Footwear Analysis Paralysis, Help…Or Just Make It Worse

1. make absolutely and utterly sure it fits … go into a store …

2. since its more or less yr first time with lwt shoes buy from REI so you can return em, or somewhere like that … even after you used them … shoes can feel very different on the trail with weight after a few days than in a store

3. be careful of very minimal shoes that no doubt some may recommend here if you havent built up your feet to deal with it … minimal works, but it takes TIME and EXERCISE to get your feet up to speed

now ill stand aside for the inevitable spray of everyones favorite brands ;)

Oh and there were some Salewa Alp Trainer Mid GTX's in there at some point until I read way too many people's accounts of them shredding heels like a cheese grater despite their "no blister" guarantee. Plus they look a bit overkill to be honest.

It should also be noted that I'm aware of how nice the modern breed of running shoes can feel on my dogs after I recently bought my first pair of said modern running shoes; the Nike Free Powerlines. They feel like magic on my feet, truth be told. If they were just a bit burlier I'd be hard pressed to not wear them hiking until circumstances prove out that idea as bad (i.e. until I lose a toe or three in a freak cuban fiber, alcohol stove, tarp tent, MYOG accident). So yeah, basically they're the reason the Salomon Synapse shoes have stuck around in my list in one form or another.

All the approach shoes you have listed will feature a narrower toebox, for better edging. I find that for pure hiking this is less comfortable. A trail runner with stickier rubber might be better.

Just try a non-WP shoe and getting your feet wet. After a few trips you'll wonder what the big deal is.

If you have one available, go to a decent outdoor shop with the intention of spending several hours trying on shoes. Buy one that fits and suits your fancy. When those die, reevaluate and get something better. You're in it for the long haul.

I doubt you'll find shoes that work well for both rock climbing and backpacking. You need aggressive tread for backpacking. I've seen many falls and injuries from people hiking in slick-soled shoes.

Stay away from Gore-Tex. I accidentally bought a pair of Gore-Tex lined shoes (on sale), and hated them until they wore out. Too hot to hike in above 40°F, and my feet were soaked in sweat after 30 minutes hiking.

I hike and backpack hundreds of miles per year in low cut trail runners. I've sprained both ankles a total of three times, mostly playing volleyball in high-top shoes. Mids or high-tops will not stop an ankle sprain.

Try gaiters to protect your lower legs and ankles from flora, terrain, and critters. Gaiters are lighter, and you can leave them at home if you don't need them.

I like the Scarpa Spark enough to stock up on them. Wore them in Wyoming for six days with no problems whatsoever. I also have wide feet and wear a 13 – I would advise getting the 48 EU.

After reading everyone's posts both in this thread and others, GoreTex seems like a bad idea in even remotely warm climates. I think if I had feet that ran cold and didn't sweat (read: my girlfriend's lucky feet) I would be a harder sell for Goretex free. She just picked up a pair of Ahnu that are E-vent and loves them but we're very different people. So, no GoreTex. Check!

Approach shoes are going to run narrow, and won't have aggressive enough tread most likely, so those are probably out too. Check!

Mids are still in question, or at least I wouldn't rule out some comfy mids if they came along and were fairly light (e.g. Salomon Synapse).

Does anyone have experience with the Inov-8 Roclite 309 or 315? They both appear to be good all around shoes with solid rock performance.

"Does anyone have experience with the Inov-8 Roclite 309 or 315? They both appear to be good all around shoes with solid rock performance."

If they fit they'd be a solid choice. I've not used them as I found them far too big in the midfoot. Inov8 rubber is generally a good balance between stickiness and durability.

as eric mentioned, fit is king. I need shoes w/ a wide toe box, so that rules out a lot of what would be nice shoes for other folks

I think either of the Rocklites you mention would serve you well- IF they fit; make sure you purchase them from a place that has a generous return policy- trying them in the store or in your living room is helpful, but only some miles on the trail will tell you for sure, in addition to REI check runner's warehouse- they have a 90 day return policy- and not a problem if you use them on the trail for 90 days straight :)

as mentioned gore is not needed or desirable (maybe in a true winter hiking shoe), slick soled climbing shoes aren't going to be very helpful going up/down trails

I used the 295 for a while but found them not having enough support in the sole and changed to the 315 which were a little stiffer. They stick good on and off trail. Watch when the laces wear not to cut through the eyes.

I have the Inov8 315s and love them. They breathe very well and dry quick should you get them wet. I too also live in dry hot rocky areas and found they are acceptable.

Some caveats though:

1st many claim Inov8 run narrow. I have medium to wide feet and don't seem to mind my shoes. The uppers do relax after a few miles letting your foot splay out a bit. So if they aren't "tight" but rather just snug, that will loosen. Tight may not relax enough for all day comfort.

