Hi All, I'm planning to hike the JMT in August. These forums have really helped me try to transition from traditional backpacking style/gear to a lighter setup.

The footwear decision has been one of the toughest - for nearly 15 years I've hiked in heavy leather waterproof boots, and I'm feeling overwhelmed by lighter options.

I think I'll want some ankle support since I'm nursing a minor ankle issue that's dogged me since Feb.

I'll be hiking at a moderate pace, and I'm aiming to get my base pack weight down to 15lbs or less (I'm starting from much higher). With all the snow that's left, I'm also torn about whether I need something waterproof, but since I think I'm likely to face lots of water crossings, shoes that dry fast may be more important?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

I haven't been keeping up to date on JMT specific footwear.
Is there such a thing?

There won't be much snow left by August.

Heavy leather waterproof boots would be about my last choice.

--B.G.--

I just finished two weekend backpacking trips, one up the East Fork of the San Gabriel River and one in the Southern Sierra (Click's Creek & Little Kern) and enjoyed using my new Inov-8 Roclite 295's on both trips. The East Fork trip had multiple water crossings and was on a lot of loose rock while the Southern Sierra trip was on mostly dusty trails. These were my first trips with my new light-weight trailer runners and I enjoyed the comfort and light weight of these shoes much more than my older heavier hiking boots. The Roclite 295's are fast drying and stick to rock, both dry and wet, with great tenacity. I'm sold on the advantages of light-weight sticky-rubber trail runners and will use them again later this summer when I hope to hike into the Cottonwood Lakes basin (Southern Sierra).

Edited by RichardCullip on 06/30/2011 14:13:52 MDT.

Chris, I hope you don't mind me piggy backing off your question. I too have a sub 15lb baseweight (man that bar can puts a damper on things), and I'm already deadset on bringing trail runners. While trailrunners might not be the best for you due to your injury, I would agree with others to go non-waterproof in whichever shoe you decide on.

My question for all those that have done the JMT though...is a full (or even half) rockplate necessary given the trail conditions? I love my inov-8's but have been eyeballing montrails because of the added rock protection. I've done weekend whitney summits, and yosemite hikes with no problems in non-rockplate shoes, but this will be my first time encountering those conditions day after day for a couple of weeks. So Necessary or no?

Thanks!

Edited by Konrad1013 on 06/30/2011 15:14:03 MDT.

What is your injury specifically if I may ask?

Thanks all for the advice.

Konrad - thanks, I'm interested in hearing other folks on that too.

Kaleb, I sprained my ankle in February running. It mostly healed but still gets sore sometimes. It hasn't prevented me from getting out (I did lots of backcountry skiing on it, and now with warmer weather biking and weekend backpacking) but I want to make sure I finish the trail and minimize aggravating it.

Among more-traditional-but-lighter boots, I've been looking at the Vasque Breeze.

Edited by ccarney on 07/01/2011 00:13:14 MDT.

> some ankle support since I'm nursing a minor ankle issue that's dogged me since Feb.

The whole concept of 'ankle support' is a myth. Ski boots give 'ankle support'; for anything else you need ankle flexibility.
If you switch to light-weight low-cut joggers, it just might be that they will actually help get rid of that problem.
They will also help you strengthen your ankles so the injury does not happen again.

Cheers

I'm not saying you are right or wrong, but I believe that there is something to be said for all the professional athletes that wear either ankle braces or higher shoes. You don't see many basketball players slapping basketball shoe soles on trailrunners. Having said that, I wear trail runners, MT 10s at that but I'm not sure that switching right into trail runners and hitting the trail if there is an ankle problem is the best option.

I agree with strengthening the ankle though and that trail runners are better. I'd just go with something that is meant to support, i.e. an ankle brace.

Edited by mpd1690 on 07/01/2011 07:16:04 MDT.

It may be that I don't hike enough, but I have a tendency to roll and sprain my ankles when I hike with trail runners.

I always had the issue playing basketball if I didn't wear high-top tennis shoes when I was young.

I usually wear mid-height hiking shoes and although I still roll my feet from time to time, the roll never goes far enough to sprain my ankle.
I had the same experience with the tennis shoes. I roll but the high top was able to add enough resistance to avoid a sprain,

I have heard from many experts that say that mid-height shoes don't add enough support to help and for them they may not, but for me they make all the difference.

I have come to realize that the experts aren't always 100% correct and this is one example.

Also, there is less need for gaiters with mid-height shoes. I now only use gaiters in wet/cold and dusty desert hikes.

Edited by brooklynkayak on 07/01/2011 08:53:29 MDT.

I've posted on this subject before (and been dismissed here by a couple of folks) but I also have personal experience with high tops providing sufficient support to prevent ankle injury in situations on the trail where I otherwise would've sustained torn ligaments, contrary to what some say about nothing short of rigid devices providing ankle support. That is my experience; I may not be an expert but I do know my own set of ankles.

You will have to decide for yourself what is best for your feet. I think it's desirable to hike in trailrunners if your ankles are up to it, it's just unfortunate that mine are not.

Signed,
A veteran of 2 major double-sided torn ankle ligaments requiring a cast, and numerous lesser sprains, all incurred while wearing low-topped shoes in city life - none while wearing light boots and being klutzy on rocky trails

I have dislocated both ankles, torn ligaments, and long casting periods. My ankles are a bit weakened as a result. It is my opinion that my ankle problems arose because of too much foam lift on the heel of my shoes. I never had problems when I played in flats. Now, I do not wear hightops but do wear Active Ankle braces when I play ball on a hard surface. These are by far the best braces I have used. They have a hard exterior, foam on the inside, and a hinge so your foot can flex. They might be a blister magnet on a long hike for some, but they are much lighter than hightops and the amount of support way exceeds a hightop. I am not sure it is possible to roll an ankle while wearing them. If you follow volleyball at all, you will see more than half of the players on hard surfaces using them. That being said, I just hike in low shoes now with poles, which I think help with stability as well. Hope my experience is useful to you.

After a systematic review of 113 studies on ankle injuries, Thacker et al. (1999) concluded that “the use of high-top shoes alone does not appear to reduce the risk of ankle sprain” (Apgar, 2000). Thus, there is no conclusive evidence that high top footwear alone prevents ankle injury.

Instead, the authors of the review suggested that “Athletes with a sprained ankle should complete supervised rehabilitation before returning to practice or competition, and athletes with a moderate or severe ankle sprain should wear an appropriate orthosis for at least six months.”

If a person has an existing injury, the prudent advice is to stop the activity immediately and consult a doctor. Proper, medically supervised PT and additional ankle supports should be used in these cases.


References

Thacker SB, et al. (1999). The prevention of ankle sprains in sports. A systematic review of the literature. Am J Sports Med, 27, 753-60.

Apgar, B. (2000). Methods of Preventing Ankle Sprains in Athletes. American Family Physician. May 15, 2000.

Without reading the details on the individual studies, I would still not be surprised that high topped shoes (probably not boots, but perhaps they studied those too) would fail to prevent injuries in athletes engaging in high-impact sports such as volleyball, track, football, basketball, etc. However, moving at my relatively slow, low-impact pace, leather boots have prevented me from tearing ligaments when a clumsy move results in precisely the same type of ankle torque that previously injured my ankle when moving around in my day to day non-hiking life. I'm not saying this applies to everyone in all types of endeavors, I'm just saying that it is my personal experience and not a myth in my case. What's true statistically may not be true in an individual case.

I have trouble believing that heavy boots prevent ankle sprains, because if they actually did, that force has to go somewhere, and you'd be seeing increased knee injuries. Just like when plastic replaced leather ski boots. Knee injuries up 1000%.

In the end, you have to decide what works for you, and it may be a placebo to some. But as long as it works.........

Hi Tommy

References showing real research - very valuable and my thanks to you for them.
Needless to say, I agree with the conclusions, including the need to let the ankles heal after injury.

cheers

I don't find it very plausible that a relatively thin and pliable upper can restrict ankle movement sufficiently to prevent an injury. I personally have had my foot turn under me frequently while wearing waffle stompers but can't recall the same ever happening in my NF Hedgehogs (bought during my transition to UL) or my NB Minimus Trails (love em). n of 1 so take it for what its worth (and what you paid) but personally I find it unlikely that thin plastic can prevent much of anything.

To answer your actual question, I highly recommend the NB Minimus Trails. I'm in love with the toe box and the way my foot absolutely locks in place without ever being tight or squeezed. A very well though out and executed product.

Edited by ChemE on 07/01/2011 17:17:09 MDT.

Hi Chris, yours is an interesting question. I started down this UL trail about a year ago and thought that Trail Runners were'nt for me but for the really young and ultra fit. Then I came across a few threads here that showed men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s wearing low-top sport shoes made for hiking. It inspired me to get more advice. To cut to the chase, I bought a pair of Salomon shoes and started wearing them in April of this year. I've hiked in them over a half dozen times and most recently in Laguna Canyon on some steep and rocky trails. They are so much more comfortable than my Vasque Breezes I bought last year. I plan on using trail runners from here on out. I feel very secure and safe in them and they are so much lighter, which translates to less fatigue, more comfort, and happier feet and body. And they breath so much better, my feet are allot cooler where it counts. And they are also a great camp shoe since you don't need/want to take them off right away after finishing your hike. -Some may recommend super light or minimalist shoes. As for me, I took it a step at a time. Got some shoes that are low, wide, and stable, that cradle my feet and that breath well (omit the Gortex to get step up the breathability factor, that's what most do here). I also have a second pair (different manufacturer) that are more considered minimal. They work great for the gym, but after wearing them for a number of weeks I'm not sure that I'm ready to wear them on the trail. I am working toward that and it is a goal. But having a shoe that fits well and is stable is really a great feeling. I would recommend a bit of experimenting in shoe stores and then making that plunge. You may not find the right shoe the first time, but keep looking (and if you get them at REI....). Point being, for me anyway, it sure is (was) worth the effort. Good luck in your search.

Hey all, many thanks for the extensive advice. I hit a couple local shops this afternoon, tried on a lot of shoes, and settled on giving the Garmont Momentum's a shot.I'm going to try them out on the trail this weekend.

Here's a link to the shoe if others are interested:
http://www.marmotmountain.com/MMWmain.asp?Option=Detail&StyleID=10009182

Thanks again