When it comes to hiking, the right footwear can make all the difference. Hikers often face the dilemma of choosing between hiking shoes vs trail runners. Each type offers distinct features and benefits, tailored to different hiking needs and preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of both, helping you make an informed decision for your next adventure.
In recent years, lightweight gear has increased in popularity, with over-the-ankle hiking boots becoming old-fashioned and obsolete among hiking enthusiasts. For this reason, hikers opt for lightweight hiking shoes and trail runners instead, as they make excellent companions for the most challenging technical terrain.
Table of contents
- Hiking Shoes vs Trail Runners Comparison
- What Are Trail Runners?
- Hiking Shoes-Features and Benefits
- Trail Runners-A Hybrid Option
- Hybrid Hiking Trail-Running Shoes
- Approach Shoes
- Trail Runners vs. Hiking Shoes: Making the Right Choice
- Factors in Choosing hiking shoes vs trail runners
- Making the Decision: Boots, Shoes, or Trail Runners
- FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
- Need Hiking Gear for Your Next Adventure?
Hiking Shoes vs Trail Runners Comparison
| Feature | Hiking Shoes | Trail Runners |
|---|---|---|
| Support | Provide more ankle and foot support, suitable for uneven terrain. | Less ankle support, designed for agility and speed. |
| Protection | Offer better protection against rocks, roots, and rough terrain. | Less protective but usually have reinforced toe areas. |
| Weight | Heavier than trail runners, offering stability. | Lightweight, enhancing agility and reducing fatigue. |
| Durability | Typically more durable, designed for rugged use. | Less durable than hiking shoes, may wear out faster on rough terrain. |
| Comfort | Comfortable with a focus on stability and support. | Highly comfortable, especially over long distances, due to flexibility and cushioning. |
| Traction | Good traction, suitable for a variety of terrains. | Excellent traction, often with aggressive tread patterns for soft or muddy trails. |
| Water Resistance | Often more water-resistant, some models are waterproof. | Generally less water-resistant, focus on quick drying. |
| Breathability | Less breathable than trail runners. | Highly breathable, designed for high exertion activities. |
| Flexibility | Less flexible, focusing on foot protection and support. | Very flexible, allowing for natural foot movement. |
| Ideal Use | Best for challenging terrains, longer hikes with heavier loads. | Ideal for well-maintained trails, faster-paced hikes, and trail running. |
What Are Trail Runners?
Trail runners are lightweight, flexible shoes designed for running on diverse outdoor terrains. They offer good traction to handle rocky, muddy, or uneven paths and are made with breathable materials to keep your feet cool and dry. The emphasis on flexibility and lightness allows for a more agile movement, making them ideal for fast-paced activities on trails.
Benefits of Trail Runners:
- Lightweight and Flexible: Enhances speed and agility.
- Breathable Materials: Keeps feet cool and dry on warm days.
- Good Traction: Provides stability on diverse terrains.
What Are Hiking Shoes?
Hiking shoes are designed for stability and support, particularly on rugged trails. They are more robust than trail runners, with reinforced materials that offer protection against rocks, roots, and other obstacles. Hiking shoes typically have a sturdier sole and offer more ankle support, which is beneficial for carrying heavier loads or navigating steep and uneven terrains.
Benefits of Hiking Shoes:
- Durability and Protection: Shields feet from rough terrain.
- Ankle Support: Ideal for carrying heavier loads.
- Sturdy Soles: Provides stability on uneven grounds.
Hiking Shoes-Features and Benefits
Hiking shoes are a recent advancement of hiking footwear, resembling hiking boots. Also, the difference is that they have a lower cut at the ankle. What’s more, hiking shoes have similar underfoot support and stiffness as a boot, but without being heavy and bulky.
Lightweight and Flexible
Hiking shoes are lighter and more flexible than boots, offering a more comfortable and less cumbersome experience, especially for shorter hikes.
Breathability and Comfort
Most hiking shoes feature a very breathable upper, making them the best-ventilated option. This is particularly beneficial in warmer climates or during summer hikes.
Versatile for Various Trail Conditions
Hiking shoes are versatile and can handle a variety of trail conditions. They are a great choice for day hikes and less rugged terrain.
Suitable for Day Hikes and Light Loads
For day hikes or when carrying lighter loads, hiking shoes are the ideal choice. They provide enough support and comfort without the added weight of boots.
Check out our hiking boots vs hiking shoes article if you are debating between the two.
