View Full Version : Best Trail Runners
Bravefoot
02-02-2006, 21:20
Looking for recommendations on best light weight(1-2 pounds, pair)trail runners for high arches, narrow feet, 25-mile days, 25 # pack, with max cushioning and durability and low to medium cut, for a northbound hike starting March 2006. So far, my comnputer research finds Montrails among the best, but I need actual AT thru-hiker experiences to choose properly.
I switched to New Balance 806's 3,000 miles ago from Montrails. They are getting harder to find.
bigmac_in
02-02-2006, 22:21
How do the NB 808's compare to the 806's? I think they are susposed to be the replacement.
I have narrow feet with high arches and Brooks shoes work the best for me. I'm currently using Cascadias, which are a horrible glaring yellow, and have been discontinued, so they're on sale... The Cascadias are very well ventilated and quick to dry.
the goat
02-02-2006, 23:53
montrail hurricane ridge trail runners. my feet are really narrow and they fit like a glove, no blisters or hot spots. i carried 50+ lbs in them too and they were great, except for in pennslyvania....god, i'll never do that again. i began rolling each ankle twice per hour (too much weight for trail runners + rocks).
also, solomon makes good shoe for narrow feet. give them a try.
Almost There
02-02-2006, 23:54
Marta I remember following you in those bright yellow shoes at the SoRuck, at least people will see you coming!!!
New Balance trimmed weight on their line of trail runners after the 806's at the expense of durability and support. I've been a big fan of theirs, had 705s, 706s, 804s, 805s and they were all great shoes, the 705s and 806s being the ones I considered most trail-worthy. When I tried the 808s I hated the lack of lateral support and the rubber toeguard peeled off both shoes on the second day out. Also heard similar complaints about the 90x series.
dstenberg1
02-03-2006, 08:04
Montrail Hardrocks have been great for me. Hiked on the John Muir Trail with them and I am using them for hikes around my home in MA.
bigmac_in
02-03-2006, 08:36
New Balance trimmed weight on their line of trail runners after the 806's at the expense of durability and support. I've been a big fan of theirs, had 705s, 706s, 804s, 805s and they were all great shoes, the 705s and 806s being the ones I considered most trail-worthy. When I tried the 808s I hated the lack of lateral support and the rubber toeguard peeled off both shoes on the second day out. Also heard similar complaints about the 90x series.
Thanks for the great info, swift. You probably just saved me from trying the 808's myself.
minnesotasmith
02-03-2006, 09:36
New Balance trimmed weight on their line of trail runners after the 806's at the expense of durability and support. I've been a big fan of theirs, had 705s, 706s, 804s, 805s and they were all great shoes, the 705s and 806s being the ones I considered most trail-worthy. When I tried the 808s I hated the lack of lateral support and the rubber toeguard peeled off both shoes on the second day out. Also heard similar complaints about the 90x series.
I used a pair of 805s for my GA section hikes, and was very happy with how they worked out. Now, one of my set-aside pairs for my upcoming thruhike attempt is a pair of 808s, and although generally well-designed for the weight, they seem kind of weak and flimsy. My pair of 808s do seem like they would dry much faster, though; drying speed was my chief gripe with my 805s.
Kozmic Zian
02-03-2006, 09:50
Yea, Guys....
Which of the 'trail-runners' (weighing at 2#'s or less) has the best support under the arch....a shank? Maybe a nylon 1/2shank....or something. I look at these shoes like this. Wear 'um, beat 'um up, toss 'um when they fall apart, get newbies, keep going. Don't expect much support, so better have strong ankles, knees, etc. It's a tough trade off....comfort and weight for support and longevity....vis a vie wearing boots. I would like to 'try' lighter trail shoes, but have doubts about support, etc. Traveling light tho', is the only way to go, so the possibility of lighter weight, less supportive foot wear is becoming more and more of a possibility....right?
Check it Out! Kozmiczian:confused:
I'm not a real big fan of NB shoes. But, I really do like Asics models. The Eagle Trail and Gel Trabuco are both pretty solid. The first gives more traction, the second is more durable. Pretty much anything they make fits me and just flat out works.
Brooks makes some pretty good shoes as well, with the Cascadia being my favorite due to its garish colors (I'm waiting for someone to make racing green shoes). However, I've noticed that Brooks' shoes are significantly larger and wider than Asics.
leaving Springer Feb. 10th or 11th, 2006 in my well broke in Montrail TRS
Comps. Will have some NB 903's in my bounce box to switch back and forth
approx. every two weeks or so. Only knock I have about either is I don't
think you can get the TRS Comps any longer ?, and the NB 903's have
limited availability.
At age 58 my arches are just about gone, but feet still a little on the narrow
side.
I use custom foot-beds and my feet stay in relatively decent shape mile
after mile.
Good luck. IMHO you can't invest to much effort in getting the correct
footwear for you !!
chowhound
02-06-2006, 15:23
The Montrail Vitesse is my favorite. I have somewhat narrow feet with a high arch and instep. While I haven't done a through hike, I have put quite a few miles on my Montrails with absolutely no problems. I normally start a week long hike with 30-35lb on my back (I carry all food for a week) and usually do around 15 miles/day.
betic4lyf
02-06-2006, 22:28
my favorites are my montrail massai's which are not mad anymore, but might be findable.wildly confortable and all mesh which hurts ruggedness a bit, but they keep my feet for soaking socks, which no others have been able to do. this is a picture i took mysled\f soon after getting them.510
Blue Jay
02-07-2006, 00:54
So far, my comnputer research finds Montrails among the best, but I need actual AT thru-hiker experiences to choose properly.
