I haven’t worn a pair of boots for hiking or backpacking in years. And as long as the snow isn’t deep or the temperatures aren’t to cold I’ll even take trail runners out in the snow. If your going to get wet a waterproof shoe or boot will never dry out. I’ve used several pairs of Solomons with a lot of success. I tried Las Sportivas but there wasn’t enough padding for me. I’m currently using a pair of Altras. They took a bit to get used to but I like them. Just completed a 20 mile hike plus 5k+ of vert gain and I made it out without a single blister. With a pair of toe socks. Which have definitely helped me from getting blisters as well. I can walk through any creeks or rivers without the fear of having a miserable trip. That’s not something you can do with a shoe that isn’t ventilated. I always bring extra socks especially on the longer hikes or backpacks because I know my feet are going to be taking a beating. I’ll never switch back to boots. I don’t really do any winter backpacking though. A bit cold for my taste. I suppose if I were I’d have to come up with a solution. Although trail runners in snowshoes are pretty nice 😁
We always tell our Scouts to break in their hiking shoes before they ever take them out onto the trail. I have started using the Altra trail shoes, but in rocky terrain where I really need more ankle support, I’ve gone with the Salomon’s. They are the lightest of the boots I have found at least. When we went on a canoe trip into Canada, they specifically mandated that you bring non-waterproofed boots since your feet were going to be wet most of the trip.
I was told years ago that a kg on your feet is equal to 5kg on your back, which I reckon is about spot on. I wear runners whenever I can, which is just about all walks that aren't in extreme cold
Good video! I'm glad to see you recommending different boots for different jobs and not joining the pure trail runner band wagon. In NW British Columbia most mountain trails are built and maintained by the goats so runners don't quite cut it.
I have the Salomon hiking boots just like the 2nd pair from the left. I agree with the fatigue issue. I’ve also had a one off tendon/calf muscle issue on a hike that got me looking to go low top. I used a low top water resistant Salomon for most of last year with reasonable success. I’ve switched, however, to zero drop shoes for casual and hiking. I use the Xeros Terraflex for everyday and light hiking. I’m happy with the Altra Lone Peak, so far, for the longer distances and rougher trails. I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention the wider toe box of shoes like the Altra that allow the toes to splay or the importance of “thumb-width” additional lengths as important for many who have suffered toe issues. My brother has suffered for years until I got him into a pair of Altra Timps. Now he is lovin’ hiking the longer trails with me.
I have Diabetic Neuropathy in both feet. Basically, I can't feel my feet from just above the ankles, down. This condition has caused me to undergo 2 extended periods of treatment. First one was from a foreign object embedded in my foot, that led from a 2 mm puncture, to a roughly 5" long, 1/2" wide gash that I could see and feel the bones in my foot through. Lucked out, only lost my 5th toe. Secondly, came many years later, the callus (1"x 2")from the previous injury somehow got torn off while moving furniture. Again, I didn't feel it, only to notice a "bloody sock" at the end of the day. Before all of this, I was an avid mountain biker and trail hiker/and occasional runner, all on established trails, and had dedicated shoes for each activity. Now, unfortunately my shoe choices are limited to whatever the VA decides I need, and I am awaiting a prosthetic device of some sort to wear in said shoe. Over the course of time, I've gained weight(from about 215 to a present 270)and in poor physical condition and health. So. You see my predicament is, I can't risk, nor afford(out on disability, I was an RN in the Operating Room. Gotta have good feet to be an RN)going from boot to boot(I also have weakened ankles from numerous, serious sprains) in search of "that one boot" that is gonna work for me. Is this search going to continue to be an exercise in futility? Do I need to cut my losses and look in a whole new direction? Any advice that you may have? I understand that you can't actually "prescribe" a specific brand, but any and all recommendations or advice you have to offer will be viewed as just that. Thanks in advance!!!🙂🙃 P.S. Input by ANYONE ELSE who has advice to offer up would be greatly appreciated!!!
Great video - speaking specifically to the Salomon Trail shoe, it does and Salomon produces other trail running shoes that do have Goretex, as well as La Sportiva. So for the Thru Hiker that is using a trail running shoe, some manufactures do make a WP version.
I have a pair of Salomon's and out the box they work well. That said I have used Merrill Boots and Trail Shoes as well. Literally out of the box to the trail.
I’m close to buying a 30 L fast back bag. Watching this video, it looks like you are testing out a fast pack option. Can you tell me more about it, what and when? Thanks.