In general, they are constructed from rough materials, like leather or strong nylon. In this way, they last for quite a while and offer protection from sharp stones or debris. So, if you are looking for a new pair of hiking shoes, then look for thick outsoles for solid traction.
Additionally, choose a pair that have medium midsoles to keep you safe on rocky trails.
Finally, some hiking shoes offer total waterproof protection too. Be sure to look out for them as well.
Likes:
- Comfy
- Lightweight
- No break-in period
- Drying quickly
Dislikes:
- Not ideal protection on technical terrain
- Average ankle support
Trail Runners-A Hybrid Option
Trail runners are a hybrid between hiking shoes and boots. They combine the agility and lightness of hiking shoes with the trail-ready features of boots.
Trail runners are used, as the name suggests, on trails. They allow light and flexible movement but with extra protection, traction, and support than hiking shoes. Specifically, they are designed for you to run terrain that is not paved.
In addition, trail runners offer good cushioning, stiff midsoles, and waterproof protection. Basically, you can run and hike in trail shoes.
Lightweight and Agile like Hiking Shoes
Trail runners are decidedly lighter, making them perfect for quick hikes or trail running.
Trail-Ready and Supportive like Hiking Boots
Despite their lighter weight, trail runners still offer the support and protection needed for rugged trails.
Excellent for Quick Hikes and Trail Running
For those who enjoy fast-paced hiking or trail running, trail runners are an excellent choice.
If you would like to purchase a pair, therefore, look out for a lightweight design. One with a beefy toe cap and mesh upper is a safe choice too.
Features
Likes:
- Flexible
- Good protection, traction, and support
- Great cushioning
- Stiff midsoles
Dislikes:
- Drying slowly
- Break-in period
Hybrid Hiking Trail-Running Shoes
At this point, it is important to mention that the distinction between a hiking shoe and a trail runner is not clear. Hence, a new type of hybrid shoes, between hiking shoes and trail runners, has appeared on the market.
These take a trail runner and add to it stiffer soles and additional protection. And they make a new shoe category, pretty much. They combine support, breathability, stability, and flexibility in such a way that they make an ideal choice for short but intense hikes and a favorite of thru-hikers.
To sum it up, these hybrid shoes attempt to offer the best of both hiking shoes and trail runners, albeit with some trade-offs, like not excelling in any particular function. So, they provide neither the best protection nor grip.
Features
Likes:
- Great support and stability
- High flexibility
- Durable construction
- Tremendous protection
Dislikes:
- Break-in period
- Take long to dry
- Not very comfortable
Approach Shoes
Apart from hybrid shoes, approach shoes are another category of trail shoes. This style of footwear is used for short climbs with steep edges and rocky cliffs.
Approach shoes are not great for running over technical terrain, like snow or mud, as approach shoes feel slippery on these surfaces. However, their design makes a snug fit and provides protection against sharp stones, but leave them in your bag for walking long distances.
Read our in depth love for the Arc’teryx Konseal approach shoes review.
The stiff soles may lead to sore feet after extensive usage. On the contrary, the soles of hiking shoes and trail runners are super cushioned and flexible for comfort and warmth, better suited for longer walks.
 La Sportiva TX3 Approach Shoes $158.95 |  Arc'teryx Konseal LT Approach Shoes |  Scarpa Zen Pro Approach Shoes |
Features
Likes:
- High protection
- Snugly
- Great for hikes
Dislikes:
- Mediocre on technical terrain
- Uncomfortably stiff
- Not ideal for walking long distances
Trail Runners vs. Hiking Shoes: Making the Right Choice
The choice between trail runners and hiking shoes largely depends on the nature of your activity, the terrain, and personal preference. Here are some factors to consider:
- Terrain: For rugged, uneven terrains or long hikes with heavy backpacks, hiking shoes offer the necessary support and protection. Trail runners are better suited for lighter, faster activities on less demanding paths.
- Climate: Trail runners, with their breathable materials, are a good choice for warm, dry climates. In wetter conditions or cooler environments, hiking shoes may provide better protection and warmth.
- Personal Preference: Comfort is key. Some prefer the lightweight agility of trail runners, while others prioritize the stability and protection of hiking shoes.
Factors in Choosing hiking shoes vs trail runners
When selecting hiking footwear, consider the following:
- Terrain and Trail Difficulty: Rough, uneven terrain requires more support and protection, favoring boots.
- Personal Preferences and Comfort: Comfort is subjective; what works for one hiker may not work for another.
- Length and Type of Hiking Trip: Longer trips with heavier loads necessitate boots, while shorter, lighter trips can be done with shoes or trail runners.
