So I'm leaving on the JMT in a week and still don't have a pair of shoes selected. I've been doing all my training hikes (16-24mi) in a pair of beat Asics road running shoes with Superfeet inserts, and I run in New Balance Minimus Trails, all with only minor foot pain at the end of the day.

However, the soles on the Asics are pretty much worn out and inspire no confidence on any patches of loose gravel. So begins the search...

My ideal shoe would be a replica of my old one: a lightweight, moderately supportive and cushioning road runner with an ultra-breathable mesh top and a rugged outside. Reg width but wide toe box is preferable. Shoes matching all characteristics but the rugged outsole requirement are easy to find: Saucony ProGrid Guide does it for me (my Asics shoe is no longer available.)

However, the lugs on the Saucony outsole are so shallow they look like they'll be perfectly flat in like 100 miles, and provide poor traction from mile 0.

Yesterday, I got a new pair of Vasque Mindbenders: http://www.rei.com/product/796760/vasque-mindbender-trail-running-shoes-mens
...and broke them in with a 24 mile hike through a redwood forest (fairly mild trail). At the end of the day, I felt great but my feet were killing me. The pads of my heels were beat, but that pain subsided. My arches, however, hurt statically and even more so just curling my toes. Walking was reduced to a painful hobble. The way I see it, it can be a combination of 3 things:
1. Just not "broken in" yet
2. Not enough cushioning (highly doubt they'll get softer after breaking in)
3. My Superfeet inserts make the shoe too stiff. When I push off of my forefoot, the shoe buckles in on top, but the insert tries to stay flat, bruising the top of my foot. (Does this even make sense?) When I loosened the laces my foot was sliding around inside, and when I tightened them back up the arches hurt even more.

So... would you suggest I stick with the Saucony road shoes, comfort being more important than traction? Or am I just describing a typical break-in period for the Vasques? Perhaps I can just swap out the insole for a more flexible, better cushioning Scholls gel insert?

I don't have many (if any) long training hikes left before I leave so your input is tremendously appreciated.

Asics are great because they understand and address the biomechanics of pronation & supination correction which is very individual. I'd get another pair of Asics with a similar last and same density in the lower. In my experience a brand new shoe with same last and pronation control is easier on the foot and joints than a broken-in pair with less optimal pronation control.

I'd get another pair of Asics with a last (curved, straight, board, etc) and pronation control midsole that fits your specific biomechanics, using the old shoe as a guide. YMMV.

Edited by DallasJeff on 08/05/2012 22:17:02 MDT.

If you like your Asics, I'd go with Asics trail runners. I've always found the Trabucos to be a close match for the Kayanos, as far as fit is concerned.

Have you tried Innov8s?

I bought a pair of Roclite 295s about a year ago and they were comfortable from the get-go, there wasn't a break in period at all for me.

I hiked in Ireland with them in some really, really sloppy conditions (something about the worst rainfall in decades) and they performed wonderfully.

The Roclites have great lugs, are relatively light, and just feel great for my foot. You should definitely check them out if there's a retailer near you that carries them--it'd be risky to order a pair online and have it get there in a week.

I've only been hiking for a couple of years, and prior to the Innov8s, I was in boots, so I don't have enough experience to say whether or not my feet are just don't mind different shoes set ups, or the Innov8s are really just THAT comfortable. As time goes on though, I'm starting to think my feet just aren't very particular when it comes to shoes.

I agree with Jeff and get another pair of Asics. You should not have much "breaking in" to do on a shoe as you would a boot. If your feet hurt that much from this new shoe, go back to the Asics or try another. Those shoes are not made for you. I ran and hiked in New Balance shoes for years until last year the guy at the store told me to try the Asics and I will probably never go back. If $ is tight then pull out the inserts and put in a more comfortable pair.

Edited by LathamFarley on 08/06/2012 06:03:58 MDT.

I did try on some Roclite 295s actually! Loved everything about them, until I took them off and noticed their utter lack of arch support -- so they are out of the picture. I toyed with the idea of making do using the Superfeet, but remembered the shin splints I got in high school due to unsupportive footwear and thought better of it.

I really like the idea of checking out some Asics trail runners. I don't know why, but neither REI nor either of the two dedicated running stores I visited had any. Closest they had to what I'm looking for was the Saucony Xodus, but it was overbuilt and the 4mm drop doesn't help since I heel-strike when walking.

Ah, I'm a flat-footed weirdo, so I don't miss the arch support :)

Good luck!

I'd go with what you know. Stick with your Asics in a new pair of trail runners or maybe try some Salomon trail runners. I also like the Brooks Cascadia (nice wide toe box).

If you can't find a local story that carries asics, try ordering online from a place like zappos. They offer free return shipping and their shipping is pretty fast. If you can swing it, buy several pairs on credit, try them all on, and return what you don't want. Shoes are one of the few things I like buying from REI because of the generous return policy. However, if they don't have what you want, try the online method.

All tremendously helpful responses. I don't know why I didn't think of looking for Asics trail runners myself -- I guess I just got caught up with what's on the shelves. I did want to check out the Scholl's inserts at the local Walgreens first, and picked up something I think might just do the trick. It's the "Gel Sport replacement insoles". They have a tiny bit of arch support, and super gushy gel pads under the heels and ball of the foot where I land and push off of, respectively. I swapped out the Superfeet and oh man what a difference. The shoes went from the feel of wooden galoshes to the feel of just-broken in road runners.

I would order a few pairs of Asics trail runners from Zappos, but with less than a week left now and an entire list of other decisions to make and items to prep, I think I'll stick with this combo and hope for the best. After all, the shoes are already slightly broken in, and the inserts will undoubtedly help.

While at Walgreens, I did pick up a fresh bottle of Aleve tablets just to make 100% sure the shoe fits well. ;)