View Full Version : Trail Runners
Pretty quiet around here lately so I'm going to start another thread. :D
This year, I am looking at trying trail runners instead of boots for the first time while backpacking. What kind of things am I looking for when shopping and are there any other tips?
I am currently looking at a pair of New Balance MT800's (http://newbalance.com/running/trail/MT800/).
Thanks
Mother's Finest
01-03-2008, 18:34
Hi John
I feel the same way. Very slow today at the store....economy???
Those New Balance MT800's sure do look cool. Bright colors and neat materials. C-Cap Midsole? N-Grip Outsole?Nlock? Ndurance? What could be better. Those shoes must have everything a hiker needs.
Precisely incorrect. The place to start is not with those cool-butt looking shoes. And I mean that sincerely. they are cool looking shoes. The place to start is fit. As with most cool looking trail running shoes, they come in a D width only for men. which means that if your foot is average width, you may be able to have them work for you. if you have a wide or narrow foot, forget about those shoes and find another shoe that is made in widths. Don't care if it is new balance, brooks, inov8 (their shoes are really cool) Nike or Asics. It is all about the fit.
peace
mf
Shorthand to what is known to be comfortable: Montrail's. People who use 'em usually like 'em.
There is a rock climbing sneaker label, FiveTen, that makes a trailrunner with a grippy sole. Have only heard raves about that.
bigcranky
01-03-2008, 18:57
I'm very picky about trail runners -- just ask my wife, who has to sit there in the stores while I try on everything in stock.
I've recently tried the MT800s, and ended up buying the New Balance 810 shoes instead. Great fit -- and the two models felt significantly different just walking around the store. Other shoes that I have liked: Salomon XA Comp, Montrail Hardrock, and the Salmon XA Pro XCR for winter use.
Fit is of primary importance. Also look for good breathability, traction, easy lace adjustment, and fashionable colors. (OK, you can skip the last one.)
The place to start is not with those cool-butt looking shoes.
Actually, I wasn't looking at the cool factor.. I think the color schemes are butt ugly. I was looking at various New Balance trail runners because, looking through the archives, a lot of people seem to like New Balance shoes. Maybe the New Balance "trail runners" are not the models I should be looking at then because they only make three "trail runners".
_terrapin_
01-03-2008, 19:13
I wore a pair of New Balance 907s last summer for about 350 miles. They served me well.
Is this the same NB 810 (http://www.newbalance.com/products/MR810/) that a lot of people rave about for the trail?
- T
Mother's Finest
01-03-2008, 19:26
well, I think they are cool looking anyway.
I can never wear shoes like that because I wear a EE width.
peace
mf
Greentick18d
01-03-2008, 19:34
well, I think they are cool looking anyway.
I can never wear shoes like that because I wear a EE width.
peace
mf
Those NB 810s come in EE. Don't forget to check out their outlet. It's Joes NB outlet or something. You can find the Dunham brand (made by NB) on there for good prices with lot's of widths.
Call me a Montrail Hardrock fan...
They are now my "go to" shoe for hiking on trails.
One pair lasted from Boulder, CO to Grants, NM!
Mother's Finest
01-03-2008, 19:43
Those NB 810s come in EE. Don't forget to check out their outlet. It's Joes NB outlet or something. You can find the Dunham brand (made by NB) on there for good prices with lot's of widths.
thanks for the thought Greentick
my shoe gear is solid. my brand of choice is brooks. I wear the Dyad, because I need a neutral shoe with the type of orthotic I wear. for boots I wear Meindl (very wide toe box)
I was really lamenting the fact that throughout almost all brands, they never make the wild colors in wides. (I am not sure of the color scheme of the 810 though)
peace
mf
I'm a trail runner/sneaker guy.
Never much cared for the fit of NB. Make sure they feel good before purchasing. The cut always felt sloppy on my foot.
I used to be a Montrail guy but the quality/fit seems to have diminished.
I found the greatest sucess with Brooks running shoes. 2 pairs on the PCT got me a combined 1300+ miles this summer and I still use one pair to run in. Plus they make size 12.5 :)
Check out Inov8 brand. They're a new brand to the market (I believe) that folks were raving about out west this summer. I know a few people who bought multiple pairs for their thru-hikers and didn't have complaints.
News Flash!
There is a huge factory New Balance outlet store in Lawrence MA (south Union Street in the building with the Big Clock Tower) that has a bazillion trail runners for around $40 - $50. Much less in the bargain racks.
All sizes.
Worth a trip for selection alone.
RickB
_terrapin_
01-03-2008, 20:00
News Flash!
