Hiking Boots vs Shoes vs Trail Runners – My guide to hiking footwear
Hiking Boots vs Shoes vs Trail Runners – My guide to hiking footwear
What’s the right hiking footwear for your next trek?? Is it Boots, shoes or trail runners? What’s the difference and why does it even matter?
In this in my no nonsense guide to hiking I’ll show you how to choose the correct footwear for hiking, whether it be 500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, a winter summit of Ben Nevis or a wet and wild coastal thru hike of the South West Coastal Path.
I show you some of the footwear I’ve used over the years including the Merrell Moab, New Balance Minimus and New Balance Zante v3 shoes which I’ve used for my hikes and travel around the world.
Hiking footwear featured in this video:
Merrell Moab: https://amzn.to/2TioiWs
New Balance Zante v3: https://amzn.to/2Tg9QhD
New Balance Minimus: https://amzn.to/2S84is5
La Sportiva Tempesta GTX: https://amzn.to/2RfoST2
Altra Lone Peak 4.0 Trail Runners: https://amzn.to/2CJJY6W
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Check it out! https://thrunotes.co.uk
#hikinggearreview #hikingboots #trailrunners
Kit list as of June 2020:
Backpacks
Atom+: https://bit.ly/31oHlFF
ULA Circuit: https://bit.ly/37XbigX
SHELTERS
Stratospire 2: https://bit.ly/317A9gS
Zpacks Solplex: https://bit.ly/2CtyJmr
SLEEP SYSTEMS
Katabatic Sawatch: https://bit.ly/3fWSxNM
Katabatic Palisade: https://bit.ly/3ewt5OL
Neoair Xlite: https://bit.ly/2YrKSB4
FOOTWEAR
Altra Lone Peak 4.0: https://bit.ly/2B5fHm8
Gaiters – Altra gaiters: https://bit.ly/37ViBFY
CLOTHING
Waterproof shells
Rohan Helix: https://bit.ly/37ZKbSo
OR Helium 2: https://bit.ly/3fVmzBq
Frogg Toggs: https://bit.ly/2Nqlrth
Insulated jackets
Patagonia Micropuff Hoodie: https://bit.ly/2YwQZ7f
Trespass Rustler: https://bit.ly/3i0HODx
Base layers
Ice Breaker base layer: https://bit.ly/3eGSdlG
Shirts
Rohan Expedition: https://bit.ly/388teWl
Shorts
Patagonia Striders: https://bit.ly/2Npw2EX
Hats
REI desert cap: https://bit.ly/3hWUKdJ
Berghaus beanie: https://bit.ly/31dGvvi
Sunglasses
Sungods: https://bit.ly/2zZ0wKG
Gloves
Salomon gloves: https://bit.ly/2ByVMMf
Ski gloves: https://bit.ly/383TCQX
Socks
Injinjis: https://bit.ly/3dwpmPG
Darn Toughs: https://bit.ly/3hX28G2
Sealskinz: https://bit.ly/3hXAnNG
NB Flat Knit: https://bit.ly/31e0Dx1
Mosquito net
Smidge: https://bit.ly/2B8d9DH
Buff
Camino Buff: https://bit.ly/31awGho
FILM AND SOUND
Phone
iPhone 11 Pro Max: https://bit.ly/2NosT83
Drones
DJI Mavic Air 2: https://bit.ly/31oIn4v
DJI Mavic Air 1: https://bit.ly/2VbNn8E
Cameras
Canon M50: https://bit.ly/3eyCPrQ
Sony RX100V: https://bit.ly/2NqQOUy
Mics
Röde Micro: https://bit.ly/2Npt1nX
Tripods
Gorilla Pod 1K: https://bit.ly/31c74Rf
Gorilla Pod 500: https://bit.ly/3ewApts
Manfrotto Action: https://bit.ly/2Ys689O
NAVIGATION
GPS units
Garmin InReach Mini: https://bit.ly/384Keg4
Garmin GPS Map 66i: https://bit.ly/3dxY4bI
Compass
Silva Field: https://bit.ly/31aS3iD
WATER TREATMENT
Filter
Sawyer Squeeze: https://bit.ly/2YwRJt3
Purifying drops
Aquamira drops: https://bit.ly/3euuQM9
Water storage
Cnoc Vecto 2L: https://bit.ly/31e1AFB
ELECTRONICS
Power banks
20,000mah: https://bit.ly/2NnBQyA
13,000mah: https://bit.ly/3hZhvOg
GPS tracking watch
Garmin Forerunner 35: https://bit.ly/3drJUc9
