Trail Runners -VS – Hiking Boots ??

Well, if it aint broke, fix it til it is…… right?

I think there are more important things in life than carrying all the lightest gear. Use what works and what your comfortable with.

How much do you and your pack weigh combined? Any off trail stuff/scrambling?
It is always a good idea to lighten your footwear but you have to balance it with the answers.
I wear trail runners for work and I get about 3 months out of them before it’s heave-ho time, by 6 months I could be wearing a pair of huaraches for all the good they are doing. I’m a big guy with a physical outdoor job weigh your decision [ and yourself ] first. good luck.

I’ve got three footwear options: heavy Salomon Goretex boots, heavy-duty The North Face trailrunners with Vibram soles, and New Balance mesh-and-fabric M907 trailrunners. They clock in at 3.6, 2.4 and 1.6 pounds a pair, respectively.

I find that it’s the /texture/ of the trail that matters. Desolation Wilderness in the Sierras has a lot of trails that are made up of large stones and sharp scree that would create bad foot bruises if I took my lightest-weight trailrunners (which I use mostly for training on local fire roads for hiking and trailrunning)..but for off-trail travel across duff or softer materials, they’re fantastic (and the best on super-hot days). They support me well carrying up to 15-20 lbs.

My TNF trailrunners are getting the most use right now in the widest variety of conditions, having good support for <30lb total carried weight and trail debris...but they're not waterproof and they get hot. The Vibram soles are great and they certainly have a level of water resistance and rigidity the New Balances do not.

My boots, at this point, get the least amount of use, but they’re great in extreme wet and extremely uneven trail textures…some of which will certainly exist both on-trail and off!

So, I like having a variety of footwear options. I only usually take one pair (but sometimes two pairs come in the car until I can survey at least the trailhead, if I can’t read up on the trail conditions in guidebooks or online). And I make usage decisions based on trail texture, likelihood of precipitation or wet trail conditions, ambient temperature, and how much weight I am carrying.

I started hiking with trail runners about 10 years ago (when the options were really limited :>) having previously hiked in Vasque Sundowners (full leather), and Raicle Nylon boots. I haven’t hiked in boots since.

The reason I decided to experiment originally was not based primary on weight reduction. Instead I always felt as though the restrictions boots placed on my ankles negatively affected my gait. I tend to push off strongly with the toe of my trailing foot when climbing, and found that I was losing a lot of energy fighting against the uppers of the boot. I usually ended up re-tying the boots at the top of my instep to reduce this. Since I wasn’t gaining any ankle support when the boots were worn this way I asked myself what the point was of the extra material above the ankle.

Early on I did find that when I did a lot of descending that my feet would become more fatigued at the end of the day due to impact on the less rigid soles of trail runners. Every since I started hiking with trekking poles it is a non-issue since I can eliminate big impacts.

I do feel that trail runners are not for everyone. I have some hiking companions that have a proclivity to turn ankles who feel more comfortable in a pair of boots. Also, I almost never carry more than 30 pounds (usually 20-25), but if I did I might want a more rigid sole afforded by a boot. I should note that I am 5’9″ – 150 lbs.

A big part of using trail runners is getting comfortable with their disadvantages. Learning techniques to mitigate their weaknesses is key to making them effective.

Wet Conditions: If your trail runners are waterproof and you couple them with gaiters you can eliminate the problem of rain or water from foliage from entering your shoes. Deep muck or puddles on trails foils gaiters however so careful foot placement is a must in these conditions. Some folks prefer fast drying, non-waterproof shoes since your feet get moist from sweat regardless. Personally I prefer the waterproof approach, particularly in scenarios where the water is cold (slush, fall and spring rain).

Rocky-Scree Conditions: Gaiters can solve the dirt down the shoe issue, although I rarely go there. I like taking off my footwear during breaks anyway, so I use that as an opportunity to clear any debris. I recently completed a 6 day, 90 mile hike in Yosemite wearing a pair of Montrail Hurricane ridge shoes without any problems other than some very dirty socks every night. (Our hike was very rocky, with lots of granite dust and pebbles) Having good balance, or using hiking sticks can save you a lot of ankle scrapes.

