[pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?

[montypct]

Merrell Continuums

The last couple of months I've been using a pair of Merrell Continuums for 
off trail desert hiking.
They are kind of like a trail runner with a somewhat stiff Vibram sole. 
Better than regular trail runners for rock hopping and boulder scrambling.
Zero on ankle support, though, for those who need it.  Ventilated top.
I ripped some trail runner lugs climbing boulders.... not safe.
These Vibram soles are a lot more solid.

Good soles on the rocks, but they would feel a little clutzy for me on the 
PCT.

monty

Lightweight Backpacking
The fun goes up when the weight goes down
-Warner Springs Monty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JIM BANKS" <jbanks4 at socal.rr.com>
To: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?


> 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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>
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