We know it’s hard to believe, but Adventure Journal has been going strong for about a decade. That means we have thousands of stories in our gear shed, packed away waiting to again see the light of day, or, rather, a computer screen. Even though it’s not quite February, we’re already thinking of spring hiking trips, which means we’re making sure our boots are ready, and thinking about this piece from a few years back, chronicling the switch from boots to trail runners and back again. – Ed.
About 12 years or so ago I bumped into an older middle-aged couple on the John Muir Trail whose amazing, crazy-strong legs changed how I viewed backcountry footwear. I met them as we crossed a creek in opposite directions. I motioned for them to step across the log bridge first and as they did I couldn’t help but stare at their phenomenal legs: tan, rope-muscled, veiny—pretty much perfect. These people had to be in their late 60s, but jeez, those stems.
While staring I noticed they were wearing running shoes. Not even burly trail runners, but regular old—and I do mean old—Asics Gel runners. We started chatting and they informed me they were on their way to Mt. Whitney, finishing the last section of the JMT they’d yet to cross off their list. I expressed surprise that they’d chosen those shoes to wear on a fairly serious trek. They countered with equal surprise at my question: Why wouldn’t they wear the most comfortable shoes they could on long hike?
The sharp rocks, I pointed out. The slippery granite, the ankle-busting tree roots, I went on and on.
No blisters, they responded. Quick drying and light as feather, they said.
Then they cheerily walked away down the trail, magnificent calves flexing, perfectly comfortable running shoes padding silently along.
Years later, when I started taking backpacking seriously, I was inspired by this running shoe-wearing couple and I decided to ditch my hiking boots. I went out and bought a pair of trail-runners—a pair of since-discontinued Merrells. I was gradually switching to lightweight and ultralight gear anyway, so saving a pound or two on my feet made perfect sense. I’d read the quip numerous times about how a pound on your feet is like six pounds on your back. Or eight pounds maybe, I forget how it goes. Anyway, those Merrells worked so well, I went even lighter on my next couple pairs until finally I was wearing mesh running shoes on most summertime backcountry trips.
And yeah, they were very comfortable, they dried quickly, and sure, they were very light.
But as my pack weight lightened over the seasons, I started to care less about how much weight my feet were carrying. And, as I began to discover my own personal preferences as a backpacker, I started to miss the security and comfort of a well-fitting boot. More important, I finally realized that just because magazines and ultralight hiking experts proclaimed that trail-runners were the only choice for three-season backpacking, I didn’t actually have to agree.
So this year, I’m switching full-time back to boots. Sure, trail-runners are lighter than boots and absolutely work for long-distance backcountry treks, but for me, there’s something about lacing up an ankle-high boot that inspires confidence. I like tromping through low streams without my feet getting wet. I like seeing a gnarled, rocky section of trail and knowing that I won’t feel each and every rock and pebble through the feet, like I did with my lightweight trail-runners. Plus, hiking boots have become so incredibly light themselves that there’s much less of a weight penalty than there once was.
But even more importantly: I love knowing that the right pair of boots can stick with me for half a dozen years of expeditions, if not a decade. Or more. I’ve still got the first pair of decent hiking boots I bought over 12 years ago. They’re heavy, but functional. I’m having them re-soled in fact as I write this. In the years since I set them aside, I couldn’t tell you how many pairs of lightweight trail-runners I’ve chewed through. While they’ve been comfortable, they haven’t inspired the sort of connection with me that a well-worn pair of boots has.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to work on pumping up my calves.
