Trail shoes for hunting

[CHIEF CRNA]

This is for Archery season in Colorado (place yourself there)

What is everyone's thoughts on using trail running/hiking shoes during archery season chasing elk? I have been thinking of this for a couple of years, but I have been deployed for the last two archery seasons.
My feet sweat really bad and I always am having to carry four pairs of socks to change out throughout the day. I wear Lowa Gortex boots of Crispi Gortex. I have numerous pairs of them, and have always thought I needed big extra support boots while in the High Country. However, growing up, I ran all around the Colorado mountains with just my sneakers. I want to get something that is lighter and breaths. I do want gortex just just prevent my feet from getting soaked from the morning dew in meadows etc.

What does everyone else use? If you wouldn't wear them, tell me why?

 

[NMJM]

I love trail runners when I know I will not be leaving a trail and carrying little weight. When I leave the trail I want more support and trail runners let in a lot of debris such as dust, small pebbles and leaf litter. Also I prefer boots for off trail with weight on my back. I have not tried it but I cannot imagine packing out an animal in trail runners off trail.

 

[Trvl2hunt]

I love them! I use short light weight gamers at them. Some are very porous and will let a lot go dust in your toe box. So those don’t work for me if I am using a dusty trail

They don’t work great for heavy loads or extreme terrain. But I wear them 75% of the time and I average over 20 days a year in the elk woods 7000 to 9500 feet elevation most of the time. Mostly September

I prefer non goretex models. I do mostly day hunts or 3 day spike camp type hunts so the weather forecasts are more accurate. If I am going in for 5 days I wear boots.

There are some high top models that I like as well. I like the higher end Adidas Terrex ( don’t buy the low end terrex). Hanwag also makes some hiking shoes that work well for me. Find a brand that fits your feet!

 

[butcherboy]

Check out Meindl boots. They have several boots and hikers in light versions. Also, wear a pair of lightweight gaiters or half gaiters in the morning. I end up wearing my gaiters all day.

 

[P Carter]

I use exclusively trail runners for elk hunting. Boots are heavy, constantly wet (when they get wet they don’t dry), expensive, prone to causing blisters, and I’m not convinced how much the “support” idea is based on perception versus reality.

It’s certainly true that the perfect pair of boots are better for packouts. With big loads, your feet will get sore. But life is about Tradeoffs, and 90%of the hunt is without a load, so I take this tradeoff. Plus, I’d rather have foot soreness under load than blistered feet under load.

I run trails all year round, so my feet are very used to the shoes. I also do all my offtrail training hikes with trail runners. And, it’s one of those things—when my feet are wet, or sore during a pack out, I just deal with it as one of the known Tradeoffs for running around light the rest of the time.

Shoes are as personal as boots. I’ve used new balance, Salomon speed cross, topo terraventure. I hate the new high stack height trend—i find those very hard off trail—but you have to really look around to find something that works.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

La Sportiva TX3s are considered “approach shoes” and work fantastic.

 

[TheTone]

I’ve done it much the same as others have commented. It was really nice for the comfort, weight and how quiet they are. Packing meat my feet got tired and sore. If I do it more in the future I’ll keep some boots in the truck for pack outs

 

[Hnthrdr]

Light day pack, not packing weight I love trail runners… tough terrain, packing weight, a stiffer boot is my choice, I wore my trail runners a bunch hunting from a spike camp last year, it was great, felt like a ninja

 

[wh0cansay]

The more support you use, the less you have.

 

[Weldor]

Chief, Gortex makes my feet sweat bad. I went to Lowa's unlined and they are great.

 

[Tilzbow]

Head to your nearest REI and check out the latest lightweight trail shoes. The technology has really improved recently. Super lightweight, appear to have good support, Goretex, etc. Hoka Speed Goat is one I remember from a recent visit. One of the models I looked at had a built integrated ankle gaiter to keep debris out. I haven’t actually tried any of them but I was really tempted to buy a pair even though I’d just bought a pair of heavier low top Lowa trail shoes a month before. If none of those look good the older Morrell Moab line has been really popular for years.

Also, one other point is Goretex doesn’t breathe great. A leather lined boot like the Lowa Camino and a leather water proofing treatment can work if you’re only walking through wet grass for a short period. Lastly carrying a change of socks can be really helpful and nice to change into after the morning hunt if you’re spending all day on the mountain.

 

[wa_archer]

I’ve done this for years in early seasons. Lighter and quieter in the woods. I would not use waterproof versions whatever the technology is. Feet will sweat and still get wet in am dew. For sure run an ankle gaiter with them to keep debris mainly from going down the top. You will probably find your mid day nap time to take them off and let dry from any morning dew if had any. I always had a good pair of boots in truck so I could put something sturdier on for a pack out. At least then it was only first trip out with heavier weight and light shoe. I never tried the high top versions, I used Salomon and Altra trail running shoes.

 

[JS.Fletch5]

+1 for salomons. I’ve used their trail shoes a lot and they are incredibly comfortable and have a solid tread. I would consider bringing a backup pair of laces in case their securing system fails on you. You can always leave a heavy pair of boots in the truck for a pack out…

 

[grfox92]

Ill be making a thread about my experience hunting in trail runners in the footwear section soon.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[307]

If you don't mind having wet feet, it works great. Walking through wet areas or morning in the grass are pretty much guaranteed to soak the shoes.

In the cold, wet feet become a much bigger problem so that changes the game.

Sidehilling is more tiring with trail runners.

Otherwise, I like it.

I'm planning to use tr's this fall wiith a very light pack. I'll have the heavier/stiffer pack and boots in the truck for/when meat hauliing becomes the primary game.

A huge majority of elk hunting, especially archery, benefits from lighter, more breathable, and more comfortable footwear and tr's provide that for most people.

 

[def90]

This is for Archery season in Colorado (place yourself there)

What is everyone's thoughts on using trail running/hiking shoes during archery season chasing elk? I have been thinking of this for a couple of years, but I have been deployed for the last two archery seasons.
My feet sweat really bad and I always am having to carry four pairs of socks to change out throughout the day. I wear Lowa Gortex boots of Crispi Gortex. I have numerous pairs of them, and have always thought I needed big extra support boots while in the High Country. However, growing up, I ran all around the Colorado mountains with just my sneakers. I want to get something that is lighter and breaths. I do want gortex just just prevent my feet from getting soaked from the morning dew in meadows etc.

What does everyone else use? If you wouldn't wear them, tell me why?

Do it all the time. I will sometimes where lightweight water shoes with the biggest wool socks I can find over the top of them. Keeps everything a lot quieter when walking around in crunchy stuff.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Is the grip on the ground slippery with the socks on top of river shoes? Looks great for archery stalk...

 

[def90]

Is the grip on the ground slippery with the socks on top of river shoes? Looks great for archery stalk...

Not any worse than regular shoes/boots. in some cases I think you get a little more grip.

 

[Ajsomp]

I wear barefoot style boots and shoes. My boots are the vivobarefoot or green African rangers. My shoes are vivobarefoot trail or similar. I do all my rucks in my shoes- including rucks from 70-100 lb. And no, the support of the shoe is no different. As long as you have the grip you want, you should be fine.

 

[mtwarden]

I think they're (trail runners) fine for hunting. They didn't work for me hauling meat, especially with steep side hills and blowdown.

I'll stick with lighter boots, but it was worth a try.