Hunting in Trail Running Shoes

In my last few missions, the boots kept getting wet from numerous stream crossings. They are water proof, meaning that once water gets inside, they'll never dry out. Having wet feet all day isn't fun for the skin and the nails. Much more likely to get blisters.

I've also tried hiking in boots and carrying a pair of old sneakers for stream crossing, but it adds to the weight and feels inefficient.

This leads me wondering, does anyone have experience hunting in non-water proof trail running shoes?

The pros that I can think of are:
- They are lighter than boots and should save energy with every step, it all adds up
- Having thinner fabric and being non-water proof, means they are easier to dry once wet

The cons:
- Less protection against prickly plants
- More likely to roll an ankle

Above is what I suspect, but would be good to hear someone with real world experience using them.

Cheers

Better grip in the rocky Kaweka alpine zones

Used them plenty of times

Probably not the best for carrying heavy loads but apart from that they're great for grip and if you get minimalist ones you can feel everything under your feet. When you cross a stream most of the water should squish out.your feet will stil be damp but never mind.

Love bush stalking in my trail shoes, I have Inov8 xtalon 265.....with waterproof socks on wet days, use an old pair of sneakers.for the creek crossings then into the dry trail shoes

Hamish

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I use these. They're awesome

https://www.bivouac.co.nz/inov-8-men...l?gad_source=1

Do what we used to do with Bullers: heat up a 6 inch nail red hot and burn a couple of holes in the instep. red hot nail means all the synthetic fibres get melted and won't start unravelling. Small holes means very few stones will make their way in, and in the instep means the shoe acts a bit like a pump, and pushes the water out the holes.

Anywho, worked with Bullers.....

Have done some goat shooting in tail running boots, 2-3 hour stints. Great for walking, good grip but they do wear out faster than heavy boots.
I ran into issues sidling around hills on uneven ground and when I could not see the ground under the grass and ferns. came close to doing an ankle a couple of times.
https://www.altrarunning.com/shop/me...ariationId=000

Mine were what they called MSR Mud Snow and Rain, so that's American crap. Soon had wet feet from the grass at 6am let alone a creek crossing. But they do dry out fast.
I do like the really wide toe box as it make your feet feel very stable on the ground. Do want to void the odd sharp sticking up stone as the sole is not thick and tough like a tramping boot. I would buy them or something just a little heavier again if I was hunting farm land and Bush margins from farm land.
Z

Yep, I do a fair amount in trail runners. Know their limits and they are great.

I'll use the boots if its scree slopes, snowy/icy, nicer to kick the side of the foot in and holds its edge better.

Not great in tussock or farm fringes but real good for the valley floor.

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Originally Posted by HNTMAD

Love bush stalking in my trail shoes, I have Inov8 xtalon 265.....with waterproof socks on wet days, use an old pair of sneakers.for the creek crossings then into the dry trail shoes

Hamish

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Tell me about waterproof socks please. What's the downside...do your feet sweat like a b*stard? Smell?

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Originally Posted by Strummer

Tell me about waterproof socks please. What's the downside...do your feet sweat like a b*stard? Smell?

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No downside...except the big hole in the top

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Synthetic

In my last few missions, the boots kept getting wet from numerous stream crossings. They are water proof, meaning that once water gets inside, they'll never dry out. Having wet feet all day isn't fun for the skin and the nails. Much more likely to get blisters.

I've also tried hiking in boots and carrying a pair of old sneakers for stream crossing, but it adds to the weight and feels inefficient.

This leads me wondering, does anyone have experience hunting in non-water proof trail running shoes?

The pros that I can think of are:
- They are lighter than boots and should save energy with every step, it all adds up
- Having thinner fabric and being non-water proof, means they are easier to dry once wet

The cons:
- Less protection against prickly plants
- More likely to roll an ankle

Above is what I suspect, but would be good to hear someone with real world experience using them.

Cheers

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Yeah, I've started wearing salomon trail running shoes for the past few years, mate,
Only for day hunts with a light day bag, my ankles are cooked from years of moto, so I need boots for heavy pack carrying.
Light, fast, they dry quickly and accutully make your ankles stronger because of the range of motion in a shoe, I haven't rolled one yet.
While not extreme terrain, I'm using them in theres still some bloody nasty stuff about.

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Originally Posted by Strummer

Tell me about waterproof socks please. What's the downside...do your feet sweat like a b*stard? Smell?

