Hiking Boots Vs Trail Runners

Trail runners hiking shoes and hiking boots all feature adequate stability for most hikers and terrain.

Hiking boots vs trail runners. They re usually more durable than other types of footwear and will last around 1 000 trail miles or so. The great debate 116 reviews 116 reviews with an average rating of 4 5 out of 5 stars. What sets hiking boots apart from trail runners most notably is the high ankles that help provide support and prevent you from spraining or rolling your ankles. Boots excel in difficult terrain mountaineering or winter conditions where torsional stability protection and warmth are at a premium.

Trail runners and most hiking shoes generally flex more easily across the toes and forefoot than hiking boots. As hiking footwear varies a lot in terms of weight materials and other specifications i recommend also reading our guide to hiking footwear. Trail runners have a few other advantages too. This article is part of our series.

Hiking boot basics previous article how to choose insoles newbie hikers or those looking to replace an older pair of hiking boots often ask the question these days. Hiking boots boots provide more ankle support stability and water protection than hiking shoes or trail runners and they re the more practical choice for off trail adventures check out our 10 best hiking boots list to see our faves. Hiking boots are manufactured from thick material and generally have a tough sole providing protection for your whole foot. Fortunately most thru hikers find fair conditions and primo trails which is why we can get away with using trail runners.

This makes them easier to walk in on moderate trails but reduces stability on rougher and more challenging terrain. In the following i will explain the main differences between hiking boots hiking shoes and trail runners to help you choose the right footwear for your needs. The mileage you get depends on your weight the terrain your stride how well you care for the boots and several other factors. A 30 year perspective posted on august 5 2020 september 1 2020 author cam 20 comments from the late 1980s through to the end of the 1990s i exclusively used hiking boots on all of my backpacking trips.

Cutting weight is one of the main reasons hikers make the switch from high top hiking boots to low rise hiking shoes and many shave even more ounces by opting for lightweight trail runners. Hiking boots last longer than trail runners most hikers can get about 700 1000 miles out of a high end pair of hiking boots. Trail runners usually only last around 400 500 miles.