Running Shoes VS Hiking Boots
“If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.”~The Houghton Line
I get asked about backpacking footwear all the time and the question is almost always the same. Hikers want to know if it’s really okay to backpack in running shoes and how light their packs need to be before they can make the switch.
For many of us, it’s been drilled into our heads since day one that backpackers wear boots. That’s just what you do. You need the toughness and the ankle support and the water protection, right?
That’s why it blew my mind over a decade ago when I learned that thru-hikers cover thousands of trail miles every year in running shoes!
When I get asked this question now, after many years and thousands of my own trail miles (both with and without boots), I feel very confident in saying: Ditch the boots and don’t look back.
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Here Are Five Reasons Why:
1. Weight on Your Feet is Costly
The more weight you carry, the more energy you expend carrying it. That part is simple. But weight carried on your feet is actually much more significant.
Weight on your feet will zap 4-6 times more energy than weight on your back. So, swapping that 3-pound pair of boots for a 1-pound pair of running shoes will be the energy saving equivalent of removing 8-12 pounds from your pack. Seriously? Seriously. It’s science.
2. Blisters are the Pits
Rigid, hard-soled boots don’t flex with your feet and they won’t let your tootsies breathe. Your feet will be soft from soaking in sweaty boots all day and that makes them more vulnerable to blisters.
That’s why even a well broken-in pair of boots can cause blisters over a long day on the trail. And if you’ve ever experienced bad blisters, you already know, blisters are the pits.
For more info on avoiding blisters, check out our post on How to Prevent and Treat Blisters.
3. Waterproof is a Misleading Term
Most boots claim to be waterproof and most hikers think that’s a good thing. But waterproof boots won’t keep your feet dry. It’s as simple as that.
Your feet will be wet with sweat because they can’t breathe.
Waterproof boots only provide short-term protection from rain. When it rains, water will run down your legs and into your boots.
Even the highest quality waterproof boots will develop tiny holes over time that slowly let water in during prolonged rain.
Waterproof treatments are not permanent and will need to be refreshed after a while.
Gaiters and rain pants can help delay swamping your boots, but if it rains for long enough, it’s inevitable that your feet will eventually get wet. And when boots get wet, they get heavy. Very heavy. They also take forever to dry out. So don’t get sucked into the “waterproof” hype.
4. Ankle Support is a Myth
Okay, maybe myth isn’t the right word. But ankle support isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
We all have it baked into our minds that boots provide ankle support, and that’s what’s going to keep us from getting injured – which, by the way, is among the top fears of wilderness travelers. But there isn’t actually much evidence to back that up.
Most research says that if you want to prevent ankle injuries, you should focus on strengthening and stretching your ankles. If you’re a healthy, active person without nagging ankle issues, you likely don’t need extra ankle support while hiking.
Furthermore, boots will tire your legs quicker and make your footwork clumsier. Both of which will put you at much greater risk of other injuries.
True story: I was recently contacted by a new boot company claiming to make boots with better ankle support. They proudly stated, “out of XXX boots sold, we’ve only had 9 customers report ankle injuries!” Moral of the story: even special new ankle support boots can’t fully prevent injuries.
5. Boots are Demanding
Boots are expensive, they take a long time to break in, and they need to be maintained to keep their form. That’s a whole lot of hassle for a tool that’s going to tear up your feet and waste your energy.
Wouldn’t a light, cost-effective alternative that you can wear straight out of the box be better? I sure think so.
Don’t get me wrong. I own a fantastic pair of boots (check out our lists of the best men’s and women’s hiking boots to see our top picks) that have lasted for many years. I use them for snowy winter hikes and they’re an excellent tool. I just don’t wear boots on my 3-season backpacking trips anymore, and I don’t think I ever will again.
Make The Switch
When you’re ready to make the switch, we recommend choosing lightweight hiking shoes or trail running shoes. For more information, take a look at our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Women to see our top picks and learn more about critical considerations to keep in mind when choosing hiking footwear.
Look for a comfortable shoe that you can wear without any break-in period. Look for shoes with good traction and a soft, flexible sole that is thick enough to avoid feeling rocks under your feet.
Get shoes that will breathe easily and dry quickly after getting wet. Steer clear of shoes that have large sections of unsupported mesh, because mesh can wear out quickly on the trail.
