Bush Huntin-Salomon Trail runners

So over new years I got to try out something, some of you latched onto way back. I tried bush stalking in Salomon trail runners- with Bridgedale waterproof socks- knee height, and with neoprene 1 piece gaiters, and shorts and HnF longjohns.

Couple days wandering around the wet bush for Sika (none seen) after a shit ton of rain= "excellent".

I can no never go back to solid boots- these were soooooooooooo lite- and when the shoes were wet- they were soooooooo light- as in held a very low amount of water.
Feet/skin did get very slightly "damp" by days end- but I tell you, its far far far far far far better than wet feet straight off the bat and then soaked wet feet all day.
Quietness and ease of foot placement was noticeably better than with boots, and way better than with wet boots.
Grip on wet ground was on par/same with boots.
Low above ankle creek crossings were no trouble-socks sit under knee so no water got in.
Ankle support- I didn't have a single issue- though I tend to look after myself these days way better than I used to, diet-exercise/HIIT classes, limit the brown lemonades.
These Salomons are next level comfy- these ones I've been wearing around town the last 2 years- the tread is at the end of its life=new set soon.

In the pics- obviously i ditched the excellent Blue V socks and installed the Bridgedales.

I can never go back to boots inside the bush.


Attachment 241481

Attachment 241482

Yup. They are the shizz. My speedcross 5 are finally giving up after 2 years of bush and tops hunting.

With trail runners its probably better to accept wet feet and go non-goretex. The neoprene low putties are a nice combo . Much more practical - quick drying an more breatheable. The simple reality is they gave lighter fabrics so will get tears/holes in them. The lugs on my curent pair are still in good nick but the fabric snd chassis have had it after many hard miles.

And after hours on your feet, I find that I can still lift my feet over things whereas with boots as the day goes on I find I start to stumble a bit, catch rocks, tree roots etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ned

And after hours on your feet, I find that I can still lift my feet over things whereas with boots as the day goes on I find I start to stumble a bit, catch rocks, tree roots etc.

---

yep me too mate- if the boots are wet- thats and extra 5oog? of water ya liftin every step.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

Yup. They are the shizz. My speedcross 5 are finally giving up after 2 years of bush and tops hunting.

With trail runners its probably better to accept wet feet and go non-goretex. The neoprene low putties are a nice combo . Much more practical - quick drying an more breatheable. The simple reality is they gave lighter fabrics so will get tears/holes in them. The lugs on my curent pair are still in good nick but the fabric snd chassis have had it after many hard miles.

---

yeah i was unsure of the socks- but was pleasantly surprised. Ive always worn boots and accepted wet feet daily unless am on the tops.

Oh if the ultra light laces go. Mitre 10 sells black cord that is thicker and does the trick.

top tip - you can buy speed laces - thats what salomon calls em from most bivouac shops and fit them to any shoe or replace broken ones... youre welcome :D

I find them great for the level terrain, but if I have a load on i need the ankle support of boots - too many injuiries over the years.

Good to know. I've been thinking about giving trail running shoes a nudge in the bush.

Used them for a while but found them quite a slim fit on my caveman shaped feet,use ‘Keen” brand boots now,find them excellent,usually run ASICS touch shoes in the height of summer though.

Just a thought....How much meat do you plan on packing out if successful and how long would the walk out likely be?

I'm sure they fit the bill when unladen, but how do you reckon they'll go if packing out a deer (whole or in part)?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kimber 7mm-08

Just a thought....How much meat do you plan on packing out if successful and how long would the walk out likely be?

I'm sure they fit the bill when unladen, but how do you reckon they'll go if packing out a deer (whole or in part)?

---

This is why I love my Inov8's, light like a shoe but still provide a decent bit of ankle support. Once you get up around that 20kg on your back definitely start to notice it on the ankles if they're not supported

Tried using my trail runners this past weekend in the Aorangis, it was actually really good. Felt like my legs fatigued much less and they dried quickly. Pleasantly surprised… I’d been putting off trying them on a hunting trip due to concerns of injury (ankles etc) but didn’t have a single issue.

Flip side though - the shoes took a punishing.. will need to get a slightly tougher pair

To answer your question arouns weight and trail runners. Ive packed out two deer (boned out) 2-4 hours out in Kawekas and Kaimais. I do have a quality backpack (Exo Mtn Gear) with an excellent meat shelf - well balanced l
Pack. And I place my feet!

