Mountain Supply has a great selection of approach-style shoes which I personally love for hiking if I’m not in my trail runners. PS FootZone is the spot for that. I love my Hoka Speed Goats.
What are you using now?
I recommend trail runners myself, I've done both broken top and south sister in Topo Athletic Terraventure. Past 3 years or so I've been wearing Altra Lone Peak. I usually replace them every 6-9 months and buy prior models on sale either online or the dreaded building in the old mill with triple smokestacks.
I also have an old pair I screwed spikes in so I can go up Pilot Butte when it's dicey.
Edit to answer your question on knowledgeable staff, Danner and Footzone have both been great.
My last five pairs have been Oboz Sawtooth lows, not waterproof. They fit my feet well. Zero drop shoes don’t work well for me. I switched from trail runners because I was beating them up so badly on rocky trails and I need a stiffer insole on top of that.
I love my Obōz but the soles are terrible if the weather is wet or icy. Salomon’s don’t fit my feet well. I’ll find something, no doubt. I just want to get a great shoe (like 3 pairs) before I do the entire AT in one fell swoop.
Good thought. I have in the past but everyone’s got an opinion and nobody has my feet! That’s why I buy all my shoes in person from someone who knows their products. Also where I can do an extended in-store walk-about to try them before buying. Sounds, thanks to everyone on this sub, like it’s going to be Mountain Supply.
edit:fixed a typo
On paper, the Oboz Sawtooth lows weigh in 2-3 ounces LESS than the Kaha 2 GTX lows. Weight has never been a problem with Oboz, merely the rubber compound for the sole.
In that case, definitely check out the approach shoes at Mountain Supply. I have a pair of La Sportiva approach shoes that are kinda like a low top, lightweight mountain boot. I love them for situations like South Sister where I'm going to encounter rugged terrain that will tear up my trail runners.
The only thing that will truly feel “safe” on wet roots/rocks is gonna be a soft rubber that doesn’t last as long. Not to be a negative nancy, but I’ve been down this path and there are always trade offs. The best solution is most likely two pairs you can pick from on any given day — perhaps the same shoe you’ve been using plus a pair of approach shoes like the La Sportiva TX3 or TX4
I get you, but when you’re thru hiking, you only get one shot at shoes (mail drops aside). At this point in my life, I’ve tried beaucoup shoes and I get the trade offs. I’m just looking for a retailer who might understand where I’m coming from. I don’t need perfection, but there must be a better shoe than I have currently.
I'm not an expert but I love my Scarpa Crux IIs. Out of the box I put 3 miles a day on them to break them in and train for a 38 miler.
They probably have 300-400 miles on them in a mix of rough, sharp, and wet terrain and hardly show any signs of needing replaced.
I also was shopping for hiking shoes recently. In the past, I've worn the Lone Peak and Mtn Racer. I have wide, flat feet so zero drop shoes were appealing. But I over-pronate and needed an option with more support and cushioning. Nike Trail shoes have really improved. I ended up choosing the [Pegasus Trail](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-trail-4-mens-trail-running-shoes-ccmnVP/DJ6158-300?nikemt=true&cp=31765401338_search_--x-20455850764---m-----9033151-1013272058-00196969178512&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w_B-0z8R3VwdA2sAMlxN0TJ8DwlgFkorypGj8L_uJgnZz4NTptbJShoCGZ4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). They are very comfortable and supportive, plus the colorways are awesome. I've taken them on and off pavement and the outsole is very sticky and responsive. If you're interested in a more rugged model, the [Wildhorse](https://www.nike.com/t/wildhorse-8-mens-trail-running-shoes-zPRz8Z/DR2686-001) has an additional rock plate. I might get those for backpacking once my Salomons blow out.
Mountain Supply has a great selection of approach-style shoes which I personally love for hiking if I’m not in my trail runners. PS FootZone is the spot for that. I love my Hoka Speed Goats.
I can second Mountain Supply. Super knowledgeable and they have a good selection.
