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Shoes 3-Season Hiking and Backpacking Shoes Inov8 Flyroc 310 North Face Ultra 102 Salomon Pro TechAmphibian Salomon XA Comp Teva TerraFi Sandals Teva X-1 Timberland Delerion Low Pro Socks Gaiters North Face Scree Gaiter II Winter Gaiters Outdoor Research Crocodile Best Overall Gaiter Integral Designs eVent Gaiter Crampons Shoes. 3-Season Hiking and Backpacking Shoes When I started hiking on a daily basis a few years ago, I used Asolo hiking boots that weighed 1469g (all shoe weights are for size 11 men's shoes unless stated otherwise; this weight is with the tread largely worn off after substantial use). At the time, I was influenced strongly by the traditionalist viewpoint. I liked these boots. I thought they were comfortable. I didn't know better. Many hikers believe boots are superior for various reasons, including the perception that they provide better traction, cushioning, ankle support, and protection from sharp or hard objects. With regard to traction, my experience is that the flexible sole of trail running shoes give me much better traction. When crossing sandstone or climbing (using my hands and feet), flexible trail running shoes are far better than stiff-soled boots. When it comes to cushioning, I don't see any advantage to boots. My feet always feel better after a day of hiking with trail running shoes than boots, so when it comes to cushioning, boots loose too. Do you need to protect your ankle with boots to hike? I climbed a fourteener, Mount Massive, with a traditionalist friend recently. He asked me how I could hike in those “things,” referring to my Inov8 Flyroc shoes. He said , "You'll sprain your ankle." I told him I felt that was a myth. He then told me he had sprained his ankle many times. "How?", I asked. Playing basketball with “sneakers,” he said. I felt like telling him, “Then maybe you should play basketball in hiking boots?,” but stayed quiet. Since you are reading this far, I will lecture you instead.. A boot decreases movement of joints within your foot, ankle, knee and hip. Although it decreases the stress on your foot and ankle, it increases the force on the rest of your leg. An ankle immobilized by a boot cannot absorb the force of your heel striking the ground. With an immobilized ankle there is an increased risk of a sprain or break elsewhere in your leg. When your ankle is allowed to pivot, your foot sole is flat against the ground. This gives your body more support. Using the full traction of the tread also decreases the likelihood of slipping. As the ankle bends and foot flexes, it allows you to toe-off using calf-muscles more effectively. As you bend your ankle, you pick up the front of your foot and decrease the chance of stubbing your toe or falling. With full ankle movement, you have more ability to respond quickly to being off balance and maintain your balance rather than fall down. If your ankle is immobilized it requires about 5% more energy to walk too (Jordan 81). In other words, if your shoe prevents you from walking as your body was designed, it's a big disadvantage. A boot does offer protection from sharp objects. If I stayed on trails, it wouldn't be a problem. Prickly pear cactus are the challenge, especially when hidden by grass. There are so many advantages to trail running shoes though that I will remove my shoe one or twice a year to remove cactus needles. All trail-running shoes are not equal. How do you choose shoes for three-season hiking? A variety of books suggest that one pound on your feet is equivalent to carrying 5 lbs on your back. So the first principle is to choose lightweight shoes. The second principle is to choose a shoe that flexes well. The third principle would be choose a shoe that keeps your feet clean and doesn't allow twigs and rocks in. The fourth principle is to choose shoes that absorb as little water as possible. Related, but not necessarily the same is to choose a shoe that will dry quickly. A sixth principle is to choose a shoe that is breathable, to keep your feet as dry as possible. Don't buy Goretex lined shoes for three-season hiking. They drain water poorly. They have longer drying times. As sweat wicks into the Goretex liner, it limits the breathability and consequently these shoes don't expel moisture quickly. They are heavier. They are more expensive. Shoes are such an important part of my hiking experience that I have bought and used far more than the typical person within the last year. All of these shoes have serious disadvantages. The list of trail running shoes that I used during 2005 follows. Inov8 Flyroc 310. Men's Size 10.5. 745g/pair. Best shoe for trail travel.
