WHY NOT BOTH FILTER: Is there a sneaker that's ALSO a good hiker?
May 11, 2022 1:13 PM Subscribe
So I got the biggest and best hiking boots you can get. Great. Amazing. But they're huge and heavy. And I'm a nomad. So what I need is something that does like 60-80% of that BUT which I can also go for a run in. Does such a shoe exist?
Yes, it sounds like you're looking for trail running shoes. Here's a discussion of the differences between trail runners and hiking boots.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:22 PM on May 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:22 PM on May 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
Yes, there are hiking shoes and trail runners that are kind of on a continuum with hiking boots --> hiking shoes --> trail runners with hiking boots being heavier and offering more support and the trail runners being the lightest. They should still have very grippy soles and some will be waterproof, which comes at the expense of breathability.
I wear trail runners or hiking shoes whenever I'm hiking unless it'll go well below freezing at which point I'll switch to my hiking boots or even snow boots depending on the conditions and am actually looking to buy a new pair. For a couple of years I bought the Conspiracy Outdry shoe by Columbia but they seem to have stopped making it so I can't just pick up another pair of them (my current pair are some Salomon's that my wife got me as a present that aren't as good as the Consipracy's but what are you going to do?) I think this time around I'm going to go with quick drying as opposed to waterproof because I'll be doing some trekking in Japan this summer and I expect it to be very hot and if it turns out being no good for fall hiking I'll just wear my boots then.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:23 PM on May 11, 2022
I wear trail runners or hiking shoes whenever I'm hiking unless it'll go well below freezing at which point I'll switch to my hiking boots or even snow boots depending on the conditions and am actually looking to buy a new pair. For a couple of years I bought the Conspiracy Outdry shoe by Columbia but they seem to have stopped making it so I can't just pick up another pair of them (my current pair are some Salomon's that my wife got me as a present that aren't as good as the Consipracy's but what are you going to do?) I think this time around I'm going to go with quick drying as opposed to waterproof because I'll be doing some trekking in Japan this summer and I expect it to be very hot and if it turns out being no good for fall hiking I'll just wear my boots then.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 1:23 PM on May 11, 2022
when doing a big muddy slog i'll wear boots, but most other times I wear a pair of trail runners. either the Ghost or Trace from brooks. I'll even wear these when I play soccer
posted by Dr. Twist at 1:23 PM on May 11, 2022
posted by Dr. Twist at 1:23 PM on May 11, 2022
Yes, you want trail shoes or trail runners as suggested above. I love my Ahnu sugarpines - they are made by Teva, very comfortable/durable, and I use them as my everyday shoes (disclaimer that I am not a distance runner but have done a ton of hiking, walking and short jogs in these and they are very comfortable). A sales rep at your local REI or other outdoor/gear store can be very helpful in trying different trail shoes and finding the ones you like best. I know Merrell and Keen are other popular brands.
posted by sleepingwithcats at 1:25 PM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by sleepingwithcats at 1:25 PM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do you want to run on trails or the road? Trail runners seem like a great option here, but if you'll be running with them primarily on pavement, they might not be the best shoe for you.
Also, the biggest and best hiking books aren't always... the best. If you're wearing a heavy backpack or have concerns with your feet and ankles, great. But you don't necessarily need heavy duty hiking boots for moderate day hikes, you know?
posted by bluedaisy at 1:34 PM on May 11, 2022
Also, the biggest and best hiking books aren't always... the best. If you're wearing a heavy backpack or have concerns with your feet and ankles, great. But you don't necessarily need heavy duty hiking boots for moderate day hikes, you know?
posted by bluedaisy at 1:34 PM on May 11, 2022
I’ve been using a pair of Asics trail-runners as hikers for several years. They’ve proven very durable and very comfortable.
