[pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?

[Ellen Shopes]

No doubt about it, sneakers/trail runners feel more comfortable on the feet. 
If someone made a pair that had ankle support (like those old-fashioned 
basketball shoes) and a more protective sole, they'd be pervect (IMHO).  I, 
like some others I have read of, tend to get neuroma pain in the balls of my 
feet; I attribute it to the days when I pounded down the trail in my trail 
runners.  Vibram soles do give a more secure feeling, although they trash 
the terrain more.  When my time FINALLY comes next year, I'm sticking to my 
light-weight boots, and saving the sneakers for the really easy sections.
BTW, I hike in the Arizona desert all year long in the boots without 
problems...I don't think it's the boots in the heat causing the blisters, if 
you have a good boot that breathes.  And a boot will keep the sand, etc out 
of my socks, so there's less abrasion.  I can get (if I must) 3-4 days of 
hiking out of a pair of socks with the boots on...
OK, I guess more than you needed to know about me!
Ellen


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "montypct" <montypct at gmail.com>
To: "JIM BANKS" <jbanks4 at socal.rr.com>; 
<ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?


> 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.
>>