There is also a differencs in support between trail runners. I have a pair of Innov8 mudclaw (disco yellow) and they were too flimsy and the lugs wore too quickly. The Salomon Speedcross are much more robust in build and hold their shape. And much more cushion for the feet.

Ankle support. Depends on the person. I dont like boots/ankle support - ankles are strong/not prone to roll. I also use trekking poles on the mountains. In the bush I take the time to place my feet (quiet feet) under load as it stops injury. Also avoids sore feet from impact.

If your thinking about it - try a pair on a shorter hunt. The only thing Id suggest is use a pair with decent lugs for grip - as a flat tread won't be much fun in the wet.

Check if there is a "wide" fit option. Salomon do "wide" on some models.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

This is why I love my Inov8's, light like a shoe but still provide a decent bit of ankle support. Once you get up around that 20kg on your back definitely start to notice it on the ankles if they're not supported

---

yeah theres two trains of thought out there- a person either needs or thinks they need ankle support, or a not for the task. For my use in the bush these work good but its early days..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Snoppernator

To answer your question arouns weight and trail runners. Ive packed out two deer (boned out) 2-4 hours out in Kawekas and Kaimais. I do have a quality backpack (Exo Mtn Gear) with an excellent meat shelf - well balanced l
Pack. And I place my feet!

There is also a differencs in support between trail runners. I have a pair of Innov8 mudclaw (disco yellow) and they were too flimsy and the lugs wore too quickly. The Salomon Speedcross are much more robust in build and hold their shape. And much more cushion for the feet.

Ankle support. Depends on the person. I dont like boots/ankle support - ankles are strong/not prone to roll. I also use trekking poles on the mountains. In the bush I take the time to place my feet (quiet feet) under load as it stops injury. Also avoids sore feet from impact.

If your thinking about it - try a pair on a shorter hunt. The only thing Id suggest is use a pair with decent lugs for grip - as a flat tread won't be much fun in the wet.

---

yeah mate same for me trek poles- also same for taking time- i mostly have an oppsie end of day- when tired- not concentrating- that can be managed differently/better reducing the risk if i do thinks differently.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kimber 7mm-08

Just a thought....How much meat do you plan on packing out if successful and how long would the walk out likely be?

I'm sure they fit the bill when unladen, but how do you reckon they'll go if packing out a deer (whole or in part)?

---

I appreciate the Q.

Hopefully ok.

I've done my best to reduce pack weight the last 10 years or more, often 8 or 9kg overnight and generally 12kg max on back with food for 3 nights ish. Generally I'm aiming on one deer down, if I shoot more, I generally take backs and a back wheel or 2 from one of them, and for me this is dependant on the species- reds I'm more picky and likely to weigh up what I take home, versus Sika, a lot lighter. Ill try it out on tops(north island), cant see why they wont work tho- I know others on here do and get along well.
Re the laden part with 20 or more on the back, I don't know how that'll go as yet. Likely I'll have to use walk stick/s and ensure more rests, hydration, fuel and maybe stay another night to cope. Reading between the lines ,there's a lot of hunters out there that do buy into the "must have ankle support" theory especially for load carrying, more power to them.
I also don't buy into the "take every gram of meat or whole animal theory for the hunting we do- public off track, so its only backs and 2 back legs for Sika mostly- which is was easier than with reds.
I'm keen to try other options as I see no sense in river crossings when accessing hunting )Tararuas-Ruahines)- or during hunting with half a kg of wetness extra per foot with every step and soggy toes for me, spending hours at night in huts trying to dry boots, that just get wet again next day :)
I've always valued activeness outside of hunting in general life, way more so, the last 2 years with health issues, so I am about max prepared in the legs core and ankles as ill ever be to cope with less boot support.
Will see how it goes and report.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HarryMax

Tried using my trail runners this past weekend in the Aorangis, it was actually really good. Felt like my legs fatigued much less and they dried quickly. Pleasantly surprised… I’d been putting off trying them on a hunting trip due to concerns of injury (ankles etc) but didn’t have a single issue.

Flip side though - the shoes took a punishing.. will need to get a slightly tougher pair

---

excellent mate- I'm same- my mates have been doing it for "years" and I've been procrastinating due to what "could" happen, its all in ma head aye.
I think there's no one size fits all for anything, but if ya manage yourself correctly, should be good.

