Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#201633 - 08/30/18 01:48 PM Boots To Shoes
SJS Offline
member

Registered: 08/26/18
Posts: 29
Loc: Low Country of SC
Reading about BP on the internet after a long time away from it one gets the impression the younger hikers have switched in large part from boots to shoes. Since I need to buy new footware I am curious if the older hikers have done the same.

If any of you old timers have switched to shoes, have you gone to hiking shoes or to trail runners; and why one over the other?

Top
#201634 - 08/30/18 02:58 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I switched to trail runners at age 73 and never wore the boots again! Admittedly, the shoes I switched to have anti-pronation and motion control. I also remove the factory insoles and use green Superfeet (which work fine for me, but not for everyone!).

Admittedly, this change was part of a shift to lightweight backpacking. They say one pound on the feet is like five pounds on the back, and I found this to be true. In addition, I have not had a blister since I switched! Nor have I turned an ankle (which used to happen frequently in boots).



Edited by OregonMouse (08/30/18 02:59 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#201635 - 08/30/18 03:09 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
professor Offline
member

Registered: 04/26/11
Posts: 41
Loc: Southern California
I switched to trail runners about 12 or 13 years ago, maybe more. Anyway, the shoes have been much better than boots for me. Getting the pack weight down was also an important factor.

Top
#201636 - 08/30/18 03:44 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
I qualify as an old timer. I'm 63 and took my first hike at age 3 according to my parents. I switched first from all-leather hiking boots to lightweight mid-height boots with mesh uppers and found this was a great improvement in terms of keeping my feet from blistering and lessening fatigue. Then I tried out trail-running shoes and liked them even better. I wear trail shoes exclusively now.

I avoid buying shoes that have "waterproof breathable" linings. This works best for me. The breathable liners don't breathe nearly as well as plain mesh. Plain mesh dries out *much* faster, for example when I wear my shoes during stream crossings. If prolonged rain is a possibility I bring waterproof neoprene socks I can wear inside my shoes.

The main problem with open mesh uppers is the dust filtering into my shoes, so that I must wash my feet every afternoon when I reach camp. The mesh also doesn't last as long as leather boots. I accept that in return for *no blisters* and much less weight on my feet at every step. That seems like a fair trade-off to me.

Top
#201637 - 08/30/18 05:56 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
Glenn Roberts Offline
Moderator

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 2208
Loc: Southwest Ohio
I’m 68 and switched to trail shoes about 10 years ago, when I reduced my pack weight to less than 25 pounds (it runs 15-20 nowadays.) I had been using Vasque Sundowner boots before that. The trail shoes are more comfortable than boots ever were(I don’t even think about taking “camp shoes” any more.) Right now, I’m using some Oboz (I forget the model.)

When I made the switch, I also quit using two pairs of socks; I’ve never had a blister with shoes, and haven’t had even a hot spot in the last 7 years. I use mostly synthetic socks (there’s less than 10% wool in the ones I’m using right now. They dry easily overnight, even in the 80% humidity of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky summers, which also may contribute to the lack of blisters.

I’ve always used waterproof breathable linings in my shoes, and never had any real problems with them. I don’t let them get soaked inside when I cross streams; I carry a pair of sandals if I know I’ll be wading deeper than my shoe tops.

Top
#201638 - 08/30/18 08:18 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: Glenn Roberts]
SJS Offline
member

Registered: 08/26/18
Posts: 29
Loc: Low Country of SC
Thank you everyone, that makes my shopping task simpler.

Top
#206183 - 03/06/22 01:50 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
Bill Schroe Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/06/22
Posts: 3
I need the additional support of lace boots . Six to 8 inch preferably.

I have hiked these hills the last two winters snow , ice and mud . I

Top
#206186 - 03/07/22 09:34 AM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: SJS]
DustinV Offline
member

Registered: 01/31/10
Posts: 190
Loc: Lakewood, CO
I concur with everyone here. The move to shoes needs to follow pack weight reduction.

I learned that my new shoes needed to have good rock protection, either with a stone guard plate or just thick soles, here in the Rocky Mountains. So, my old trail runners didn't work for the additional weight of a pack.


Edited by DustinV (03/07/22 09:44 AM)

Top
#206192 - 03/08/22 06:02 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: DustinV]
hikingpnw Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/03/22
Posts: 3
Loc: Washington
I generally only wear my trail shoes when I'm doing day hikes or shorter trips, usually 3-4 days. I've found that they're great for that but otherwise I stick to boots.

Top
#206686 - 10/21/22 08:47 PM Re: Boots To Shoes [Re: Bill Schroe]
Arapiles Offline
newbie

Registered: 03/03/19
Posts: 4
Originally Posted By Bill Schroe
I need the additional support of lace boots . Six to 8 inch preferably.

I have hiked these hills the last two winters snow , ice and mud . I


Longer boots - or any boot or shoe that's above the ankles - don't actually provide support. The longer length can keep out water and dirt but a pair of gaiters works better in any case.


Edited by Arapiles (10/21/22 08:48 PM)

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 257 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum