I'm looking into a new set of shoes following the principals in this series:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/lightweight_footwear_systems_for_snow_travel_part_2.html

My hope is to find lightweight and breathable, that would serve me for snowshoeing, hiking in shallow snow (adding waterproof/insulation layers) and if possible, also for hiking in dry conditions. I guess in essence I'm looking for an all year around trail shoe, if that's possible. I won't actually be running, and will be going up and down hilly/rocky areas.

The problem I'm running into is that there are so many options, that I'm not sure how to proceed. A couple questions I have: 1. What sort of soles should I get? Some trail runners have studs, even some with metal inserts that supposedly grip better on ice. Are those recommended or would they wear out to quickly on off-trail hikes? 2. Should there be any "re-enforced areas"?

I've listed a few examples of ones I've looked at but I'm open to anything:
Salomon http://www.salomon.com/us/product/s-labfellcross.html
Inov-8 Oroc 340 http://www.inov-8.com/New/UK/Product-View-Oroc-340.html?L=27
Inov-8 Roclite 315 http://www.inov-8.com/New/UK/Product-View-Roclite-315.html?L=27
New Balance 921 http://www.altrec.com/new-balance/mens-921-outdoor-water-shoe
Montrail AT Plus http://www.montrail.com/Men%27s-AT-Plus%E2%84%A2/GM2082,default,pd.html
Montrail Mountain Masochist http://www.montrail.com/Men%27s-Mountain-Masochist%E2%84%A2/GM2077,default,pd.html

Any suggestions?

I think almost any good trail shoe will work, fit is paramount and they all do fit differently, so that's priority number one

depending on what system you use in your shoe, it may require sizing up- that could easily nix year round use

I've recently screwed in sheet metal screws into my trail runners for running this winter, it was easy and cheap and it works- is near as I can tell easily reversible as well- I should add these trail runners are on their way out so the decision to stud them was easier than a new shoe



for shoulder season snow hiking I use a thin wool sock w/ a goretex sock over- this works well for me to temps into the teens and 20's and I can use my normal shoe size, for colder I can add an over shoe like the 40 below or NEOS


find a quality shoe that fits your foot; then you need to decide what system your going to use as it will dictate purchasing your normal size or a size (or even more) up

Mike,

Nice mod there. What sort of trail conditions do you need those for? I get some icy patches early morning in spring when the snow pack on the trails has been through a lot of freeze-thaw. And on the ocean beaches here, the groundwater flow freezing pretty hard and slick over the sand and your mod would be really sweet for that. And, of course, just talking to town and dealing with plowed, icy roads and parking lots.

When doing road trips in a rental car in snow country, I have at times brought 400 little sheet metal screws and a cordless drill/driver. My thought being that if an ice storm hit, Hertz would get studded tires on one of their cars, and I could keep moving. I've also been known to bring tire chains in my luggage which TSA ALWAYS checks thoroughly.

Work great, I've used them on a lot of trail runners on the way out. One pair the sole was even coming off, so the screws fixed that as well.

I've been contemplating a system similar to what Mike described. I typically snow shoe in the SoCal mountains and I'm currently using a light mountaineering boot. I'm usually not in temps lower than 15 degrees. The question I have is if I move to that sort of system (it would probably be with Inov8 315 shoes since they fit well) could I run into problems with snow shoe straps or strap on crampons cutting off circulation too much when strapped on?

Edited by catalyst81 on 01/18/2012 12:39:02 MST.

there will be a bit, but you can manage it with properly tightened/sized snowshoes/crampons

what is more important is having a system to keep yr feet dry ... some people use goretex socks, others plastic bags as VBLs

Dave- they mainly help w/ snow packed and icy conditions, deeper snow they wouldn't be much of an aid (although they aren't hurting anything either)

They've got a couple hundred miles on them (lots on drier and rocky conditions) and they look no worse for the wear- appears they'll easily last through the winter/early spring

good idea for the studded tires :)

Mike