Lowa AL-T Orix shoe

The Orix is a hiking shoe- not a trail runner. Hiking shoes are designed for long duration support while trailrunners are designed for shorter duration impact protection.

A major physical difference between a low hiker and a trailrunner is in the placement of the "shank" (or Strikeplate, or renforcement pice or whatever you want to call it these days). Hiking shoes such as the Orix have the "shank" placed above the midsole which give greater long term support. Trail runners place the strikeplate under the midsole- which allows for greater shock absorption by the midsole but can allow a foot to tire over a longer period of time.

Can a trail runner be used for hiking? Yes- but you can experience greater foot fatigue at the end of the day and even more so over a longer trip.

Can a Dayhiker be used as a trailrunner?- not so much. It'll beat the snot out of your foot while you feel like Frankenstien.

I have tried the Orix on and I loved the support- but it was a tad narrow for my wide foot- particularly in the outer toebox area. Call it between a Montrail Hardrock a Hardrock Wide and definately narrower and pointier toed than a COntinental Divide.

Bummer- I really wanted a PU soled lowcut hiker to fit my foot- with a fit like a Lowa Baffin.

Hope that helps,
Christo