Salomon XA Comp XCR. Men's Size 11. 884g/pair. Montrail Susitna II XCR. Men's Size 11. /pair Winter. When I need to wear my Stubai Crampons, I prefer using boots. I don’t like the way the crampon strap wraps around my leg. I don’t wear crampons often, but when crossing hard steep snow, they are very useful. I still wear boots if I’m taking along my crampons. The second problem is more serious. Prickly pear cactus needles penetrate trail running shoes very quickly. I find myself watching vegetation closer when hiking off trails with running shoes on. The advantage to watching where I put my feet is I do less damage to vegetation. I try to walk where there isn’t any vegetation or step from rock to rock. One previous disadvantage of the trail running shoes is I got a lot more debris in my shoe. This problem has been overcome using The North Face Scree Gaiter II that adds just 2 oz (57g). Salomon XA Comp XCR Trail Running Shoes. Size: Large. Weight: 884g. Quick Summary: OK for winter. There may be better. These shoes have a Gore-Tex XCR liner to keep my feet dry. The liner also keeps dirt out so my feet come out very clean when hiking through desert dust and sand. These shoes don’t have a traditional lace. According to Salomon, they use a “Kevlar” cord in what is called a “QuickFit” system. The shoes can be taken on and off very fast. This unique system hasn’t broken and it hasn’t yet loosened during hikes of up to 14 miles. But it is fraying and will probably break soon. Some online writers have complained about the cord breaking and not being able to replace the lacing. These shoes are very comfortable. I started hiking with them every weekday when I first bought them. I never had any problems with blisters or even “hot spots.” The outsole is called a “Contagrip” by Salomon. After more than 50 hikes, it doesn’t show significant wear. I suspect that the tread will last well. The gussetted tongue (tongue connected to the upper) reduces the chance of any debris or snow getting in my shoe. I strongly recommend using gussetted shoes or boots. The North Face Ultra 102 Trail Running Shoes. Size: 11. Weight: 802g. Quick Summary: They are comfortable and I like the compatible gaiter. I normally use the North Face Ultra 102s when hiking in dry desert conditions. They have a mesh upper that allows my foot to breathe. This improved airflow keeps my feet much drier. The disadvantage is the mesh allows my foot to get real dirty. After a long day of hiking, my feet are filthy. The other advantage is the built in support for The North Face Scree Gaiter II. Socks. When I first started hiking extensively, I justed used my regular socks. My brother, who runs extensively, suggested that I consider socks designed for hiking or running. I’ve purchased several different kinds of socks and also liners. Recently, I found some SmartWool RBX Ultra Light merino wool socks in a closeout bin at my local REI store. They standout enough from the crowd to write up a little on them. There isn't a perfect gaiter. I use gaiters to: 1) keep rocks, twigs, and debris out of trail running shoes, and 2) to keep snow out of my shoes. The North Face Scree Gaiter II. Size: Large. Weight: 57g. Quick Summary: Proprietary North Face gaiter. It is possible to modify some other shoes to accept this gaiter. Lightweight and works well for rocks and twigs. These mesh gaiters are put on before you put your shoes on. They have four plastic hooks that connect the gaiter to the shoe. They’re designed for some North Face shoes, including the Ultra 102 and Ultra GTX. I use them with the North Face Ultra 102 and Salomon XA Pro trail running shoes. For the Salomon shoes, I tied two loops of cord in the side of the shoe. The back attachments of the gaiter connect to these loops on the Salomon shoes and to two built in straps on the North Face shoe. The top of the gaiter is closed with a drawcord closure. According to the manufacturer, these gaiters are design to keep dust, grit, and debris out of your trail running shoes. I find that they do a good job of keeping debris, sticks and pebbles, out of my shoes but definitely not dust. The mesh material used in these gaiters does let dirt and sand through, but I’m more interested in the good airflow these gaiters have so my