2nd is the rubber. They use the endurance rubber, if you want 5.10 style climbing rubber you're out of luck on the 315. It's a tradeoff. My 315s don't wear out that quick, but they aren't the stickiest. I haven't really noticed much issue and the tread is agressive enough that I sometimes feel more confident on easy bouldering climbing with my 315s than actual climbing shoes. But if you're on a lot of slickrock, they probably won't be sticky enough for you (they're great on talus and highly textured stone though, as well as dirt and mud).

3rd, if you want long term durability only leather and heavy tread will satisfy sadly. Inov8s are durable and will last you several hundred miles (anywhere from 500 to 750 depending on your tolerance for wearing tread, terrain, body weight, etc). I'm still on my first two pairs (one snug for technical day hikes, one looser for repetitive long days on the trail) and they've seen a lot of urban wear and tear as well.

All those caveats aside, I have been very pleased with my 315s. They're very comfortable in the desert heat and work well on the sandy or gravelly terrain often encountered on trails.

Thanks for all the info on the Inov-8s! I'm having a beast of a time trying to find some locally to try on but I think I've at least narrowed down the list of retail running places so I can hopefully get a better idea about the brand's general traits.

I'm definitely worried that any lightweight trailrunner will suffer from having a sole that allows the multitude of pointy baby-head-sized rocks that seem to inhabit trails in central and west Texas, to bruise the crap out of my feet. I think if I were still living in the northeast I wouldn't consider my propensity to go off-trail or seek the roughest trails possible, it's pretty high on my list. And I'm definitely concerned about grip on angled rocks so even though my 5.10's are bike shoes and use their less-sticky rubber, it's still considerably stickier than anything I've encountered on other shoes, sans approach and climbing shoes. That's basically why I was considering hybrid style approach shoes or a lot of shoes from companies that make dedicated climbing shoes.

Looks like a trip to the stores is definitely in order to get some more answers on what fits and feels decent!

I've narrowed things to either the Vasque Velocity 2.0 or the Inov8 Roclite 295. I'm still trying to find somewhere local so I can try on the Roclites, which is a drag. Truth be told I only managed to find the Velocity's locally in one size too small but it gave me a good idea about how the soles felt, albeit juuuuuust a little too short.

Anyhow, I'm thinking the low-top decision will be mostly sound. And I'm going to stay away from approach shoes with grippy, although not grippy enough in mud/slick grass, soles. It occurred to me that carrying a pack and having those little, sharp, sudden, slides, are going to wreck my already tested back even without falling. The jarring nature will be enough to possibly injure myself once I have an extra 30 pounds on my back.

So anyhow, back to the hunt to try on more shoes! Suggestions still welcome!

I really strongly recommend trying on the shoes in the store. I spent a couple minutes with each shoe they had walking around and getting a feel for them. When I tried on the pair that I ended up buying, I knew they were right: good flexibility and fairly neutral, a nice springiness, and good heel/ankle fit. The pair that I originally wanted ended up feeling terrible on my feet. Try every shoe they've got. You may be surprised at what your feet end up liking.

Shoes are way more than the spec sheet online. Everyone's foot is different, and every person I outfit with boots walks out with a different pair.

If you find a couple pairs that really fit well, then that's the time to narrow it down. Large, flat lugs are going to be excellent for rock slabs, whereas small, bumpy lugs are going to be better in mud.

heh, I started with the Vasques myself, specifically the Blur shoes (discontinued, but may be the same as the new mindbenders). I liked them but had issues with the soles delaminating (and they squeaked nonstop!). Size wise, I found the 10 Blur and 10 Roclite 315 are just about the same in length, the 315s are just a tad bit roomier in the mid and forefoot (but still good lock for the heel).

I definitely prefer the Inov8s because they're much lighter and airier. The instant I put on a vasque shoe I feel my foot warming up. I also find the Vasques clunky underfoot and like my 315s for how much more lightfooted I hike. The 295s are basically the same, just a little lighter, slightly less durable, and with a stickier rubber on the sole.

One added point you might keep in mind: some insoles have enough beef to them that they make a significant difference in what you can feel though the sole of the shoe. In particular, I have some SOLE Ed Viesturs models that have a fairly firm plastic bottom – not like the usual foam, considerably stiffer. They make a significant difference – as well as providing some serious arch support. Could turn a shoe that doesn't make your list into one that does.

I ended up ordering the Velocitys after finally finding a pair to test. They felt pretty awesome and I have Zappos sending a pair. If they don't feel great after wearing them around the house for a few days I'm sending them back and trying the inov8's.

Ultimately it did come down to finding a pair locally to test although with so many options it was a real shame to find so few locally from any of the myriad companies. Most places would have one or two models from a line. Pretty surprising for a town like Austin that prides itself on its amazing quantity of tails and outdoorsy people. But I digress.

@Paul: I'm actually quite interested to give some insoles a try. I like the sounds of those you're describing since they're similar to some hard plastic arch supports I used to move between shoes. They were straight up hard plastic but did a great job getting my feet from painful flat to a lot better (still kind of low though). Thanks for the insight!

UGH!!!!

