Ive used trail runners for years now. I will, just to clarify add that I do have a lot of mountain running experience also. That gives ankle strength and experience in lightweight footwear on rough ground. But heres my thoughts
I actually struggle to walk in boots. My ankle moves like an ankle should. Even lightweight boots make me stumble about like some special case. On my ML assessment I wore some boots a customer broke an eyelet off of in the shop I was working at. I had to unlace them around the ankle. The assessor noted I was moving better.
On top of that, knee deep bogs, river crossings, torrential rain. None of it is an issue. Walk through it all and in no time, minutes even, the water is out and you forget your feet are wet. Gore tex holds the water in the boot. Gives a horrid sloshy cold feeling. River crossings in Scotland, no messing about with wet boots or taking boots on and off all the time to wade.
I use poles a lot. With boots you can kind of switch off and walk with ankle support. With trail runners you have to watch the ground more. Poles have allowed me to catch myself if I do turn an ankle, catching myself on my other foot is kind of instinctual now.
Just the weight saving on your feet is a bloody good reason to skip boots.
Thicker socks in winter and you'll be suprised how warm your feet will stay. Darn Tough are ace socks. I've used runners year round. Be aware that some running shoes have large areas of lamination or leather. That will hold water in. Compare something like the upper of a La Sportiva Mutant compared to a Hoka Speedgoat. The Mutant will drain instantly compared to a speedgoat.
Comments relating to waterproof socks.
Dexshell are the best it seems and very highly regarded by the Winter Spine racers, but keep your toenails clipped right back. After a week of solid use, they're done. If water goes over the top of the sock, you're back to square one. Wet feet and water trapped inside your sock. I have used them and loved them, also used them and felt like they were a pain in the arse. I generally use them in my approach shoes on mountain rock climbs and scrambles.
Im currently hiking around the UK and using a pair of La Sportiva Akasha's. Great shoes, not the stickiest rubber in spotivas line up but not the hardest. Steer clear of Scott runners. Unless they changed their rubber compound because my Supertrac RC II's were phenomenal in the dry. Up there with my approach shoes. But in the wet, the became the superdeaths
VJ iRocks for racing. Scott Supertrac RC2s are the closest I’ve found to roclites for daily training. I’ve got a pair of the OMM fell shoes to try but I’ve been out with the flu so haven’t given them a go yet.
Luckily still have some old 212s that i save for special occasions…
Accept wet feet but use good socks to help keep them warm when wet.
I love my Scott Supertrac RS2s as they have great grip and keep me stable. Also they are fairly splash proof keeping my feet dry longer than my other running shoes.
Not a lot of squish in them if running hard tracks though
Adventurous-feral