Wall chargers
UK : https://bit.ly/2BxbgQW
US : https://bit.ly/3dpUIrb
Data
Apple SD reader: https://bit.ly/2VfnnsW
EQUIPMENT
Lights
NU25: https://bit.ly/2Z5S70p
H2R Nova: https://bit.ly/2BB5fCV
Tiki: https://bit.ly/3hXBKfi
Ice axe
Grivel Helix: https://bit.ly/2Z6e0Nm
Trekking poles
Alpine Carbon Cork: https://bit.ly/3hXWiUL
Traction
Microspikes: https://bit.ly/3fQC5hV
Stove
MSR Pocket Rocket 2: https://bit.ly/2Vfl4WL
Spoons and knives
TITO titanium spoon: https://bit.ly/3ey0oAT
Victorinox mini classic: https://bit.ly/2Yr7dP8
Poop trowel
Deuce of Spades trowel: https://bit.ly/3i7H3c6
Sit pad
Kumfie pad: https://bit.ly/3euvJnX
Tent stakes
Tarptent stakes: https://bit.ly/3hZik9O
MSR Mini Ground Hogs: https://bit.ly/3ew7VAe
OEX Y-shaped stakes: https://bit.ly/31bAnnd
Tent poles
Zpacks carbon fibre tent poles: https://bit.ly/3du14pM
Ground sheet
Polycryo ground sheet: https://bit.ly/37XLmBW
STORAGE
Pack liners and pods
Atom Packs DCF pack liner: https://bit.ly/2YrMPxo
Heacy-duty rubble sacks: https://bit.ly/31dqPba
Dry bags and stuff sacks
Sea to Summit 4L Nano: https://bit.ly/3hVi8Z3
OEX 2L dry bag: https://bit.ly/3dx6qjX
Katabatic Gear silynylon stuff sack: https://bit.ly/3expU9n
Pouches and wallets
Zpacks DCF Wallet: https://bit.ly/2VgbQcL
Zpacks DCF utility pouch: https://bit.ly/2CuHAEq
Food storage
Loksak OPSak: https://bit.ly/2Nq2VkD
Ziploc freezer bags: https://bit.ly/2Z8GOVz
MISC ITEMS
Bodyglide: https://bit.ly/2Nt5Wka
Carmex lip balm: https://bit.ly/31bqBRW
Lifesystems Nano first aid kit: https://bit.ly/37XVv1v
Croakies eyewear retainer: https://bit.ly/2B8fmit
Good grief! Just googled ‘Hiking shoe reviews’ for first time and got this video.
I have some Scarpa leather hiking boots, they’re excellent – but heavy and I left them 250 miles from home and won’t get back till spring. Been speed walking instead in a pair of very old New Balance 783 used for running many hundreds of miles on cinders, park trails, and in woods during work lunch 90 minute breaks – realised they’re far better for most hikes than the heavy boots. Shoogoo once, but now sole worn very thin.
Just started looking for either hiking shoes or replace trail runners. Very impressed with local Sports Direct options and knowledgeable staff!!! including Merrell. They do Asics trail runners – good fit but not wide toe box like your and my New Balance.
So your vid exactly hits what I’m considering in my relatively clueless starting point. Thanks. Confirms I should hunt down a New Balance supplier.
Btw: Scruffs workwear socks from Toolstation or Screwfix with Mountain Warehouse liner socks: discovered the combo 18 months ago – far better than specialist expensive boot socks.
Footwear a big issue for me having broken bones in both feet over the years (including kicking a wall hard while fast asleep in bed next to that. wall). Have lots of excellent fast trail with a bit of pavement – up to 30 mile circuits – from front door in south east London Shooters Hill area. Once again, thanks
What do you feel that you gain from using lighter shoes, energy wise? I understand that the feeling might be that of being lighter, but does it really make you that much more efficient while hiking?
If in Australia go with high boots, I see atleast 1snake every hike
I’m just looking for durability. Can you suggest?
