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I have always shied away from Altra as their build quality can be politely described as questionable. But they seem very popular in this thread so have they fixed that?
I've been pretty happy with Hokas the last years, but tried some Scarpa Ribelle Run. I thrashed them pretty hard for a year, and whilst the sole got trashed/destroyed the uppers and midsoles showed very little wear.
Mostly in recent years it has been Salomon Alp X, but they suffer from the upper giving out on the outside edge well before the sole has worn out. Very comfy though. Now on La Sportiva Tx4, which is a much lighter approach shoe, but proving durable and comfy so far. Maybe the tx5 low is similar shoe to the Alp X, so I might go for that when the tx4s wear out.
+1 for Tiso in Perth if you’re nearby.
Hmm...so after researching most of the above options I decided to try and make my Saucony trail runners work rather than paying more money for new shoes.
Have already done a few hours in them training and running a 10km trail run nearby, so I figured I was pretty familiar with them.
Did 20km yesterday morning mostly flat farm tracks and riverside singletrack and earned my first blisters in years! They've never been an issue for me before so don't really know what I could have done differently. Noticed I'd actually worn two small holes in the padding of the heel cups which makes me think it wasn't just poor lacing, makes me think shoes are just too small?
Trying to decide whether to stick or twist before big hike in 6 weeks 🙄
To do 20km without any sort of rubbing takes a good shoe that might take you years to find. Best thing to prevent rubbing is to wear two pairs of thin socks with the inner socks ideally being silk.
Hmm…so after researching most of the above options I decided to try and make my Saucony trail runners work rather than paying more money for new shoes.
My advice would be to spend that money on some high quality insoles, ideally custom moulded. I wear mine (SIDAS) all the time in all shoes and they last years. I have them moulded in Otley, but I'm sure there will be places in Scotland what with summer/winter mountain sports there.
To do 20km without any sort of rubbing takes a good shoe that might take you years to find
Ah OK, that's good to know. Am sure I was more or less blister free from day one with my stiff leather boots but perhaps I'm just suffering selective memory.
Will try again next weekend with different socks, and I'm not above using some preventative Compeed if needs be 🙄
To do 20km without any sort of rubbing takes a good shoe that might take you years to find. Best thing to prevent rubbing is to wear two pairs of thin socks with the inner socks ideally being silk.
20km isn't really that much - admittedly I'm coming at this from a trail running perspective, but that would be considered a pretty short outing, and certainly not one that should lead to blisters! I appreciate walking and running aren't exactly the same, but I find it hard to believe that the overall stress on your feet is that different.
20km isn’t really that much – admittedly I’m coming at this from a trail running perspective, but that would be considered a pretty short outing
Yeah, I was otherwise fine and pleasantly surprised at how quickly I covered the distance (am not used to pacing longer flat distances, I'm still using my Munro bagging pacing).
Managed a 10km trail run in same shoes with a thin merino liner and some sealskin waterproof socks on without blisters, so am confused I blistered this time.
Will give them one more chance but might just succumb to some very cool looking Fujitrabucos that I've seen for half price, as I'm now also querying whether my left achilles will adapt quickly enough for 120km of backpacking in zero drop running shoes 😂
I'll walk 20km in any shoe I own and expect no blisters, from 5:10 Impacts to horse riding boots and my wellies. I've walked to Compostelle four times amongst other walks with two small blisters in total - 29km/day average, often in cheap Decathlon sandals. One pair of socks to prevent sunburn or non at all. I just walk a lot, and if you do your feet toughen up and you don't get many blisters. Cheap Decathlon sandals near Conques:
Will give them one more chance but might just succumb to some very cool looking Fujitrabucos that I’ve seen for half price, as I’m now also querying whether my left achilles will adapt quickly enough for 120km of backpacking in zero drop running shoes 😂
I went straight into a 3 week walk with a pair of zero drop Altras. To be fair I didnt actually know they were zero drop, but they were fine! No pre-existing condition though.
I walk a lot, I rarely blister but long all day flat sections are likely culprits if I do. Tiny little toe blisters, although I have learnt that not cutting toe nails too short prevents them. Absolutely no idea why though!
I like a thin sock, possibly with a coolmax liner underneath although if its a hot climate then probably not
I find long-distance walking puts far more strain on my feet than running - minor foot discomfort and rubbing and you’ve got a blister. I really like Injinji toe-socks, expensive but a blister between your toes during a 50km run or walk can be really annoying.
Trail shoes are ace as around shoes and for running off-road but I'd not want them for walking off-road. I'd want ankle protection.
I have a pair of Adidas Terrex Gore tex boots that fit your requirements. Light, supportive and water proof. They do come up a bit small and narrow so if you have wider feet then I'd look at a similar boot from another manufacturer.
My father in-law would recommend a sandal, with white socks.