If you want to go lighter like a trail runner, you have to transition to them. You need to build the muscles in your feet. I made the transition about 10-12 years ago. My feet and ankles are so much stronger now I love hiking in Altra Superiors. I never get blisters, I never twist ankles. I love the feel of the trail and rocks on my feet. I feel more connected to the terain. I feel safer. I hike 300-400 miles every year. I clime mountains. I'm in my 60's and used to only hike in "a good sturdy boot". My feet and ankles atrophied over the years. I will never go back. I wear light boots in the winter snow and snowshoeing. I've gone grand canyon rim-to-rim in one day, climbed 14ers all in ultra lightweight trail runners, Altra Superiors, Lone Peaks and Timps.

Thanks Devin. Another item in regards to shoes that you can include at some point in the future are Lock Laces or any other similar brand. I have found them to be far superior to standard laces. No double knots that still can become untied or stay knotted. I personally think they are a great addition to my hiking shoes.

For most of my hiking experiences, I used Danner mid-high boots and they were great. Then I got "seduced" to using trail walkers (not trail runners). They were okay, but over time they seemed to loose support. My foot profile is wide and if I can get 4EEEE, I'll go for it. The primary problem I experienced with the trail walkers was irritation of my Achilles tendon because of the high part in the back. So, this year, I am going back to high or mid-high Danner boots. They have wide sizes and they are made with impeccable quality. After a day on the trail (or, even a few hours), my feet are stressed beyond belief and I can't wait to get my shoes off and elevated. Not so, with the Danner boots. Thanks for your excellent review and a good reminder why I'm going back to boots.

Love your videos, you are so relatable and good at explaining what equipment will work best in each sanario

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Excited for you to try those Salomon X Ultras and see how they hold up vs the La Sportivas you're so used to. As much as I've enjoyed the Lone Peaks recently...I'm looking at going back to another pair of X Ultras specifically for that High Route this summer since those shoes have such great traction and are built to handle more rugged off-trail terrain. May even go with the mids too like I have with Lone Peaks to offset having to wear any gaiters to help keep the gravel and sand out.

I love my altras. The wide toe and zero drop won me over from my boots. Also the breathability of trail runners is helpful for my sweaty feet. Some of those hiking boots dont breathe very well and all that padding acts like insulation, making my feet even hotter. After switching to something breathable I’ve been much happier and my athletes foot has subsided. I did like having the waterproof membrane for wet trails, but that didnt last long before wearing a hole in it.

Great informative video. Love seeing the options. I wear work boots on the daily for 12plus hours my feet are so used to them I tend to just always wear them hiking anyways.

I have a pair of waterproof Obos for the rocky trials with minimal shallow water crossings I see most if the time in Arizona. I just got a pair of Altra Timp 2.0 for wet trials like clear creek or aravaipa wilderness where you are in deep water often. The trail runners dry out fast and also let you feel what your walking on underwater when ya can't see so well. Most of the time I prefer a more durable and protective shoe in the rugged terrain I see but a trail runner with a short gator has its place in my setup. Darn tough socks are a must regardless.

Very helpful. Thank you

I wear the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX , super light and great on your feet! This ultralight everything is going overboard! Just go hiking and don't worry be happy!! :)

Great video and accurate information.I have Lone Peaks for a majority of what I do but Salomon Gore Tex shoes for lite snow and mild mud conditions where they protect my feet but I’m not concerned about water over the top or lengthy dry time. Both are mid top. Thanks

Another note on gortex / waterproof shoes. If/when they do get wet, they take much longer to dry, so part of the question is do you just embrace that water is going to enter at some point (usually from the top in a deeper water crossing), or do you try to be more strategic and do all you can to keep your shoes dry. Even non waterproof do not dry overnight, so for thru hiking in particular where you can't just go home and let them dry, I would go breathable. I just have to remember that even though I started with a thru hike, doesn't mean there isn't better gear for what I do now which is overnights. I just like using the thru hiking mentality.

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Although some of that may be conditional to the area. I very often hike in the water in desert canyon bottoms here in Utah, and after sitting out all night in the spring or early fall months since it's so dry here, my goretex lined shoes are totally dry overnight. But more humid areas they will not. But you add a good point to the conversation.

@jantomaszrogala4230

3 жыл бұрын

that is general rule, but not always, last summer went hiking with my son, three weeks, it was raining for first two weeks we were hiking in wet shoes all day long, but then the weather changed and his speedcross goretex salomon dried faster than my super breathable trail runners salewa lite train k, so I stop believing this theory as my "breathable" runners were wetting thru with the smallest dew, while my son could cross shallow streams and puddles and stay dry and for 2021 I got goretex speed hiking shoe salewa speed beat, they're pretty light but seems quite durable and dry as fast as no-membrane shoes

Compression socks as those worn by varicose vein afflicted are the best hiking socks for anyone prone to blisters . They cling to your foot skin taking all of the rubbing from a shoe. They feel strange the first days but they work like magic.