Only use shoes for light gravel trails for small trips.
Anything more then 3 hours, I recommend boots
Here’s a list that helped me out.
whinyl.com/bhbts-guide/
In the end, I went with #5.
"1:25"
What do you recommend for very technical mountainous terrain on steep ground with both rock and soft boggy ground and some scrambling required?
Good advice. I’ve switched to Arcteryx trail runners this year and love them. Can walk for miles with no blisters etc. I’m actually not looking forward to the winter and having to get the heavy boots out again.
Has anyone walked the entire CDT or PCT in Danner Mtn Lights?
25-30 miles is like 40-50 km per day, that is very bold especially regarding desert like weather and terrain
Thank you mate.. Very helpful
For day hikes outside winter anywhere in the UK a pair of non-goretex hiking trainers backed up by goretex socks and gaiters if the weather gets very wet are all you need. Saying that, I still like to have a pair of heavy leather boots for the occasional multi-day trek, winter hike or for bushcraft type activities.
Me: watches video to get an idea on some nice shoes or boots to get for a backpacking hammock weekend trip with a fishing friend
Him: alright scenario #1) 500 miles
Me: oh
Weather&Terrain?: Wet,damp,muddy,windy,cold Sussex England.
Edit: just bagged a pair of Altra LP 4.5 from my local indie Jog Shop in Brighton. One step closer. Thanks for your reviews 🙂
Good advice. Simple and effective. Regards from India 🙂
Funny thing is, using trail runners which do not last isnt exactly environmentally friendly. Leather boots can be resoled and used for years. Trail runners wont last a year of hard use.
Great questions👍
West highland Way in April. Trail runners? Hiking shoes? Waterproof or not
Nice.
I guess it’s down to personal preference. I wear waterproof hiking boots when I’m in the lake district. I just wondered what you would wear for a day trip up the old man if coniston etc?
Great info!!
Approach shoes seem to get overlooked in this discussion. I used to be all about trail runners, but when I moved to Colorado, I needed something a little more sturdy on rocky terrain and found that approach shoes are the perfect balance of sturdy sole and shoe like feel, so I can be nimble on the trail, jumping from rock to rock.
Anyone have recommendations for footwear for 3 days in Yosemite in March? Thanks.
What you recommend for the West Highland way? Was looking to buy altras but i’m not sure. Don’t now new balance.
Failed video, he’s talking about boots yet, all we see is his face planted right inside the camera.
Really good video man
Hi, what would you use for 7-10 day hike in scotland/ ireland in late summer? Something lightweight with goretex is good idea?
Could you hike in Timbs ?
As a seasoned hiker who was a trail runner when I was younger, I had a pretty solid understanding of the differences, however not long ago I realized something that pretty much everyone misses. Obviously I missed it too for the longest time.
There is a new theory about hiking which favors the lightweight shoe to facilitate speed more than anything. This is a poor choice of footwear for serious hiking, especially in mountain snows, but the key issue as emphasized in this video: what is the GOAL.
Not long ago when I read the book Born To Run, it hit me that I (and almost everone else thus far) have been overlooking something almost obvious.
The new-style "hikers" have not in any way improved hiking, but instead they have taken the Goal of running, dumbed it down and tacked on hiking to facilitate a RUNNER’S GOAL. If you examine the mentality, these new style "hikers" who focus on miles are not really hikers or wilderness people at heart. They are seeking a type of runner’s high, thrill, or experience.
Let me be clear: There is nothing unethical about a person who goes out on trail with such a goal.
It becomes a problem when the idea gets pushed onto unwitting new hikers who really want to be hikers, not second rate runners. Many such new hikers have horrible experiences as a result.
A more gray area is this: Hikers who give themselves "achievement awards" for hiking. It’s phony and everyone I have encountered was a bigger fraud than Lance Armstrong. Legitimate competitors enter genuine races, ultra-marathons and such against real competition with real prizes that have to really be earned.
On the PCTs I encountered all kinds of hikers. Some with only one arm, one with only one leg and one as blind as a bat. How is it an achievement to hike faster than these genuinely inspirational people? Answer: it’s not. That’s why most hikers don’t want to hear about miles hiked per day. Non-hiker youtube viewers don’t know any better (not their fault) so the farce continues.
