Sneakers on the trail - crazy or am I old-fashioned?

[TCD]

I've done a few hikes in the sandals (not $$Tevas, the $8 WalMart version), but that was because I forgot my shoes.

All hikes and bushwhacks have gone in trail runners for the last few years.

 

[Mad Townie]

Several times I've seen AT through hikers (NoBo) wearing sandals in the Maine mountains. If their ankles aren't ready for it by then . . .

I started backpacking (boy scouts doesn't count) in VietNam combat boots--canvas with leather toe and drainage holes at the instep. Oh yeah, and a steel shank just in case you step on sharpened bamboo sticks! Made for getting wet and drying out quickly. They were very light weight, required no breaking in (well, very little), and had Vibram-like soles. Can't remember why I gave them up, must not have been able to find new ones at some point, but they went all over the place, rocky and smooth.

My ankle structures are all stretched out, and have been for years. I can turn my ankle, even right over to 90 degrees, and I don't feel anything after 2 or 3 limping steps. Still, there's no stability in there, either. That's why I wear a higher top boot, though usually a lightweight one. I have a big old pair of Limmers that I use when it's not quite plastics weather. I just turn my ankles less in higher boots than in lower ones. I can imagine someday going over to the side and banging my ankle bone against a rock hard enough to break it. That would not be fun.

 

[Warren]

My feet did well bushwacking to the Emmons Slide this past weekend in merrell ventilators. The Merrells did not do as well as my feet however, the right shoe just before the toe box got ripped down to the inner liner.

So they are reasonable for bushwacking but a tad disposable.

 

[KMartman]

I wouldn't necessarily call those hiking in sandals 'idiots'. You have to take in the full package. I caught up with a guy on Crawford path last year between Eisenhower and Pierce and he was wearing Keen Newports. My initial impression was that he was someone in over his head. Turns out he's been hiking the Whites for about 20 years and in his pack carried all the requisite gear. Plus, if caught in a freak storm, what would dry more quickly big leather boots, or synthetic lightweight sandals (provided you weren't wearing a gaiter and the water got in your boots, and if you were wearing a gaiter, what would be cooler to your feet?)? I know another person who did the entire PCT in trail runners. Yes the talus fields of the Northern Presies can cause scratches, but if you can do a thru hike that long over that kind of terrain, than I think they know what their doing. As long as you have the appropriate gear, and your shoes work for you, I think you're alright. It's the folks that you see above treeline with no gear, jeans, carrying a poland springs bottle as their only means to hydration and are typically wearing sneakers...those are the sneaker wearers that cause concern.

Just a couple weeks ago I saw a bunch of thru hikers (AT) in VT, and most were wearing either trail runners or sneakers (even one with the "walmart" velcro $10 jobs) and spent the night with a guy that had switch early on in his trip from high boots to trail runners as he said he couldnt get rid of the blisters in the big boots. Coincedentially he also had a pair of KEEN Newports that he said he actually hiked about 300 miles in, so...I guess it is all what you are comfortable with.

I have had the same issues with high leathers, I can't shake the blisters. Nothing worse than 6miles into a trip thats 30+ and you already have blisters. I am switching to trailrunners from now on myself. I am only slightly worried about wet weather in them. Vibram soles are good, but the wetness of the shoe is what I worry about. Although I see TONS of joggers running in the rain so it can't be all that bad, plus they dry quick..

Just my .02.



M

 

[bruno]

one mo' vote for trail runnin' shoes til the snow. i like the asics trabucos.

 

[Neil]

Weight in grams (roughly 30 grams = 1 oz. 450 grams = 1 lb) of various footwear- one boot or shoe, size 8 or 8 1/2, dry weight.

• Big rock boot 860
• Day hiker 660
• Low top 490
• Trail runner 350
• Jogging shoe 310

 

[KMartman]

one mo' vote for trail runnin' shoes til the snow. i like the asics trabucos.

Im trying out the new Hi Tech Vectors. http://www.hi-tec.com/us/category.php?styleId=329

Got a decent rating in a magazine I read called "hooked"?

Just done a few short hikes and around town type stuff until Sept 17 doing the pemi loop in em...i'll report back after that, but they seem great so far, and I picked them up at Sprots Authority for like $49.00, actually bought 2 pairs since when I find something I like...they usually discontinue it..

M

 

[jmegillon149]

I have rolled my ankle in full leather boots, they are that bad, course I have a really bad ankle stemming back to high school wrestling and football. I've gotten to the point where I use a lace up ankle brace, in addition to a full hightop boot.

 

[shamples]

I have been hiking with "normal" trail hiking boots for the past 3 years. But the 2 years before that, before I really got serious about it, I started in sandals and was more than fine and then was wearing like cross-training sneakers and those were also fine. But I graduated to my boots just because I thought I would take it more seriously and be more responsible. But really the best my feet have felt is in sandals really. You just have to be extra careful when wearing them as your toes and more of your foot is exposed. But really to each, their own. It's all about comfort and what you can last in. Having my boots now, I wouldn't switch back to sandals or sneaks unless they were really short hikes.

Up in Pittsburg, I was on vaca just to do some kayaking, but then had a chance to get away from some hiking. I only had my worn out sneakers and even those did me ok for Mt Magalloway and Table Rock in Dixville Notch. But those were shorter, quick hikes.

 

[blueridge]

I find that I turn my ankle more with heavy boots than I do with my trail runners. My 'bad' knee also feels better after a long hike when wearing the trail runners.

 

[TDawg]

I went up Huntington Ravine Tr last weekend and we passed a family with a young daughter and they had her going up the ravine in 3 strap sandals. It blew my mind. After summiting Washington we descended back the way we came to the Alpine Garden Tr and passed them going up above the ravine so they made it I guess. But hours and hours later.

 

[BrentD22]

Personal

High leather boots are somewhat a must if you are carrying 30+ pounds. If you are day hiking trail runners should be good enough. Sandals and hiking never mix. Too many bad things can happen. Even if you don't roll your ankle you might cut your foot/ankle ect. IMO there have been too many people and/or families out there in their street sneakers, t-shirts, school back packs, ect. The WNMF really needs to start a knowledge campain about the dangers of hiking while unprepared.

 

[post'r boy]

i agree with bronu!!!

trail runners till the snow flies,and even alittle past that! used them whackin',backpackin' and day hikin'. carried anywhere from 5 lbs to 43 lbs with no problem.wore them for 153 days straight,no probs. wear them at work too!!! put new balance (performance) insoles inside and go.

 

[RGF1]

Wear what ever works for you ! It might take some time to figuer it out but you will. I would love to use trail runners but alas my ankles and knees need the support of a high cut boot. I use 3 types of foot wear . Plastic double boot for full winter ., High cut leather mountaineering boots that acccept a step in crampon for spring and out west. And A lighter weight Scarpa leather boot . (I forget the name of it , in the Summer) . Out west and if I know I'll be crossing a deep creek I carry a pair of sandals they are nothing expensive and great to wear after a hike .
I do envy the folks who can use light wiety foot wear but . if Ido it means a trip to the ER and that really sucks .

Have a Great and Safe holiday weekend .

Your friendly logger who has been injured from a logging accident .
argh Is any one up for a easy hike ok ,a 4 k peak very moderate pace sometime after next week ?
Sorry about my extra bad typeing but my hand is badly injured and I am on some potent pain meds

 

[sierra]

I second rfg1, the lighter the better for sure but after so many mountains I MUST where heavy boots to protect my ankles, I wear Makalues not light but for me its what I need, those who wear sandles can talk to me in about 1000 mountains or so and ill reccomend a heavy boot for them.