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I use the sealskinz ones with a thin merino liner.
With a puttie they stay pretty dry.
Make sure your pants,or whatever are over the puttie or the water tracks in real quick.
Feet stink as much as they do in other socks just need to wash and dry at the end of the day.
The seal at the top is pretty good if your sizing is correct and the puttie elastic top helps too.
But you don't spend time standing around in knee deep water.
I have a pair of Lowa desert type boots I intend to try the water will go in and out of them real quick but the socks should look after my feet.
One of the reason I have gone to these is the chemo nerve damage has buggered up the feeling in my feet and the signals are are crook so need to look after them.

Salomon trail runners for me also.
I’ve tried heaps (Salomon, inov-8, Saucony etc.) and found the really light ones with thin soles don’t offer me enough cushioning from rocks underfoot and my feet hurt. Plus with very little rand they wear out or get damaged.
I settled on the slightly heavier XA Pros, still only 440 grams with a decent toe box.
Other decent options are the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor and Merrell Moab shoes)
Be wary of published sizes as each brand varies quite a lot.
The 1952 British expedition to Everest stated that one pound on your feet is worth five in you pack and this energy expenditure has been confirmed by exhaled gas analysis more recently.

I use Solomon Speedcross shoes from time to time on short hunt’s . Waterproof as tissue paper but dry out quick if ground is dry. No protection from gorse etc. Good traction on wet ground until sole stud pattern wears down. Ankle support isn’t so important to me, I try and watch where I’m putting my feet. Much quieter in bush that way. Alright carrying 30+ Kg loads. Weight isn’t so important to me, I’m not climbing Mt Everest. As stated in other threads though, I do tend to wear boots all day most days. There’s good dryfeet socks out there if wet feet bother you. As to weight of boots, you get used to what you’re wearing. Harden the fuck up.

+1 for Salomon Speedcross.

I've used three types of trail runners for hunting tops (Kawekas, Kaimanawas) and bush (add Kaimais etc).

Innov8 Mudclaw G260
Developed in Manchester for trail running in muddy conditions. Super high lug, actually cut into my opposite calf on either side - way I walk. Super grippy, but lugs wore out relatively quickly, and not adequate enough cushioning, so sore feet the next day.

Salomon's have performed better.

Salomon Mid-GTX (some ankle support) with goretex. They worked well. But not as grippy or agile as the Salomon XA Pro. The only thing the ankle support provided was protection from sticks. You do take the odd knock on the ankles particuarly bush hunting, and it hurts regardless. And hot in goretex.

Salomon XA Pro are robust, and lasted a few years.

Salomon Speedcross 5
The Speedcross are much better. Had a pair a year and a half now. Light, great support, robust and super grippy.

Ankle support - I haven't noticed a difference, other than the mid-gtx provide some protection from sticks, rocks hitting the ankles. If your ankles are prone to rolling, perhaps these aren't for you (but not sure the "additional ankle support of high cuts actually helps)
Loads - I've carried out a couple of boned out animals no problem. A good backpack (with meat shelf), careful foot placement (not rushing) and trekking poles really help
Goretex - I've gone away from this. Would rather get wet feet, much more pleasant than sweaty feet

Psst, keep this just between us, use baking soda in shoes for smelly feet.

good in the summer mate.every kg on your feet is the same as 7kg on your back in terms of energy spent to move.

I'm using La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 11 gtx. Only been on a couple of walks but I like them so far. Boot version of trail shoe. Significantly lighter than my old Lowas.

Iv given up on boots. Heavy, noisy, not all that comfy. Light weight runners for me. Just put up with wet feet occassionally.

I use five fingers a bit, pros and cons for these

negatives;
hard to find in NZ now and you do have to get them fitted rather than guessing your size and ordering online.
you can still stub your toe, it even seems to me like it is easier to do when wearing these for some reason.
take longer to put on than normal footwear.

positives;
Great for rivers as long as you don't stub your toe, and feel dry after about five paces from leaving the water.
Probably the most grip you would ever have without wearing crampons.
Very quiet.
Very light, can be carried as an extra pair of footwear without weighing you down.

Crispi Attiva Mid GTX is good consideration

Have taken up using my Salomon Sense ride trail shoes when hunting. Find them really hard to fault.