I also used to have a nice pair of Merrells with vibram soles. They were built like running shoes but with hard plastic reinforcements here and there. They were really good, but a bit too stiff for my tastes. And the plastic bits started flaking off.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:02 PM on May 11, 2022
I also used to have a nice pair of Merrells with vibram soles. They were built like running shoes but with hard plastic reinforcements here and there. They were really good, but a bit too stiff for my tastes. And the plastic bits started flaking off.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:02 PM on May 11, 2022
Trail running shoes sound like exactly what you're looking for. I like Hoka One One and New Balance, but people are very particular about running shoe brands, so think of that not as an endorsement but more of a statement of personal preference.
But, if trail running shoes are not exactly what you're looking for, there are also approach shoes, which generally have sticky rubber soles and can be used for light bouldering (but probably don't have as much cushion as most folks would want for running), low-cut hiking boots, which are basically hiking boots minus the ankle support (which are probably heavier than most folks would want for running). Like any portmanteau in a storm said, it's kind of a continuum.
posted by box at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2022
But, if trail running shoes are not exactly what you're looking for, there are also approach shoes, which generally have sticky rubber soles and can be used for light bouldering (but probably don't have as much cushion as most folks would want for running), low-cut hiking boots, which are basically hiking boots minus the ankle support (which are probably heavier than most folks would want for running). Like any portmanteau in a storm said, it's kind of a continuum.
posted by box at 2:43 PM on May 11, 2022
Most hikers have moved away from big, heavy hiking boots, even when carrying heavy loads. Here's a survey from 600+ people who attempted the PCT last year (2,000+ miles):
The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2021 Survey
About half are hiking shoes and the other half are trail running shoes. The difference between them isn't drastic.
My personal experience is that unless you're hiking in wet/sloppy conditions (which would require deep lugs), or in very rocky conditions (which would require a plate / rigidity), or running for speed, most people don't need specialized hiking footwear at all.
posted by meowzilla at 3:03 PM on May 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
The Pacific Crest Trail Gear Guide: Class of 2021 Survey
About half are hiking shoes and the other half are trail running shoes. The difference between them isn't drastic.
My personal experience is that unless you're hiking in wet/sloppy conditions (which would require deep lugs), or in very rocky conditions (which would require a plate / rigidity), or running for speed, most people don't need specialized hiking footwear at all.
posted by meowzilla at 3:03 PM on May 11, 2022 [4 favorites]
Forsake makes shoes for just this purpose. They don’t fit me, so I can’t vouch for them.
posted by Comet Bug at 3:16 PM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Comet Bug at 3:16 PM on May 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
+n for trail runners. You'll have the most luck if you are intending to either 1) do road runs and hiking on light, not-super-technical trail, or 2) trail runs and any kind of hiking. Road runs plus technical trail is stretching it a bit.
For the former (road runs and light trail hiking), look for trail runners that are closer to trad running shoes and marked for light trail or "road to trail". Brooks is good at these - the Divide 2 is probably close to what you're looking for. I would have recommended the Brooks Cascadia, but it looks like they've given it more aggressive tread in the last couple years (which is generally a good thing, it was barely a trail runner before).
For the latter (train runs and technical hiking), you want more foot protection and more aggressive tread. I have good experience with Salomon and La Sportiva in this category of more "serious" off-road shoes.
If you're going to be spanning a wider range of terrain, you're going to be giving up something on either side (road comfort or trail comfort).
One thing I didn't see discussed above is Gore-Tex or not (this includes any waterproof-breathable membrane, like Columbia Outdry). This is a super philosophical question, and I'm anti. They'll protect your feet from mud and rain, but at the cost of keeping your feet moist from sweat. And precisely the condition where you need the most protection - in humid downpours - is when waterproof-breathable membranes are at their worst in transferring moisture out of your shoes. If you're rarely working hard enough to sweat in them, there's probably more of a case to be made for Gore-Tex in your shoes, but for anything athletic, it's a gimmick. Just practice your rock hopping for crossing streams and mud pits, and wear wool socks.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 3:30 PM on May 11, 2022
For the former (road runs and light trail hiking), look for trail runners that are closer to trad running shoes and marked for light trail or "road to trail". Brooks is good at these - the Divide 2 is probably close to what you're looking for. I would have recommended the Brooks Cascadia, but it looks like they've given it more aggressive tread in the last couple years (which is generally a good thing, it was barely a trail runner before).
