Walking Trainers recommendation
Discussion
I do between 6-9 miles a day, in all weather in the Lakes.
I've had various different brands (Salomon, Adidas, ON etc) and they all last around 3-6 months.
My current go to is La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II. Expensive but I've had one pair last about 2 year (ok I don't wear these daily, but they get abuse) and bought Gore-Tex pair about 6 months ago, which I do use daily and they are going strong!
I use them more than my boots, much more.
I've had various different brands (Salomon, Adidas, ON etc) and they all last around 3-6 months.
My current go to is La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II. Expensive but I've had one pair last about 2 year (ok I don't wear these daily, but they get abuse) and bought Gore-Tex pair about 6 months ago, which I do use daily and they are going strong!
I use them more than my boots, much more.
BoRED S2upid said:
Even not at full price even at half price that’s insane that you literally wear them out in 6 months.
Get a decent pair of walking boots or if you want to go a bit more trainer like then Merrell do some softer hiking shoes. Should last years no matter what abuse you give them.
I think time is mostly irrelevant - Its all about mileage. Looking back at my stats I walked 5.9 million steps last year. Majority of this in the Adidas walking shoes. I don’t think £50 is bad!Get a decent pair of walking boots or if you want to go a bit more trainer like then Merrell do some softer hiking shoes. Should last years no matter what abuse you give them.
Five months in to this new pair the black sole is just beginning to wear through on the heel area (only ever happens on my left foot for some reason) but there should be 2-3 months wear left.
I had a pair of North Face hedgehog about 15 years ago. Loved them. My favourite walking shoes ever! Never really liked the look of the subsequent versions but about time I gave them a try I think.
Have had lots of other similar brands since - Salomon, Merrell, Meindl, none of which came close (comfort, grip or longevity).
For longevity and if mainly being used on pavement, I’d look at some adidas running shoes (not racing) with a Continental sole. I’ve got some old Supernova Glide that I did about 2k km running in them and many more miles of dog walking etc after retiring them from running. The soles are still in surprisingly good condition!
Have had lots of other similar brands since - Salomon, Merrell, Meindl, none of which came close (comfort, grip or longevity).
For longevity and if mainly being used on pavement, I’d look at some adidas running shoes (not racing) with a Continental sole. I’ve got some old Supernova Glide that I did about 2k km running in them and many more miles of dog walking etc after retiring them from running. The soles are still in surprisingly good condition!
cslwannabe said:
I had a pair of North Face hedgehog about 15 years ago. Loved them. My favourite walking shoes ever! Never really liked the look of the subsequent versions but about time I gave them a try I think.
The North Face Men's Hedgehog Fastpack are no more.North Face Men's Hedgehog FUTURELIGHT™ are similar in name only.
Why do they do that?
595Heaven said:
Hoofy said:
Doesn't look like there was much underneath to start with if the other shoe is anything to go by?
I wonder if just slapping a new generic undersole will enable you to get more out of your shoes, if it's still comfy.
The soles on these are pretty hard. The old shoe had done about 3,500 miles so I’m not too worried. Think I paid £50 for the newer ones which is decent value.I wonder if just slapping a new generic undersole will enable you to get more out of your shoes, if it's still comfy.
I destroyed a pair of Keen walking boots much faster!
Thanks all, lots of food for thought.
I'm 16 odd stone and hitting 20k steps most day, could explain the death of my poor left shoe, normally with borderline perfect uppers.
I have previously worn proper walking boots, but on asphalt, they just don't work for me. I live near the river, so occasionally, I walk there but it's an odd path, where it's pretty much trainers, wellys or waders..
I've had a couple of pairs of the Adidas Terrex before and they're unbelievably comfortable, I might look at the again but will definitely be investigating others mentioned.
Ruined nearly 4 month old Sketcher for example
I'm 16 odd stone and hitting 20k steps most day, could explain the death of my poor left shoe, normally with borderline perfect uppers.
I have previously worn proper walking boots, but on asphalt, they just don't work for me. I live near the river, so occasionally, I walk there but it's an odd path, where it's pretty much trainers, wellys or waders..
I've had a couple of pairs of the Adidas Terrex before and they're unbelievably comfortable, I might look at the again but will definitely be investigating others mentioned.
Ruined nearly 4 month old Sketcher for example
Hoka - all day long.
