Trail Runners vs Backpacking Boots

For years, I felt like a moderately high-top full leather hiking boot was necessary for what I did. Then I tried mid-height hiking boots that were much lighter, and they seemed to get the job done without penalty. After some years of that, I shifted again to low-cut hiking boots (with a firm sole, not a trail runner shoe). Those did fine for some years until I sustained a bad ankle sprain. Ten years later, and I can still feel it, so I am starting to work my way back toward mid-height boots.

What's right for you probably depends on your ankles.
–B.G.–

I think you'll find the consensus here is trail runners or even good sneakers for three season backpacking, with boots only for snow or specialist use. Depending on the terrain and amount of mud I'm expecting, I'll wear my New Balance sneakers or GoLite StormDragons (if very muddy, since they have more aggressive tread).

One side note, is, if you are serious about going light (and saving money), avoid GoreTex trail runners. They are heavier, usually more expensive, and, while they will keep some puddle and dew moisture out of your shoes, if you walk through a stream, they'll just fill up with water and NEVER dry out (as I discovered to my cost). A good non-waterproof sneaker or trail runner will dry out in 10-15 minutes of continued hiking, so crossing small streams is a snap!

You'll find folks here have pretty strong views about these kind of things, so expect opposite perspectives from other folks!

In the end, there is no conclusive data to back up the old truism that hiking boots are needed for ankle support, UNLESS you are carrying a traditional weight pack. If you can get below 20 lbs or so including consumables, I'd say you don't need a hiking boot. If you take the advice on the forums here, you should probably be targeting more like 13-15 lbs including consumables (for a 4-5 day trip). With that logic, go with a simple, supportive but comfortable (and cheap) sneaker!

Just my 2cs…

Cheers, James.

I perfer boots to keep out debris. I have Danner 453 GTX mid weight boots but they're shot so I'm getting some Merrrill Moab Mid boots. They are lighter and also GTX lined. PLUS they come in wider sizes which I need after day 1 on the trail. Be sure to buy one size wider than your street shoe size because the longer walking time and estra weighgt on your badk WILl make your feet wider. Narrow shoes/boots will cause blisters betewwn your toes. (Don't ask me how I know this.) :(

I've never liked "trail runers" for backpacking. Hiking, yes, trailrunners are OK.

If I had to pick one, it would be boots… however, I do use trail runners more often. Runners usually do the trick for me, but they're very uncomfortable if the trail is steep, even if all I'm carrying is a little daypack. I find that the extra support that boots have is a worth their weight, but only during the 10% of the time that I'm on "difficult" trails.

Boots are also tougher, which is important if you do much off-trail hiking. I once tried a pair of trail runners during a 4-day march in SE Alaska, and they all but fell apart by the end – they even had a thumb-sized hole in the sole where a crag or sharp branch had gouged it out.

I hope this helps. My answer is "shoes: mostly; boots: if I have to".

Until some recent hikes, my answer would have been: trail running shoes, or just running shoes. And I still stand by that for the most part. That is what I wear most of the time and in most situations. I believe the "pound on your feet is like 5 on your back rule" and I can feel it. Last year I did a 1 week backpack with some kinda worn out plain old running shoes (in California, Sierra, Kings Canyon Park) and have absolutely no regrets.

On the other hand, I have a nice pair of Asolo GTX boots (GTX indicates gore-tex) because they were on the bargain table at my local ourdoor shop (size 13) and fit me perfectly. I couldn't pass them up at $80 (less than half price) even though I said to myself "why the hell am I buying boots". Well lately I have done some hikes in snow and with all the rain we have had I have been rock hopping across streams and these boots are the ticket!

Now I live in Arizona, and most of the time these boots are not at all what I want. When it is really hot and dry, let me tell you, I prefer a shoe (or boot) with lots of mesh, not goretex and the lighter the better. Now if you live in the Pacific Northwest or someplace where it rains all the time, you may definitely appreciate goretex boots.

Back in the stone age, when I started hiking, big heavy leather boots were the only thing. Blisters and the breaking in of boots were part of the game. All nonsense from my perspective these days, we all swallowed a line of bull back then or just nobody knew any better. Later in life I was doing insane approaches to backcountry rock climbs with totally trashed cheap sneakers and enjoying it more than with heavy boots. How times change.

So I would say, if you get a boot, get it because you hike in snow, or in wet places, not for "ankle support", which I think is by and large just BS. Whatever you get, FIT and also fit are the main things!!

Trail runners and some gaiters to keep out debris, no goretex.

I wore running shoes on the JMT and trail runners, Salomon Exit Aero's on 150 miles of the Sierra High Route which is most off-trail up some of the most rugged terrain you can find. But I never had over 20lbs in my pack I would also recommend against Goretex. YMMV

Novices go to gear shops and ask about this, and are sold boots. Nice profit margin on expensive boots.

As they become walkers rather than novices, they start to wonder why they are carting these heavy things around all the time, and start to wonder about joggers. After all, so many others are wearing them.

When they become sufficiently fed up with the cost and the weight of boots they start to experiment with joggers. They soon find it is a one-way path to light-weight walking and greater happiness (and lower cost).

Cheers

Rob, check out the Inov8 web site and look for the 315. It's on sale for $47, and at that price it would be well worth the experiment to introduce yourself to trail runners. The "name" of their shoes indicates the weight of a single shoe in grams, so this shoe weighs 315 gm, or about 11 oz. Darn light! And the soles are heavily lugged and grip like crazy on any terrain. Try 'em…you'll like 'em!