So why wear trail runners in preference to boots? It is a big decision to make. One thing that may break you is poor footwear choice (and poor preparation).

If you are going to walk in trail runners or running shoes training is certainly worth considering. There are leg strengthening exercises that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Sounds good eh. Combined with good stretching techniques this will strengthen your lower legs, ankles and feet to get them ready for a severe beating. Walking ten hours a day constitutes a beating in my books. I think that over the course of a long hike my feet get so strong they can take virtually anything but this may take 500 miles or two weeks to reach this stage. Remember though that the heavier your pack the harder it will be on your body including the feet.

The main reason is they are lighter and therefore can enable you to hike longer hours and gain better distances. Sceptics may ask but what about sharp rocks and rough ground? My answer is I have hiked in very rough terrain from one end of the USA Rockies to the other wearing trail runners......with no problem with the terrain. I have also summit-ed many mountains along the way using trail runners even sticking lightweight crampons over the top.......(you need very strong ankles to do this and it would not be advisable on ice).......Being honest the only problems I have had from runners is cold and wet feet. In some of those conditions I think boots may have got wet too and once boots get wet they are hard to dry out. Trail runners can be dried quicker although by a fire will shorten the life of runners and boots.

Sure you need to train your legs, muscles and tendons before hiking in trail runners and you need to be careful when placing your feet but I believe that probably still applies to boots as well. I did hear of one person on one of the long trails that insisted on using heavy boots in the Sierra. When he swapped out to trainers everything went well for a while but eventually he had to drop out when an old injury came back. I wonder whether the swapping of shoes may have contributed to the injury. He also had a very heavy pack.

Just for your info my pack is pretty heavy by lightweight standards, normally around 35lb which is roughly a quarter of my body weight.

So which design of trail runner should you go for? A few things to consider

Price? Some people can get away with rubbish cheap shoes...most however need a good shoe, well designed, tested and reliable. My advise is splash out on at least middle range shoes (priced $50 plus) I normally spend $90 on a shoe. Sometimes Sierra Trading post does good deals....I know one guy that found a pair that worked with his feet so he then bought 10 pairs

Waterproof or not?

There are many goretex models......these are great if worn with full length quality gaitors.....if you wear shorty gaitors you are going to get very wet feet......(shorty gaiters are great for minimising dust and stones in the shoes)

Goretex runners will make your feet cook in the heat! beware

The shower proof ones in my experience are useless...the same as wearing non waterproof ones

Weight?

I would guess most runners are similar weights....the lighter the better? In my view not necessarily....strength is important to see pic below of side bars on asics shoe (which help keep the shoe rigid)

Many people often ask so how many miles can you get out of a trail runner? My estimate is on average 500 miles with relatively good trail. If it's tough terrain maybe 300 to 400