Some of our favorite full-sized hiking boots
For a very high quality boot offering plenty of support and foot protection, while remaining light, flexible, and breathable, you can’t really beat the Scarpa Zodiac GTX. $299 • BUY
The Oboz Bridger series is flat out terrific. They make both insulated and non-insulated at various ankle heights. We like them all, but you’d do just fine with the standard Bridger. A solid boot for a great price. $180 • BUY
Danner’s supremely comfortable Mountain 600 boots will have you forgetting that trail-running shoes ever existed. $180 • BUY
I’m a lightweight convert. But I know what you mean. Over a decade ago I hiked 350km/1 month across the Swiss Alps wearing traditional Meindl Borneo leather boots. It wasn’t until after the trek I realised ‘Hey, wait a minute. No blisters, no overheating and only wet feet once!”. I hadn’t even really thought about my feet through the whole trek. I’ll be wearing them again later this year across 570km of mixed terrain of lava fields, sand dunes, forests and rocks. They’re just ‘fit and forget’ boots. That’s what good footwear should be! I won’t be chucking out my Inov8 shoes yet though.
If you’re in La Sportiva or Salomon trail shoes, it’s a different animal than any other trail shoe. X Grip on Sportiva is unparalleled. Both companies model their trail shoes after xc Nordic boots.
If anyone can recommend a boot that actually does abstain from giving blisters and feels great then maybe I’ll change my mind. I’ve done some hiking in my Meindl Bhutans. Meant to be a great shoe but it blisters my feet just in a day of wearing it. It’s a no brainer for me to wear trail running shoes. They are more comfortable, and I find them to be grippier than sturdy lack of feel boots anyway. I do a lot of scrambling and adrenaline hiking and I would not put that confidence into wearing boots for those trips. But ofc having a waterproof beast on your foot would be nice at times. I just don’t know what would help me out. Boots are expensive and to get blisters two hours into your trek, yeah nah.
My feet are subject for serious blisters also when wearing boots. Have you ever considered wearing a sock liner? I always wear thin sock liners under my socks and never had a blisters while wearing them.
Thanks for the suggestion. Just ordered a pair and will see how it goes.
Lows mountain gtx
No blisters, goretex, well made and durable. Do require a short break- in, but some of the best boots available.
That should be Lowa. Bloody auto correct. Lowa made in Germany, not too expensive.
Get starte
Hiking — “I don’t like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains — not hike! Do you know the origin of that word ‘saunter?’ It’s a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, “A la sainte terre,’ ‘To the Holy Land.’ And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not ‘hike’ through them.”
John Muir
Sure, lightweight is good if you see trails as a track, but what about when you decide to scramble that peak? Or when those storm clouds that were hidden by the ridge line pop out and now instead of lightly floating down those boulders, you’ve got a treacherously slick 2 hours ahead of you?
Versatility often comes at the price of weight, but it’s well worth it.
I hear ya. Last year I made the switch back to boots. They have come such a long way that they are actually comfy as well. The Rocky sections of the AT are enough to beat the crap outta your feet to make me jump into my boots.
I also really like the ability to change my lacing setup for different areas or extremes
Love the photo of the beat up Zamberlans! Over the years, I’ve owned 4 pairs for the support and protection these boots provide when I’m on rocky, abrasive, or dicey footing. Glad to know that some hikers may be re-embracing durable and rugged boots (but also glad that I can use my lightweight footwear when I want to invest less effort for double digit mileage days on the trail).
I dunno, I made the switch from my trusty Vasque hikers to Salomon Speedcross trail runners and am super-impressed. Better traction, mobility and comfort at a fraction of the weight. On and off trail. But these days I run much of my hikes so maybe that’s a major reason why I prefer them. There are winter models too (Snowcross or Speedcross M+S ClimaSheild) so make that FOUR seasons.
Yea there are a lot of comments here about “What about when you need traction?!”, but I’ve always found trail runners to have better traction due to the more flexible sole and ability to angle your ankle to the terrain.
I think the need for boots is entirely in people’s heads, personally. But if you need laces up over your tibia for confidence on your feet, do it.
This is where I arrived at as well. In my early years hiking and lightweight backpacking, I wore hiking boots because… well, I was hiking and this category of footwear was called, “hiking boots.” I ended up wearing trail runners on some hikes and vastly preferred the more grippy contour around what I was stepping on, the lighter weight, and more comfortable feel.
Sure, if I was going on a 30-day journey with the gear load to support it, I’d consider hiking boots for the stability, but in the 99% of outings, I’m wearing trail runners.
