[pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?

[JIM BANKS]

Ned, from my perspective:  I use to use trail runners and I loved them for 
all the reasons that have been mentioned.  However, the last couple of years 
I have had to switch back to more traditional (but lightweight) hiking boots 
because I keep having problems with the bottom of my feet, in particular on 
the ball of my foot, when I use trail runners because the soles are just not 
stiff enough to protect the bottom of my feet.  I have tried many different 
brands, but none that I have found have soles that are stiff enough.  Yes I 
know most people will say that that is an advantage of trail runners over 
boots and I use to agree, but not if it hurts your feet.   If I am hiking on 
sandy/dirt trails, then the trail runners are still ok, but if I am on a 
trail with lots of rocks, bedrock with exposed edges, or, as was the case in 
the fall of 2007 on the Southern AT, covered with acorns (which made it feel 
like I was hiking on ball bearings), I have to go with the boots.   In 
summary, if the trail runners work for you, then go for it, but be advised 
that they just don't work for everyone in every trail condition.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
To: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>; 
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?


> Ok.  It seems evident that trail runners are highly spoken of and their
> negatives are either not talked about or lived with.
>
> What I want to know is what are those negatives? All I've heard of is wet
> and/or cold feet for days. You mean the following don't occur with these
> shoes and no one has ever had an injury or had to leave the trail because 
> of
> shoe problems?
>
> Slip and Falls
> Frostbite
> too many rocks in the shoes
> Plantar Fasciitis
> Achilles Tendonitis
> ripped or torn uppers
> sole separations/delaminations
> Sprained/Strained Ankles/Tendons
> jammed toes from soft uppers
> numerous blisters from too roomy a shoe
>
> Just curious....
>
> Mtnned
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 4:34 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Running Shoes
>
>
>>
>> On Feb 20, 2009, at 2:57 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>>
>>> For those hikers who have used trail running shoes, for how much of
>>> the
>>> hike are they feasible (with respect to snow/slush and days of
>>> unrelenting rain)?
>>
>> They are feasible for the entire trail.
>>>
>>> BACKGROUND: I am highly susceptible to back-of-heal blisters and have
>>> found trail running shoes to be my fair weather hiking salvation.
>>
>> The weather on the trail will be fair almost all the time. You should
>> wear shoes that do not cause you physical harm and that includes
>> shoes that do not force your feet and body to walk in unnatural ways,
>> which is what overly stiff, overly protective shoes can do.
>>
>> Personally, I could not fathom hiking in rock-hard, frozen solid,
>> wet, leather boots. What could be worse? If your trail runners get
>> wet you leave them in the sun for a few hours and they're dry.
>>
>> Enjoy your trail runners.
>>
>>
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>
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