Sorry, I periodically lose track of this discussion, but can anyone please tell me if there is any current favorite PCT-type shoe. I have had luck with New Balance, but would appreciate any other views. Many thanks.
Trail Bum
Shoes (yes, again)
system
#2
Trail Bum -
Look into the Inov8 shoes. I’v never used them on anything like the PCT, but on the Long Trail this summer - they were AMAZING. Very light and flexible.
Right now, my pair has 300+ miles on them, and if I had to guess I’d say that I could get another 300 out of themm EASY.
The only negative thing I would have to say about the shoe is its ability to get wet. They dampen pretty quickly in rain. At the same time - when thw weather clears, the shoes dry VERY, VERY quickly. There were days in VT when I stepped in knee-high mud puddles and my shoes were dry within two hours.
Oh - and they won’t break your bank either. The Roclites (which I used) cost about 90$ a pair. I’ve seen other models (like the Fightroc?) go for as little as 60$. Hope this helps! 
Low Impact
system
#3
Low Impact: Your suggestion helps a lot. Yes, yes, I had forgotten all about the Inov8 shoes and will today check 'round the San Francisco area for a retailer (REI I think). Incidentally, Scott Williamson, the guy who did the first and second Yo-Yo of the PCT is an avid enthusiast of Inov8 shoes; that’s where I first heard of them at a slide show by Scott. Thanks again.
Trail Bum
system
#4
Sweet deal Trail Bum. Glad I could help. Another side note: Squeaky, who Triple Crowned in a single calender year is also a big fan of the Inov8 brand.
Low Impact
system
#5
Sweet deal Trail Bum. Glad I could help. Another side note: Squeaky, who Triple Crowned in a single calender year is also a big fan of the Inov8 brand.
Low Impact
system
#6
Don’t know if they still sell them. but I hiked about 300 miles on the PCT this year wearing them and loved 'em. The wide toe box rocked for me since I’m prone to blisters.
Squatch
system
#7
Squatch – thanks for suggestion. Yes, Mantra shoes are still made; website shows them (http://www.vasque.com/products/m-mantra.cfm). I’m going to buy a pair and live in 'um for a while to see if they like me.
Trail Bum
system
#9
I agree with yappy - I used the Montrail Hard Rocks for my JMT hike this past summer and simply loved them. They are very durable and comfortable to wear. I have a wide foot and that rules out many shoes (Inov8 please take note we all don’t have normal feet!). I like the sizing of the New Balance 907’s - but they cannot stand up to the rock pounding of the Sierra’s. I talked to several PCT’ers that initially started out in the 907’s and switched to the Hard Rocks for the Sierra’s. The Hard Rock’s provide better support IMO than the 907’s. Montrail finally made a wide version of the Hard Rock’s for the minority of people with wide feet. Their size is 3E where the 907’s are 4E.
OregonBeerMan
system
#10
I used the HR’s from Etna, Ca to the Canadian border. I problaby wore the shoes for too long because my feet hurt for a month and a half after I stopped hiking. If you plan on using superfeet, be aware that they will make you heel rise a little higher in the shoe. I got blisters while wearing them from Etna,CA to Ashland, OR. I blame the blisters on the superfeet. The superfeet raised my heel just enough to cause rubbing on the sensative cradle area of my heel (on the sides of my achilles tendon). I bounced the superfeet in Ashland and POOF! my blisters disapeared. I now wear the superfeet everyday in the same pair of HR’s. I can bear the volume displacement now that my feet have reduced their swelling. I would suggest picking up some superglue to reattach any loose flapping luggs/tread that might come loose on the trail. I noticed alot of people that had HR’s had loose luggs/flapping tread. Another featue I liked about this shoes is its tendency to keep your feet relatively warm in the cold and cool in the heat. I think montrail should offer the HR’s in a velcro shoe to quicken up take-off and put-on time and effort. I must have put my shoes on and off at least 4-5 time a day. That got old for me really quick.
Spigot
system
#11
I’m of the opinion that there is no perfect shoe because everybody has different feet. So find something that works for you. I’ll give you my thoughts on the different shoes that I wore while hiking on the PCT last year (only 2000 miles).
Saloman XA trainers (400 miles) - a cheaper version of the XA comps. I had no problems with these until my feet swelled. I gained 1.5-2 sizes while thru-hiking. This was the only time that I had blister problems on the trail and it wasn’t until after Big Bear (265 miles) that I realized my feet were swelling. Foot swelling is an important thing to pay attention to on the trail. Did not wear these out, but replaced because they were too small.
Saloman XA Pro (700 miles) - Very, very comfortable shoe. Speed lacing works great. The only thing I didn’t like about them was that the sole wasn’t stiff enough when walking over rocky terrain leading to some foot pain. Only shoe that I wore out on the trail.
Montrail CDT (250 miles) - These have a very stiff sole and are great for walking on a rocky trail. Overall the shoe is very stiff and not as comfortable as the rest that I wore. Other hikers tended to love or hate Montrails in general. I think it just depends on if you’re feet are a correct match for the shoe. I’m still not sure if I like these or not, but I sent them home early.
Nike Air Steen (400 miles) - Found these in a hiker box, but they were one size too big. Not sure if that’s why they were uncomfortable but my feet started hurting after 2 weeks. They looked like a really good shoe. Didn’t show much wear after 400 miles.
Inov8 315’s (200 miles) - Very comfortable and a good stiff sole for walking on rocky trails. My feet felt the best in these at the end of the day. These were by far my favorite shoe.
I also started wearing insoles during the trip and I preferred them. My feet felt better at the end of the day. But not all insoles are the same. Find something that works for you.
Abacus
system
#12
I use New Balance mainly because they have three widths available. Their EE width is perfect for me. (Montrails are all way too narrow for me.) I started with 807s on the PCT and loved them, went through four pair. I used 809s and 810s on the CDT, did not like 809, but the 810 is my favorite so far. They’ve all been good for no more than 600 miles. I will use 810s on the AT in '08.
garlic