken in. You don%26#039;t want blisters. Bring the comfortable sneakers as a backup. Leave the spiked shoes at home.



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