davidf wrote:Nothing wrong with runners, only boots i own are for crampons. Get whats fits as no.1. No.2 is what are you doing lots of scrambling a tight fit ànd a more flexible sole, lots of flat lòoser and stoiffer. More weight stiffer.^
headwerkn wrote:1. I err towards them, especially as I’m more often doing trail runs or ‘fast hiking’ than a traditional hike these days.
2. I don’t think so, really comes down to personal preference, your own foot mechanics and the kinds of trails you’re walking/running. I’m a pretty heavy guy (usually not far off 90kg) and used to run in Inov8s almost exclusively which barely weighed 200gm a side, lots of sole flex... great in mud, sand and soft surfaces but eventually started causing me grief with plantar fasciitis on rock and hard pack. Most of my lanky runner friends use Salomons almost exclusively, which traditionally have been a somewhat heavier option.
3. For running, yes, they’ve usually given their best within 500-800km, though we’re talking about the foam and cushioning in the soles.... how the outers hold up is really dependent on what you put them through, and of course the build of the shoe itself. I put a good 700km on my Inov8 X-talons - a very lightweight shoe - before retiring them, and while they were well worn they hadn’t holed or were damaged as such. My current go-tos - Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultras - have 350km on them, about a year old - and are still in great nick... I’ll be using them for the Cradle Ultra, don’t see the point in buying a fresh pair yet. Old-school Salomons (Sense, Speed) have more of a leatherette type upper which is very hard wearing.
4. For running, I find the lack of a rock plate or hard mid-sole protection can cause issues on rocky hard pack. For walking, it’s less of an issue. That said I find the lack of flex in Scarpas et. al. more fatiguing over the course of a day. Most toe issues generally come from trying to run downhill on technical descents when you’re really slamming into the front of your shoes... have never really noticed as issue when walking.
5. Yes and no. Certain brands definitely are cheaper than others... Inov8 are well priced, low $100s generally and I once got a pair of Terraclaws on sale for $50. Saucony Pedigrines are pushing $200, and most Salomons are north of that. Sense Ultras retail for $270, which is a lot thought street price is a bit less. Coming primarily from a running POV where all I care about is what keeps the niggles and issues at bay so I can still do the next race, price quickly becomes irreverent.
Probably the best aspect of trail shoes is that, unlike boots, is that you have lots of options for heel offset, sole flex, foot box width and so forth... often within a single brand’s range. The trick is to figure out what actually works for you best... often that just comes down to trial and error!
Mark F wrote:Be a bit careful of mesh - it has good and bad sides.
Good - free draining and cool for trips with river/creek crossings.
Bad - if too open then grit and sand enters the shoe. Best not used for very sandy walks.
headwerkn wrote:I have a pair of Inov8 286GTXs which are a Goretex’d Ultra llightweight ‘boot’, but honestly prefer an open mesh type shoe that gets wet but dries out quicker.
Socks wise I’m loving Injinji knee-length compression toe socks... I know toe socks are an acquired taste but if you can do 64km non-stop and not get a single blister, well that’s worth a few extra minutes getting all your piggies in a row The long length act like a lightweight gaiter too, saving your legs from scratches and whatnot without much weight.
You can get some good lightweight ankle gaiters to help keep the crud out... I have Salomon ones which don’t really work that well... my mate has the Inov8 ones which seem like a much better design.
Really it comes down to just finding a pair that fit and feel suitable and seeing how you go... personally I wouldn’t go anything lower than 6mm heel offset straight up unless you’re already used to low- or no-drop shoes. Otherwise you might find yourself developing weird ankle, Achilles or plantar issues. That said walking is probably a little less stressful than running.
Cheers, Ben.
racca wrote:I found even my Salomon a bit tight in the toebox for me as I have a very wide foot. The comfiest shoe I found for my feet are my Merrel Bare Access Trails
Its lovely to wade through a creek and have your feet dry 10 mins later. 0 drop shoes are a revelation if you can get used to it. Only time I put on my boots now is for short distance, scrub bashing type trips.
slparker wrote:racca wrote:I found even my Salomon a bit tight in the toebox for me as I have a very wide foot. The comfiest shoe I found for my feet are my Merrel Bare Access Trails
Its lovely to wade through a creek and have your feet dry 10 mins later. 0 drop shoes are a revelation if you can get used to it. Only time I put on my boots now is for short distance, scrub bashing type trips.
I have a pair of the Bare Access too; unbelievably light and pretty grippy. The 0 drop factor, in my opinion, does give better stability or proprioception - I certainly notice the clunkiness when I put more structured trail runners on.
Like you, I wouldn't wear the the Merrells off track though - I wear sturdier trail runners for that caper.
slparker wrote:Hi Racca,
I used to wear salomon shoes but they have become somewhat more narrow in their latest iterations and I find that they don't fit me now. I have recently got a pair of La Sportiva Ultra Raptors for both running and walking. They have a fairly substantial rand and more substantial sole and so offer a lot more protection than the merrells. Downside is that they are heavy for a trail runner (but light for a walking shoe/boot) and feel 'clunky' with a higher drop and more substantial sole unit. the grip is excellent though.
In saying that the merrells are great for most of my walking - i shaved off some cleats on the sole so I could fit a gaiter and I have worn them with an overnight pack on alpine rocky tracks a few times - expected bruised feet but didn't get them.
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