Question:
I wore them almost 100% of the time
for the past few weeks and took
a few day hikes in them, but the
proof of the pudding came recently
on a three-day hike in the Mt. Rogers
high country of VA.
I went southbound on the AT from
the trailhead on VA 603, to the
top of Pine Mtn., then the Pine
Mtn. trail to Wilburn Ridge, then
the AT northbound for a nice loop
and the return to the trailhead.
I used a modified Dana Design ArcAltitude
M 80 pack with about a 25 lb. load.
I wore thin nylon liner socks under
regular acrylic athletic socks (from
WalMart). At no time were there
any blisters, hot spots, or sore
toes.
The trail is quite wet and rocky
in places, by no means a Sunday
walk in the park. I slipped exactly
once on a steep rocky descent. (I
had stepped in mud with my left
foot before stepping onto a sloping
rock, and the additional lubrication
from the mud reduced the traction
too much. No damage done to me or
the shoes, luckily.)
Otherwise,
the traction was excellent on rocks,
as good as or better than with any
other shoe I've ever used. You do
need to watch where you step more
than with leather boots, as they
can tear easily and offer no ankle
support, so when the going is rough,
these shoes can certainly slow you
down. (On the other hand, if you
wish, you can make up for lost time
by jogging or speed-walking wherever
the trail is smooth.)
Of course,
the main reason for using them is
for their light weight, but the
increased flexibility of the soles
can help maximize contact with the
ground (and thus traction) on uneven
terrain. I was not disappointed
in the least. In fact, they work
so well that I may buy a spare pair
in case they are discontinued.
External wear on the shoes is almost
unnoticeable, although I don't expect
them to take such a beating as this
very many times before they start
showing it. (I've had fabric shoes
last many years, with occasional
use of a glue gun for minor repairs.)
Of course, I'll switch back to leather
boots when the weather starts getting
iffy in
the mountains in late fall.
Answer:
I believe they are a trail RUNNING
shoe- not a trail HIKING shoe. Designed
for flexibilty & cushion, as
opposed to the rigidity and support
of hiking boots/shoes.