I’m in full agreement with you. I am on my second pair of Zamerlan backpacking boots in the last 14 years. I also own a pair of Danner Mountain Lights I wear occasionally, a pair of Patagonia light Gore-Tex hiking boots or short romps and a pair of Merrell Moab’s for hot dry enviroments. But I always where the Zamerlans for serious hikes especially with a full 60+ litre pack.
Day hiking in the mountains of Tucson AZ, i’m pressed to get 12 months on boots before soles get smooth and loose grip: Lowa, Vasque models from $150-250 which are non resoleable. Trails are rocky, gritty, and at altitude, pine needle/rock/soil. Any suggestions to make this investment last longer? Stores are no help and mfrs deem it normal wear!
Deb, you need boots which can be re-soled. Look at Danner. Their boots are a bit heavy but they are like strapping tanks on your feet. And they can be re-soled over and over. And over again. My favorites are the Mountain Lights. But the Lights are also very good. And made in Portland Oregon, if that’s important to you.
I had my Danners resoled and they got smaller- had to get rid of them..
I wear boots and runners. Love boots. Make the legs stronger for those times when I wear tennies. BUT, I have never had a pair of boots last a full season in the mountains, or any runners. My Danners ($300) lasted about 15 miles before they started to fall apart. My expensive shoes rarely last longer than somethin’ cheaper. If they fit, there’s no difference in comfort for me between boots and runners. I don’t live in the humid hot south, though. For mtn travel to summits boots provide lots of protection and they also look very sexy in a unhip way on mtn girls.
So your point is not rational. Ok )
To each his/her own; but I’ll stick to my Vibrams.
I like to feel the earth/rocks/creeks etc beneath my feet. The more-so, as it becomes gnarlier.
Well, it’s a matter of personal taste … weather and specific terrain for me. I have a pair of HOKA ONE ONE event “above ankle boots,” but I also favor my Vibram Five Finger V-Trek and V-Trek insulated under most hiking conditions.
All is good in trail runners until you hit an unseen tree root or other anomaly and accidentally turn an ankle. You can easily turn a remote hike into a potentially dangerous situation. Plus, recovering from a severe ankle turn can really set back your training and plans. To each his own, but never forget the protection you will receive from a lightweight and durable hiking boot. Just my opinion.
Never owned the Vasque Breeze III. Been using the Vasque Breeze 2.0 for about 7 years now. The 2.0 are still out there on the market for maybe $70 or so. That’s $100 off list. I trust my life to these boots! You can get the III next year.
I use my 10 year old pair of Breezes. The sole has some chips but they still work. Only beef? They are ugly!
I switched from boots to runners. I worked in the backcountry on and off trail for five months over the last six years and the runners were much better for me by the end. I had to be more aware of where I was walking, but others in the crew with big heavy boots were stumbling and tripping over rocks a lot more than me after I switched! When in boots, the ankle support actually would cause my ankle to hurt, whereas without, my foot would conform to the slope better and my ankle would not hurt. And at the end of long backpacks, others complained about aching feet while I felt like dancing around! I did place a gel insert in there for a little more comfort.
I really appreciate this post. I had a knee injury from running (a sport which I hated anyway). Although I recognize the joys of running, I was really just doing it to try to stay in shape, not because I liked it. I’m glad you’re highlighting different options we have!
as long as you are out there the footware is secondary. you can have the best trail runners or hiking boots around, sitting in your closet all year…looking good….getting awesome reviews on website. 🙂
Belleville 350DES hot weather boots for this guy all the way, particularly for heavy loads and rough terrain. I went lightweight for a while and just aggravated old ankle sprains/breaks. Different strokes for different folks who are going out there and doing different things, with different loads, on different terrain, with different bodies. Gonna need different kicks!
I love them both. I did 4 years of hot canyon hiking on slippery scree in Utah’s hot July months with some heavy leather Vasques tied to my feet. Sure, I never had to think about water, little stones getting inside, snake bites or sharp rocks, but man they were hot. A few years later, I grabbed a pair of Solomon Gore trail runners. For the wet and slick North Vancouver slopes, the ContraGrip is OK, but the the best feature is the lightweight nature of the show. Now, I’m taking my kids up the creek, I don my Merrell approach boots with Vibram soles for those mossy rocks. Diversity is the key to survival!
