Had my backpacking boots for a while now - time to replace. When I do some trail running (I don’t do a lot - but would like to do more) - I just use my normal running shoes (not ideal). So my wife and I only do 1-2 night backpacking trips - so can I get one shoe for both my hiking/backpacking and trail running?
i love montrails. the key feature for me is the way they keep the foam midsole thick right out to the end of the toebox. other trail shoes i have are lighter and more nimble but they thin out the midsole and i get way to much impact on the underside of my toes whenever i am on rocky terrain.
avoid the models with goretex - it is waterproof which is nice when stepping in puddles and moving through damp short grass. however, as soon as you get water in the shoe via your ankle, and you will, eventually, it has no way to get out.
The Brooks Cascadia worked well on a 50K single-track race.
Note: I have normal arches and do not suppinate or over-pronate.
You can. I have had incredible luck with both Lowa and Montrail. I used a pair of Montrail Vitesse shoes for two 100+ mile running races in an off-road (desert) environment and the shoes are still going strong. Other trail shoes I used from a running shoe manufacturer died an ugly and smelly death after one adventure race, admittedly in a jungle environment where we were constantly wet for days.
Ultimately, it will be like anything else: Buy what fits. That said, I think the smaller “fringe” companies like Lowa and Montrail are concentrated on making off-road athletic footwear and don’t do fashion stuff or on-road running shoes. Most of these shoes are a little funky looking though.
<< my wife and I only do 1-2 night backpacking trips - so can I get one shoe for both my hiking/backpacking and trail running? >>
Yes. Absolutely.
I’ve used the Salomon (forget the model name XA Pro mebbe?? the top o’ the line, but NOT gore-tex ones) trail running/AR shoes for several years now, they work great.
I can’t remember the last time I put my hiking boots on, and I usually am toting over 40lbs of kid and pack on my back when we do go hiking. Naturally you aren’t getting any ankle support from the shoes themselves, but they are reasonably light, and the quick lacing system totally rocks.
There are some more beefy trail running shoes that are almost more like approach shoes (hence, not optimized for actual running), and others that are more minimalist for faster running, that might not quite be up to longer hiking outings w/ a pack. The Salomons have been a great all-around shoe in my experience.
Unless you do a lot of cross-country over very rocky terrain, heavy boots are unjustified for backpacking trips of any length.
A great place to research shoes that could work for both backpacking and trail running is whiteblaze.net. Scroll down to the “gear forums” and have a heyday.
I have done all of my long distance backpacking in trail running shoes since about 2001. My legs feel fresher, probably because they have less shoe weight to carry. Also, after canning backpacking boots, I no longer get blisters. Trail running shoes tend to breathe better.
About 2 years ago I went on a 3-week, 5-person backpacking trip. Only one person developed foot problems. Blisters, hot feet and lots of limping. He ended up hiking in his sandals. That guy started with backpacking boots. The other 4 of us had lightweight trail running shoes and no problems.
I trail run / adventure race and hike in my vasque velocity shoes and love them. I would do a light backpack in them too but anything over 25% of your body weight on your back and I would suggest a higher ankle shoe for a bit more rotational support.
Description of Vasque Velocity Trail Running Shoe - Men's:  The Vasque Velocity is a state-of-the-art trail runner, and it's got proof: Outside Magazine recognized it as the 2003 Trail Runner of the Year. Built for motion control on rugged terrain, the Velocity provides rock-solid stability in any condition. An aggressively-lugged Vasque Mako outsole offers superb traction, while the dual-density EVA midsole, which is stiffer in the medial and postal regions of the foot, reduces pronation and collapsing. Vasque includes a nylon plate that extends from the forefoot to the arch, providing a comfortable flex with incredible torsional rigidity. TPU-reinforced Airmesh offers support and prevents the synthetic leather upper from stretching out over time. Further support is provided by lacing that extends near to the toe for a high-performance, precision fit. A burly toe rand protects those tender toes from rocks, roots, and other obstacles in the trail.
Bottom Line: While the Velocity isn’t the lightest of the light, it does absolutely everything well, providing superb trail stability in a durable shoe you won’t have to replace every couple months.
CHEERS,
Karma
Montrail, vasque, La Sportiva all make good light hikers/heavy runners. I hike in some montrails and run in the brooks cascadia. the nike light hikers are comfy but are the sole compound is like grease on wet rock (I have the scars to prove it.) I used to work as a cobbler repairing outdoor footwear and those and Scarpa were our top three. People wore them out but the companies didn’t put a lot of gadget stuff that would break prematurely like asolo, nike and salomon. La sportiva and vasque tend to fit narrower and montrail are more roomy in the forefoot. goretex is for jackets not shoes.