Hiking Boots or Trail Runners?

ttretta · Post by **ttretta** » Oct 28 2015 8:52 am

I've been researching both options and would like to see what AZT users are doing (I know some opinions were flowing in the Vasque Boot Test forum).

So what is your preference?

SpiderLegs · Post by **SpiderLegs** » Oct 28 2015 12:56 pm

From what I've seen trail running shoes work great in Arizona. If I do use a hiking shoe it is the Merrill Moab, which is a fairly light weight hiking shoe. But 90%+ of my hikes are done in trail running shoes.

ddgrunning · Post by **ddgrunning** » Oct 29 2015 2:10 pm

I use both. Depends on: (a) terrain and (b) pack weight. If the trail is extra rocky/uneven and/or I'm carrying a heavier pack, I opt for something closer to the hiking boot end of the continuum, as it has a sturdier bottom and doesn't beat up the bottom of my feet as much. For most day hiking, though, trail runners are great.

I say "continuum" because the distinction between hiking boot and trail runner is becoming increasingly blurred. There are shoes all along that spectrum now.

RowdyandMe · Post by **RowdyandMe** » Oct 29 2015 4:16 pm

I wear Keen Targhee II boots. I would like to wear trail runners but being flat footed I seem to roll my ankles more.
This is my 3rd pair and they have out lasted my first 2 pair. Of course I don't spend as much time in the supes like I use to.
I did own one pair of Vasque Breeze 2.0 and they lasted forty miles and had to be cut off.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Oct 29 2015 6:27 pm

you left out option 3.

Mick · Post by **Mick** » Oct 29 2015 9:39 pm

I use Vasque trail shoes at the moment -even when backpacking. Lightweight and no blisters. I would consider boots hiking in snow.

Farwalker · Post by **Farwalker** » Oct 29 2015 11:42 pm

I use Danner light cascade boots, they finally made a women's desert compatable model with no goretex that is just awesome, but like all their boots you've got to take the time to break them in. Once done it's like custom boots molded to your feet and they last for years. And can be re soled. I also carry Chaco sandals and often wear them hiking as the sole is just as thick and supportive as boots.
Many long distance hikers do this as it is healthy to give your feet and body a break from your main hiker boot/shoe. Some foot and leg injuries are repitition caused so switching out helps prevent that and sandals air out the feet.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Oct 29 2015 11:44 pm

Farwalker wrote:they last for years

do you have an idea of how many miles?

ALMAL · Post by **ALMAL** » Oct 30 2015 2:38 pm

As others have posted, it depends on too many other factors. One example would be my own experience. When I moved here in 2007 I bought a 110 liter backpack, even though I didn't plan on staying out more than 2 nights usually. The funny thing is, that I filled that sucker up too. Probably 50+ lbs. I also paid the price and it wouldn't have mattered what was on my feet. Then I bought a 90 liter, same story. Then came my 65 liter Osprey. I still use it occasionally, but prefer my 40 liter Gregory now for 1-2 nights. I continue to lighten my load and use a 28 liter Osprey for 1 night trips. Footwear changed along the way from med-heavy boots, to lightweight boots, to Moab Ventilators, to Merrell Manistee's, to sandals (my new favorite) and I can wear socks with them in cooler weather. I just bought a set of Zero shoes but haven't tried them yet. So really I think what you put on your feet depends in part by what you're carrying on your back...

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Oct 30 2015 4:10 pm

ALMAL wrote:it depends on too many other factors

Yes, such as, almost NO boots or shoes fit me. I just did a 4 night/5 day R2R backpack in lightweight Altra Lone Peak trailrunners. They have square toes and the zero drop soles. Not perfect (they could use a more grippy sole and better protection for the toes) but my feet never hurt in them. I hear Altras are coming out with a hiking shoe in the spring, and I sure hope that it will fit me as well as the Superior and Lone Peak models I currently own.

