Shoes for weighted hikes (trail and off trail)

[silverbullet555]

Thoughts on trail running shoes such as Salomon Speedcross for weighted hikes on trails?

What about off trails?

A few miles at a time. 40lb pack. 1K elevation gain in 1.67 miles

 

[justinspicher]

I just finished up about 100 miles of hiking in Oregon in June. Wore my SC for the entire trip. My pack was roughly 40-45lbs and I didn't have a single issue.

 

[Topo_trekker]

Depends how rugged the terrain is. Personally I like more of an approach shoe in the area I train off trail, lots of jagged exposed granite and pointy shit, plus they’re literally designed for that but the SC will absolutely work if thats what you already have.


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[silverbullet555]

Depends how rugged the terrain is. Personally I like more of an approach shoe in the area I train off trail, lots of jagged exposed granite and pointy shit, plus they’re literally designed for that but the SC will absolutely work if thats what you already have.


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What's an approach shoe? Where I will be training is not rocky. If I go up into the areas where there are more rocks such I will switch to Quest 4d for warm weather and some Danner's I wear for colder weather.

 

[justinspicher]

I looked at a pair of approach shoes made by Salewa, they fit really well, but I ended up going with what I know and that's the SC.

 

[FlyingG]

They do fine as long as you train a little with them. I think the main disadvantage would be side hilling. I use the Salomon x ultra 3 and love them. Comfort and weight savings are worth the loss in side hill ability to me.

 

[Topo_trekker]

What's an approach shoe? Where I will be training is not rocky. If I go up into the areas where there are more rocks such I will switch to Quest 4d for warm weather and some Danner's I wear for colder weather.

It’s basically a running shoe with better support & materials, made with the rubber of climbing shoes. For carrying heavier loads through uneven/rocky terrain and pushing through brush to the spot where you would begin an ascent on a mountaineering/climbing trip. You wear them before you switch footwear to something more technical. Gooogle it.

Switchback Travel | Best Approach Shoes of 2026

Not quite trail runner, not quite a climbing shoe, approach shoes offer specialized, in-between grip and purpose

www.switchbacktravel.com

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[silverbullet555]

It’s basically a running shoe with better support & materials, made with the rubber of climbing shoes. For carrying heavier loads through uneven/rocky terrain and pushing through brush to the spot where you would begin an ascent on a mountaineering/climbing trip. You wear them before you switch footwear to something more technical. Gooogle it.

Switchback Travel | Best Approach Shoes of 2026

Not quite trail runner, not quite a climbing shoe, approach shoes offer specialized, in-between grip and purpose

www.switchbacktravel.com

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Thanks for the insight and link.

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[OpticsNorthwest]

I'd go speedcross. I hardly ever wear my actual boots, they are just $300+ of footwear sitting in my closet.