[pct-l] Trail runners vs hiking boots

[Randy Godfrey]

I feel that I should share my little piece of experience on this topic, too.

I've been slow over the years to make the transition to lightweight hiking shoes while backpacking, with worry about not having ankle support, protection from rocks etc. 10 (or 20?) years ago or so, I began doing long trips in lightweight, mid-top boots like Asolos, Merrills, and Keens, and carrying my lightweight trail runners with me to have for day side trips or just for camp shoes.

Last summer just after one 9 day trip, I said to heck with the boots and went off on another 8 day trip on the PCT, with my usual 32# load, just wearing my low-top Salomon XA3D Ultra 2 trail runners (not the Gortex model). They are fantastic! I had absolutely no foot problems. They are comfortable, stable and light. I am dealing with Plantar Faciitis, and have to wear Superfeet in all of my shoes, except for these Salomons. 

My girlfriend, who does these same trips with me, wears only her Vibram 5 Finger shoes, taking along a light pair of flip-flops for camp shoes. She began running in these minimalist/barefoot style running shoes a few years ago. That alone has corrected the foot pain that she was experiencing while running in standard cushioned running shoes.

As others have said here, I agree that our feet are meant to walk and hike in lighter more flexible shoes. Human feet seem to become stronger and more healthy in the long run by having to conform to irregularities, stretching, moving and adapting to the earth we walk on and not being protected, cushioned and separated from it. 

People have different and individual needs for their feet. What works for us, obviously won't work for everyone. But, if you're hesitating to take the leap to trail runners, you might want to give it a shot. I'm very sold on it.

Randy



________________________________
 From: Douglas Tow <douglastow at gmail.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 10:55 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Trail runners vs hiking boots
 
Good morning!

I used my ASIC trail runners for two section-hiking seasons, and my feet
got pretty beat up, particularly blistering on the balls of my feet.  I am
trying out Merill Moab Mid Ventilators, which only come in 5 ounces heavier
per shoe than my trail runners (I wear a size 15 to hike).  Word of
caution:  The Merill Moab comes in a waterproof version, too, which I
rejected for lack of ventilation and problematic use through forded streams.

Chipmunk
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