- Weight of the Backpack and Gear: Heavier backpacks require the additional support that boots provide.
Best Fit
We believe that the most significant aspect when comparing hiking shoes vs. trail runners, is how they fit your feet when you first put them on, and do you feel good in them.
If they aren’t comfy from the first try on, then it’s better to leave them at the store. Don’t attempt to break them in.
Even if you want it to run for a few miles only, you should still make sure that the shoe feels snugly on your feet and that it is wide enough. By being wide, when the feet swell during intense hikes, they will not harm you.
Now, every hiker has different feelings and preferences about what they consider comfortable. If you intend to carry light loads and move quickly on trails, then you are better off with trail running shoes. This is due to a fantastic combination of flexibility and cushioning.
Likewise, for backpackers with heavy loads, the support and stiffness of a hiking shoe will feel like a blessing once you’re on the trails. Remember that everything boils down to your preferences, whether you love running on technical terrain or you’re trekking on long hikes.
Best Protection & Support
Day hikers seem to prefer hiking shoes vs. trail runners due to the added support, stability, and protection. With a stiff midsole, beefier outsole, and durable upper, hiking shoes offer constant support similar to a hiking boot.
Hiking boots also provide extra security when carrying a heavy load, especially while traveling on rugged terrains or off-trail. Trail runners are designed to be flexible for fast movement, so they often lack protection and support for off-trail distances. Well, we can’t have everything, can we?
Best Durability
Durability is a vital factor when deciding between a hiking shoe and a trail runner. For starters, hiking shoes nearly always have a durable build because they are made with leather or tough nylon.
Contrarily, trail runners are crafted with mesh or thin nylon. They also have less protective toe caps and stiffer midsoles than hiking shoes. Without a doubt, hiking shoes hold up better than trail runners when it comes to durability, as the former are designed to withstand technical terrain.
Trail runners might be lightweight and flexible due to their fabric, but they have a short lifespan. Consequently, backpackers preferring to feel featherweight have to go through many pairs of runners in a calendar year.
Best Waterproofing
Some hiking shoes and trail runners retail in waterproof versions. In this way, they offer superb protection against the occasional drizzle or when crossing a stream. Trail runners offer similar waterproof protection to hiking shoes.
Where trail runners vs hiking shoes differ, are the materials used for waterproofing, such as the prestigious Gore-Tex. That said, if you choose a hiking shoe, you have many waterproof options available.
As hiking shoes vs hiking boots are made from leather, they offer natural water-resistant properties. Consequently, most hiking shoes keep snow or mud away without being heavy from extra waterproofing technology.
What about the Retail Price?
Hiking shoes and trail runners are somewhat expensive. Expect to pay about $150 to $200 for a solid pair with quality construction materials, a stiff midsole, and waterproofing capabilities.
Hiking shoes will cost higher than trail runners due to being all-leather. That said, some trail runners command a high retail price. These are considered high-end models due to being featherweight with incredible support, flexibility, and protection rare to find in your average running shoe.
Making the Decision: Boots, Shoes, or Trail Runners
When comparing trail runners vs. hiking shoes, it’s important to weigh the benefits of each type of footwear for your specific outdoor activities. Whether you’re tackling rugged trails or enjoying a light jog in nature, understanding the key differences—such as durability, support, and the type of terrain they’re best suited for—can guide you to the perfect pair.
Choosing between trail runners and hiking shoes ultimately comes down to the type of adventure you’re embarking on. Consider the terrain, climate, and your personal comfort preferences to ensure you select the footwear that will best support your outdoor endeavors.
The choice between hiking boots, shoes, trail runner or even water sport shoes, depends on your specific needs and the nature of your hiking adventure. Consider the factors mentioned above to make the best decision.
In conclusion, whether you choose hiking boots, shoes, or trail runners, the key is finding the right fit for your feet and your hiking style. Remember, the best hiking footwear is the one that keeps you comfortable, safe, and enjoying the trail.
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, trail running shoes are a good option for lighter, quicker hikes or for those who prefer a more agile and less cumbersome shoe.
Yes, hiking boots generally offer better ankle support due to their higher design, which is beneficial for uneven terrain and heavy loads.
For summer hikes, hiking shoes or trail runners are often preferred due to their lighter weight and better ventilation.
Consider the terrain, length of the hike, weight of your gear, and personal comfort preferences when deciding between boots and shoes.
Need Hiking Gear for Your Next Adventure?
Last update on 2025-01-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API