I recently started hiking. I got custom orthotics for happy met-heads so I can hike. 😀 But, my somewhat wide feet now definitely need wide shoes. There aren't many stores, none locally, that carry wide trail runners. So frustrating. I did use Hoka Speedgoat 4's and did alright. New ones, including men's are more narrow. Anyone else in a similar situation have any recommendations? I am considering Hoka Bondi 7, a running shoe, because it is comfortable, but I doubt it's ideal for the trail. BTW, hoping to hike Superior Hiking Trail in Sept, Grand Marais, going South. Also, I have bought silicone toe covers off Amazon. My 4th toes curl down and end of one nail gets beat up on shoe sole. The covers lessen chance of my losing a toenail, and when I got a blister on my big toe hiking in TN, the cover saved the day!
Most of my hiking is in Florida. With that, 95% of my hikes, my feet will get wet no matter what I do. Having a shoe like the Altra Lone Peak 6 that will shed water and a dri fit pair of socks is the best way to take care of that problem. 🤪
Are the packs in the video Shadowlights ? I love them without the zipper and bigger back pocket. Y’all going to make them that way? Love my 45L but want to get a 60L for my big ole’ bear canister. 🐸
Have worn Solomon’s for years but also Decathlon and Hokka. How do I know they are dead. Grip. I’m heavy on my heels when the grip looks like worn tires it’s time for new footwear.
I have worn boots my whole life . Im comfterble in boots . The army moves on boots , forestland firefighters work in boots . Boots do need a break in time . I hear the backpack community always talking against boots . But they also pay outrageous prices for gear , hike your own hike .
I was a fan of salomon, but the last pair were a massive dissapointment. They are allready as worn as the old pair they were suposed to replace. By the way, they are very similar models, with identical design, specs and price (not adjusting inflation or discounts or any nonsense, I paid 100€ per each pair). So now I am trying Merrels, I think salomon moved production to china
Great video - but awful choice of footwear. The contragrip on Salomon is not good (having used the Quest 4D) ages ago. They are comfortable but you'll be enjoying them on your backside most of the time.
Interesting. I have found them wide enough for me, but I’m a woman who wears a mens size 7.5 wide, so if you are a man, it’s probable that their wide is T wide enough for you..
I haven’t worn a pair of boots for hiking or backpacking in years. And as long as the snow isn’t deep or the temperatures aren’t to cold I’ll even take trail runners out in the snow. If your going to get wet a waterproof shoe or boot will never dry out. I’ve used several pairs of Solomons with a lot of success. I tried Las Sportivas but there wasn’t enough padding for me. I’m currently using a pair of Altras. They took a bit to get used to but I like them. Just completed a 20 mile hike plus 5k+ of vert gain and I made it out without a single blister. With a pair of toe socks. Which have definitely helped me from getting blisters as well. I can walk through any creeks or rivers without the fear of having a miserable trip. That’s not something you can do with a shoe that isn’t ventilated. I always bring extra socks especially on the longer hikes or backpacks because I know my feet are going to be taking a beating. I’ll never switch back to boots. I don’t really do any winter backpacking though. A bit cold for my taste. I suppose if I were I’d have to come up with a solution. Although trail runners in snowshoes are pretty nice 😁
We always tell our Scouts to break in their hiking shoes before they ever take them out onto the trail. I have started using the Altra trail shoes, but in rocky terrain where I really need more ankle support, I’ve gone with the Salomon’s. They are the lightest of the boots I have found at least.
When we went on a canoe trip into Canada, they specifically mandated that you bring non-waterproofed boots since your feet were going to be wet most of the trip.
I was told years ago that a kg on your feet is equal to 5kg on your back, which I reckon is about spot on.
I wear runners whenever I can, which is just about all walks that aren't in extreme cold
Finding the right shoes is certainly the best way to avoid blisters, but is might be the hardest, especially if you have really wide feet. :-)
Good video! I'm glad to see you recommending different boots for different jobs and not joining the pure trail runner band wagon. In NW British Columbia most mountain trails are built and maintained by the goats so runners don't quite cut it.
I have the Salomon hiking boots just like the 2nd pair from the left. I agree with the fatigue issue. I’ve also had a one off tendon/calf muscle issue on a hike that got me looking to go low top. I used a low top water resistant Salomon for most of last year with reasonable success. I’ve switched, however, to zero drop shoes for casual and hiking. I use the Xeros Terraflex for everyday and light hiking. I’m happy with the Altra Lone Peak, so far, for the longer distances and rougher trails.
I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention the wider toe box of shoes like the Altra that allow the toes to splay or the importance of “thumb-width” additional lengths as important for many who have suffered toe issues. My brother has suffered for years until I got him into a pair of Altra Timps. Now he is lovin’ hiking the longer trails with me.
Where you are hiking can influence your choice as well
I have Diabetic Neuropathy in both feet. Basically, I can't feel my feet from just above the ankles, down. This condition has caused me to undergo 2 extended periods of treatment. First one was from a foreign object embedded in my foot, that led from a 2 mm puncture, to a roughly 5" long, 1/2" wide gash that I could see and feel the bones in my foot through. Lucked out, only lost my 5th toe.
