Trail Runners and Pack Weights

[Sensei]

Hey, everyone. So, I'm considering making the switch from mid-height boots to trail runners and I want some opinions. According to my understanding, the commonly held view is that more foot support is needed for more weight carried (of course, this may or may not be true). Here are my questions for those that prefer to hike in trail runners:

1. What kinds of pack weights do you typically carry?

2. Do you prefer to hike with trekking poles? I've never used them, but they would seem to provide a measure of ankle security that low-cut trail runners might not.

Thanks!

[leaftye]

According to my understanding, the commonly held view is that more foot support is needed for more weight carried (of course, this may or may not be true).

That probably is the commonly held view, but I believe it's rubbish. Wait, do you mean foot support like the plantar fascia or the ankle?

If you mean the plantar fascia, then no. Sort of. More foot strength is needed when the weight on your feet is increased. It doesn't matter if the weight is in your gut or on your back. If you don't have the foot strength because your feet are weak or injured, then you may want to turn to supportive insoles. I think that's a bad way to do it. I believe it's much better to allow your feet to grow as strong as possible. Relying on insole supports can leave you vulnerable and in a lot of pain when those insoles wear out, but if you need them, you need them. Fortunately there's plenty of time to strengthen your feet before the next thru hiking season.

Ankle support is piss poor in hiking boots. If it had great support, it would be horrible footwear to hike in. Some people find that they turn their ankles less in very minimal footwear, which includes some trail runners. I find that I abuse my ankles less when I wear trail runners. With boots, I feel like I can ignore the ground because I can't feel it through the sole, but then I step on a rock and turn my ankle.

1. What kinds of pack weights do you typically carry?

Anywhere from just above 20 to over 70 pounds, but typically my pack weight is on the lighter side because I'm actually trying to go for distance. My first two reasons for using trail runners are that they breathe well enough that I don't have to waste time taking breaks to cool off my feet and the lighter weight makes it easier for me to ascend.

2. Do you prefer to hike with trekking poles? I've never used them, but they would seem to provide a measure of ankle security that low-cut trail runners might not.

I started using trekking poles because I found out how much my knees hated it when I ran down a mountain every weekend with a pack on. Oops! Also, in the winter the trekking poles made traversing snow covered scree fields more safe because it provided a way for me to catch myself in case a foot fell into a hole.

[gumball]

My pack weight is 35 or under and I've always used trekking poles.

[Phreak]

I only hike in trail runners. Pack weight varies from 10 pounds to 40+ pounds. I use trekking poles 90% of the time.

[Serial 07]

i would think your pack would have to be 35 lbs or less for trail runners...more weight on your back should equal more sturdy shoes...

i didn't use poles during my thru, but now i've seen how useful they really are...they make downhills easier and i seem to move a little faster when i bring'em...

[QiWiz]

Base pack weight for AT is 12-13 pounds. Total pack weight with 4 days food, fuel, and 40 oz water is 20-21 pounds.

I hike in trail runners even when carrying heavy loads (like 35 total pounds for an 8 day trip in late fall without resupply). I have strong ankles.

Have knee arthritis (can hear them grind going up stairs when its quiet) so always use trekking poles on downhills, steep uphills, and stream crossings.

[bigcranky]

I switched to trail runners in April, 2000 -- I still vividly remember the hike. At that time we were hiking with a 10 year old, and I was carrying around 40-45 pounds. Switching to trail runners was a revelation -- at the end of the day, my feet and legs didn't hurt, and I didn't get a single heel blister.

[stumpknocker]

That probably is the commonly held view, but I believe it's rubbish. Wait, do you mean foot support like the plantar fascia or the ankle?

If you mean the plantar fascia, then no. Sort of. More foot strength is needed when the weight on your feet is increased. It doesn't matter if the weight is in your gut or on your back. If you don't have the foot strength because your feet are weak or injured, then you may want to turn to supportive insoles. I think that's a bad way to do it. I believe it's much better to allow your feet to grow as strong as possible. Relying on insole supports can leave you vulnerable and in a lot of pain when those insoles wear out, but if you need them, you need them. Fortunately there's plenty of time to strengthen your feet before the next thru hiking season.

Ankle support is piss poor in hiking boots. If it had great support, it would be horrible footwear to hike in. Some people find that they turn their ankles less in very minimal footwear, which includes some trail runners. I find that I abuse my ankles less when I wear trail runners. With boots, I feel like I can ignore the ground because I can't feel it through the sole, but then I step on a rock and turn my ankle.

There's not many times I find myself in agreement with someone from California, but I think leaftye is spot on with his/her comment above.

[sparky2000]

For the bare answer - the barefoot sisters

[Old Grouse]

My biggest concerns are fit and sole protection. You can get both in a low cut shoe without the weight penalty, poorer ventilation and longer drying time of a higher style.