Snow: Gaiters coupled with Trail running rock in the snow. Post-holing with light feet is much less work. I have never had a problem keeping snow out of my shoes this way. My feet stay warm when I am hiking, but often get cold in camp. A second pair of socks and loose laces helps somewhat, but insulated boots they are not. I might try a pair of those down mocassins with leather bottoms for hanging out by the fire.

The one thing I consistently miss about boots is the armor they provide when stomping on sticks to break them for firewood.

My first pair of hiking boots were 3 pound, (men’s size 9) leather, top of the line, made in Romania, REI retired rental fleet boots with the perfect old school look, purchased in the flagship store’s bargain basement for $20.00. The first time out I went 10 miles with no foot trouble what-so-ever. I’m sure they will last for years which is good cause they see alot of city use these days. For my first big hike I decided to go with Inov 8 Mudrocs (280 grams) and was warned by the salesman to expect a lifespan off 200 miles. Sure enough, at 160 I had to start ‘shoring them up’ with a few well placed stiches and seam grip. The outer mesh is especially delicate (avoid sand). This said, I absolutely would rather be in the trail runners whenever possible. The extra weight off my feet made a huge difference. Now to find these unbearably light shoes on sale…

I have bad ankles, so I wear heavy boots alot. Pretty much always one step up from what my buddies will be wearing in the same circumstances.

That said, this acquaintance with my shortcomings has made me examine closely the what and why of my footwear. Most all my trips are light mountaineering on rocky off trail, or rough trails.

Solo trips of more than crawlable-back-to-the-trailhead distance I chose La Sportiva Makalu. This is good if your pack is heavy due to food or carrying someone else’s gear. Ditto for off trail or snow – I can fit 2 pair socks in them and they kick in well. Laced up tight, I feel a wonderful security and the shank makes them really a tool. I love their thick leather and no stupid goretex. They are better for climbing than for the approach. Supposedly the new ones are lighter and they make 1/2- and 3/4-shank versions.
Ankle protection == ABSOLUTE

If going for day hikes even in rocky terrain, I’ll usually take my Montrail Torres. I’m not a big fan really, but they work OK and it’s stupid to be clogging around town in my Maks.
Ankle protection == SUPPORT ONLY
i.e. when laced tight, they can provide some support to my muscles so I don’t get to the point where I roll my ankle because of muscle fatigue, or need to alter my gait. I have doubled up on the footbeds, but for better ankle protection I pull out one and use two socks so the ankles are tighter and better padded.

> Do I dare switch to TRAIL RUNNERS.

Strange how the Kenyans keep winning the Marathon at the Olympics wearing …. bare feet. Very odd.

Does this suggest that humans don’t HAVE to wear great big heavy clumsy leather boots? One wonders …

My two cents….I swithed to NB trail runners several years ago and haven’t looked back. I even use them for SAR with overboot in cold weather and they ae perfect combination.

Chuck

Well now, Roger, I assume you were probably joking about Kenyans winning barefoot marathons, but I just could not let that one pass. The only runner to win the Olympic Marathon barefoot was Abebe Bikela, an Ethiopian who won the 1960 Olympic Marathon. Note that he weighed around 130, maybe less, and wasn’t carrying a pack. He won again in 1964. Wearing shoes this time. He was in a wheelchair due to a traffic accident by 1968. Oddly enough, as great as Kenyan runners are, no Kenyan of either gender has ever won an Olympic marathon, with or without shoes. Several have won silver or bronze. With shoes.

So far as I know all Kenyans and Ethiopians now compete in shoes although I’ve heard that some Kenyans train on dirt roads and trails in Africa wearing sandals that they make from discarded car tires.