I’m 6ft & currently 240lbs. I do between 10,000 - 20,000 steps a day, depending on if I do 30mins, 60mins or 90mins of roadwork with the dogs or on my own. Mostly tarmac road, with about 1km of stone/rubble for. I walk, rather than run, generally around 9-10min/km depending on dicking about with the dogs.
Given I’m countryside, my local road is also utterly mud/crap covered and I also prize grip as I’m on a hill - you can’t afford to lose grip with a dog pulling you downhill.
The answer is Hokas. By a very very long way. They aren’t cheap though.
I’m 6ft & currently 240lbs. I do between 10,000 - 20,000 steps a day, depending on if I do 30mins, 60mins or 90mins of roadwork with the dogs or on my own. Mostly tarmac road, with about 1km of stone/rubble for. I walk, rather than run, generally around 9-10min/km depending on dicking about with the dogs.
Given I’m countryside, my local road is also utterly mud/crap covered and I also prize grip as I’m on a hill - you can’t afford to lose grip with a dog pulling you downhill.
The answer is Hokas. By a very very long way. They aren’t cheap though.
TheDoggingFather said:
Thanks all, lots of food for thought.
I'm 16 odd stone and hitting 20k steps most day, could explain the death of my poor left shoe, normally with borderline perfect uppers.
I have previously worn proper walking boots, but on asphalt, they just don't work for me. I live near the river, so occasionally, I walk there but it's an odd path, where it's pretty much trainers, wellys or waders..
I've had a couple of pairs of the Adidas Terrex before and they're unbelievably comfortable, I might look at the again but will definitely be investigating others mentioned.
Ruined nearly 4 month old Sketcher for example
Here's a slightly leftfield idea.I'm 16 odd stone and hitting 20k steps most day, could explain the death of my poor left shoe, normally with borderline perfect uppers.
I have previously worn proper walking boots, but on asphalt, they just don't work for me. I live near the river, so occasionally, I walk there but it's an odd path, where it's pretty much trainers, wellys or waders..
I've had a couple of pairs of the Adidas Terrex before and they're unbelievably comfortable, I might look at the again but will definitely be investigating others mentioned.
Ruined nearly 4 month old Sketcher for example
So you walk in the wet and you're not wearing out the rest of the shoe - it's just the undersole? How about putting a replacement sole on a brand new sole? And keep replacing the sole when it wears down to the real sole? Doing this will mean you don't wear out the cushioning and it maintains whatever the original level of waterproofness is.
Bit of a leftfield choice, but did you consider barefoot shoes?
I use Vivobarefoot shoes and find them comfortable to walk in all day. They have really thin TPU soles but a pair usually lasts me 2 years. With your mileage, they might last half that. If you get one of their leather shoes with a stitched sole, you can get it renewed with their Revivo service. Its pretty pricey at around £90 but as the leather has already worn into your feet, the shoes are super comfortable from the off.
I use Vivobarefoot shoes and find them comfortable to walk in all day. They have really thin TPU soles but a pair usually lasts me 2 years. With your mileage, they might last half that. If you get one of their leather shoes with a stitched sole, you can get it renewed with their Revivo service. Its pretty pricey at around £90 but as the leather has already worn into your feet, the shoes are super comfortable from the off.
wombleh said:
If you don’t want hiking boots then I would think your best bet will be approach shoes from a “proper” outdoor company, like merrell, scarpa, la sportiva, etc.
Stuff from fashion or sports brands is not really intended to be hard wearing over big miles, not what it’s designed for.
Surely trail running shoes are going to be designed to cover big miles ?Stuff from fashion or sports brands is not really intended to be hard wearing over big miles, not what it’s designed for.
egor110 said:
wombleh said:
If you don’t want hiking boots then I would think your best bet will be approach shoes from a “proper” outdoor company, like merrell, scarpa, la sportiva, etc.
Stuff from fashion or sports brands is not really intended to be hard wearing over big miles, not what it’s designed for.
Surely trail running shoes are going to be designed to cover big miles ?Stuff from fashion or sports brands is not really intended to be hard wearing over big miles, not what it’s designed for.
I'd be half tempted to go old school with some leather boots (Solovairs, etc.) and replace the soles every year.
I'd concentrate on comfort, and accept that they may need replacing as and when required.
Lems offer some great shoes and boots that are foot shaped - not the most stylish, but devilishly comfortable.
My pick is Lems Primal Zen.
Lems offer some great shoes and boots that are foot shaped - not the most stylish, but devilishly comfortable.
My pick is Lems Primal Zen.
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