La Sportiva make awesome footwear. I used there Ultra Raptors for years ! I even use an old pair now for my water shoes canoe camping. I’ve been enjoying Salomon lately, Cheers !

I am a super huge fan of Danner. In fact it’s all I wear. My wife & kids wear Danner as well. I wear them on the daily. I currently wear the Caprine, I have 2 pair-2 different colors I wear for work. I’m a liquor sales rep, I wear the Vicios plain toe. I can go on & on. Danner is the way to go...U don’t have to take care of them, they will take care of U.

I use Asolo mountaineering boots cause the stiff sole and hardened toe helps me on hard granite mountains and when I go snowshoeing or early spring snow hiking.

Great info. Thanks.

Informative, thanks

Having a very hard time finding a shoe that doesn’t kill my feet. Weighted packs and around 10 miles, I am freaked dying of pain. Been through 3 types of shoes already too. Thank god REI takes returns with no questions

most informative thank you

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I started my Appalachian Trail hike in Merrel boots. Then I noticed ALL the experienced hikers were wearing trail runners. I immediately switched and never looked back. Sooo much better even if they wear out quicker. I would get around 5pm-600 miles out of a pair of runners. I’m also 230lbs.

very helpful

congrats on a really informative video! When backpacking in England with 40 lbs on wet and rocky ground, I wear waterproof boots with double socks, ragg wool outer and wool liners And of course gaiters When backpacking here in drier and desert terrain with lighter gear, I wear Salomon X Ultra boots as they give me support and are much cooler with wool army socks

Great reviews! I just got some columbia facet outdry 45's. They are more of an all season mtn bike trail run shoe but I will see if they will be good for spring and fall backpacking as well.

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Nice! Never used Columbia shoes.

Merrell is a very good brand. I recently tried out oboz sawtooth II, I am also trying to broaden my footwear for the trail. This was a very good video.

I wish more shoes came in 4W or wider. I usually have to get by with wearing a 11.5 in 4W although my length is a 10.5, but in that size I'd need a 9E I was told by a foot specialist. So limited in what shoes I can pick.

@CptAngelKGaming

Жыл бұрын

Get barefoot shoes or Altras and you're set.

This is good information. I love my lone peaks but will be trying something else next time around. I do a lot of miles in New England which is crazy rocky and technical. My Altras get destroyed in no time up there.

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

For many many people Antra is and has been a great shoe for the trail. They are a little too soft and wide for me. I also can't ever get used to the zero drop.

@miker5740

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryExposure Your lucky narrow feet have so many great options on the market

I'll take the $70 Asics Kahana trail runner over the Altra Timp I tried any day. The softness the heel cushioning was an nightmare on uneven terrain and the shoe quickly became unusable for me without Superfeet insoles. The overlarge heel cup lacked adequate interior foam to reduce heel motion and my foot wore a hole in it on my first hike. Most trail runners have an additional eyelet on the lace panel positioned lower so that the heel cup can be cinched tighter with the laces.

Now for my boots and shoes, I tend to go with Danner, Hoka One One, Salomon, Lowa Renegade, Oboz, Merrell Moab, Keen, Vasque, Altra Lone Peak, Adidas, Sorel (winter only), Asolo, La Sportiva. I tend to prefer boots to shoes but I have some when it is really really hot, my favourite are Altra Lone Peak 5. I found all of them had something I was looking for, either they offer a balance between light weight, support, and stability; cushioning and functionality; stiffness and breathability. It is your choice no matter what people tell you, you are after all the one wearing them and honestly they are pricy so might as well buy something you like. Also I have changed all the laces on my boots and shoes for 550 paracord, they have colourful choices that matches your boots, why paracord you say from my experience one never knows what can happen on a trail and many times I need a solid rope to tie things and nothing beats paracord (I always have spare laces in my backpack).

Hey Devin, since the new Lone Peak 5 has a rock plate, would you consider it more durable/better for long hiking than the Altra that you covered here in this video?

I have tried Altras, but didn’t like the changes they made to the Lone Peaks. I moved to the Inov8, Terraultra G260 and love them. I’ve used them for at least 200 miles and I have yet to see any wear on them. They work for me.