feet stay dry. In other words, I don’t care if they don’t stop my feet from getting dirty, I want the sticks and stones to stay out while my feet keep dry and don’t sweat excessively. The North Face Ultra 102 shoes let in a lot of sand and dust through the highly breathable material anyway. The gaiters are a little too short. My pant legs pull out of the gaiter as I walk many miles, bend over, or sit down. I have found this doesn’t matter too much, because it is hard for debris to get in the top with the drawcord closed. At times though, I’ve pulled the drawcord too tight around my leg to compensate and it cuts off circulation. I’ve found that it is best to close the gaiter drawcord just enough to close them but not to cinch them tight. One advantage of this gaiter is the lightweight. A pair of Large gaiters (they come in four sizes) weighs 57g or about 2 oz. This is the lightest gaiter I have. They are so insignificant that you don’t notice that you’re wearing a gaiter. Another advantage is there isn't a cord or strap going under the shoe that can get damaged. A strap for snow gaiters isn’t a big deal because I use them to walk on snow or have a snowshoe or crampon protecting the strap. On the other hand, these gaiters would always have rocks cutting and damaging the strap. Overall, this is the best solution I’ve found for keeping desert debris out of my low-cut trail running shoes. Without them, it is common to get sticks and pebbles in my shoes, especially when I travel off trails. I've been using trail running shoes rather than backpacking boots for all my hiking and backpacing trips. Trail running shoes are much lighter than boots and these gaiters resolve one of the disadvantages of running shoes, the low cut, changing it to an advantage. As far as I’m concerned, the only other advantage of boots is you don’t have to pay as much attention to prickly pear cactus. Cactus needles go through a trail running shoe very quickly. Winter Gaiters. I believe gaiters are one of the best clothing purchases you can make for winter hiking. There are a lot of junk gaiters. A gaiter should use velcro to open and close it, or be entirely closed (requiring you to put on the gaitor on before your shoes). The velcro should be positioned in the front, not the rear of your leg. When you’re hands are cold, you want to get the gaitor on quickly. Fumbling with a closure that you cannot see and even worse, a zipper, is just what you don’t need to be doing in cold temperatures. This is even more important if you suffer from arthritis. With a rear closure it is hard to be sure that the gaiter is entirely closed. In addition, snow is more likely to be thrown on the back of your leg where a rear closing gaiter is more susceptible to snow penetration. The gaiter must be made from a water-resistant material. A gaiter that is made of fleece attracts snow like a magnet. There should be a clip at the front of the gaiter that will attach to your shoelace. A tough hypalon strap or similar material that wraps underneath your shoe is also important. Outdoor Research Crocodiles. Size: Large. Weight: 263g. Quick Summary: The best gaiter I've tried for extreme conditions. Otto Stretch Gaiters. Size: Large. Weight: 319g. Quick Summary: Too heavy. Poor Value. Less expensive Nonstretch version. Size Medium. Weight: 241g. Quick Summary: OK. Compares to OR Crocodiles. I own a pair of Otto Stretch Gaiters and a similar non-Stretch version. The non-Stretch version was a much better value. I bought them from REI on closeout. As far as I can tell, they are not available now. They have a tough hypalon strap that wraps beneath the shoe. The strap doesn’t show any significant wear after using them on dozens of hikes. They have worked well but they are rather heavy at 319g. Smartwool RBX Ultra Light Socks. Size: Large. Weight: 31g. Quick Summary: Extremely lightweight and breathable socks that are great for hiking in temperatures above freezing. 31g for a pair of socks is really unbelieveable for weight. These mesh-like socks are very nice. I’ve worn them for several hikes and on two short backpacking trips. I’ve always worn them without a liner (they weigh the same as the lightest liner I own). I haven’t had even the slightest blister or “hot spot”. They breathe extremely well. They get real dirty and don’t clean up to a nice cream color again. I like this sock a lot. The only disadvantage is they wear out fast. I do a lot of hiking and it puts holes in them. |