Lightweight Trail Shoes vs. Frankenstein Boots

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

Just gonna throw in my 2 cents here. I have been using trail running shoes for the last couple years and have been amazed at the results. I do hunt in Central Idaho where its either steep or steeper. I"m also a backpack hunter and generally have anywhere from 20-40lbs on my back at all times. Running trails for the last 6 or 7 years has given my feet and ankles the strength to manage very well.

Last year I took 2 trips to pack out my bull, each trip was over 100lbs. First trip i had my solomon xa pro 3d shoes, and had no problems even on the side hill. However, since i had them in the truck, i used my quest 4d's for the second trip. Having that experience, i can honestly say that the lack of relief wearing the 4d's moved me to prefer the xa pro 3d's. My feet breath better and were just all around more comfortable

Also wanted to point out that i have a problem with my feet sweating. No matter what boot i have used, my foot gets wet inside and starts to slide around causing a ton of fatigue and soreness. Using a breathable trail running shoe has completely solved that problem.

I know its just my personal experience and others will be different, but i wanted to share.

 

[LBFowler]

One could also go so far as to say "switching to bare foot hunting can be a LONG process, and is not something you can dabble in for a season and decide if you like it", but that still doesn't automatically mean that's the best choice.

well that statement would certainly be true as well, but you are reading too much between the lines. I actually stopped short of even saying it is a good choice, let along the best one. I am more observing that transition period may be long enough to dissuade people before they can really compare the options fairly.

I like certain boots for lot of reasons, but ankle support isn't really one of them. I don't know what an ankle injury feels like but i do know I'm glad I never played sports in school.
There are a lot of myths, generalizations and hyperbole about footwear that make it hard for people to make objective choices, I don't so much care what people choose as much as I care about the general myopia on the subject from all camps.

 

[5MilesBack]

I don't so much care what people choose as much as I care about the general myopia on the subject from all camps.

That's the problem, it's only myopic to those that see it that way. To others it may be myopic to use trail runners.

It's like wearing base layers in 100 degree temps under my camo. Some think I'm crazy, and yet I think they're crazy for not wearing it. But to each their own. We all have our preferences and reasons why we use what we use. Same for footwear.

Or like the flat bill hat or the curved bill hat. Do people wear them for perceived style or function? I'm a function guy all the way around.

 

[LBFowler]

try reading it again...

myopia on the subject from all camps.

from all camps.

ALL CAMPS

 

[edtsbackcountry]

I've been hunting in mostly trail runners for 20+ years. I much prefer them over boots. I've packed a lot of loads of elk on the + side of 100 pounds in really nasty terrain.
Two things I have found that help a lot with a heavy load are MicroSpikes and trekking poles.
With the MicroSpikes, I can get around in the worst snow covered bear grass and scree.
This is what works best for me, but I also have run trail Ultras since the late 1980's and my feet and ankles have the necessary strength.
I know other guys that much prefer supportive,stiff boots.
The only way to find out is for sure is personal experience.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[5MilesBack]

try reading it again...

Ya, except why do you think they get myopic? You can call it myopic, or "set in your ways", or whatever. But people get that way because they've found something that works the best for them, and that's it. I'm extremely myopic in most of what I use because it best fits my needs and what I expect out of it. I don't see a problem with that. Everyone has to choose and figure out what's best for their needs, and then they'll become myopic.

But then again, there are plenty of folks that are trying to fix problems that don't exist. Or, may only exist in their mind.

 

[Mike7]

I agree with 5Miles on this one. Myopia would assume that we are all doing something because of a lack of other choices or information, or because or group think.

I would guess that for most of us older, heavier guys, we have tried all kinds of different shoewear over a lifetime of doing different activities in the outdoors from the military, to logging and hunting. I was once a younger, lighter guy who worked outdoors in the woods every day, and in a dry climate at that...and I could get away with wearing shoes like Rob above, even for long hikes off trail for at least a couple of days anyway. Now I am an older, heavier office worker with years of injuries and experience under my belt. I can hike a few road/trail miles several times weekly in trail shoes for exercise, but still when I go for a 10 mile day hike off trail in wet, steep, slick conditions for hunting or checking a trail camera, I wouldn't make it back wearing my light hikers.

 

[hernando]

It all depends if you are willing to condition your feet. I will never go back to boots again as im a US14-15 and any boot is just too damn heavy when you feet are that big. I actually got my big ass boot stuck between some rocks once when I sat on a boulder near a stream, took me a couple of minutes in my tired state to get it free, hanwag yukons i believe. I subsequently went the minimalist route and only wear minimalist footwear now. You cant just wear them when you hike as your feet will fall out of condition, you need to be wearing minimalist footwear day in day out. Make sure you have a lacrosse ball in your arsenal to roll out the trigger points in your feet and calves (everyone should own one, you can almost treat your whole body, search the many youtube videos) that you will experience as you acclimatise. Finding good strong minimalist footwear suitable for hiking is difficult. I finally settled on German joe nimble trenksters and am very happy. Most of their range is downright ugly but they do produce human foot shaped, minimalist, high quality footwear. They even have a stiffer insole which makes uses of corrugated spring steel (have yet to try mine).

