What type of footwear do you use?

[Stick]

I have never had much luck with hiking in shoes. Will boots be to hot for the desert? If you used boots was the heat a problem?

[Magnet_]

I'm a fan of boots. And like you, I've never had much luck with sneakers. I started off with trail runners and had serious problems with my feet that nearly took me off the trail. As soon as I switched to the boots the problems went away. When I later switched back to runners some of the problems came back. To be fair, several factors probably played a part... pack weight, fit of the shoe....

I will say that I was amazed at how much cleaner my feet and socks stayed after switching to boots. My feet did get hot, and I would stop to "air" them out & let them cool down every so often. I think 'being forced' to stop and do so ended up being beneficial. I prefer the heat over the grime and slime. (The boots I used were leather and not of the lighterweight materials. This may have increased the heat, and the resistance to dirt and sand.)

The final scoop: On a broad level, I am of the opinion that too many hikers are using trail runners, and that this is leading to many of the foot injuries that so many people experience and deal with on (and after) the trail. I believe that lightweight trail running type shoes can work well if the wearer is carrying a very lightweight pack. One problem, I think, is that pack weights go from being pretty light, to pretty darn heavy after you load up on food and water. So one's footwear may go from being 'appropriate' to 'inappropriate' throughout the course of a resupply, or even between water sources.

Well, that's my opinion... Now all you boot haters have at it!

[girlscout]

definitely a big fan of lightweight boots here. i used the vasque breeze on the pct last year, and got a total of one small blister the entire hike. the pair i started with already had several hundred miles on them. i used up a second pair from independence thru ashland. the pair from ashland took me to canada, and still have plenty of life left in them.

i have a pair of new balance 806's that i use for day-hikes, but wouldn't want to use them on a long hike with a pack on my back.

[chai guy]

I think one thing to consider when choosing footwear is to remember that not all "trail runners" are created equal.

I started out with a pair of New Balance Trail Runners that retailed for about $40.00, Those quickly fell apart and so I upgraded to the 806 Trail Runners which were closer to $80 a pair and, suprise!, lasted twice as long.

I still prefer the trail runner to the boot, but next time I'm going to get a trail runner with a much harder sole to protect the bottom of my feet from the sharp rocks (the biggest downfall of a trail runner in my opinion).

Remember, it's also about weight. If you've ever spent an extended period of time wearing heavy boots, and then switched to a lighter shoe it feels like you're walking on air. So even if you're going with a boot, or boot style of foot wear, consider buying a lighter weight version.

In the end, it's all about finding what works for you.

Check out the shoe reviews on BackpackGearTest.org
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Footwear/Trail%20Shoes/

[luna]

I have to cast a vote for running shoes. Some of the earlier posts mentioned that there are different quality running shoes out there. This is true. But don't look at the price.

First, the number one criteria is that the shoe has a 3/4 shank. Test this by bending the shoe in half, trying to touch the toe to the laces. If it bends in the middle, it's no good. It should bend near the ball of the foot.

Next, look for good arch support. I recommend removing the insoles and replacing them with green Superfeet or a custom orthodic.

Also, if you have a wide forefoot (toe-box), Saccony and New Balance seem to work well.

I had a bad case of plantar fasciitis, and was taking 5 grams of Advil a day... then I put in the superfeet and it helped alot.

I suspect many people prefer boots because boots will often have a 3/4 shank, if not a full shank. They also tend to have higher arch support than running shoes. But you don't need a boot to have these qualities. The major advantage of a boot is the ankle support. The other option is strengthing your ankles, and using trekking poles for stability.

Also, stretching and massage are very important. Massage your feet at rest stops. (I have to credit Bandana for that habit).

Good luck with the feet,
Luna
PCT03

[Teatree]

Shoes, shoes, shoes for me!!!! Teatree 2003

[Magnet_]

I suspect many people prefer boots because boots will often have a 3/4 shank, if not a full shank.

Thanks for the info luna! I'll definitely check this out and give it a shot!