I often hike barefoot. Barefoot is good. Even when I wear shoes I like wearing models that do not form the foot to a rigid last (anything from moccasins to chinese feiyue “monk” shoes).

I have YEARS of walking barefoot and/or with unsupported feet and ankles. My lower extremeities are pretty durn tough.

Yet somehow, I manage to roll my ankles OFTEN while wearing trail runners. I think it must have <sarcasm>something</sarcasm> to do with the fact that wearing trail running shoes and going barefoot arnt the same thing.

While barefoot, you can feel the nuances of the ground and you MUST know whats under your feet before you put weight down. Otherwise you can do serious damage… like ripping the sole of your foot apart by stepping on the wrong rock or not seeing that bit of discarded glass.

While wearing shoes, your foot is conformed to a last. Your sole is protected by layers of foam and hard rubber… and its artifically formed into a rather flat surface TOTALLY unlike the unshod foot. You can just plop that monstrosity of leather and foam and rubber whereever you want without doing incapacitating damage to your sole. Your foot is quite insulated from the variation in terrain (even if you THINK your shod foot is sensitive to the terrain, in compairison to being barefoot you might as well be wearing moonboots) and your artifically shaped sole does not properly conform to the terrain like a bare foot does. It cant. Even those Feiyues, which are mostly just padding, stop a significant amount of foot conformation. So, now, instead of having a bare foot that hugs the ground and conforms to every nuance, your feet are held rigid.

If your feet cant hug the grounds deviations, joints higher up the leg need to compensate. The first significant joint is the ankle. If the foot cant move, the ankle MUST. And it can move violently. This is where people twist and sprain their ankles.

Now, you can TRAIN your ankles you be stronger, and thereby reduce the liklihood of ankle damage, but the simple act of putting on a rigid sole shoe increases the likelihood of ankle damage exponentially over being barefoot.

Sooooo….. This is why I recommend to people who are content wearing boots that they continue to do so. The boots help to stabilize the ankles far more than trail runners. Its a system that works because – – well – – it works.

Trail runners absolutly have a place for backpackers. Unquestionably. But they arnt the uber-solution. They have their own fatal flaws.

Boots are heavy, but supportive.
Shoes are lighter but they hold your feet and ankles in a manner EXACTLY opposite to what a properly functioning foot “wants” to do.
Barefeet are lightest and least prone to structural damage, but they are difficult to maintain and can be shredded to ribbons by putting your foot in the wrong spot.

Whats the point of all this? I dunno. Maybe its just that there is no “one right way” to do anything. Use what works for you. You’ll be happier that way.

John,

May I suggest if you’re happy with the Vasque product and sizing and really want to save some weight you might try the Vasque Velocity XCR. The Velocity shares some of same features as the Zephyr GTX but at half the weight.

Regards

I have both and use Gore-Tex boots for winter day hikes– the Nike Air Wallowa model. I’ll pass on hiking with trail runners in cold mud, trails runing with water or snow.

I remember hiking in heavy boots and having those moments of weird feeling when I took them off and my coordination was thrown off by removing all the weight– like taking off ice skates. That never happens with trail runners.

I haven’t turned an ankle since wearing trail runners, but I started using trekking poles at the same time so there are some confounding variables. I haven’t had a blister since wearing trail runners either. My feet stay a lot cooler too.

I did one hike on an old closed-down logging road and one section was all large rocks (riprap) from the old road bed where all the fill had been eroded away. I did notice that the trail runners did not protect as much from stone bruising, but this was an unusual and man-made trail bed. A thin steel shank or hard plastic layer would make nice protection from stone bruising.

What I have found odd is that we have to revert to running shoes. Shoes made for walking could have features made for a walking gait and foot motion rather than running. It seems there would be a larger market for walkers than runners. There’s no reason that a light walking shoe couldn’t be made.

Roger, I took a lot of your advice and bought the Vasque Velocity XCR. Thanks for your insight. I love them. They feel great.