Regarding the side wear and protection, that's why I like approach shoes as my all purpose shoes. They're in between runners and boots in terms of weight, but they have protection all around the sides (actually more than many boots), which also helps with that dew moisture or even with occasional patches of snow. They also have excellent grip by design. I still have a pair of light breathable runners that I use as default shoes, but if the activity includes rocks, scree or the like, I go with the approach shoes. The protection also means you get a lot more life out of them. I've resoled a pair of TX4 after using them in every terrain conceivable. I now only use boots for snow or really muddy conditions as you mention.
That tape works miracles man. I think I may be harder on my shoes than most people…I’m getting 500-600 k max out of any pair. I should walk more nimbly pimbly 😂
@@BACKPACKERish i got about 700km out of my first altras before i blew that hole in the toe on that trip. was getting about 7-800 out of salomons before
Great video. Coming from the trail running world into backcountry camping I have never really used a hiking boots . Always trail runners!! Only time I go hiking boots is winter camping!!
Well that’s just an indication that you’re in waaaaayyyy better shape than me lol! Running. Psh. Haha! What’s your go to brand coming from trail running?
Haha. You have many different skills that I am learning from!! As for trail runners. I have never tried the Saucony. I have loved the Hoka Speed Goats in the past. I have tried a lot of Salomon shoes. I like them for running but I would not suggest for hiking. The soles for me have worn down way too easily. I just picked up a pair of Altra Lone Peaks and have used them for about 100km and love the wide toes box. They also have a great sole that is Super grippy on rocks and boulders.
Just ticked over 1000kms in my 1st pair of trail runners that I’ve owned for a year - 1st gen saucony xodus ultras. The lugs are neatly gone at the front and the cushioning is almost gone. I can still do a day up to 20kms in them but above that the balls of my feet hurt. Aside from that I think I’ve got my moneys worth out of them and there’s no other signs of wear at all (lots of ingrained dirt though!) I have second pair I’ll be transitioning in for running and longer days and then I have a pair of Altra timp 5.0s to try for a big trip next summer. Glad I made the switch to trail runners for summer but like you the boots come out for wet and winter here in Ireland.
I went from 7 years wearing combat boots (infantry) to high top leather hiking boots (hard on the hamstrings) to trail runners… other than winter backpacking in sub -10C weather/snow (insulated Solomon Quest 4 boots) trail shoes is the answer! What are you wearing on your next trip out? Those? I wore the Norda 001 - while they took me 100km to break in, I love them now!
I absolutely loved my Merrrell nova 2s, but you can’t get them very easily in my average sized feet…I ended up grabbing the nova 3s to try out and will have about 20k on them before the 23rd. They’re not as comfy as the 2s were, but so far no complaints. They are for sure not combat boots man! Trail runners must feel like comdoms for your feet after that!
@@BACKPACKERish@BACKPACKERish, we double marched in combat boots (aka: it's a shuffle run) all throughout the 16 Infantry School... so ya, trail runners do feel like condoms on my feet. Footwear is so personal. HOKA Speakgoat 5s, ON Oncloud Ultras... they love my feet right out of the box. No break-in period is reacquired.
Regarding the side wear and protection, that's why I like approach shoes as my all purpose shoes. They're in between runners and boots in terms of weight, but they have protection all around the sides (actually more than many boots), which also helps with that dew moisture or even with occasional patches of snow. They also have excellent grip by design.
I still have a pair of light breathable runners that I use as default shoes, but if the activity includes rocks, scree or the like, I go with the approach shoes. The protection also means you get a lot more life out of them. I've resoled a pair of TX4 after using them in every terrain conceivable.
I now only use boots for snow or really muddy conditions as you mention.
Thanks, now I'm on a mental rabbit trail looking into approach shoes LOL!
Interesting topic man, you nailed it with this video!
Thanks man! Its funny how easy it is to nerd out on stuff like this 🤷♂️
Holy smokes you absolutely destroyed those shoes! I had no clue your blisters were that bad on the coral trip, you're a freakin warrior!
That tape works miracles man. I think I may be harder on my shoes than most people…I’m getting 500-600 k max out of any pair. I should walk more nimbly pimbly 😂
@@BACKPACKERish i got about 700km out of my first altras before i blew that hole in the toe on that trip.
was getting about 7-800 out of salomons before
I love my Hoka shoes. But I have a pair of Hoka boots for wintertime. Great video and well detailed 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you sir! I have yet to give the hoka’s a try but I definitely will based on what I’ve heard.
I swear by the runners lace. That has saved me from a lot of pain and black toe nails.
No kidding right?! I don’t even know why they make shoes without that feature.
Great video. Coming from the trail running world into backcountry camping I have never really used a hiking boots . Always trail runners!! Only time I go hiking boots is winter camping!!
Well that’s just an indication that you’re in waaaaayyyy better shape than me lol! Running. Psh. Haha!
What’s your go to brand coming from trail running?
Haha. You have many different skills that I am learning from!! As for trail runners. I have never tried the Saucony. I have loved the Hoka Speed Goats in the past. I have tried a lot of Salomon shoes. I like them for running but I would not suggest for hiking. The soles for me have worn down way too easily. I just picked up a pair of Altra Lone Peaks and have used them for about 100km and love the wide toes box. They also have a great sole that is Super grippy on rocks and boulders.
@@CollinLG I think the altras will be my next buy too.
@@BACKPACKERish I do like them a lot. Try them out!! I don't really notice the zero drop either.
Just ticked over 1000kms in my 1st pair of trail runners that I’ve owned for a year - 1st gen saucony xodus ultras. The lugs are neatly gone at the front and the cushioning is almost gone. I can still do a day up to 20kms in them but above that the balls of my feet hurt. Aside from that I think I’ve got my moneys worth out of them and there’s no other signs of wear at all (lots of ingrained dirt though!) I have second pair I’ll be transitioning in for running and longer days and then I have a pair of Altra timp 5.0s to try for a big trip next summer.
Glad I made the switch to trail runners for summer but like you the boots come out for wet and winter here in Ireland.
That’s amazing! You are getting twice the life out of yours compared to mine!
Saucony does make a good shoe.
I went from 7 years wearing combat boots (infantry) to high top leather hiking boots (hard on the hamstrings) to trail runners… other than winter backpacking in sub -10C weather/snow (insulated Solomon Quest 4 boots) trail shoes is the answer!
What are you wearing on your next trip out? Those?
I wore the Norda 001 - while they took me 100km to break in, I love them now!
I absolutely loved my Merrrell nova 2s, but you can’t get them very easily in my average sized feet…I ended up grabbing the nova 3s to try out and will have about 20k on them before the 23rd. They’re not as comfy as the 2s were, but so far no complaints. They are for sure not combat boots man! Trail runners must feel like comdoms for your feet after that!
@@BACKPACKERish@BACKPACKERish, we double marched in combat boots (aka: it's a shuffle run) all throughout the 16 Infantry School... so ya, trail runners do feel like condoms on my feet.
Footwear is so personal. HOKA Speakgoat 5s, ON Oncloud Ultras... they love my feet right out of the box. No break-in period is reacquired.