For those that are wearing the NB 1210s, do you ordinarily wear a neutral shoe, or do you require some level of pronation control? I normally wear a neutral shoe, and I'm wondering if these are an option for me? Thanks!
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Soft and squishy shoes for backpacking?
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yes, they are a neutral shoe. I think I saw them once as a motion control, but I would disagree with that. I have super high arches and super stiff feet and I go crazy in any kind of motion control shoe – i want cushion or bare ground (the last thing I need is something pushing me even more into supination).
I run in neutrals and these are very nice for me.
Hoka already made a boot, unfortunately it was not promoted in America. It's named the "Hubble". I ordered these from Europe years ago but they are waterproof so not suitable for hot weather.
Those new Hokas look like Meindl climbing boots on acid..
Uberkool.
Just took delivery of some Hoka Stinson ATR’s. I’ll try them in the morning. Hope they’ll help me shake this pain in my left foot.
OK this is crazy, & tell me to "nevermind" this post if too distracting, Kodiak. I have problem feet like H. Jim. I suspect arthritis (am 66) on the side of the ball of big toe (but I don't need a diagnosis–will accept cause doesn't matter, whether toe ligaments or from holding shoulders too tense, just treat the pain.) Boot/shoe search endless. Daily trudge is on crushed rock, so really need a stout rock plate. Like H. Jim I recently went back to "leather leg killers" for this, and foot comfort so nice toting those Scarpa anchors. But here's what happened yesterday messing around after reading this thread.
The main pain is when I roll to the side of the big toe…"big-toe/little-toe" motion in skiing. I was testing and feeling this even in the soft and squishy crocs I wear in the house. Taking them off and standing barefoot on the hardwood floor, I did the same tilt. Nothing! My leather scarpas have thin insoles and are extremely hard.
Is there a school of thought…or ailment…or anyone out there that says the says relief comes from a nice hard surface that permits little stretching of toe joints? Counter-intuitively? I could seek an appointment with the podiatrist but the waiting time for them at Kaiser, my HMO, is on the order of decades, so my next purchase might as well include your shot-in-the-dark as my own.
Hi there, you have my sympathy. I'm using zero drop shoes vivo barefoot which are lovely light and cushiony which I wear drymax thingy thin socks inside and the really weird five toe shoes which I wear with injinji five toed socks. These latter take a bit of getting used to but they deal with back, ankle, knee and hip problems once you've worn yourself in to them. I have a pretty lightweight pack all in but these shoes have made a huge difference, I wouldn't go back to boots! I have also used keen walking sandals very nice.
So I took my Hoka Stinson ATR’s out for a spin this morning. Dreamy cush. They seem to help with the foot pain. I have an old childhood injury in my left foot that makes it hard for me to walk straight over my foot. With the cushy Hokas, I can walk a little straighter, taking the pressure (I think this is what’s happening anyway) off the outside of my left foot (where the pain is).
The Hokas are “tall”, and I can see how one might risk ankle injury on sketchy trails or off trail. I may use mine around town until I get used to them and see.
I agree with Lizz that ditching “leather leg killers” is the #1 best thing I’ve learned from UL backpacking. If you want to lighten up anywhere, try to do it in your footwear. When I wear heavier boots, I’m tired at the end of the day in a way that I’m not when I wear trail runners. When I did my PCT section hike, everyone, almost to a man, was wearing trail runners, and that was in the snow over the passes.
Begrudgingly, I’ll be wearing mid-weight boots until I get used to the Hokas. We’ll see.
So, it is probably BPL blasphemy to mention this, but last summer I discovered Salomon Authentics, that look like a mid hiking boot, but are much more 'squishy.' They are ideal with my wide forefeet and narrow heels (with an orthotic to stabilize the heels a bit and eat up some of the volume in the heel pocket.) They have the usual ('squishy'?) EVA midsoles, like Keens and some other mids, but are much more durable, yet soft and flexible, if not exactly 'squishy.' They run about a half size shorter than the labeled size and are about the same weight as Keen Targhees, or a bit over two pounds for a pair.
Since you mentioned looking for an alternative to stiff hiking boots, it might be worth trying on a pair. If treated, they will keep your feet a lot dryer than low-sided trail shoes. One small niggle is that I wasn't totally pleased with the amount of traction from the Salomon 'Contagrip' soles on a hike over wet rocky slabs on the steep open ledges near the top of Mount Chocorua in the early Fall. Time will tell if the problem was the soles or just unusually slippery rocks.
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