Secondly, came many years later, the callus
(1"x 2")from the previous injury somehow got torn off while moving furniture. Again, I didn't feel it, only to notice a "bloody sock" at the end of the day. Before all of this, I was an avid mountain biker and trail hiker/and occasional runner, all on established trails, and had dedicated shoes for each activity. Now, unfortunately my shoe choices are limited to whatever the VA decides I need, and I am awaiting a prosthetic device of some sort to wear in said shoe.
Over the course of time, I've gained weight(from about 215 to a present 270)and in poor physical condition and health.
So. You see my predicament is, I can't risk, nor afford(out on disability, I was an RN in the Operating Room. Gotta have good feet to be an RN)going from boot to boot(I also have weakened ankles from numerous, serious sprains) in search of "that one boot" that is gonna work for me. Is this search going to continue to be an exercise in futility? Do I need to cut my losses and look in a whole new direction? Any advice that you may have? I understand that you can't actually "prescribe" a specific brand, but any and all recommendations or advice you have to offer
will be viewed as just that. Thanks in advance!!!🙂🙃 P.S. Input by ANYONE ELSE who has advice to offer up would be greatly appreciated!!!
Great video - speaking specifically to the Salomon Trail shoe, it does and Salomon produces other trail running shoes that do have Goretex, as well as La Sportiva. So for the Thru Hiker that is using a trail running shoe, some manufactures do make a WP version.
Thanks for the info!
What sports shop is the BEST for hiking footwear custom sizing and knowledge?
Nice breakdown Tayson. I'm currently running a Keen WP mid and a pair of Lone peaks that probably need to be replaced.
Nate
Did I see a Shadowlight day pack in here? Maybe we can just call it the shadow because it's smaller?
I have a pair of Salomon's and out the box they work well. That said I have used Merrill Boots and Trail Shoes as well. Literally out of the box to the trail.
I’m close to buying a 30 L fast back bag. Watching this video, it looks like you are testing out a fast pack option. Can you tell me more about it, what and when? Thanks.
I recently started hiking. I got custom orthotics for happy met-heads so I can hike. 😀 But, my somewhat wide feet now definitely need wide shoes. There aren't many stores, none locally, that carry wide trail runners. So frustrating. I did use Hoka Speedgoat 4's and did alright. New ones, including men's are more narrow. Anyone else in a similar situation have any recommendations? I am considering Hoka Bondi 7, a running shoe, because it is comfortable, but I doubt it's ideal for the trail. BTW, hoping to hike Superior Hiking Trail in Sept, Grand Marais, going South.
Also, I have bought silicone toe covers off Amazon. My 4th toes curl down and end of one nail gets beat up on shoe sole. The covers lessen chance of my losing a toenail, and when I got a blister on my big toe hiking in TN, the cover saved the day!
Most of my hiking is in Florida. With that, 95% of my hikes, my feet will get wet no matter what I do.
Having a shoe like the Altra Lone Peak 6 that will shed water and a dri fit pair of socks is the best way to take care of that problem.
🤪
agree
I have a pair of the trail runners like yours. Love them however I find them hard to get on without a shoehorn…
Difficult on the trail.
Hmm shadowlight day pack teaser?
I saw that!
Are the packs in the video Shadowlights ? I love them without the zipper and bigger back pocket. Y’all going to make them that way? Love my 45L but want to get a 60L for my big ole’ bear canister. 🐸
Have worn Solomon’s for years but also Decathlon and Hokka. How do I know they are dead. Grip. I’m heavy on my heels when the grip looks like worn tires it’s time for new footwear.
I have worn boots my whole life .
Im comfterble in boots . The army moves on boots ,
forestland firefighters work in boots .
Boots do need a break in time .
I hear the backpack community always talking against boots .
But they also pay outrageous prices for gear , hike your own hike .
Why no links to the shoes?
I was a fan of salomon, but the last pair were a massive dissapointment. They are allready as worn as the old pair they were suposed to replace. By the way, they are very similar models, with identical design, specs and price (not adjusting inflation or discounts or any nonsense, I paid 100€ per each pair).
So now I am trying Merrels, I think salomon moved production to china
Great video - but awful choice of footwear. The contragrip on Salomon is not good (having used the Quest 4D) ages ago. They are comfortable but you'll be enjoying them on your backside most of the time.
Altra Olympus + Injinji toe socks = no blisters for me
Alternatively, Salomon shoes are so narrow they'd flay the skin off my feet.
Interesting. I have found them wide enough for me, but I’m a woman who wears a mens size 7.5 wide, so if you are a man, it’s probable that their wide is T wide enough for you..
I wear sock liners
I tried trail runners. My ankles hated them haha. I switched back to some light weight mid boot