Showerthought: Trail runners are actually better than boots for dry conditions

I kept getting sore ankles with stiff boots, so I tried flexible shoes on a sandy path. The difference was huge and now I pack both depending on the weather.

3 comments

3 Comments

vera_nelson381mo ago

Totally. My buddy Jake used to swear by heavy boots for everything. He twisted his ankle bad last fall on a dry, rocky trail that was basically just hard packed dirt. Switched to trail runners this season and said it felt like walking on clouds, way more stable when you need to feel the ground. Hasn't rolled it once since.

rose_young1mo ago

Yeah I get that. I was the same way with my old leather hiking boots until I face-planted on a simple gravel path. Swapped to a pair of flexible trail runners and the difference is stupid. I can actually feel the rocks under my feet and adjust instead of just clomping over everything.

the_michael26d ago

Had a pair of those stiff leather boots for years. Took a bad slip on some wet tree roots because I couldn't feel a thing. Bought some lighter hiking shoes and it was a game changer. My feet aren't as tired at the end of the day, and I can actually tell what I'm stepping on. Way more control on tricky spots.