At my age I always use trekking poles. For me they're useful everywhere except on dead flat ground, road-walking, etc.

[Wolf - 23000]

Total weight is about 10-12 pounds - less food weight after each day.

I don't use hiking poles.

Wolf

[garlic08]

I haven't worn anything but trail runners for many seasons. My average total pack weight is less than 15 pounds, my max weight is 30 pounds, but I would not wear boots if the load were much heavier. Trail runners have strengthened my ankles and made my hiking pain-free. Sometimes I need to wear boots for trail work, and always regret it at the end of the day. Sometimes I use two poles, sometimes one, often none. Depends on the trail and what shelter I'm carrying.

[runfifty]

I backpacked in running shoes for many years without problems. For my thru hike this year I switched to INOV-8 Roclite 288's and loved them. They weighed less than 10 ounces each, provided adequate support and were very grippy on wet rocks. The cushioning was adequate for all except the rocky PA section and I never had any blister or foot problems at all. My base weight was around 25 pounds, plus food and water.
I can't even imagine trying the AT without hiking poles. The last 1000+ miles I never saw a thru hiker that didn't use them. Check out the Lighttrek carbon fiber poles from Gossamer Gear. Mine lasted the entire trip without breaking and were light as a feather.

[Sensei]

Thanks for the input, everyone. After much consideration, and with the help of your suggestions, I think I'm going to give runners and poles a shot.

[Dogwood]

You leave out what I consider to be crucial details about why you are opting for trail runners. I never opt for a trail/day hiking/long distance hiking shoe, no matter how it's labeled, defined, or advertised SOLELY based on my pack wt. Pack wt is only one aspect to consider if you are considering going from a mid-cut boot(trail shoe) to a trail runner. When considering the switch from a mid-cut trail shoe(I hestitate to say the word boot because in many hiking circles the word boot brings up preconceived negative notions of what defines a boot) to a low cut trail runner. I would not only consider the wt on my back but also consider such aspects as trail terrain(ie; thread for example), trail conditions, avg weather patterns, existing or prone to certain injury medical conditions(joints(knees, ankles, hips, spine), musculoskeletal, muscles, feet, etc) how many MPD I was consistently planning on hiking, length of hike, if off trail hiking will be involved, my current physical condition(ie; do I already have an adequately strengthened hiking body, ie; ankles, knees, leg muscles, shoulders, chest, etc), hiking style, hiking experience level(YES, being an experienced hiker teaches one how to walk/hike more comfortable and efficiently!), etc

I would also caution you and everyone reading this post that there exists quite a few low cut model trailrunners made in mid-cut versions! Some of these models REALLY blur the lines between what is a boot and a trail runner and, IMO, are redefining how we have traditionally thought about boots!

I love trail runners but I do not only hike in trail runners!

I love certain types/styles of boots for certain hikes but I do not only hike in boots!

Many conditions dictate the use of any type of hiking shoe!

On 85% of my hikes, which are typically long distance affairs lasting at least 2500 miles, I do not use trekking poles!

I'm an ULer with a typical 3 season base wt(like an AT thru-hike) under 10 lbs!

[skinewmexico]

The ankle support of most boots is a well repeated urban myth.

[wirerat123]

Trail Runners, anything under 40lbs and I use trail runners or cross trainers. Over 40lbs and I have some lightweight hiking boots I can wear.

Only once have I wished I had over the ankle boots and that was a slip where I knocked a sore on my ankle when it hit the rock. Other than that I actually turn my ankles less in the shoes.

[Mags]

The only shoes/boots I own with true ankle support are my Scarpa Tele boots....and those were (are!) a bitch-and-a-half to hike in.

I mainly hike in trail runners.

As with Garlic, I do wear my boots (Hi-Tec altitudes; pretty light for all leather boots) for trail work.

These same boots were used for my forays into alpine climbing this past summer.

The boots will also be worn on rare occasions for day hikes in mud season just out of pure laziness. (I don't feel like dealing with the mud and/or light snow in my shoes for the day and don't feel like changing out of shoes for the end of the day. I do not use them for backpacking that time of the year, though)

I use poles on almost all my outdoor jaunts FWIW.

[peakbagger]

I use trailrunners up in New England and for most of the southern AT . I also use trekking poles. If its flat and level I may carry them in my hands, but if there is any up and down or bony conditions I switch over to poles. If its really bony like Mahoosuc notch, I strap them to the outside fo the pack. I do have regular boots for late and early season when its cold and there is a possiblity of snow as trail runners dont retain heat very well.

[Raul Perez]

I literally just switched to trail runners and did a 3 day hike over the past weekend covering 33 miles in mainly flat terrain. Zero blisters and eliminates the need to have camp shoes. Total pack weight for a 3 day trek with lows into the upper 20's was 22lbs

I always bring my trekking poles.