I'm in the desert in WA for a while so won't be doing much hunting. Having hunted in boots all my life, like most, it feels a little under dressed for hunting but once getting past that they're great. Good luck with the choice.

What are the waterproof socks options?

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Originally Posted by ANTSMAN

What are the waterproof socks options?

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Bridgedale, sealskin are a couple of options

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Bushbuck also do waterproof socks. Got a couple of pairs of each brand mentioned. They’re all much the same, not cheap. Bridge sale probably the most comfortable but not too sure about how long they’ll last, seem to be wearing out lining quicker. You still get the feeling of having damp feet even though your feet are dry, feels a bit weird at first. They are all comfortable to wear for 8-10 hours walking. Bit of a pain to wash, you wash them inside out first then turn them out to remove outer dirt. Overall I find them ok, especially when doing winter night pest control, but I don’t normally fret too much about getting wet feet most times.

I get around alright in a pair of Salomon Speedcross 3s. Pretty picky about my footwear -- comfort is king -- so I will usually run a pair of Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid GTX as my main boot for the ankle support but have no trouble bush bashing in the Salomons, they are nimble, quick drying and comfortable. Sometimes I will carry them if I'm doing a few river crossings too, and they are easy to slip on and off for around camp. Great all round shoe. You will go through them pretty quick though. I would buy another pair based on the use I've got out them, but they won't get half as many miles as a comparable pair of boots in my experience. Then again you can usually get them for half as much.

Salomon speedcross 5 are great trail runners or for sneaking about when armed tramping great traction. I have two pair one at home in Auckland one in the family place in Marlborough.

I day hunt with my Hokas all the time, They dont really dry out once wet, but dont get waterlogged either. And WAY quieter for bush stalking!
On the flip side, i was 5kms into a 3 day Kaweka mission last year, when i rolled my ankle really bad with my Tatonka 90L on my back :oh noes:
Thankfully i was only about 300m from a hut. I ending up staying the night there and hobbling out the next day

I needed new bush shoes so on the strength of recommendations above I went out and bought some.

All information on gear will date.

I went to Macpac shop who stocked several Salomon that I could check out side by side.
Speedcross had a small number of tread lugs - apparently very fast to run in mud but I saw one set where the middle trred was worn quite a way flat.
Super cross has widely spaced big lugs but more than the speedcross. Grip is pretty good in bush, wet rock and even to some extent on half rotten logs. I put my foot down once and it stays there, which saves energy.
very light weight
a wire like lace with a easy to use slider that pulls the upper up tight, very evenly around your foot.
a long narrow shoe but surprisingly OK on my wide "NZ feet" maybe because of the even tension lacing
The narrowness allows good use of narrow foot holds and doesn't require / force inversion / eversion of the ankle when walking on side slopes. That and the lightness made me more nimble and accurate with foot placements.
longitudinally stiff sole so not too much stress on the foot bones and has a good "bounce" saving energy with each step.
not at all waterproof
"OutCross" (I think this was the name) looks like a normal street shoe with no gnarly tread lugs visible from eye level. They are supposed to have a tougher sole areas under the ball of the foot so the tread doesn't wear down walking on hard gravelled trails. The tread pattern is conventional ripples or something and obviously not so good in soft stuff.
It's a hiking / trail shoe.

Supercross sole.
I used light snow gaiters to protect legs and save the lace from getting snagged on branches etc.
Attachment 238561


The supercross lace.
Attachment 238562

Very cool Bagherra. I had a pair of Innov8 mudclaws in that lime green tred colour - the lads thought they'd be great for clubbing/disco after hunting. Had the Speedcross 5 for about two years now, and use them for everything (bush and mountain hunting). Just a tip with the Salomons, the laces do benefit from some protection as while they are strong they are thin. I use a Hunters Element neoprene gaiter that fits over the laces and protects them and also helps with the odd painful knock which you get. The other tip - buy some Tear Aid Type A from Mitre 10 ($19). Run some over the last section where the gaiter attaches, protects the laces. Just had to replace the laces, it's a bit of a job, and about $30 to buy the replacement pair.

I've run the goretex version of the Mid Pros, and the XA Pros. Waste of time. All you end up with are hot feet in summer and wet feet when you hit any water. The breatheable fabric on these shoes will eventually get holes in, and don't see the point of trying to keep the feet dry with ankle high shoes! Much prefer the non-gortex, much more breatheable, and a bit of water in summer does actually feel great.