Shoe Recommendations

My go-to hiking shoe (and around town shoe) for years now has been the Merrell Moab 2, low-cut, non-Goretex version.  I find the sole stiffness just right – not extra work to walk in but stiff enough so my feet don’t get beat up on rocks and roots on a high-mileage day.

I used to wait for Sierra Trading Post to have something in my size on sale, but now Amazon has them all the time, in multiple sizes and colors, for $60 with free Prime shipping.

My wife also loved the Montrail AT Plus and the Montrail Hardock before that. It was a sad day when they were discontinued! Since those are no longer available she has had good luck with:

Salomon XA Comp 3D

Hoka Speedgoat

TOPO Mountain Racer 2
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Whenever I need a new style shoe I order about 6 different models from Zappos and wear them around the house for a few days then return the ones that aren’t comfortable.</p>

I have run though a lot of pairs of Altra (mostly Superior model) which I was mostly happy with. I was dissatisfied with durability: most needed to be replaced after 300-400 miles. I am currently trying  Inov-8 TrailFly G G270 which used to be called the TerraUltra G 270. Zero drop trail running shoe that is a good amount of cushion and a 12mm stack. Great fit for me: enough room for my toes to splay while gripping my heel perfectly. I don’t have enough miles to determine if the graphene infused soles are any more durable than typical trail runners, but a 300 miles they are in better shape that the Altras.  Milage is going on them slowly… I have taken to doing most of day to day and trips in Luna sandals which I get >1500 miles before I retire them.

Long time Brooks Cascadia fan. They fit me well and the moderate drop seems to help me avoid plantar fasciitis issues. I like the rock plate (keeps my feet from getting sore from pokey things). They dry quickly (non goretex). Some earlier versions had horrible durability issues on the uppers but the last few versions have been great for me. I use them with blue Superfeet insoles.

edit: You said fall through spring. I backpack spring through fall. I have near-zero experience in the cold.

Why Superfeet? Why blue?

Shoe discussions always brings out the favorites of each person. In this day and age large numbers of people don’t live near a brick and mortar store that carries a large inventory so they can be tried out in the store. Fit is the most important factor, of course. I have shoes from size 11 to 12 that fit right. A lot of variance between brands and even variance between models of a single manufacturer.

I have been using the Salomon XA Pro 3D since 2008. The still sell them, which is highly unusual in the running shoe market. I have tried my other shoes, which just wear out too soon, and I keep coming back to the Salomon. They aren’t the lightest, but I have never had a failure and replace them when the soles are worn smooth. YMMV.

Here’s a review I wrote about 5 years ago. Since then, I’ve pretty much quit using cross country racing flats and use the Solomons about 90% of the time.

http://popupbackpacker.com/long-term-10-year-product-review-salomon-xa-pro-3d-trail-running-shoes/

Why Superfeet?

Superfeet because I was having some foot pain years ago and someone suggested them.

Why blue?

I’m not sure how I landed on that color.

I have multiple pairs of shoes and only a couple sets of Superfeet. I occasionally use stock insoles because I’m too lazy to swap and I always regret it.

Khombu men’s trail shoe $36.99 at Costco works for me.

In the 1970s I used to buy expensive shoes (e.g Raichle).  They would typically delaminate in about a year.  I’m hard on shoes.

Been buying inexpensive shoes for 40+ years.  No problem.

I was a fan of Montrail trail runners, but quality really went downhill after being bought by Columbia.  One of my favorite Montrail features was the rockplate.  Brooks Cascadia are one of the few to still have this feature (and have a size 15!)  The Cascadia have been a good shoe for me hiking the Adirondacks, Grand Canyon, and throughout the Sierra Nevada.  I’ve been on and off trail up to 45lbs.  Solid.

Daryl, how wide of a toe box is on those Khombus? I assume you’re getting the trail hikers? these could be great for me on local trails….

wait, the trail shoe on amazon is beefy; the same “trail shoe” at Costco is like a sneaker. ????

js scott,

The  Khombu men’s trail shoe $36.99 at Costco (on-line) I got is the same width as my New Balance D width.  The Khombu shoes in the store were different.  Much less tread.

With all shoes I buy a size larger than my actual size.  Works for me.

Found these K-Swiss hiking boots at a thrift store, and they lasted me longer than I expected. They worked well, especially when I had to hike around and through a couple of hills. I’m still surprised that the inside didn’t get wet when my group encountered several brooks we had to cross.

With my feet, I still needed to buy extra insoles. It helped a lot with the different terrain.