"...The rainy weather has caused slippery trail conditions which have led to many of the injuries seen by Conservation Officers recently. Appropriate footwear should be worn while hiking; hiking boots that provide support, protection and traction are recommended...."
Trail runners allow your ankle to flex, as it is intended. Ankle mobility would lessen injuries to the lower leg, not increase them.
a high boot will not prevent an ankle break and may actually increase the odds. I wear only trail runners after many years in boots and have better traction than in stiff boots and no longer suffer any of the pains and injuries I used to have.
Speedgoat trail runners or mids?
I totally agree. I wrecked my ankle in "bullet proof" Asolo boots back in 2013. I've been wearing trail runners for 5-6 years now and don't "half-roll" my ankles anywhere near as often as I did in boots. I think that is a myth that high boots prevent ankle injuries. Many trail runners have a much lower "drop" or a zero drop (my personal preference) compared to a boot and this further helps with stability.
That is ultimately the key whatever you are wearing. Keeping your weight under yourself goes a long way toward preventing a slip or fall. Even with a good shoe in good conditions if you get out of balance you can take a spill, especially as the terrain gets steeper.
The girl I hike with has a pair of those and they seem awful in steep and wet conditions (I don't know what model she has). We came down Nelson Crag back in July and she skidded and fell (nothing major) about 10 times in the section below tree line. She is a reasonably experienced hiker on difficult terrain and seemed to slip a lot more than she had in her previous shoes (not Hoka). I only slipped once or twice and I would blame my positioning for both (I wear Innov8's with the Graphene soles and find them to be very good for traction on the beefier White's trails).
trail runners. I would like to try on the mids when these wear out, but, so far I like them.
For whatever reason, I feel like the rocks and ledges have been slicker this year too. I just replaced my Innov8's with a new pair and still have the occasion skid. Soles on their shoes are very good on rocks and ledge and wear quite well. I think I got about 400+ miles out of the last pair and they were hardly trashed. They had just lost a lot of tread. I do mostly ledgy trails like the Presi's, various ridges, etc so I give the shoes a good work out.
It has been very treacherous out there this summer. I think you nailed it; the constant state of moisture has added a layer of slime to what is normally pretty grippy surfaces. I have found myself side stepping down slabs, I used to walk down because I've lost my footing a lot more than normal this year. It doesn't help that I have a 62 lb Aussie tied to my pack, he doesn't seem to notice the slick conditions as I do. Let me tell you, when that leash goes taught, you better be ready, lol.
So, overall impressions- any recs for grippiest shoe out there ?