Last year i.did my first trail race.it happened to be the half marathon trail race in Kentucky called the rugged red.i used a pair of Salomon lt with m and s contrario
I’m forty five and was able to finish before my age group time.was a blast and the shoes where perfect.
SMH… just the mere thought of bulky, heavy, hot hiking boots makes me not even want to get out on the trails.
Trail Runners for me, for sure!
I could say… mid trailrunners or vibram fivefingers for spring-summer-fall and technical lightweight boots or mid trailrunners for snow on winter, but i’m not so experienced so maybe i’ll change my opinion someday.
Women Vasque wide..finally gave me the toe box I needed and comfort all the time for the AT and most recently the C2C England!
I have a pair of Adidas Response Trail Runners that I got in 1990.
They are trimmed in real leather. They have lace locks.. like boots.
They still are the most comfortable shoes I have.
Adidas doesn’t make shoes like that any more.
I can’t find any quality shoes.. or quality ANYTHING any more.
I try to not to buy anything.
Go boots or go home!
Last hike I did this summer was backpacking with a dude from work. I wore my big-ass 12″-high Irish Setter hunting boots (hey, they make excellent backpacking boots) and he did the whole hike in Reefs. Granted it wasn’t a super-technical trail, only about a mile and a half either way, but did involve a scramble over a boulder field for about 150 feet or so to get where we were going.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess, though personally I can’t imagine hiking in anything other than stompers or Chacos.
Sure wish I could find Zamberlands in my size…
I don’t know where he’s hiking, but in the Canadian Rockies I’m happy if I get two years out of a pair of boots. Once you leave the beaten path, footwear doesn’t last long up here.
with 5 decades of backcountry hiking all leather ankle high boots are the only way to go. i hike in danner mtn lights, now danner’s mountain pass. they are xpensive, but since you can resole them at least two times, the cost factor probably evens out…..from 1992 to 2018 all my hiking was done with a pack burro and all leather is superior with the close hoof to foot maneuvers…..any weight differences is quickly forgotten once you start motivation….
Protecting the ankles in rough terrain, particularly as I get older and perhaps as my judgement decreases in less-ideal trail condition, keeps me keeping down the miles and wearing my leather over-the-heel hiking boots. Their ability to take a (strap-on) crampon setup when things get more dire than typical hillwalking will probably keep me in this phase through my walking career. Athleticism tends to decrease with age, and the ability to continue to support a light-walker as your outdoor footwear with it. If you are that superhuman that breaks these bounds, congratulations. The impulse for self-protection in these areas seems, to me, to increase with increasing age and potential injury from wearing insufficient armor.
Spot on
I started the AT with Danner Boots. Big mistake! It rained for a week straight on the trail. At the end of the week my feet were trashed. I’m talking about sores, blisters, bloody socks, very painful. I found a pair of old white Rebocks in a thrift store mid trail. After another week recovering from the damage of the big bulky cumbersome boots, I hiked pain free through more wet terrain. Hiking long distance is challenging enough, no need to burden your feet. Wear cheap whatever shoes and watch where you step!
Admittedly, I didn’t read through all the comments, but it seems that approach shoes have been left out of the discussion. An approach shoe, particularly those made by Asolo, has been my go to shoe for hiking and, really, every day use for many years. Combined with gaiters, these shoes keep my feet dry and comfortable in snow and wet conditions. When it is dry, these shoes can handle any terrain. I’m in my 70s now and keeping things on my feet lightweight is still the way for me.
I like a good solid hiking boot, protects your foot when you’re tired, stumbling, keeps your feet relatively dry when hiking thru slush, for hours, and warm, and supports your ankles if you do sprain, leave boot on ,stand in mountain Creek, Never get of the boat unless you’re going all the way.
Wait until you need to kick steps into icy snow on steeper terrain.