Great video! About to hike Yosemite national park and visit other similar sites in California and Nevada (end of JAN to mid FEB). How can I know which shoes to buy? Planning on mostly going on 1-day trails, not the most extreme ones but there might be snow and ice and I easily get blisters. Temperature wise - I think between 25-55 F. Got Colombia winter boots but not sure if they match my needs.

I really like those Merrell trail gloves. They got me transitioned to barefoot/minimal footwear.

Just picked up a Dinner 2650 for $140 and I'm pretty happy with it.

I am still confused as to what I should really wear 😢 my feet sweat a lot, so wearing waterproof shoes makes my feet super wet, and I end up with a lot of hotspots, but they help with staying dry if crossing streams and others… I want to try waterproof but then I think that if I get my feet wet, I will also end up with a blister.. My average hikes are 7-9 miles between 2500 to 4000 eg.

I like Merrell Moab 3 non-waterproof, hiking shoes with Dr Scholl's Heavy Duty Work insoles, instead of the Merrell insoles they come with. They fit true to size, need no break-in and they're light and very comfortable. They also dry out faster than waterproof footwear, that always gets wet anyway.

I know this older video but my merrels are not cutting it anymore, used to wear chameleon not made same anymore....thoughts on danner 2650 gtx how do they fit in toe box used to wearing altra for everyday use and love the fit

Love the Altra guy’s excuse for making virtually disposable shoes. They know thru-hikers are willing to buy 4 or more pairs of their shoes over the course of a hike. Why would they mess with that. Noticed they finally decided to sew on the toe cap for the Lone Peak 5.

Boots for me... I have tried trail runners and just shoes and I hated the trail runners and the hikers ok but I did not car for the way did not support my angles (don't have the best ankles). So high boots all the way for me.

What would you say, that the max loadout is if you should wear a hikingboot? 🙂

Can't use Backcountry from Germany :'( Great video, thank you for the huge effort!

Great video, but you made no mention of sole drop.

This was a good video man. I would love to try one of these shoes out or the boot. But I know they do not make them wide enough for my foot. I have very very extremely wide foot with very fat wide toes That are completely straight across making the foot very very extremely wide. It really sucks having a wide foot like. But I do like the shoes and boots That were in this video. This was a Very good video And wasn't too long Thank you for sharing.

@stonefaceexpeditions854

3 жыл бұрын

Right there with you man. I just wear my daily work boots hiking. Only shoe that’s wide enough for me are the timberland pro boondocks 8” ankle composite toe.

@mackjenkins7721

3 жыл бұрын

@@stonefaceexpeditions854 oh you have a wide foot too? Did you think the Timberlands would fit my foot. If you don't mind me asking do you know how wide your foot is? My foot is 6 1/2 inches wide from my big toe to my lil toe with all of my toes equally straight across making my foot very extremely wide. And with me having very fat wide toe don't help. I cannot find a shoe , sock , or boot that is wide enough to fit my foot and I am looking for something that will fit. The only thing that Will barely and I mean barely fits my foot is a pair of flip flops that I have to wear all year long. The flip flops barely fits me because my toes are wider than the flip flop straps which both of my little toes on both foot hang off the footbed of the flip flops so they are not wide enough for me. But i have to wear something. Thank you sir appreciate you replying back.

@stonefaceexpeditions854

3 жыл бұрын

@@mackjenkins7721 wow that’s a foot and half man lol. My feet are 5inchs wide and I thought that was a lot. I buy size 13w and they have room. If you could find an extra wide size like EE? Maybe from an actual show store they might work. Thorogood makes a boot with what they call and emperor toe which has a wide toe box you could look into. If you have time check out my KZread channel just started posting outdoor videos trying to grow my channel.

I think you may have the wrong info on Goretex, because it is breathable. It may not be as breathable as non waterproof shoes/boots. But it still is breathable.

What are the Solomon boots you have here all the way to left?

@marton6526

Жыл бұрын

Salomon Utility Winter CS WP

Finally!!! A good review on boots, shoes, etc.!!!! Thank you!!!

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I liked where this video was going to be good at first.... But then "high top boots will keep you from rolling your ankles" followed by "sock liners prevent blisters" 😂😂 I firmly disagree with those statement. I have had my worst ankle rolls in boots and my worst blisters with sock liners.

Has anyone ever hiked the entire PCT/CDT in Danner Mtn Lights?

What’s the name of the boot all the way to the left?

