Yes, in most cases. Contact | Privacy Policy, It is no secret: many people have converted to using trail running shoes as opposed to hiking boots. They’re light, comfy, breathable, quick-drying, and sometimes reduce blisters. When I summitted Mt. I spend as much time in the mountains as possible. I almost never hike in anything else and have enjoyed many hundreds of comfy blister-free miles in my Altra Lone Peaks. If you have zero heel-to-toe drop, then your body needs to work harder to push your weight forward. However, since trail running shoes have come onto the trail scene, and with rapid advances in shoe construction technology, they have revolutionized trail footwear options for hiking. Once you see the teeth on the bottom of these suckers, you will understand why they won “Best Traction”. I’m planning a thru-hike of the John Muir Trail for next June and I am searching for the perfect shoe for the trip, whether it be a hiking boot or a trail runner. I see that you wore the trail runners on your trek on the JMT and was curious about your thoughts! Why? BOTTOM LINE: With excellent traction and a stable, supportive build, the Salomon XA Pro 3D V8 are great for running and hiking over tricky terrain. (They even have two lugs on the front that basically look like the front of cramp-ons, so if you feel the need to scale up an ice wall, go for it! The heel-to-toe drop is another factor that plays into personal preference. If you score a great deal online but the shoes don’t work out after light use, sell them on eBay! Well, actually, no. Make sure you understand the return policy before taking them for any outdoor test walks. More Breathable: Many hiking boots are waterproof or water resistant, which is intended to keep your feet dry when it’s wet outside. I’m Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. I personally hike with these shoes, and they are great for short treks, but especially awesome for long trips. Many hikers use a pair of lightweight hiking gaiters to keep dust, sand, and scree from working its way into low-cut trail running shoes. Remember, it is all about balance and finding what is best for you. If you already know you like hiking in trail running shoes, I don’t see any reason why the longer distance would be a problem. Water-resistant: Right about now, you might be asking yourself, “How can a shoe be both breathable and water-resistant?” Well, my friends, shockingly enough, it is possible. A good friend of mine who is an excellent short and long distance runner swears by these shoes for her smaller excursions. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Why Trail Running Shoes are Good for Hiking. When you have shoes with amazing traction, remember to TRUST the technology. No longer was I getting blistered, sweaty, or sore feet. Moderately cushioned. Trailandsummit.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If all else fails, just choose the shoes that feel the most comfortable when you walk in them. Extremely popular favorite among long-distance hikers, known for promoting a natural gait with a roomy toe box and zero-drop design. The Salomon Speedcross 5 GTX is the latest waterproof edition to an extremely popular shoe amongst runners who love to get dirty on the trails – and in our opinion the best waterproof trail running shoes.It’s a lightweight trail shoe and offers a very aggressive grip on technical, soft trails. Let’s be honest: we never think of Nike as actually having good running shoes. Conquer crevices and crests with total confidence that your trail running and hiking shoes won’t let you down. Some of Amazon’s shoe listings offer free returns. It can be hard to know where to start, especially if you’re a hiker who isn’t familiar with running. I agree, it’s great having the flexibility to scamper off and climb whatever you want. Wide toe box: I have pretty narrow feet, but even I appreciate the roomy fit that never rubs the sides of my toes. If you buy the right ones, they are awesome on the trail. having a wide toe box, such as the one on this Alta, really allows for your foot to use its skeletal structure to your full advantage, making you more stable and reactive on the trail. For the best possible prices, once I know for sure that a model works for me (so I won’t need to return it) I’ve had good luck buying “lightly used” running shoes on eBay for really cheap prices. Read on for the 5 Reasons To Use Trail Running Shoes for Hiking. Some shoes though, like those from Salomon, have a quick lacing system with a sliding lock that you pull to the most comfortable tightness. Another great site is runningwarehouse.com, which offers free shipping and returns across the board and occasionally has sales on certain models. Best Bang for your Buck – Saucony Peregrine 8 The best trail running shoes are designed specifically for trails, offering better traction, more stability, (sometimes) more cushioning, and greater durability than you'd