Trail Runners? - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

Anyone have a recommendation for good trail runners for long distance hiking? Looking to spend under $100 for a pair around 12 ounces or under. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

Mike

_TrailHead _

#2

On the AT, I used the Montrail Vittesse. I didn’t love them and it was my only hike with ankle and shin injuries. It was just too much boot for my needs. I wore SuperFeet insoles but I doubt that I needed them. I cannot recall the price tag on the shoe. They were too heavy but they were solid and sturdy. I used 3 pairs for the entire thru hike.

On the PCT, I used the New Balance 905’s. These shoes are great; they felt just like a sneaker. They were $60/pair. When I added footbeds they were about 14 ounces in weight. They lasted well, I think I used 5 pairs for the hike.

On the CDT, I used the New Balance MT 101’s. I loved this shoe. With SuperFeet, the shoe was around 10 oz. and I got affiliated with New Balance’s ProFit program so the price was around $40 a pair. Sadly, the shoes would fall apart after 325 miles, without fail. Because they were very minimalist shoes, I carried a second type of footbed that I would switch out when my soles got achey. I used 9 pairs for the hike.

The best shoe is the best fit shoe. Spend the time to find comfortable footwear and, if it comes to it, spend the money too. You know that platitude about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes? Find a shoe store with a lot of square footage, and use it. Some people love to switch their shoe models as they hike. Some people don’t buy in bulk ahead of time because their feet swell, or perhaps just for increased flexibility (plan flexibility, not shoe flexibility). Do what works for you. Happy hiking!

jewel thief

#3

For most of the AT and about a thousand miles per year of hiking around home, I’ve been using New Balance 475s. They are the cheapest made-in-America shoes I’ve seen —$45-60 in discount stores. They have a pretty good sole for gripping rocks and have lasted 500 miles o so (I’m not very heavy but carry too heavy a pack). I’m into comfort for my feet, s I get them 1.5 sizes larger than my dress shoes and extra wide. Then I use a good quality cushion insole (haven’t tried SuperFeet yet) and heavy socks. Works for me, but you’ll have to try it out for yourself.

Rosy eagle

#4

Maybe it was because I had been a marathon runner for 30 years before my AT thruhike and my feet were beat up to begin with. I started my hike with NB running shoes, not trail runners and without Superfeet. The bottoms of my feet hurt from the rocks. The shoe just did not have enough sole and I felt every rock. Running shoes are built to flex a lot in the sole caue that’s what a runner needs. I do not think a hiker wants a shoe that has a lot of flex in the sole.I switched to a Garmont low cut hiking shoe. No heavier than the NB and it had a platic sheath in the sole. I also added Superfeet. It was a drastic improvement. The rocks no longer bothered me at all. Maybe had I used Superfeet in the NB shoe, or selected a trailrunner version that may have made a difference. I also noticed the vibram sole on the hiking shoe really helped on slippery rocks. The important thing is find out what works for you.

Steady On

#5

My 2 cents:

I wouldn’t stress too much about the weight. Most trail runners are within a few ounces of each other.

The main thing I would focus on is getting a good fuit. Unfortunately, every shoe company has there own little idiosyncracies when it comes to size. Even given that you are the same “size” as another person, individual differences may make one model of shoe preferable to one person and not the other.

The bottom line is that you really have to try on a bunch of shoes, take them for strenuous testing, and once you find a good fit, order a couple.

Recoomendations are probbaly better for quality/durablity and not for fit or approrpriateness for your individual feet.

jalan

#6

Put 2 different TR shoes on & walk around the store… then, pick the best & compare it to another model… unfortunately, most stores don’t have a trail to try em out on the rocks except REI where shoe prices are high.

gingerbreadman

#7

I still like Asics best, though they didn’t work out too well on the Long Trail last year: it was just too rough for TRers. Some shops like my local sports authority have coupons, like $25 for $100 purchase & the Asics are usually on sale so you can get 2 NB or Asics for $100.

inchworm plumber

#8

Agree with gingerbread man, you should definetely try them on. We all have different feet, and some trailrunners work better for high arch, some for low arch, some for wide feet, etc. Try them on with the pack weight you will be carrying if possible, it will make a big difference to feel how they carry your load. My personal favorite is the Lowa S-Crown Mesh, with the Sof Sole Airr Orthodic insole, but your feet may prefer a different fit. One comment on the Sof Soles, my hiker box was full of other brands insoles from PCT’ers who switched to the Sof Soles. BTW, I do have a rocky trail outside where hikers can try out the shoes. If you’re near mile 43 on the PCT and want more info, mail me.

Super

#9

I’ve been happy with New Balance for a couple of reasons. 1) They almost all come in 4E width that I need. 2) They’re very consistent on shoe size (9 1/2 for me) so switching model number has never been a problem. 3) They last about 500 miles per pair. Buy them a half or whole size larger than your regular shoes. Start off with a sole insert of some kind. Ditch the sole insert after a couple of weeks when your feet have toughend up and swollen up.

bowlegs

#10

I wore NB 915’s fir the first 1000 miles and they were great, lightweight, light in color and very well ventilated. I switched to Brooks Cascadias and was VERY happy with how much cushioning they provided.

Both shoes suffer from letting LOTS of dirt in. It’s a trade off between the dirt and ventilation, sometimes the dirt makes you crazy though imho.

Hee Haw

#11

In my opinion the very best insole is Sorbothane Cush N Step Insoles. I use I use them in all my footware to prevent the foot problems in the past. Be careful with Superfeet. If they don’t fit you, they can cause major foot problems.

If you can’t find them in the States try www.cave-crag.co.uk

Kea