@marton6526

Жыл бұрын

Salomon Utility Winter CS WP

You should have told them that winter boots or shoes should be 1/2 bigger in size then what they usually wear, so you can put two pair of socks comfortably. Now for socks, you have Smartwool, Injinji (toe socks keeps you warmer in the winter), Wigwam (my favourite), Icebreaker, Alvada merino wool socks, Meriwool they have thick cushioning, Carhart Artic wool (more for boots) and my all time favourite Mohair & Possum socks basically The Best Socks Ever! I do not like Darn Tough at all, bought since 2016 over 8 pairs and they are the only one that after few trips had wholes in them (all the 8 pairs) no wonder they are the only one with a life warranty, none of the other brands have it and none of them have wholes in them either. All the socks that I have mentioned here are all good socks, I have them all so I am speaking from experience I live in Canada we have harsh winters and hot summers. Your video is quite informative we can tell you know your shoes, boots and sock...well except for Darn Tough, lol!

Your feet will always get wet one way or another the problem with Gore Tex boots and shoes is... once it gets wet, it takes forever to dry out. So think about this next time you need to buy a pair of boot or shoe, plus gore tex makes your shoe much more expansive.

Hello friend, thanks for the video. Do you have any recommendations for people who have disgustingly wide feet?

You couldn't persuade me to wear something without ank support while hiking.

I never understood trail runner backpackers and kept laughing at all the articles saying to go lighter. Even a single 18 mile day and my feet are spent in those things.

Altra. Because they are local. Haven't even watched the video yet lol.

Backcountry does NOT have free returns FYI

Thank you for mentioning that trail runners aren’t meant to last long. You get people on Reddit saying Altra is junk because they fall apart after 200 miles. Well, that’s because you are carrying a pack and using them day in, day in. Literally weren’t designed for that.

@littleceasar9351

3 жыл бұрын

I agree with you, but you have KZread thru hikers claiming that they last 500+ miles of thru hiking... so I can understand why they are frustrated.

@rgmALC

3 жыл бұрын

@@littleceasar9351 Everyone’s foot is different. I’ve never had any blister issues with Altras, and I did with Saucony Peregrines. I’ve never blown out Altras either. I dunno. I don’t use Altras anymore. Hoka Speedgoat 4 and NB Hierro V5

What about foot anatomy? Your foot doesn't need support, your body is designed to take the impact. Barefoot, or minimalist style is probably best.... feet the ground, and get sensory feedback....

I have to strongly disagree concerning the Altra and narrow feet. I absolutely love Altra and one of the reasons is my foot is very narrow and they snug up to my foot (heel & ankle) very well. I am a 10.5 A width. The wide toe box is great. It allows your toes to spread out like nature has designed them to. When your toes spread out your feet are happy and much better for rubs and blisters. The back half of my foot is very narrow however. The Altra is not as wide from the middle back toward the heel. When laces are made up, the shoe hugs my foot well. Super fit. Extremely comfortable. I prefer Lone Peak 4 or 4.5 and have both regular and mid style. I am not a runner. I am only 100% trail hiker. Haven’t found anything I like better. My 2nd choice would be Merrell Moab or Trail Glove.

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

Right on! The funny thing about feet is everyone has a slightly different foot shape that plays into a lot of the subjectiveness of what shoe is the best. Many people love trail runners for what you've described, and others love boots for totally different reasons. I rarely get blisters, and the Lone Peak's that I had gave me blisters nearly every time I wore them. No other shoe has done that to my foot the way the Altra has.

I’ve been telling people runners are the worst choice for backpacking but they don’t listen

I must be one of the weirdos who still wears Merrell. I use the Merrell Moab EDGE hiking shoes. BTW, I thought outdoor enthusiasts were supposed to boycott backcountry.com. Or is that over with now?

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

I am wearing the Merrell Nova's as we speak. I have been a Sportiva lover for so long, I didn't look at other brands, and I really enjoy the Nova.

@bigmikehikez2927

3 жыл бұрын

I am pretty new to hiking, and love my Merrell Moabs. Maybe when I start crushing really big miles, I might go with lighter trail runner, but I am happy with what I have for now.

@guillemsolersuetta5924

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryExposure I am deciding between the Nova 2 and the Danner 2650. Which would be the main factor to decide between one or the other?

That's the main reason I haven't made the switch to trail runners. They are not made durable at all. They are made to be replaced, like most fast fashion. My hiking boots have always been where my money has it's value.

Everybody cares until backcountry cuts a check..... surprised they didn’t try to sue you for your name

@BackcountryExposure

3 жыл бұрын

It's time to move past that situation and see how Backcountry is working to give back and support the outdoor community and public lands.

@Jubtion

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryExposure Its a cheap PR campaign to get people to "move past" them being giant bullies in the outdoor industry against small local gear shops.

You’re way too picky bro. Just walk.

Fashion over function. Sad.

These videos are so biased. You ought to re-title this: "Hiking Shoes-Trail Runners Only!"