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Oct 30 2015 5:43 pm

I've settled into the Merrell Ventilators-- the low tops. I think I'm on my 4th pair in a row and can't see changinging it up. The tread holds up and I've been getting at least 400 miles each pair. I use them for dayhiking and for backpacking. I wore boots for a long long time and it took some time to adjust. You don't allow your ankles to strengthen when you wear boots so when I first switched, I found myself rolling the ankles on a regular basis-- now hardly ever. If you can condition yourself to it, get down to the lightest sturdy hiking shoes you can.

johnlp · Post by **johnlp** » Oct 31 2015 4:47 am

Tough_Boots wrote:If you can condition yourself to it, get down to the lightest sturdy hiking shoes you can.

Trail runners...

sneakySASQUATCH · Post by **sneakySASQUATCH** » Oct 31 2015 7:32 am

@ALMAL
I hiked Pikes Peak in my zeros in July, but don't really like them for over 15 miles 5,000' AEG.
@Tough_Boots
So have you morphed into Tough_Shoes or Tough_Tennis?

big_load · Post by **big_load** » Oct 31 2015 10:21 am

MtnBart01 wrote:... but don't really like them for over 15 miles 5,000' AEG.

Those are bounds I can usually stay within.

SpiderLegs · Post by **SpiderLegs** » Oct 31 2015 2:01 pm

Because of this thread I dusted off my Merrill Moabs instead of going with my trail running shoes this morning. It's been almost a year since the last time I've worn them. Noticed they felt a little heavier than my running shoes. But the upside was I noticed the Moabs had a slightly wider platform and were a bit more stable on downhill sections of trail. So six of one and half dozen of another I guess.

Tough_Boots · Post by **Tough_Boots** » Oct 31 2015 3:48 pm

MtnBart01 wrote:So have you morphed into Tough_Shoes or Tough_Tennis?

haven't heard that one before ;)

SpicedRum · Post by **SpicedRum** » Nov 05 2015 9:47 am

I used Hoka's new boot for most of the AZT thru hike I just completed. Trail shoe feel with the support of a boot. Love these boots but were pretty worn out at the end. http://www.hokaoneone.com/mens-trail/to ... 0&cgid=men

azbackpackr · Post by **azbackpackr** » Nov 05 2015 3:42 pm

The advantages of the Altra fit: Square toes (most shoes are way too pointy). I don't think any shoes mentioned here (other than maybe Keens) have the square toes. Altras also have narrow heels, hold your heels in well. (They are also narrow enough in the mid-foot for my extremely low-volume foot.) They have the zero drop (no lifted heel, which some people actually have to get used to. Since I don't actually wear shoes very often it was no problem for me!)

Now, if Altra will just come out with a real hiking shoe. The Altra Lone Peaks worked well for my rim-to-rim 5-day backpack last week, but it was all on trail. They just are not tough enough, and don't have enough grip on the ground for real hiking (off trail, that is.) They are not stable enough, and the thin fabric sides and toes would not protect your feet very well for scrambling and bushwhacking. So, there are drawbacks.

But I am so glad to be able to get out and hike again, even if on easy trails! All the foot problems I have been reporting for almost two years were from the five or six different shoes I kept buying. I kept trying to find one that fit. I spent a lot of money on shoes. Anyone need some size 11 mostly narrow women's hiking shoes (and some men's in similar size)?

sandyfortner · Post by **sandyfortner** » Nov 05 2015 8:16 pm

I am also trying the Altras. Many things that I like about them but, I agree, a little more toe protection and TREAD would be nice. But, I talked with a CDT hiker this summer who wears them and says she gets 600 miles out of hers - and she's a triple crowner! Surprised me! I didn't think any shoe would hold up that long.

sneakySASQUATCH · Post by **sneakySASQUATCH** » Nov 05 2015 8:56 pm

@azbackpackr
I think it's what you get used to and what works for you. The altras seem to be getting popular. I still prefer minimal shoes and still find vff's most comfortable on or off trail when I know I won't get caught with weather. If the weather is on the line or it's cooler I prefer the soft star runamocs. They have more sock options including my goretex socks which I always have on hand with questionable weather forecast. They have a wide toe box and come in various widths. At first glance of the sole they don't look like they provide a lot of traction, but because the sole is so flexible they really grip well. I wore these on my 39 miler and waded through knee deep mud with 8 miles to go and surprisingly they cleaned up well despite being suede. I re soled my other pair locally for 50 bucks. I have about 700 miles on these over 1.5 years and they still have tread.