Sneakers/boots etc

imported
#1

Greetings, I am looking for some suggestions (and locations to find those suggestions) regarding footwear.

Like many of us older folks I grew up hiking in heavy (by todays standards) leather boots. I am fully aware of how much extra work this requires, though I do remember that we still managed to cover 20 miles a day back then while carrying heavy packs (again by today’s standards).

My problem is that I have tried a variety of lighter boots and sneakers and cannot find anything that I can hike in long term that does not cause me significant pain in my feet. I have some boots now that weigh in at approximately 2lbs (each) that work quite well and I can hike in them for long periods. Every shoe I have tried that is lighter I always end up with a lot of foot pain.

I have tried the New Balance (these really suck), some of the heavier Salomon trail running shoes, Nike cross trainers and a Hi-Tek version of a walking shoe. But none have worked for me. The location of the pain I get is in the ball of the foot and is normally agravated by those occasions when one steps on a sharp rock in that location. The soft soles in the lighter shoes just do not seem to have the stiffness to protect my feet. I always use the SuperFeet inserts sold at places like REI to add protection and support. But hey are not enough.

Does anyone out there know of a lighter model of shoe/boot that has excellent forefoot protection. Or perhaps knkow of other models on inseerts that are much stiffer and resistent to sharp rocks.

And in case someone comes up with the idea of seeing the doctor that has already been done. The foot doctor said that the only solution he could think of was to surgically severe the nerves that are getting bruised/pinched so that there is no feeling in that part of the foot. He said this would work fine as he does this surgery often. The drawback is that you cannot walk arond in your bare feet anymore because your middle toes droop. I am not ready for that. In that case the heavy boots seem pretty nice.

Thanks for any input.

Wyoming

#2

I have exactly the same problem. I’m 160#s, like a 35# pack and rock hop. Asolo 520’s keep the feet from getting bruised but are hot for summer use. I have some NB806s which are comphy enough but no padding. Hmmm, what are we going to do?
The only thing that comes to mind is one of the mid-weight breathable hikers like this;

http://www.rei.com/product/47776063.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_FOOTWEAR_TOC

Pretty much all the weight of our boots is in the sole, which is like a car tire. The mids have a thicher foam tread that may do it for you.
My wife has a messed up foot ball from an injury and its not the normal shape, just round so all the weight is on it. She got a custom orthotic that has a pad in the middle to spread out the load and reshape the ball correctly. This does work for here when carrying a pack. Perhaps finding a podiatrist that will work with you? Her insert wasn’t very expensive and also our health insurance paid for it!
One guy we thru hiked with somehow manages to walk around rocks. I tried to alter my foot placement but old habits are hard to break. My last thought is just go with a running shoe, not a trail runner. I’ve used Brooks Beasts for more than twenty years on daily runs and never had a sore foot. You’re going to loose the tread grip but also loose the weight and maybe keep the padding. Dunno.

Bushwhack

#3

I put about three hundred miles on a pair of Montrail Java GTX. They worked out ok and they are well made. Although my leather boots still see a fair amount of use. Don’t have any suggestions on inserts or other orthotics since I’ve never needed them.

Black Toe Bob

#4

I also started hiking, years ago, in heavy leather boots carrying pig packs. I’ve been working on the transition to lighter footwear by hiking in sneakers, etc., this summer and fall. I tried the New Balance, which worked well but lacked in treads. I finally settled (so far) on the Dunham 905 Nimble trail shoe. They come in numerous widths up to 4E, which I need, and have a beefy tread, which gives me better support in the footbed and better grip on the trail. And they stick like glue to rock slabs. I weigh about 220 lbs and am 6’2", so I need something substantial on my feet. These shoes are working for me so far. I know boot/shoes are a very personal and tricky piece of gear … good luck to you, Wyo.

Tyger

#5

Two pounds each isn’t extremely heavy if that’s what works for you. Maybe your foot just needs the extra support of a boot. If lighter shoes cause you pain and the boots don’t, why don’t you just keep doing what works?

(I know, this is heresy for the lightweighters, but…)

Jeff

#6

Garmont Nagevis come to mind, but there are plenty that could work. An easy way to judge the stiffness you’re looking for is to grab the heel and toe of the shoe and try to twist it. You’re looking for a shoe that is hard to get to twist, not something like a basketball shoe you can twist almost in a full circle. As usual, it’s best to get your shoe fit at a good backpacking oriented outfitter, like those along the AT (except the one in Kent, CT :wink: .) Have fun!

Skittles

#7

Like Tyger I’m also 6’2" and 220lbs. I have tried the light sneaker type trail shoes and love them for short hikes and easy trail beds. Two summers ago I hiked the summer solstice presidential traverse in the White Mountains of NH using New Balance trail shoes. By the end it felt like someone was beating on my feet with a cane. I just retired a pair of Lowa Renegades that I found gave excellent protection for the bottom of my feet. I recently purchased some Merrills that are confortable but have not hiked enough in them to give a complete review. Years ago I purchased a pair of light weight EMS leather hiking boots that were amazing. They no longer sell them and I do not know who made them for EMS. I still hang onto them hoping that someday I will have them resoled as the uppers are still in good shape. I think you can have light weight material for the uppers but if you are having trouble with the bottom of your foot you may want to stick with a boot with a stiffer sole.

Big B

#8

Big B - I think that I currently use exactly the same boot. I really do like these and they work fine. I thank everyone for the suggestions and alternate makes/models. I will viist a few stores looking for them to try on and weigh. As Jeff said why not stay with what works. This is surely what I will do if I cannot find an alternate that works as well and is lighter.

Bushwack - As you mentioned, I have actually had the orthotics like your wifes. Ended up with blisters on the ball of the foot and/or soreness that was compareable to the other foot pain I get. Threw them away. But I was trying to hike long distances in them and maybe they just won’t work for that.

Thanks

Wyoming

#9

I’ve had similar foot problems and have experimented with various types of shoes. So far, the Asolo mid weight boots seem best. Good sole protection and reasonable weight. Can’t remember the models - but both pairs I’ve used were recommeded in either Backbacker or Outside. The first - Asolo GT Fusion(?)- only drawback was the thinness of the tread. They wore down much quicker than expected - but I still got 500+ miles of Sierra rocks out of them.

Booger

#10

I do not understand why you keep with the superfeet? I would try something different there. It may be that they have too much arch for your foot and are pushing your foot forward. I wear LLbean crest hikers and love them> I do not know the weight but they seem light to me. They are boots.

brown bear

#11

I’d keep what works for you right now. After a few hundred miles on the trail you may choose to/need to switch to a different type of shoe or boot.

I want to echo the suggestion made by Skittles. The Garmont Nagevi is a great shoe and worked well for me on the trail. It has a stiffer sole than most shoes out there and will handle most terrain very well. The PA rocks made me wish for my old Vasque SuperHiker IIs, but I made it through.

Dharma