Overheard two guys at REI arguing about trail shoes vs boots for 20 minutes

I was just trying to grab a new water filter, but these two dudes were going at it. One said 'you'll blow out your knees with boots on the PCT' and the other guy countered with 'your ankles will give out in trail runners.' I stood there for a sec thinking about my own setup. I've done 300 miles in trail runners through the Sierras last summer, no issues. But my buddy twisted his ankle so bad in runners in Glacier he had to get airlifted. So what's the actual deal? Has anyone settled this for themselves or do you just pick based on pack weight?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora73512d ago

Nah, @brown.susan nailed it - pack weight decides everything.

brown.susan13d ago

My buddy snapped his ankle in runners on the JMT last year, rock step, 3 miles from Reds Meadow. Boots wouldnt have saved him either, he just stepped wrong. I go runners under 30 pounds pack weight, boots over that. Simple. Your feet swell on longer hikes too, so try your boots on in the afternoon if you go that route.