No you need to actually try as many as you can and pick the ones that fit your feet the best. How long they last is the only thing important others can tell you.
montrail hardrocks. narrow and lots of support. think about throwing some superfeet in them.
Almost There
02-07-2006, 10:44
Just picked up some Hardrocks this weekend. Looking forward to getting out there and trying them out. To be honest I liked the way the Salomons felt better, but I don't like their unconventional shoe laces....they break way too much!!!
Squeaky 2
02-07-2006, 10:54
one piece of very important advice. some shoes have a plastic support under the arch on the sole of the shoes. these are no good for the AT. with all the exposed tree roots that you will be standing on you will find there is absolutely no traction with the root and the plastic resulting in falling over or doing splits! north face have an awesome trail shoe in thier flight series, i used it last year and would highly recomend it for the AT
kdholmwood
02-07-2006, 14:33
I used Montrail GTX Storm the summer before last for backpacking in Scotland. They had taken about three weeks to break in, compared with the instant hiking comfort of Han Wag Lima boots. The mesh of the shoes frayed within forty miles, just enough to allow both feet to get soaked, tenderized, then blistered for the first time in fifteen years. The Montrail agent in England claimed at first that the waterproofing was intact, till my dealer insisted on a more rigorous test, after refunding my money. I'll stick with boots until I find a shoe I feel I can rely on. Keith.
hammock engineer
02-07-2006, 14:44
I am thinking about trail runners. I am in the process of doing some test hikes to see how they work for me. I have my total weight averaging just under 25lbs. However, I will be starting my hike with a little over 30lbs (enough extra food to make it thru the wilderness).
I usually wear NB both hiking and normally. The main reason is I have wide feet (size 12 4E). Is there any other trail runner I can find in a wide? My other concern is water. I know that no shoe is completly waterproof. But my hiking boots are a lot better than my NB. Is there any option other than using a waterproof sock?
Thanks.
Almost There
02-07-2006, 15:07
The Montrail Hardrocks come in wides, check them out.
Marta I remember following you in those bright yellow shoes at the SoRuck, at least people will see you coming!!!
I'm not going to lose them in the mud, either. And they glow in the dark.
astrogirl
02-19-2006, 19:40
I have high arches and narrow heels, but need a bigger toe box that is found on a narrow shoe. I use a Birkenstock insole inside my shoes as I find this gives me the best arch support.
I adore my Montrail Kinabalus, but as an all-mesh shoe, they are a little fragile. The first pair, I blew out the heel linings in 125 miles or so. I sent them back to Montrail and they gave me a new pair and told me to have the heels reinforced by a cobbler.
I am having an older pair repaired and the new pair reinforced as we speak. Yes, I've had three pairs of them. My local guy (Otter Creek Outfitters in Front Royal) suggested Dave Page, Cobbler and he's doing the work.
I think this is 100% worth it because they dry faster than any shoe I've ever used. This means less wet socks and less friction that can lead to blisters.
I've tried NB 80...something, but I didn't find them as comfy as the Montrails. I also have two models of Merrell Chameleons (one used up, one that I wear in good weather but do not take on section hikes). The Merrells are also comfy but stay wet for an eternity compared to the Kinabalu.
Nameless
02-20-2006, 03:52
I'm personally a die-hard fan of Montrail trailrunners (currently using and own my next pair of Hardrocks)
What is most important is finding a brand that fits you. I found that i can put on any montrail shoe, and they will fit like a glove and treat my feet like they were in heaven, but they could be hellish of shoes for another user.
So, another happy montrail customer recomending them (New Balance never quite fit me right, and I never liked superfeet).
xXIndyXx
02-20-2006, 04:06
Bravefoot
I own a pair of Montrail Stratos XCR. They are very light for a mid ankle shoe. Good support, great traction, and have Gore-Tex. I do hope that you are serious about narrow feet though, as these shoes do not have much girth. I highly reccomend trying them on in a local outfitter as opposed to ordering your normal size form an internet store.
I also have a pair of TNF Ultra 103 XCR and the Ultra GTX XCR trail. They are extremely comfy shoes, but just like everything I've owned produced from The North Face, they have fallen apart with very little use (I'm talkin bout 100 miles worth of walking use here). I will never purchase their products again.
I have also loved Nike's ACG shoes, I have had a pair of ACG Zoom Air for about two years. They are virtually indestructable, I still wear them to mow my lawn.
hopefulhiker
02-20-2006, 12:15
I switched to Montrail Hardrocks in Damascus... Count on more than one pair though...
Grandma Dixie
02-21-2006, 12:21
I just ordered a pair of montrail mountain mist xcr's (they are yet to come) and I'm currently wearing salomon xa pro 2 xcr, which I like very much, but they need to be retired. I had them or about 6 months, but the laces broke, and I cannot replace them.
I like my Dunham Waffle Stomper Nimble trail shoe. Alas, I think they have been discontinued though. I have seen them discounted on the web so you can get them really cheap now. Great fit and feel. I highly recommend them if you can find them.
Brooks Cascadia work great for me. I also have a narrow, high arch foot. The men's version is a bright, bright red. I get a lot of comments on the color, but I'd prefer if they were just a little more muted. It is a great trail shoe.
Slingshot
07-27-2006, 21:05
I hiked from Hot Springs to Deleware Water Gap this year in Inov8's and they were great until the last 40 miles or so of PA when the rocks tore them to pieces. Still, I'm more than happy with the 900 or so miles I got out of them! I have high arches and they provided plenty of support.