get with regular running shoes. This is great news! Traction: It should go without saying that not all running shoes are created equal. You need to ease into it.). If you have never used a shoe with zero or minimal heel-to-toe drop, then do some calf lifts and get ready to feel it in your achilles. I can hike back-to-back-to-back 25 mile days in trail runners without a single blister. Looking for one of these quick answers? I’ve tried several types but my absolute favorites are New Balance Minimus with vibrum soles and Merrill’s minimal trail shoe (can’t remember exact name off the top of my head). I don’t carry camp shoes when I backpack because my feet don’t hurt in the evenings and I don’t need to take my shoes off. Would you choose to wear trail running shoes on the Pennine Way? And then they trust their shoe even less, and around and around we go. But runners don’t carry camping gear and days of food on their backs. I’ve worn my trusty Altra Lone Peaks for many hundreds of miles on the John Muir Trail, Colorado Trail, countless shorter trails, and even to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. True, runners don’t carry heavy loads, but the dynamic nature of running means their feet experience high forces and need to stabilize very quickly. Best of luck preparing for your hike, that’s really exciting! The responsive cushioning does not extend to the forefoot (it is only at the heel), so longer hikes are most likely going to be met with a bit of foot pain. They are lightweight, waterproof, and protect the ankle from scrapes and twisting. I’d suggest trying trail running shoes on some training hikes with challenging conditions (rocky, muddy, etc) and see how you feel about it. While ultralight and a super minimalist design, the Altra’s don’t have the same type of excellent traction as other types of hiking and trail shoes. Pros: • Ultra-lightweight for backpacking and hiking dirt trails • Minimalist design Our feet can sweat up to half a pint per day and that moisture can’t escape very well from waterproof shoes, leading to hot, itchy feet and sometimes blisters. Whitney, EVERY part of me was freezing cold, so I don’t really remember my feet… Truthfully though, I think they were probably numb, but I doubt hiking boots would have prevented that since I tend to have really cold hands and feet no matter what. Therefore, it is better to find a shoe that is breathable, so that your feet, and shoe, will dry more quickly. 15 Common Mistakes Made by First Time Backpackers. Plus, minimalists argue that if you have less support, your form is more likely to be better. Leukotape: Blister Prevention For Hiking and Trail Running, Comfortable, yet responsive shoe that you can run on for miles without foot pain, Enough room in the toe box plus neutral design allows for your foot to strike at it’s natural tendency, Surprisingly light for how much cushion the shoe provides, The toe box is not quite as wide as the Challenger ATR 4. I love to hike but also have the flexibility in my feet and ankles, because if I see a good tree or boulder I can’t help myself I have to climb it. So, not only are your feet demolished, but you are also adding the equivalent of an extra, Decent cushion to keep you going for longer hikes, Big, foot shaped toe box so you can use your feet to their fullest and stay comfy all day, even when your feet swell, Tighter heel keeps your foot from sliding forward when you send it downhill, Soft, cushioned feel but still great bounce back, Doesn’t have great traction when traveling downhill on a slippery surface, 0 mm drop means that you have to be prepared for the calf burn, Insanely grippy lugs. The best trail running shoes are equally as good on a grassy forest trail as running uphill on a side of a rocky hill. Trust me, this is how people’s lower halves were meant to move. If a shoe is too heavy, it can slow you down and add more weight than one would think. Light trail runners offer minimal grip, but rugged and off-trail styles offer similar traction to hiking shoes. If you do any kind of strength training (and you really should, but that’s a topic for a different post) you’re familiar with the idea that we can train our bodies to be stronger and more coordinated. Width: It’s critical to choose a model that fits the width profile of your feet. Cushion, and a rock plate for comfort and protection on rough surfaces the trail running shoes for hiking of! And twisting boots generally have thick lugs to bite into soil and a good friend of mine is... Complicated than a few quick answers personally, I admit there are a lot of trail running shoe highlight! The shoe for you have narrowed a bit heavier than others in the … best Mens trail shoes. You choose to wear trail running shoe is designed by footwear professionals specifically for inclement weather and rough.! Sure you get sweaty feet, like me, this can take edge... 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