trail running shoe vs boots

[hferrin701]

I backpack archery hunt the Colorado high country every year and have been considering going to a trail running shoe as my primary footwear on the hunt. I would probably wear my kenetreks hiking in with the pack on. After camp is set and we are hiking the mountains with minimal weight hunting, I was looking at getting the Salomon speed cross 3 GTX. The country is rugged in the sense that's it extreme elevation and steep inclines up and down, but the hiking is mostly through tall grass and alpine bushes. (no cactus and large rocks like down here in Arizona) I thought the trail running shoe would be easier on my feet over 7 days while still offering good support and traction. Any thoughts?

 

[Laddy]

I've done this before. It's hard on your ankles....or at least mine where I bow hunt. A better choice is the Salomon boots....sort of the best of both worlds.

Where I bow hunt it's too hot to make my Lowas appealing, but too steep to use low cut trail runners. There's nothing worse than ankles getting weak on a long trip...it's that weak tendon/ligament feeling, awful.

Last year my wife bought me Salomon boots from REI (ultra mid GTX, or something like that) which I used in August. Fit like trail runners but offer ankle support. Your not going to be plowing through scree fields with these things on, but they're a nice compromise.

 

[50bowhunter]

I've done this before. It's hard on your ankles....or at least mine where I bow hunt. A better choice is the Salomon boots....sort of the best of both worlds.

Where I bow hunt it's too hot to make my Lowas appealing, but too steep to use low cut trail runners. There's nothing worse than ankles getting weak on a long trip...it's that weak tendon/ligament feeling, awful.

Last year my wife bought me Salomon boots from REI (ultra mid GTX, or something like that) which I used in August. Fit like trail runners but offer ankle support. Your not going to be plowing through scree fields with these things on, but they're a nice compromise.

I got the same boots a couple months ago. By far the most comfortable boots I've ever put on. More comfortable than half the athletic shoes I've owned. Haven't tested them on roughy terrain yet thanks to an unexpected knee surgery.


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[Fink]

A few summers ago, I made the mistake of training with a full pack with just trail shoes on. I slipped going down a hill, and severely sprained my ankle. I laid on the hill for over an hour, wondering how I was gonna get down with all my stuff, since I couldn't hardly put any weight on it. Thought I had broken my leg.
I decided I'd never wear shoes while hunting the mountains. The ankle support that good boots provide is just too important to me.

 

[Slugz]

I backpack archery hunt the Colorado high country every year and have been considering going to a trail running shoe as my primary footwear on the hunt. I would probably wear my kenetreks hiking in with the pack on. After camp is set and we are hiking the mountains with minimal weight hunting, I was looking at getting the Salomon speed cross 3 GTX. The country is rugged in the sense that's it extreme elevation and steep inclines up and down, but the hiking is mostly through tall grass and alpine bushes. (no cactus and large rocks like down here in Arizona) I thought the trail running shoe would be easier on my feet over 7 days while still offering good support and traction. Any thoughts?

For what its worth......I've been going round and round with the same thing for a few years......every time I think I have a good solution......something throws the train off the track and I go back to the Kennetrek Bridger highs. They have served me well the entire month of September......only complaint is after 2-3 years I need to toss them due to coming apart at the toes. Rubber glue separating.

 

[ScottR]

Great article Aron Snyder wrote on soft vs. stiff boots.