for 3 season backpacking/hiking, what kind of footwear do you use?
i've been using trail runners for the past few years after turning my ankle in mid and full hiking boots several years ago.......i didnt get the support you would think you'd get from a boot, quite the opposite effect
i still have a pair of mid boots that ill use in mud or for yard work
going to try out normal "tennis shoes", like the asics i run in on some trails this season for even less weight
any of you guys use regular tennis or running shoes?
my typical 3 season day hike distance is anywehre from 10-20 miles when i have the whole day
for overnight/backpacking, it can easily be a total of 30-50 over 2 days
EDIT : typical pack weight for overnights (with bivy sack/tent), iclduing food and water is jsut aobut 20lbs
I have been wearing the Adidas Vigor trail shoes. Love them. More comfortable than any boot Ive ever worn. But can get cold when the temp drops for sure. I lve in tehmiddle of a huge trail system so Im out damn near every day when its warm... love these shoes.
I do mine in big beautiful trespass boots. Cheap, comfy and durable. Irish landscape can be a bit more wet or sharper in the burren so the extra protection is nice. Hadn't considered lighter stuff. Might try in next dry/straightforward trail.
Skeletor68 - I do mine in big beautiful trespass boots. Cheap, comfy and durable. Irish landscape can be a bit more wet or sharper in the burren so the extra protection is nice. Hadn't considered lighter stuff. Might try in next dry/straightforward trail.
what kind of distance do you normally cover? i wouldnt mind tresspasses for winter/snow stuff, but they would be too much weight on my feet for what i do
they certainly will protect your feet against rocks and such, but ive found that after a few miles, my legs get worn out with the weight and my footing becomes more sloppy, basically canceling out the protective effects of a big boot....i do have chicken legs as weell though
Skeletor68 - I do mine in big beautiful trespass boots. Cheap, comfy and durable. Irish landscape can be a bit more wet or sharper in the burren so the extra protection is nice. Hadn't considered lighter stuff. Might try in next dry/straightforward trail.
an interesting aside... The Brogue shoe was used by the Irish and Scottish as a country walking shoe.
The perforations in the shoe was so that the shoe would drain easily when walking through the wet landscape...
I used to use more traditional hiking boots like those from Lowa and Vasque.
Now, I typically just end up using my Timberland steel toe construction boots. Decent ankle and foot support, insulated and waterproof, toe protected. I'll add some gaiters and I'm good to go.
Angle 5 - I used to use more traditional hiking boots like those from Lowa and Vasque.
Now, I typically just end up using my Timberland steel toe construction boots. Decent ankle and foot support, insulated and waterproof, toe protected. I'll add some gaiters and I'm good to go.
I don't run though, just a slow to moderate hike.
i dont do much, if any, trail running either, will start a bit this season though
but i am referring to using trail/sneakers for hiking/backpacking/walking trails
side note, i got reprimanded by the lady at the local REI shoe dept for testing out trail runners on that little rock thing they have
"you know those are trial runners right?" (sarcastic tone)
I put a pair of these on back in '06 after exiting the 100-mile wilderness in Maine, headed SOBO for my thru-hike of the AT. I have not put on another pair of shoes for hiking since.
I wear these as well. not a serious hiker but do 5-10 mile treks on most weekends spring through fall, nothing seriously difficult, I often wear them as daily shoes
Angle 5 - I used to use more traditional hiking boots like those from Lowa and Vasque.
Now, I typically just end up using my Timberland steel toe construction boots. Decent ankle and foot support, insulated and waterproof, toe protected. I'll add some gaiters and I'm good to go.
I don't run though, just a slow to moderate hike.
i dont do much, if any, trail running either, will start a bit this season though
but i am referring to using trail/sneakers for hiking/backpacking/walking trails
side note, i got reprimanded by the lady at the local REI shoe dept for testing out trail runners on that little rock thing they have
"you know those are trial runners right?" (sarcastic tone)
If you're carrying a load of any weight, I think it preferable to just go with a heavier hiking boot/shoe.
And if the terrain is variable, a hiking boot/shoe is still better IMO as I think it better protects your feet against the elements and terrain.
I do have a pair of the 1st gen New Balance Minimus trail shoes. They are good for hiking, especially on paths and singletrack bike trails, during the summer. You might not even need socks. Anything more than that, and I prefer boots.
I prefer low top trail shoes for most hikes. I find that the heavy ankle support of boots restricts my mobility and is more likely to make me fall if the trail gets rough and there's some scrambling needed. The one good thing I find about serious boots is the thicker sole which helps a lot when the ground is very rocky, as in big jagged rocks. I hiked an area where the trail went from jagged rocks to lots of roots and thick fallen branches and stuff, and I started feeling the trail through the thinner softer soles of the trail shoes after about 1/2 hour. But that I think is something that your body can adjust to if you ease into it and the feet develops more pain tolerance, whereas the restricted mobility of the ankles inside a boot isn't something that the body adjusts to.
