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 sharp, rugged, rocky trails and 2) cushioning and support while carrying a heavier pack over longer periods of time. What do you think - are trail runners worth the hype or do you still love your hiking boots/shoes?
I have tried many different shoes over the past few years and have had a difficult time finding the right fit and feel. REI was getting tired of me walking through the door with a box of shoes:) I finally settled on a Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Hiking boots. They give me the ankle support I feel I need and are lightweight enough. They are comfortable and keep my feet dry. Salomon recently released their Ultra 5 line low hiking shoe which may be the next purchase. I feel like a trail running shoe wouldnt hold up in the ADK.