I have personally witnessed indonesian miners climbing in and out of rocky volcanoes with 150 lbs on their backs wearing nothing but flip flops. Thier feet had grown huge and wide though from years of doing it. Everest sherpas who carry the heavy gear up the peaks also dont wear boots AFAIK and allegedly refuse to wear boots donated to them at the end of an expedition.

 

[5MilesBack]

It all depends if you are willing to condition your feet.

That could be said for using hunting boots as well. It very well could be a long multi-year process to condition your feet and your body to wearing full-leather, heavier, stiffer boots. But groupthink believes lighter and less is always better.

On a different note.......how many of you wear cowboy boots on a daily of fairly regular basis? They have very little support, a very high heel (in men's shoes), and no real insole at all. They should be the ultimate foot and ankle conditioning footwear. And while I have worn them on hunts before (mostly just horseback), they wouldn't be my first choice for hunting on foot in the mountains.

 

[mfolch]

I've gone back and forth on this for years and settled on trail running shoes for almost every terrain and purpose. I've hiked with 50lbs over washed out trails and rocky terrain for ten days on end in running shoes, and at the end of the day my feet are much less fatigued than with boots. Only once in my life can I remember being grateful that I had a heavy duty, full tang boot. We were hiking in Crete and dozens of people were twisting ankles, breaking toes, and being transported out by mule ambulances. Otherwise, running shoes, I have found, are much more comfortable than boots--even lightweight ones. I'm not too worried about rolling an ankle. If it's ankle support you want, why not wear a simple, minimalist ankle brace, which will give a lot more support than a boot and weigh all of an ounce? For me it's the snow and water that keeps me going in heavy boots. I haven't found a waterproof, insulated minimalist boot suitable for snowy, wet conditions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jofes]

what do you wear when its freezing out to keep your feet warm in the trail runners?

 

[LBFowler]

Neoprene socks seem to be the most popular option for winterizing trail runners. Salomon and soon Altra will have some mid-height waterproof trail runner options.

 

[LBFowler]

On a different note.......how many of you wear cowboy boots on a daily of fairly regular basis? They have very little support, a very high heel (in men's shoes), and no real insole at all. They should be the ultimate foot and ankle conditioning footwear.

they are actually pretty terrible for conditioning, heels mess with your natural gait like few things can. wear tall heels too long and the muscles and tendons in your lower leg can shorten and mess you up for lower footwear. Wearing cowboy boots wont condition you for anything but wearing cowboy boots.

 

[5MilesBack]

they are actually pretty terrible for conditioning, heels mess with your natural gait like few things can. wear tall heels too long and the muscles and tendons in your lower leg can shorten and mess you up for lower footwear. Wearing cowboy boots wont condition you for anything but wearing cowboy boots.

And yet I hear people complaining about the heels on hunting boots causing more rolled ankles than wearing minimalist shoes. I've never rolled an ankle in hunting boots with a heel or cowboy boots.

 

[snowcamoman]

I'll take my Frankenstein boots every day in the mountains over a trail runner. Being able to hike on side hills without having my ankles and knees bend to the slope of the hill is priceless and more efficient for me. Kicking the toes into nasty shale to get up steep slopes is another advantage that trail runners simply are not made to do. The ability to easily cross streams by slipping on a Glacier Sock and then not have wet boots is another bonus with my boots. Sure they're heavy, but that hasn't stopped me or seemed to phase me from doing 18 miles in a day. I'm not that big of a guy and my legs are not crazy strong, so I don't understand how guys can complain so much about heavier boots. Sure it's nice to have a light shoe on, but heavy duty, bomber boots have never let me down in the mountains. I was going to try some lighter boots last season, but after trying them on in the store, decided against it. They just seemed too flimsy and weak to handle brutal mountain conditions. Long live the Frankenstein boots.

 

[ethan]

I've gone back and forth a lot on this as well. I honestly like keen targhees better than any boot I've ever worn. The down side us they don't hold up worth a dam and I don't trust them on long trips. I love my Asolos but they make me feel like I loose to much mobility in my foot. I'd like to find a boot comparable to the keens that are better quality.

 

[Trick]

I've hunted a bunch in just sneakers and did own a pair of dedicated trail shoes a couple seasons before the dog ate them. I simply prefer boots simply because they keep the crap out of my feet. In western Oregon we are blessed with brier ridden clear cuts that just play hell with shoes. Those stupid hook balls get stuck all over my socks, thorns, chunks of bark, etc.....give me boots.

 

[Arrowslinger]

Neoprene socks seem to be the most popular option for winterizing trail runners. Salomon and soon Altra will have some mid-height waterproof trail runner options.

I was able to try on the Altra's yesterday, very comfy!!! I like!

 

[Travis Bertrand]

Trails shoes are comfy until you put weight on your back.been there tried that and I'll stick with boots. Ankle support should not be overlooked either. Nothing worse than rolling your ankle on day 1 of a 6 day backpack hunt!

 

[Trick]

For those looking for shoes Camofire has a good deal going today on Irish Setters. They actually look pretty supportive for a shoe.