Done a few trips in Altra Lone peaks, 3 day trips, loaded pack multiple river crossings. They are a wide fit, zero drop large tow box, ok cushioning and grip. Great shoe for 90% of NI bush hunting. Also a popular choice for the Te Arora Trail thru hikers

However they are not that robust, typically I get 12 months out of a pair used as my daily dog walkers and hikers. I have a pair of Altra Olympus zero drop boots to try, I haven't worn then much after shifting to Nelson. Down here I like a firmer boot for the rocks/scree so using Mendels which are bloody heavy by comparison...

Zero drop you need to get use too over time otherwise you will have sore calves, knees, tendons tec.

Ankle strength builds by not having support, ease into using the trail runners, and you naturally build ankle flexibility and strength. I have had no issues with carrying 20kgs plus on typical bush tracks in Kaiwanawas and EBOP bush.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk

re ankle strength and rolling them..... mate got me onto a "redneck wobble board" a few years ago when I was regularly rolling ankle getting out of fert sower and finding rocks in long grass...bit of heavy sided pipe 3" round by 18" long..a good clean bit of wood would work in a pinch...and a 6/8" wide plank about 24" long..thats 150mm wide by 600mm long for you modern measures..and pip is 75mm diameter by 450mm long. sit pip on thick carpet in door way,place plank across it so its running through door...HOLD DOOR FRAME, put one foot on plankon ground,put other foot at other end of plank and get it up to level..and keep it there...you WILL NEED to hold door frame for a week or so...do this for 5-10 minutes a day and your whole body will notice it and ankle roll becomes less of a thing....I believe it teaches your muscles how to work together to stop the rolling thing. warning...if slip the plank moves really fast sideways and will punch through wall..thus start on thick carpet...in a month you will be able to do this free standing on smooth ground..and even brush teeth without touching wall.

@Ryan_Songhurst What do you prefer, the inov8s or the La Sportiva Trangos? Horses for courses or a clear winner?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by iambatman

@Ryan_Songhurst What do you prefer, the inov8s or the La Sportiva Trangos? Horses for courses or a clear winner?

---

They're two different beasts really the Tra go's shine in that they are solid like a proper boot should be above the bush line yet half the weight of the likes of Tibets or Islands. The inov8s are more and all round boot that are lighter again, they aren't as stiff as the Trango but I like them for just kicking round the bush and day trip kind of stuff, if I was doing longer trips I'd take the Trangos knowing I could scramble in the alpine stuff all day and not be giving anything away

Speedcross are currently 40% off. Brought a set in the weekend to give it a go. Super lightweight

Attachment 245684

Yup that's a good price. Just retired my Speedcross 5s. 2 years Kawekas/Ruahines/Kaimanawas/Kaimais/Pureroas and the lugs were still in mint condition - attribute to not using on concrete and only in the bush/mountains. The Speedcross 6's are sitting in the hunting bin ready for the next trip.

Wore my Salomons on the Kaweka tops couple weekends back- they were brilliant- sure they may not handle the scree/shale slopes x 4 x yearly- but they were brilliant- im sure i had more grip than i remember from wearing boots.

What about crap getting in the shoes? Even with traditional ankle high boots and good gators, some debris still gets in to my boots.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MB

What about crap getting in the shoes? Even with traditional ankle high boots and good gators, some debris still gets in to my boots.

---

Wear a pair of bowyangs (cotton or oilskin ) and they’ll keep the dirt and grass seeds out of your boots and socks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MB

What about crap getting in the shoes? Even with traditional ankle high boots and good gators, some debris still gets in to my boots.

---

I use Hunters Element neoprene gaiters. They keep all the stuff out and also provide some protection for the front of the shoe.

I use neoprene gaiters over my trail shoes as well.

Thanks for the replies. I don't think this would work for me as I'm often ankle deep in forest detritus. One day I may hunt in a more civilised place!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MB

Thanks for the replies. I don't think this would work for me as I'm often ankle deep in forest detritus. One day I may hunt in a more civilised place!

---

Nah, MB, mine come back brown from muddy bogs, stream crossing etc. Throw em in the wash when the Missus is out. All good.

Love my Salomon trail runners. Anything scree like/steep boots are preferred.

I’ve been hunting in mine last 2 years bro and love them. Just got out of the bush stalking in them yesterday ��

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sheldz06

I’ve been hunting in mine last 2 years bro and love them. Just got out of the bush stalking in them yesterday ��

---

excelente!