There is a huge factory New Balance outlet store in Lawrence MA (south Union Street in the building with the Big Clock Tower) that has a bazillion trail runners for around $40 - $50. Much less in the bargain racks.
All sizes.
Worth a trip for selection alone.
RickB
Bummer. I'm still waiting for mine to wear out. ;)
As with most cool looking trail running shoes, they come in a D width only for men. which means that if your foot is average width, you may be able to have them work for you. if you have a wide or narrow foot, forget about those shoes and find another shoe that is made in widths. Don't care if it is new balance, brooks, inov8 (their shoes are really cool) Nike or Asics. It is all about the fit.
FWIW, my New Balance Trail Runners are 13 EEEE. I didn't buy another pair when at the outlet yesterday, but they had plenety on the shelf in that width. Also EEEEEE. Not sure about your particular model.
There is a huge factory New Balance outlet store in Lawrence MA (south Union Street in the building with the Big Clock Tower) that has a bazillion trail runners for around $40 - $50. Much less in the bargain racks.
Good to know, thanks Rick.. only 30 miles from here. I have to wait a bit for my bank account to settle down, I ordered a bunch of stuff today.. tarp, pack, and various accessories. :D If I have play money left this month, I'll definitely head down there.
Its hard to give advice on shoes, because all feet are all so different. Adidas are very comfy for me, I have a narrow foot. I don't like the NB shoes, other love them. Its just important to try them on to see what fits you best, and, if you switch out of boots to a lighter trail runner (which I have worn now for several years and would not switch back), its advisable to make sure you are also lightening your load. Runners are great with a lighter weight carried in your pack...but if you are going to carry over 30 lbs and then some, you will probably need more support.
its advisable to make sure you are also lightening your load. Runners are great with a lighter weight carried in your pack...
Yeah, I agree. My pack will likely be in the 15 to 18 pound range at most, much less on week long trips. My "big four" are right around 4.5 pounds at the moment.
I have INOV-310 flyroc and the 280 mudroc and love them so much,i got 2 more in box.
smilinguy
01-03-2008, 22:31
Been hiking around in my Hardrocks and Namches recently. One is a low-top, and the other is a high top. Both fabulously rugged, and very comfortable. I really dig the fact that Montrail makes a size 12.5. If you like a thick mid-sole, you will love the Hardrock. If you need additional ankle support, the Namche may be a good bet. Not sure how well the Namches will do on the AT, because I live in CO, and it doesn't rain much here. But, I have worn the Namches with my snowshoes, and they have performed admirably. Both of these models are miles more comfortable (for me, anyway) than the old Vitesse. FWIW:-?
Thanks guys, several things to think about. I am currently stomping around in these Vasque Breeze (http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=8455 24442584329&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574489072709&bmUID=1199414525173) boots. The are comfortable but I haven't had to do any water crossings yet. Not sure how long they'd take to dry when wet.
Montrail Hardrocks worked well for me. My pair lasted from Damascus to the White Mountains.
Greentick18d
01-04-2008, 02:51
I see the Hardrocks come in wide. I may try them next time. Inov's just medium - too bad. I have wide, square feet with high arches. Currently walking in Dunham nimble xt? now discontinued. I like that they have good toe pro and are nicely nonabsorbant. Had some la sportiva trailrunners that were half leather, got wet and stayed wet.
ChinMusic
01-04-2008, 04:05
Just as a curiousity I weighed my Hardrocks and Keen Targhees. They were within an ounce. I don't have that many miles logged on my Hardrocks but so far my feet don't like em. I'm trying them out again this weekend.
My Keens have been a joy.
"Its hard to give advice on shoes, because all feet are all so different."
Amen. I'm with gumball here, not just on the above comment, but on not being with the majority on NB shoes. I was very inclined to love these (model 873's), but got a back-of-heel blister pretty early on in a hike this summer with a pair; pretty rigid heel cup, not shaped close enough to my actual heel I guess.
I have minor bunionette problems (like bunions but on the little toe side). For me, Golite Sun Dragon's are "magic shoes" in that I have absolutely no problem stacking 20-mile days in a row with these, whereas most shoes are too narrow at the toe for me and pain starts after a day or few.
BrianLe and Gumball, I agree. However, I wasn't looking for model advice in my original post. I was merely asking for things to look for when shopping for trail runners to use instead of traditional backpacking boots. :)
Thirsty_River
01-06-2008, 13:39
I just got Merrell Moab Ventilators for christmas. Good fit so far, but I hear they're like an air conditioner in the summer. Can't wait to take them to Utah!
timhines
01-06-2008, 15:58
INOV8s are great. I use them for trail running when I do it (pronounced trail jogging!)
