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Hiking Shoes Vs. Trail Runners
I've always hiked in my trusty hiking shoes - specifically the goretex Hoka Anancapa Lows. I loved them for their grip on wet ground, how they protected my feet from slamming into rocks on declines, and for their comfort and cushioning.
However, a year and a half ago I took up trail running and have been running my local trails in light, roomy Topo Mtn Racer 2s, which have carried me comfortably for 12+ miles at a time. I recently bought myself a new pair of Anacapas to replace my old, falling apart pair, and when I put them on, they felt so tight and stiff to wear. I know I need to break them in, but it has got me wondering if it's time to switch to trail runners on High Peak hikes like I know so many others have.
My main two concerns are 1) foot protection on…
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Great post and question! I think this is one thing that every hiker will ultimately learn for themselves overtime. I started out hiking in a pair of high profile hiking Salomon boots. I did love them, however, as I grew faster and more agile, I eventually switched to trail runners. I've gone through several different kinds throughout the years, but I've come to find a beautiful crossbreed along the Salomon X Ultra lineup, which incorporates both boot chassis and support, while maintaining a trail runner look and feel. However, when I'm light packing and trying to go fast and far, I love my VJ MaXX running shoes. But I would never use those for backpacking. When hiking a large portion of the Appalachian Trail last year, there were many hikers using regular Hoka Speed Goats and Altra shoes. Despite the pack weight, people seem to love them. So honestly, it might all depend on your ability to handle weight on your feet. Last year I did a few hundred miles in a non-supportive trail runner shoe with a heavy backpack and I hated it. So, moral of my opinion is that trail runners are really good for lightweight backpacking. If you're doing day hiking, no more than 20 pounds on your back, then I think a trail runner could very much be a viable option for those who love the fit and feel, but if you're putting more than 20 pounds on your back, I would suggest finding a low profile hiking shoe that can still feel like a trail runner, while adding good support.