This whole challenge, and maybe some hundred kilometer before, I am hiking with big and heavy hiking boots. The salesperson told me I would need some support around the ankle etcetera. In contrary, many of the thru-hikers I follow on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook, hike in trail runners! Running shoes designed for the trail, instead of for the pavement or treadmill. So I started wondering, should I switch as well?
So, I choose a smaller distance hike, used the opportunity to ask company, my brother was the volunteering victim. I stepped in my running shoes (no trail runners as I don’t have those), met my brother and went on a 15km stroll through the park. I was honestly a little bit disappointed, I expected it to be easier on the light shoes, but my feet were equally tired as if I would have had with my boots. As they are equally tiring my feet, I will list some things on why I would wear running shoes/trail runners and why I would choose hiking boots, based on own experiences or what I hear from others:
Why running shoes?
They are obviously lighter so it should be less exhausting. All that ‘ankle support’ is quite nonsense I think, your ankles should have the room to move around, thereby excluding any support. Trail runners cause less blisters. And, once wet, they do dry faster.
Why hiking boots?
They are waterproof, or at least for a very long time. Your feet won’t get soaked when going through wet grass, puddles or small creeks. They do get more sweaty, but if you air them out during breaks and chance socks, this should not give issues. The sole is much thicker, so you don’t notice all the little stones, I guess when hiking over sharper stones this may be a really important advantage. There is more grip on the soles, though I only compared it to running shoes, not to trail runners.
So what should you do?
I guess it is whatever you like to do. Just try out both options and make your own pick and don't listen too much to the salespersons. I do like my boots, maybe because I hiked already so much in them that I got used to the weight. But as the shoes did not make it easier, I would go for the comfort of not feeling every stone and the waterproof advantages of the boots. I will just have to be more gentle for my feet to avoid blisters, and make sure my boots remain dry on the inside.
Hike on!
Distance: 15/611/1500 (this hikes distance/total so far/goal to reach)
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