The key for me is to not lace them tight and my feet are happy. Great traction.
Tobias, try Puma trailfox or some Teva`s
Nightwalker
01-06-2008, 23:34
I use the NB 473. It fits my foot very well. Stiff sole, good grip, 13.5 oz apiece for a size 13. I also use a Montrail heat-moldable insert at 2.5 oz apiece.
The best part is the cost. ~50 bucks per pair! I've seen them in 476, 478 and now 473. I'm currently using a 473, but used a 478 for 6 months. I couldn't tell a lot of difference. Prior to that, I used the 800 series that started it all. I had 804, 805 and 806 models, but I like the 47x much better. They're lighter and have a stiffer sole, to me at least
I can't find them on the New Balance site, but the Sportchek site (http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/menu) (Canada) shows the 473 (http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=15&styleId=34691), 476 (http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=15&styleId=34692) and 478 (http://www.sportchek.ca/sportchek/do/style?menuId=15&styleId=41761), so they're still out there. I got my most recent 473s at The Sports Authority, a Big Box sports retailer. They were 49.99, but I've seen them at Hibbet's and Oshman's as well, usually somewhere between 40-50 bucks.
TheChamp
01-08-2008, 01:01
As others have mentioned, shoes are a personal thing...
I had a horrible experience with Montrail Hardrocks on the PCT, the heel has a plastic (?) support band that wraps around and it dug a bloody gash into my heel forcing me to wear my crocs hiking for a long time. I did have pretty good success with various New Balances, I wore 767's in the desert, 810's in the Sierras, and 607's through Oregon. If I were to hike the PCT again, I would probably wear some Brooks running shoes through the desert and then something like the Innov8's through the Sierras (haven't tried them yet, but look pretty solid) and switch back to something lighter the rest of the way (running shoes/light trail shoes).
Buy a couple pairs on sale and see what you like...
pure_mahem
01-13-2008, 02:48
Is this the same NB 810 (http://www.newbalance.com/products/MR810/) that a lot of people rave about for the trail?
- T
Nice Sneaker I like the 607's myself. The good thing about trail runner's are they have a lot of cushioning, a nice aggresive tread so you don't slip, and they are super light oh yeah they dry really quick too! JMO everyone should have a pair at least until the temperatures drop, Your feet will love you for life! Wear a pair to work, I work in retail and am on my feet for about 14 hours a day. I noticed a significant difference in lugging my old heavy sneakers around all day and floating on these feathers!:banana
I'd say that you should start with a pair of shoes that fit well, and train in them. Then, take your used shoes into a good running store and tell them about thru-hiking a bit. Make sure that they know that thru-hiking is serious business--tell them that you'll be covering at least 100 miles a week for months on end. They should be able to tell if you under-pronate, over-pronate, or have a neutral stride, and recommend shoes based on the above. If you don't have time or an already used pair of running shoes, a good shop will be able to watch your stride and tell. Make sure that they know you'll be buying replacement pairs along the way, and get them to tell you any information that you can about your stride/feet.
For the AT, you certainly want something with some sort of plate/protection in the bottom. Step on a corner or a rock, and see how much you feel it.
stay away from anything called racing flats--they'll be under-cushioned and won't be very durable. Since you're a big guy, you'll want something with good cushioning. You probably also want some sort of plastic/rubber that extends up a bit on the front of the shoe to protect you from stubbed toes. Also, look for any part that might break down quickly from rubbing up against rocks. Gore-tex or anything waterproof is usually not worth it. Ventilation and quick-drying are more important features than being supposedly waterproof.
I'd stay away from any lacing system that involves plastic clips on the outside of the shoe--a collision with a rock could break one of those off and ruin your pair of shoes (I had this happen to me). The lazy man lacing systems, excepting Salomon, also usually don't work as well as normal laces.
I also like shoes that seem to have a little extra space in the ball of the foot, since it expands when you push off.
Expect your feet to change in size/shape for two reasons:
1. The tendon that holds the arch in your foot streches from hiking, and your feet can flatten out a bit.
2. your feet will swell up a bit from hiking so much. Also, wearing a pack will increase your weight and spread your feet out a bit while you are walking.
Shoes are also my current research topic. I have a neutral stride (about 1/4-1/5 people have neutral strides), and most trail runners are just made for the average stride. Those that are made for neutral strides (that I've found) are more along the lines of racing shoes (very light with no cushioning/protection), and wouldn't really be suitable to thru-hiking. If anyone can help me find a model that might be suited to me, I' appreciate it.