Resoleable Trail Runners?

Depends on your style. I use Chacos for short runs up to about 5 miles and hikes of about 15-20 often with tecnical scrambling. They are great and can be resoled. They are a bit heavy to hold but I never notice it on my feet. They do have a breakin period but once you are there they are fantastik. Ali

My understanding is that the issue is one of planned obsolescence.

One problem with resoling is that the heel cushioning has broken down by then, meaning the whole shoe/boot has to be replaced. I am of the impression that a new cushioning insole is not enough.

Comments from others with more reliable information?

— MV

By the time the sole is worn, you've lost all cushion and need to replace the shoe anyway.

The general rule for running is 300 miles or six months or whichever comes first.

I know my shoes are shot at 300 miles, often sooner if they're dedicated trail runners.

I find that the material in trail runners that prevent forefoot bruising from rocks is all done by the time the tread is worn out. I recently got some New Balance 909 to replace my NB 907. When I switch back to the 907s, I can really feel pointed rocks pressing through much more and the heal cushioning is much less than the new 909s.

Edited for that speling thing

@Ali
You're absolutely right – Chacos rock! They certainly can't be beaten for breathability, but because of where I hike (and perhaps the way I hike) my toes don't last too long being that exposed. I just got a normal colored nail back on my right big toe, and I banged that through a shoe! I was really excited about some of the mesh-upper shoes Chacos has, but it doesn't look like they offer the same ability to be resoled.

@Bob, Craig, Michael
You guys make good points about trail runners, and maybe I should be more clear about what I'm really looking for. Strictly speaking, I don't need trail runners because I plan to walk, not run in the shoes. What I'm looking for in a resolable hiking shoe, that many trail runners have, is mesh-upper, with a protected toe area. I don't need the soft, short-wearing midsoles for running, but I do need the highly breathable uppers to control moisture and avoid blisters.

The reason that I want something that is resolable is that my almost new Inov-8s are almost ready to be retired and I hate throwing away an otherwise pristine shoe. The more I think about it, the Finns might be the best I'm going to find. I'd prefer an honest mesh upper, but they purport to be somewhat breathable, have a dense (longer lasting) midsole, and are really only 5oz heavier for the pair than my Inov-8s.

So I have a new question: are others interested in resolable, breathable light hikers as a way of decreasing material/monetary waste? Maybe even trail runners where the midsole could also be replaced?

Maybe I should put this in things I would buy if someone made them…

While we're on the subject- I wear the heel lining out in most shoes long before the sole is gone. Is this common? If I keep wearing them with holes in the heel lining then I start going through socks very quickly.

"I wear the heel lining out in most shoes long before the sole is gone"

That's fixable as long as the insole is replaceable.

— MV

I'm not aware of any trail runners that can be easily re-soled. Patagonia's stuff might work, at least they have partnered with one company for re-soling, but the cost for re-soling may be almost the same as getting a new pair.

Others have pointed out the cushioning issue, but you should be able to remove/replace that when resoling. I think the more difficult issue is the mesh uppers wearing out. I have some ideas for trying to make my own trail runners, but I'm not sure how durable the upper will be, it may wear out and tear before the treads wear down.

>the cost for re-soling may be almost the same as getting a new pair.

Once you add in shipping, at least for the Patagonia shoes, it is almost as much. But there's also less material waste (no small matter when considering the fact that shoes are often the most short-lived piece of gear we use) and the satisfaction of giving new live to a beloved pair. If only they would supply a resoling kit like 5.10 (or Five-Ten) does, that would cut out both the labor and half of the shipping making it more practical. Unfortunately, 5.10 doesn't offer very breathable shoes, and the tread they use wouldn't be too great for mud.

>I think the more difficult issue is the mesh uppers wearing out.

It sure stands to reason that they might, but in practice, I've never actually had this happen. I have an old pair of running shoes that were long retired to hiking and later construction, but the mesh part of the upper is still in fine shape save the one spot where I caught it on a nail (not likely to happen on a trial!). I can only guess at how much use I've put on those things. If one did more bushwhacking, gaiters could be used.

>I have some ideas for trying to make my own trail runners

I hope you do give that a try. I saw the leather shoes you posted here a while back, and they were really impressive!