It’s also a good idea to bump up half a shoe size, because feet tend to swell over long days of hiking. Running shoe soles will compress over time, but they are usually good for at least 500 trail miles, sometimes more.
I wore this pair of New Balance running shoes for over 900 miles on the PCT. My last pair of trail runners (Saucony Peregrine) have lasted over 1,000 trail miles.
Top Running Shoe Recommendations
Saucony Peregrine
I’m currently rocking the Saucony Peregrines and I love them. They have comfortable padding, fantastic traction, and a sturdy sole. I highly recommend checking them out.
Altra Lone Peak
Lightweight backpackers are all about Altra shoes and I can see why. The Lone Peaks have excellent traction, comfortable padding, and way more room in the toebox than normal hiking shoes. These are some of the most popular thru-hiking shoes on the market.
Salomon XA Pro 3D
If the support of a heavier hiking boot still sounds appealing to you, the Salomon XA Pros may be an easier transition than other trail runners. The XA Pros are supportive and burly for running shoes, but they’re comfy right out of the box and will save you a significant amount of weight versus hiking boots.
HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat
The Speedgoats feel cushy and luxurious, especially when compared to stiff leather boots. HOKA’s signature cushy soles help absorb the impact from the ground and keep your muscles and joints happy all day long. These runners have been a go-to for thru-hikers for the past few years due to their comfort and excellent traction.
Whatever Fits Your Feet
I’ve used lots of different brands of trail running shoes in the past with few complaints. So I recommend going with whatever feels right to you. Remember to look for shoes that 1) feel immediately comfortable 2) have good traction 3) have enough sole padding 4) breathe easily and 5) will dry quickly. Also, remember to bump up a half size to account for swollen feet on long days of hiking. Check out our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Women to see all of our top picks.
How Light Should You Pack
As far as how light your backpack should be before you can safely switch to running shoes, there’s really no magic number. It’s totally a personal preference thing.
For me, I’d still wear running shoes even if I carried a 40+ pound pack. The biggest negative impact of wearing lightweight shoes with a heavier load is that your shoes will wear out faster.
That said, hiking lighter has TONS of great benefits, starting with simply enjoying the wilderness more, so I recommend lightening your backpack no matter what footwear you plan on using. If you’re new to going light, I recommend reading through our Ultralight Backpacking Basics post for tips. Then, head over to our CleverHiker Gear Guide, which features all of our favorite equipment.
Boot Lovers
Wearing one of our top pick boots, the Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX, during a soggy day hike
There are those out there that still swear by boots and that’s totally fine. If you feel more comfortable in boots, do your thing. That’s fine by me and I certainly won’t judge you. In fact, we put together our Best Hiking Boots for Men and Women lists just for you!
While I do use them for the occasional day hike (especially in soggy weather), I personally will probably never go back to hiking boots for backpacking. I hiked the 2,650-mile PCT in trail runners and never once did I wish that I had a pair of boots.
I summited snowy mountains, forded icy rivers, crossed miles of snow-covered trail, navigated massive scree fields, and hiked for weeks in the rain. I did all those things in running shoes and I’d still do it the exact same way.
Still Skeptical?
Switching from boots to trail runners is a big change that many hikers worry about. So test it out, just like you would with any other modification to your backpacking routine.
Pack up a full bag and head out for a long day hike in your area. You might love running shoes immediately or they might take some time to get used to, but in the end, your feet will definitely thank you for it.
Join in on the conversation by filling out the comment box below. Have you made the switch to running shoes? Did it work out? Do you have any good tips to share? Or maybe you’re a staunch supporter of boots? If so, let me know why. I’m always interested in hearing other opinions.
We hope this guide helps you determine what footwear will work best for you. If we missed anything or you have a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line directly via our Facebook page and Instagram pages to join the community conversation. If you found this guide helpful, please share on social media and click the little heart button below to give us a digital high five!
If you enjoyed this review, you’ll probably like our other gear lists as well. Here are some popular resources from the CleverHiker Gear Guide:
- 10 Best Hiking Socks
- 10 Best Backpacking Tents
- 10 Best Sleeping Bags & Quilts
- 10 Best Sleeping Pads
- 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks
- Best Stoves, Food, Water Filters, Jackets & More: CleverHiker Gear Guide