Anyway, if every individual simply does their own thing instead of making a mess with bloated egos, in other words, HYOH, then the runners can go ahead and "run" and the hikers can hike.
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
Welp trail runners are cool and I’d definitely go trekking in mine if they weren’t so torn, I’ve only been using them for half a year and at the part where your foot and toes flex there’s massive tears and multiple holes on both shoes so they’re not very good in rain or mud, on a good sunny day though I definitely prefer them over bulky shoes
Fun stuff. I have an 3 meter shelf in the basement full of footwear all designed for a lot of up. My wife make fun of me. Crack climbing shoes, slab climbing shoes, approach shoes (like a trail running with climbing shoe rubber soles), couple type of hiking shoes, various boots up through double boots for high altitude mountaineering (which are so comfortable I got rid of my old ice climbing boots; I use the high altitude boots for that.). Of course there are ski boots for going down as well. Much of my hiking around here is pretty wet, and not that hot, so mostly for basic hiking and backpacking I like waterproof trail shoes or trail runners. I hate hiking all day is soggy shoes, that might theoretically dry quickly (some other day or some other place when and where it is not wet right now while I am hiking!) so while less breathable I mostly use waterproof footwear. If you have very sweaty feet though they can be problematic. But if you are a beginner and need a video like this, you need all around footwear – that 3 meter shelf of footwear only comes with time and experience. You cannot go too far wrong with a mid-weight, mid-height pair of boots with good support that will also help protect your ankles. With experience you can work down toward ultra light if you choose. Or maybe you will gravitate toward hiking climbing that is so rugged you need real boots.
Im looking for an all rounder, the new balance minimus, the track looks short, will it not slip on fine grade soil paths?
I have to hike in the desert with some water streams and jagged limestone and slippery when wet surfaces. Any recommendations ?
How about, hot, mountainous, rocky terrain? Merrill Moab 2 tactical?
Camino de Santiago ??any thoughts
interesting – tried trail runner and just keep wreaking them on stones, rocks etc and getting wet feet all day, i went back to traditional well made leather boots, with ankle support, dry feet, and saving a fortune
I appreciate sturdy footwear. Other than some formal/semi-formal pairs, it’s all I wear. This aside, by the end of your video I recalled an old Black Sabbath song: Faeries Wear Boots.
I think ankle support is overrated. I’ve backpacked plenty of times with 50+lbs for 100+ miles per week and never felt the need for ankle support. Boots just limit your calf muscles ability to help you hike, thats what I think…..
my main criteria for picking boots is the weight im carryin. 10 pounds? trail runners (any i have at the moment, i try new ones all the time). 20 pounds? approach shoes(lowa renegade low or la sportiva boulder x). 50 pounds or more? mountain semi regid boots for all hike (bestard breithorn pro).
Just did the first half of the south downs way wildcamping in some summery Karimor high tops. No blisters, but by the 6th hour of walking my feet were in bits from all the stones underfoot on some of the trails. I was planning on switching to some harder sole boots like Brasher’s to avoid that for the next half, but in researching, it seems tons of people go for these light weight trail runners. Are they cushioned enough to avoid feeling the stones underfoot?
truly useful and clear advice. thank you.
Thanks a lot. I think I’ll go dry and light.
Still good advice almost two years later, thanks M8!
Hi, Russel! Have just watched Your great video on footwear👍👍👍. I am going to the Mediterranean this August and looking for the Urban/ light one day hiking footwear that would be light and breathable at one point and be able to withstand occasional showers at the other. Is membrane crucial for the matter, or watter repellent is enough? I guess, the terrain might be sometimes rocky, with a lot of ascends and descends. Yours sincerely, Karen😊
All I got from this video is you’ve got about 12 pairs of specialised shoes 😅
Great Video, thank you!
Why wouldn’t you use a waterproof hiking shoe or trail shoe? You never seem to recommend these kinds of shoes, how do you keep your feet dry if you’re caught in the British rain?
the new balance shoes are running shoes right?
what u think about goretex shoes, trailrunnet type? for what conditons do you recomendet them?
Can anyone help, I need a trail shoe with firm sole wide toe box and flex at the toe and loads of cushions inside, please help.