So after a day short of a week waiting for my "2 day shipped" package of Vasque Velocity 2.0's to arrive I got them today. On they went with a pair of my ultra-discounted Stoic mid-weight hiking socks recently procured as well, and off I went to work where I would encounter a rather feet-torturing 6 hours sitting in my chair occasionally getting up to stuff snacks into my face, walk my dog (he comes to work with me) and generally get things off the printer.

Long story short, as I was leaving, I stood and felt pain in both outside parts of the balls of my feet. I thought to myself "maybe I was setting my feet on the ground at a weird angle for a few hours and didn't notice" and hiked onward to the car. One short trip to Target for requisite sh*t I don't need but apparently can't live without, and my dogs are BARKIN. WTF?!

So despite not appearing to be too narrow, and when I reach down the ball of my foot isn't rolling over the "curb" of the sole, these are too narrow as far as I can tell. They felt great for a bit but d*mn, my feet hurt more now than when I hiked in my Five Ten Impacts which aren't meant for hiking.

I'm not really willing to see if either the shoe or my foot breaks into the Vasques. Does that seem reasonable to people?

Also, I have a secret….. I kind of maybe totally ordered the bright yellow Velocity 2.0 GTX. I know I know, I said no gore, but I rationalized myself into thinking they'd probably be breathable enough, would be better in winter, blah blah blah. I can say they felt pretty d*mn hot strolling around Austin today and it was only 84* which is positively chilly by Texas standards. D*mn. I should perhaps listen to my BPL cohorts and forego GTX. Forgive my petulance!!

I now have things narrowed to a few choices based, at least for now, on things I've read:

– Altra Lone Peak: like it's roomy anatomical cut and rugged rock plate, wondering about zero drop and grip on wet rock
– Salomon Synapse: like the "pillowy" comfort, worry about width since Salomon run narrow
– Inov-8 Roclite 315: like that it's a tad more rugged than rest, worried about width
– Inov-8 Roclite 295: like tacky soles, better for warm weather, worried about width and durability versus 315

I believe I've located a store that stocks Altra locally, so that's a start.

REI can ship me the Salomons and allow me to return them even worn, but they're the WP model that use some non-gore fabric that I'm hoping is more breathable since I'd still not mind a waterproof shoe on the off chance I can tolerate the relative breathability sacrifice. EDIT: On second thought I can use the REI return policy to try on the WP Salomons and if I like them, return them, and buy the non-WP model of the same shoe elsewhere. Must repeat to myself, "no goretex, no goretex…."

I'm hoping to find an Inov-8 dealer locally.

The saga continues and I'm not happy with any of this.

I know I'm just talking to myself at this point but perhaps someone, somewhere, in the future will read this and find value in my process….

With a bit of luck I found a place this afternoon that did in fact stock the Altra Lone Peak, and even in my size 13! After trying them on I was sold. The toe box is, as others have said, exceptionally roomy and comfortable. They breath very well, aren't overly stiff (at least to me and I'm 230lbs), but offer rock protection in a package that is as close to my original statement that if my Nike Free's came in a rugged package I would be all over them. Well these are those shoes! In addition to the shoes I picked up some Smart Feet orange inserts to lend just a tad bit of support and comfort. Additionally they will hopefully hold less water than the stock inserts which I can confirm, look like sponges just waiting to stay super wet.

One thing to note: the heel pocket isn't super well defined. I have pretty smooth low volume heels which lift out of just about every shoe ever and these are no exception. That said, the heel's collar material is quite soft and low so I expect no issues with rubbing. Plus by lacing the shoes through the very last set of laces I can definitely achieve a fairly ankle-grabbing fit. I might try thinner socks as well, we'll see.

And hey, to top it all off I actually love the look of these shoes enough that I would wear them around just in general! Nevermind that the room to literally stretch my toes as much as I can without running into any restriction feels amazing. I'm stoked and frankly even if these prove not great for the trail (unlikely) I'll definitely wear them around as casual shoes. What's one more pair (I'm a sneaker addict and have close to 20 pairs of shoes in rotation at any given time).

glad you found a pair you like :) one caution-go slowly w/ 0 drop shoes unless you've already used them a bunch, it takes some conditioning to get used to 0 drop shoes

I think I'm actually fairly well prepared already. Not through any regiment of running in them (which I don't plan on doing, running, that is) but rather by virtue of my usual casual footwear. I was surprised how much the Altra's felt like my well-worn pair of Chuck Taylor converser low tops. Interestingly, when I was walking around in the Vasques I thought the heel was too high which, in hindsight, probably contributed to more strain on the ball of my foot (shifted weight forward). All that anecdotal stuff aside, I've spent a lot of time mountain biking on flat (not clipless) pedals with flat shoes which has made my feet and calves pretty strong.

Just one quick thing I've noticed: the widely spaced eyelets (the distance between two corresponding eyelets across the tongue) really allows you to dial in the fit. I was just walking the dog and noticed some forward sliding which I eliminated by tapering the tension from tightest closest to the toe, and progressively looser to the mid foot, and tight again by the ankle. I'm super excited to get these onto the trail now!