For the latter (train runs and technical hiking), you want more foot protection and more aggressive tread. I have good experience with Salomon and La Sportiva in this category of more "serious" off-road shoes.
If you're going to be spanning a wider range of terrain, you're going to be giving up something on either side (road comfort or trail comfort).
One thing I didn't see discussed above is Gore-Tex or not (this includes any waterproof-breathable membrane, like Columbia Outdry). This is a super philosophical question, and I'm anti. They'll protect your feet from mud and rain, but at the cost of keeping your feet moist from sweat. And precisely the condition where you need the most protection - in humid downpours - is when waterproof-breathable membranes are at their worst in transferring moisture out of your shoes. If you're rarely working hard enough to sweat in them, there's probably more of a case to be made for Gore-Tex in your shoes, but for anything athletic, it's a gimmick. Just practice your rock hopping for crossing streams and mud pits, and wear wool socks.
posted by Special Agent Dale Cooper at 3:30 PM on May 11, 2022
I love Outdry - not only is it waterproof, it's dust-proof. I've been on multi-day hikes where I was the only one wearing waterproof hikers, and I was the only person with clean feet. Everyone else, the dust would have spread through their shoes, into their socks, onto their feet.
I was also the fastest one across many stream crossings (I didn't have to switch shoes). To be fair, I am blessed with non-sweaty feet, and this was in High Sierra hiking (e.g. very dry most of the time) so may only work in dry/hot climates?
posted by soylent00FF00 at 3:50 PM on May 11, 2022
I was also the fastest one across many stream crossings (I didn't have to switch shoes). To be fair, I am blessed with non-sweaty feet, and this was in High Sierra hiking (e.g. very dry most of the time) so may only work in dry/hot climates?
posted by soylent00FF00 at 3:50 PM on May 11, 2022
I could put my old Conspiracy's in water right up to the top and my feet would be dry. For spring and fall hiking in Ontario that's a great thing to have. Even for things like walking through wet grass it can be quite nice to have.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:31 PM on May 11, 2022
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:31 PM on May 11, 2022
I own a pair of stylish sneaker hiking shoes from Ridgemont Outfitters that I love!
posted by forkisbetter at 7:29 PM on May 11, 2022
posted by forkisbetter at 7:29 PM on May 11, 2022
The other approach (from trail runners) is combat boots. With US involvement in the Middle East winding down, my favorite ones got discontinued (the Magnum Spider tsi 8.1 was as light as some running shoes, had great ankle support, and were extremely breathable).
It looks like their replacement model is the Elite Spider X, which comes in 3, 5, and 8-inch heights. Here’s a link to the 5-inch. I haven’t personally tried the new model (it doesn’t seem to come in as wide of a size as I need), but the old ones were pretty nice.
posted by DaveP at 6:20 AM on May 12, 2022
It looks like their replacement model is the Elite Spider X, which comes in 3, 5, and 8-inch heights. Here’s a link to the 5-inch. I haven’t personally tried the new model (it doesn’t seem to come in as wide of a size as I need), but the old ones were pretty nice.
posted by DaveP at 6:20 AM on May 12, 2022
A new collaboration between Salomon and Ciele Athletics, the Pulsar Trail Pro trail running shoe, dropped today.
Very brightly colored, if that's a thing you appreciate in sneakers. Will probably sell out, so you might not see too many other people wearing them, if that's a thing you appreciate in sneakers.
posted by box at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2022
Very brightly colored, if that's a thing you appreciate in sneakers. Will probably sell out, so you might not see too many other people wearing them, if that's a thing you appreciate in sneakers.
posted by box at 8:33 AM on May 12, 2022
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