Trail shoes to check out?

[Gray Bear]

I'm thinking about going to lighter footwear this year since my base weight is coming way down (20# range) and the Wildcats caught my eye and I can get them at a pretty good discount. My concern is that I'm not a little guy (250#) and I'm afraid I'll tear them up pretty fast. Are any of you bigger guys using trail runners for hiking?

[Butch_Lodi]

225# for me and the wildcats seem to be wearing well. When I was researching to buy it seems the tread pattern wears out before the shoe does.

[msumax1985]

Well guys. I made it to REI today and I am sure I drove the poor girl working the shoe dept crazy!

I tried on the Keen Voyager, Oboz Bridger mid and low, Salomon X Ultra mid, and the Salomon Speedcross 3 CS.

I really wanted to like the Oboz, but they were very stiff and had some pressure points on the mid.

The Keens were a bit to wide.

It was between the two Salomons. I was a bit apprehensive about the mid. I must have boney ankles and I felt a little pressure from the top most metal eyelet. Other than that I thought it felt great!

After that I tried on the Speedcross. I can't believe how cushy'er it was. Incredible, and honestly other than a slight more ankle support it felt a lot like the mid.

So I choose....

The Speedcross 3.

Your photo made me chuckle....those nice, futuristic, high tech looking shoes---next to an old low tech radio. Classic!

And I think you will be surprised how much you like this over the mid. The difference is more noticeable on longer, multi day hikes.

[Connie]

I like "hiking shoes".

Why aren't hiking shoes provided in more conservative colors?

I understand runners like lots of colors. I would like not so much.

[OhioHiker]

Your photo made me chuckle....those nice, futuristic, high tech looking shoes---next to an old low tech radio. Classic!

And I think you will be surprised how much you like this over the mid. The difference is more noticeable on longer, multi day hikes.

My other hobby!

I forgot to mention the lacing system. It is totally amazing!

I expected it to create pressure on the tips of my feet but instead when you pull that cord it feels like the shoe gives your foot a big hug... lol

[Sirsnappy09]

.... I now use altra lone peak and Iove them. Wide toebox and narrow heels with zero drop. Nothing compares to the altra for me though.

Hey Sirsnappy, those Altras look uber interesting! How much load do you carry with these shoes? I am always apprehensive about wearing 'runners' with my 22-lb 'Monday load'. And it's really difficult to get any data about how much load these should bear..... so I tend to stay with more traditional 'hikers'.

Any thoughts?

I usually carry about 20lbs or so. I have never had any issues at all. I love them.

[Tabasco]

BTW, I am a size 14 in hikers. Hope this helps.

And I thought I was the only big foot running around. 14s here too, but I'm a 14A so I love hearing that shoes run narrow. I've been wearing Merrell trail gloves exclusively for the past year or so, every day, not on the trail, and love them.

[2000miler]

I swung by the local outfitter yesterday to try on trail runners, and the Brooks Cascadia 9's with green superfeet insoles were like walking on clouds.

[BonBon]

I purchased a pair of Salomon boots yesterday. I chose the pair that go higher up on my ankle because I didn't like the lower cut the fastened over my ankle bone. The foot part of the boot is extremely comfortable on both feet but I am having a hard time getting used to the restrictive feel of the boot around my ankle. Im a FL person- trail runners and merril hiking shoes are what I have worn. I was thinking I might need more support for the first section of the AT. People who made the switch to boots- am I going to get used to this? My hike starts in 1.5 weeks. I plan to wear them everywhere until then, but I have no terrain here to test them out.

[CalebJ]

If you're already used to trail runners and hiking shoes, don't switch to boots now. You're already prepared for success with the trail runners - don't mess with a winning formula.