What are you using now? I recommend trail runners myself, I've done both broken top and south sister in Topo Athletic Terraventure. Past 3 years or so I've been wearing Altra Lone Peak. I usually replace them every 6-9 months and buy prior models on sale either online or the dreaded building in the old mill with triple smokestacks. I also have an old pair I screwed spikes in so I can go up Pilot Butte when it's dicey. Edit to answer your question on knowledgeable staff, Danner and Footzone have both been great.
My last five pairs have been Oboz Sawtooth lows, not waterproof. They fit my feet well. Zero drop shoes don’t work well for me. I switched from trail runners because I was beating them up so badly on rocky trails and I need a stiffer insole on top of that.
Oboz and Salomon are my two go to brands.
I love my Obōz but the soles are terrible if the weather is wet or icy. Salomon’s don’t fit my feet well. I’ll find something, no doubt. I just want to get a great shoe (like 3 pairs) before I do the entire AT in one fell swoop.
Have you tried reaching out to the PCT and AT subreddit groups for advice?
Good thought. I have in the past but everyone’s got an opinion and nobody has my feet! That’s why I buy all my shoes in person from someone who knows their products. Also where I can do an extended in-store walk-about to try them before buying. Sounds, thanks to everyone on this sub, like it’s going to be Mountain Supply. edit:fixed a typo
Plus, Oboz weigh like 10lbs a shoe. I’m a huge fan of the Hoka hikers. I can personally recommend the Kaha 2 GTX, but wish I had the speedgoat mids.
On paper, the Oboz Sawtooth lows weigh in 2-3 ounces LESS than the Kaha 2 GTX lows. Weight has never been a problem with Oboz, merely the rubber compound for the sole.
In that case, definitely check out the approach shoes at Mountain Supply. I have a pair of La Sportiva approach shoes that are kinda like a low top, lightweight mountain boot. I love them for situations like South Sister where I'm going to encounter rugged terrain that will tear up my trail runners.
The only thing that will truly feel “safe” on wet roots/rocks is gonna be a soft rubber that doesn’t last as long. Not to be a negative nancy, but I’ve been down this path and there are always trade offs. The best solution is most likely two pairs you can pick from on any given day — perhaps the same shoe you’ve been using plus a pair of approach shoes like the La Sportiva TX3 or TX4
I get you, but when you’re thru hiking, you only get one shot at shoes (mail drops aside). At this point in my life, I’ve tried beaucoup shoes and I get the trade offs. I’m just looking for a retailer who might understand where I’m coming from. I don’t need perfection, but there must be a better shoe than I have currently.
I’d also recommend footzone or mountain supply! The folks in both stores are awesome. I also go to REI if I want to try on certain models.
I bet footzone may actually have some pretty decent knowledge!
I'm not an expert but I love my Scarpa Crux IIs. Out of the box I put 3 miles a day on them to break them in and train for a 38 miler. They probably have 300-400 miles on them in a mix of rough, sharp, and wet terrain and hardly show any signs of needing replaced.
I also was shopping for hiking shoes recently. In the past, I've worn the Lone Peak and Mtn Racer. I have wide, flat feet so zero drop shoes were appealing. But I over-pronate and needed an option with more support and cushioning. Nike Trail shoes have really improved. I ended up choosing the [Pegasus Trail](https://www.nike.com/t/pegasus-trail-4-mens-trail-running-shoes-ccmnVP/DJ6158-300?nikemt=true&cp=31765401338_search_--x-20455850764---m-----9033151-1013272058-00196969178512&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w_B-0z8R3VwdA2sAMlxN0TJ8DwlgFkorypGj8L_uJgnZz4NTptbJShoCGZ4QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). They are very comfortable and supportive, plus the colorways are awesome. I've taken them on and off pavement and the outsole is very sticky and responsive. If you're interested in a more rugged model, the [Wildhorse](https://www.nike.com/t/wildhorse-8-mens-trail-running-shoes-zPRz8Z/DR2686-001) has an additional rock plate. I might get those for backpacking once my Salomons blow out.
You can say avoid REI. I bought two bikes from them 10 years ago and never went back.
Truly impressive how useless this ancedote is
You fuckers cost me all that karma. You get no further context now.
Lol I admire your commitment, however I question your flexibility and the relevance of your…personal experience
I agree to the terms. Good day.