What kind of footwear does everyone use?

[Hummy585]

I have several pairs of Inov8's. My favs are the Roclite 400 GTX and then the Roclite 286 GTX. Since I only use them for the trail, I think I'm good for another year or two. I don't think they are made anymore so I'm not sure what I will do when they're worn out...

[Kulliman]

I love my Brook Cascadia 9 trail runners. They are so light and comfy! I am not a AT thru-hike graduate, but I have backpacked and hiked in all weather with these. I just purchased 2 pairs of the Brooks Cascadia 10s and they are close to the same feel as the 9s. I also use the green Superfeet instead of the factory insoles.

Check out this Survey done in 2014 about what shoes people on the AT were wearing http://appalachiantrials.com/footwea...lachian-trail/

[Kulliman]

Almost forgot, wear Darn Tough micro-crew wool socks with these shoes. Haven't had a single blister!

[750ml]

Keen shoes and Smart Wool socks have always treated me well!

[GolfHiker]

Kulliman: I'm seriously considering the Brooks Cascadia 10's. I also use Green Superfeet in my hiking shoes (currently Merrill Moab Ventilators). All of my running shoes are 9.5, so do I need to size up on the new TRs, and assuming so, 10 or 10.5. What is your experience with Brooks?

[Connie]

I like non-waterproof breatheable trail shoes, and, slip-on self-draining water shoes for water-crossings and for the campsite.

I use Good Feet MAX inside the trail shoes, because I put in long miles over rocky ground.

[The 3 Beez]

A friend of mine recommended Merrill to me and that is all I have ever worn for hiking. Their customer support is the best! I also took advice and bought boots at least a half size to a full size bigger than normal to make room for foot swelling an expansion. Try this...hope it helps.

[Connie]

I found Merrill Proterra Vim Sport Hiking Shoe "on sale". It has the good forefoot shape I mentioned.

I didn't say, I find a "good fit" and I look for sales. I also like the more conservative colors for footwear.

These have mesh for good draining and walk-dry, or, for drying overnight for spring and early summer hiking.

No Gortex, Gortex clogs. I would rather rinse out socks and have another dry pair of socks for the next morning. I also carry another pair of clean sleeping socks that help keep the expensive down sleep system clean.

[Brup Bup]

Chaos! Good for at least the whole trail before a resole and they're great for helping/preventing plantar fasciitis!

[Traveler]

Chaos! Good for at least the whole trail before a resole and they're great for helping/preventing plantar fasciitis!

I don't believe I have heard of a boot or shoe making the full thru hike in a season. Even the Limmer boots seem to need a resoling around 1800 miles. I would think sandals are less robust.

[Hess86NJ]

La Sportiva wildcats
Scarpa Kailash GTX
Salewa Pro Gaiter Boots
Sorel Conquests pac boots

That about covers it...

How did you like the La Sportive Wildcats? I just bought them for my thru.... going to test them out. They felt good in the store.

[Venchka]

I bought a pair of La Sportiva Ultra Raptors this week. Be careful if you buy them online. They run small. I had to go up to a size 10 from my usual size 9 1/2. I will give them a workout in Colorado this summer. If they work for me, I will buy more before they are changed or discontinued.
I have 3 pairs of Merrill Radius shoes as backup.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Huli]

Altra trail shoes. Currently Superior 2.0, Lone Peak 2.5 are in the mail.

[Adriana]

This is an excellent article on what AT hikers wore in 2015, both at the beginning and at the end of their hikes. Hile 50% started their hikes with boots, the number dropped to 28% at the end with 60% using trail runners. Beware of Cascadias, apparently they were universally disliked due to quality issues.

http://appalachiantrials.com/footwea...lachian-trail/

[blue indian]

brooks cascadias paired with smartwool PhD socks.

[blue indian]

This is an excellent article on what AT hikers wore in 2015, both at the beginning and at the end of their hikes. Hile 50% started their hikes with boots, the number dropped to 28% at the end with 60% using trail runners. Beware of Cascadias, apparently they were universally disliked due to quality issues.

http://appalachiantrials.com/footwea...lachian-trail/

Yes, the last generation of cascadias has a design flaw. Mine have 500 + miles on mine and somehow show no signs of wear. I did hear that Brooks has addressed the problem for the new generation of cascadias

[DuneElliot]

I'm kind of an oddball. I hike in light-weight LE duty boots...they are close to the same weight as trail runners but provide more foot support and cushioning. I never do them all the way up for the ankle support as I don't feel I need it. They just work for me. I come from a LE background and wore them all day, every day and my feet never hurt if I was standing or walking on concrete all day.