My old blue Flyroc 310s are finally shot and I need a new shoe. I've been running in Trail Gloves for the past couple years and have tried hiking in them but my feet get sore in them over 8 miles while carrying a pack. I've also tried a pair of Montrail trail runners (Rock Rigde I think) and they were too stiff and all the padding absorbed a ton a water and took forever to dry. I then tried a pair of Merrell Mix Masters but the lack of rock plate made me feet starting hurting after about 10 miles. After trying all three of those shoes I've just been hiking in my Flyrocs because I can do 25 miles in them without my feet bruising and they dry fast after I splash through a creek. They've also been very, very durable. I got them in 2008 and probably have over 1000 miles on them. But they're missing a few lugs and the tread is pretty worn down so they don't have the traction they used to.
I'm looking for a shoe with 4mm-9mm of drop (if its on the lower end I'd need a rock plate), quick drying, good traction on rocky ground, and durable. I know my Flyrocs were an anomaly and I'll probably never get 6 years out of a trail runner again but a few years would be nice. It seem like most lightweight shoes have a bad track record of upper durability. I've looked at NB 1010's, Altra Superiors, and my Mix Masters and they have reports of the uppers tearing within a year.
At the top of the list for me are Inov-8 Trailroc 255's or 245's. There's also the NB 1010v2's which have a revised upper. And I want to like the Altra Superiors but the reviews give me pause. Anyone have long term experience or used any of these shoes for 25+ mile days with a pack? Are there any other shoes I should consider?
Adam