Or into steep slopes on desert mountains where it’s scree to near-scree and unstable rocky stuff. Sometimes you have to kick your own steps in going up or down or side-hill. I don’t get how even ‘approach’ shoes can do that well. I had to hike in running shoes out there for so long because I have weird wide feet that only fit in one model of New Balance mens 4E running shoes (I’m a woman), no boots would fit. Wore those shoes out so fast, and banged up the side of my foot so often punching into rocky stuff to make footholds. Plus all the burrs, sticks, and dirt getting into all that g-d mesh. (Hate mesh on hiking shoes!) There are no trails (to speak of) in most desert mountains. I so wished for boots, finally ended up getting some custom made ones I still have. Can resole / repair them. All leather. If they fit from the start, you don’t get blisters. I have running shoes for running, not for hiking esp off trail.
As an ultra runner I’d prefer a rugged trail shoe for any and every condition. muscle proprioception is totally different. I feel like I’d fall to my death in big hiking boots.
I will turn 68 in a few weeks. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 9 years ago and still hike and ride my road bike regularly.
I only read the article because the photo of the boots looked like Zamberlans which are my go to for longer or more rugged hikes.
For me, the comfort level, stability and traction are superior with the Zamberlans and have saved me from many potential falls, blisters and rolled ankles!
If I am just heading out for a speed walk and its not snowing or raining I will wear my Solomon Cross Trainers.
For anything more technical or steep its the Zamberlans.
I’ve always worn Military Jungle boots w cushioned insoles. A good pair cost 29 bucks from your local Army Supply store. The stock soles are rigged like the best 4×4 Mud tires.
I trail run in my hiking boots. How ’bout them apples?!
I use Altra Olympus 4 which are insanely comfortable mixed with SVARTZ® ANATOMIX LITE FOOTBED which are brilliant for holding your foot/ankle in position and for wet weather I combine this with British army goretex boot liners. Perfection in an outdoor shoe
My first backpacking trip ever was in 1991, to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There was a guy in our group who wore flip-flops for the entire trek. Not the fancy Birkenstocks or Modern Keen sandals, either. These were the old-school piece of foam with a rubber thong. Dude must have had some seriously strong feet.
Where I hike in the Desolation Wilderness, many of the trails are continuous miles of fist-sized rocks making up the trail—even light hikers weren’t enough to keep the bottoms of my feet from getting sore on constant rock points, and I found I really wanted better ankle support with the constant threat of rolling on unstable rock piles. I bought Oboz Bridgers, and they rocked my world—comfy, supportive, nary a blister ever, even on first hike out or carrying my massive backpack full of luxurious backcountry creature comforts. I don’t even take my boots off once I’m in camp, they’re so warm and comfy, unlike my companions who can’t wait to rip off their hiking footwear. But I’ve seen folks running down those same rocky trails in light shoes, and each foot, hike and person is different—always willing to consider different perspectives, and it’s cool to see how many ways people put foot to trail! Happy hiking!
I don’t enjoy the ultralight lifestyle. A bunch of my buddies are avid hunters and routinely carry a 50-80 pound bag. That doesn’t even include their guns or ammo. None of them wear trail runners to lug around heavy loads. Whenever I find myself on some scraggly half lost trail I always wish I was wearing boots. So I just went back. My feet feel so much better. Ankles hurt less. Trail runners have a place for me but it isn’t on thru hikes. Also my feet stay so much cleaner these days.
As a footwear specialist at REI Co-op–and after realizing my foot had stretched a size up to “9” from “8.5”– I came into work on my day off and tried everything on the shelf, including trailrunners. I departed with the Lowa Camino GTX. Probably the heaviest, non-mountaineering boot in our stock. Love them. My expression and emotions in putting them on resemble Ferris Bueller’s ecstatic “Oohh” when he slides into the front seat of that Ferrari 250 GT. Trailrunners of the world…have fun, and don’t forget your trekking poles. I’m going to stick with my boots because their stable, their fun, and they’ve been as faithful to me as my black Lab, Jack.