[Ender]

I used shoes on the PCT in '03, but plan on only using boots from here on out because of recurring foot and ankle problems. Shoes don't give me enough support anymore.

[Doodlebug]

Another vote for trail runners- specifically (for me)Montrail Vitesse. I agree that a shank is a desirable thing to have. some folks I hiked with in 05 had some major foot problems after taking Yogi's advice and finding the lightest trail runner they could. Rabbit and Phantom both started in some mesh Salamons with kevlar lacing and Rabbit got tendonitis, Phantom got stress fracture. both switched to Montrail Hardrocks in Agua and did much better.

I started in a really light pair of NB 90-somethings and while I didn't really have any problems- I had a pair of Montrail Vitesse in my bounce at Warner Springs that I swtiched to cause they just felt a lot better despite being a few ounces heavier.

something else to consider in choosing shoes - in the desert there are these sharp! little grass seeds everywhere- shoes that have a lot of mesh get the seeds embeddded and you have stop constantly and pick them out. I love the Montrail Vitesse, but they do tend to get these imbedded in the mesh tongue a lot.

[footslogger]

Well ...as of right now I plan on doing the PCT in New Balance 809's. By the way, Sierra Trading Post (on-line) has a great sale on them right now. Plus, here's a coupon code - 52044 that get's you an additional 20% off on orders over a certain $$ amount (I think it's &75). Brings the price per pair down into the $40's. Not bad !!

[Magnet_]

I just added a poll for your footwear of choice and merged it into the existing thread discussing shoes vs. boots.

[chai guy]

No matter what type of foot wear you go with, I'd also pick up a pair of these (or something similar), constantly having to tie your shoes is a real pain. These also help make things more comfortable as your foot expands.

http://www.speedlaces.com/media/twosneakers-text.jpg

http://www.speedlaces.com/index.shtml

[Freefall]

I'm all about sneakers too. Heat+Exposure+25 miles=hot, swollen, blistered feet. Wear boots in the Antelope Valley, and your feet will want to burst out through a seam. I would recommend sneakers that are a 1/2 to one full size larger than your foot size.

Peace,

Freefall

[Dan Turben]

I have been using Danner Mountain Lite for years with good sucess on the AT, not adverse to light hikers, but I have just not found a good replacement for my Danners.:D

[AlohaTink]

At the moment it is a light weight hiking boot
Hi-Tec Altitude IV

http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/r_prof/br_Hi-Tec/p0_3257,3557,4157,4457,3857,2684/b_3-0.82907-94.73923-905.91363/p_1/st_123051/sbstl_287286

but I also use the Off Road Crocs and yes I get plenty of stares...but they are comfortable and I can hike longer without problems. Depends on the trail...sorta useless in slippery mud :)

http://shop.crocs.com/pc-30-4-off-road.aspx?reqid=30&reqProdTypeId=41p&subsectionname=footwear&section=products

One shoe I do use a lot is the Duham Waffle Stomper and I have two pairs of these. Different sizes...larger size needed for longer hours of hiking.

http://www.dunhambootmakers.com/outdoor/Men-s-Nimble-XT.220.01.htm

I agree not all trail runners are the same, there is so much out there to pick from.
Just find what works for you and that is hard to do at times and so darn costly.
I went through 5 pairs of shoes before I found a couple that would work.

[George]

It's all about what works for you, but I prefer a boot, especially if carrying any weight or making an extended trip.
Maybe I'm 'old style', as the trend seems to be towards lighter and lighter footwear, but I like the support and protection a leather boot gives and I can plunge around over uneven and unseen ground and also through water with less concern. :)
(wearing shoes to build up ankle strength isn't going to work for me, as my ankles are as strong as they're ever going to get - and I badly sprained an ankle in a millisecond of inattention when once wearing shoes)
I don't find my feet get over hot in boots - my feet seem to sweat more in sneaker type footwear.
I've always used either Asolo or Garmond leather boots, but there are numerous good boots out there and everyone's feet/needs are different so footwear is probably another subject that can be debated endlessly! ;)
There are even barefoot hikers out there! :eek:
George.