I've figured the solution a while ago and the answer isn't really on the list lol.
I'v chosen a pair of trail shoes for the versatility, but those are not my usual trail trainning/race shoes.
When I travel in another country these are my main shoes for : traveling, visiting, running and hiking if i have to.
The brief is simple :
\- they must look "nice" at least like a sneaker to be worn in any occasaion (unelss it's very formal) --> that's why Im not taking my usual trail running shoes because they're (or used to be) bright ORANGE
\- be confortable for visiting the place where I'm traveling
\- Able to be ran in
\- Have a vibram outsole because it's the best in the market.
So I've bought a pair of norvan LD3, but a light shaded kjierag 01 could have fit the bill too.
Anyway, if you're bringin a pair of "regular shoes" alongside a pair of sport shoes, i'd still advice to go for the trail ones.
I have wide toe box. So I’m wearing brands like Salomon (ultra, ultra glide)
Norda work great, as do arcteryx norvan ld.
Anyway injinji toe socks seemed like a gimmick to me. Difficult to put on. Just different.
But I got a pair on super sale at REI. Holy cow!!
Toes feel amazing, the sock has less torsional rotation and is in the same place on my foot after 10+ hours hiking.
Usually in NH white mountains. So no climbing ever going on but it’s pretty rugged terrain everywhere. Has helped with general foot comfort. I was not battling blisters before.
I did have waterproof footwear for the start (2 seasons) of my hiking activities. Salomon xmid ultra. I used to get lots of hot spots and some minor blisters. It’s because my feet were getting too sweaty in those. God forbid you plunk a water crossing. Then your wet all day.
Anyway light weight mesh trail runners, good toe box width and frontal protection, mega grip soles, runners loop, toe socks or ultra light DTs and a sock change at the 10ish mile mark usually does me real solid now.
As a counterargument, I've been scrambling in all conditions, in Poland and various European alps, across summer and winter, in Arc'Teryx Norvan for 5 years and if i wasn't for the outer sole being worn out and me being too lazy to replace only that, they'd still be my main hiking shoe. I'm also lousy when it comes to pulling my feet high and hit rocks, roots and branches all the time. The reinforcements are placed exactly where they should be. Even the mesh part, of which I recall being worried about when buying those, survives thousands of thorns and branches trying to pull it apart.
With all honesty I could not be happier with a hiking shoe. I might purchase another pair this winter. In spring I've gotten Dachstein X-Trail as they have similar attributes to Arcteryx ones and I loved the design and fit. I can't vouch for their quality yet though, other than the fact that they look and feel very well made.
Top Trail Running Shoes on Reddit
1
Mount to Coast
H1
85% positive of 177 users
Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.
fernrosomehow
