I see you posted this about a month ago. Super video. I had the same foot rolling problem but I always just looked at the soles of the shoes to look for wear. The shoes in question had the laces creeping closer together. After watching your video I went to another pair and the problem was solved. The video was even MORE super because you weren’t talking over music. I hate music playing when someone is talking. Thanks much.

You bring up a good point about the life span of a trail runner or any hiking shoe for that matter. This year alone, following many NOBO hikers, they would show their trail runners are breaking down, falling apart, and the foot problems hikers are having. Tops with tears, treads delaminating....and then hear them say about the shoe..."what a piece of crap! Only lasted 400 miles!" The AT is a brutal trail of roots, rocks, mud and wet conditions just meant to push a shoe to its limit. Knowing of what I know of the trail there are certain sections such as PA where you would want your shoes to be at their best from the beginning of that section.

Excellent!

Have you seen the latest DarwinOnTheTrail video about gear he’s ditching in 2023? I agree with him that the tread on Altras don’t last the way they used to. I bought some Timps at the beginning of the month, and after less than 50 miles they looked like they already had a couple hundred miles on them. I returned them for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. I hope your foot feels better soon. I’m looking forward to watching your hike next year.

Good info 👍. How do you feel about insoles for better arch support? Any experience with them?

When you get to Vermont, get ready to use athlete's foot cream lol

I cannot wear trail runners. I've tried them and my feet were so bruised and tired that I had to stop hiking for 2 weeks. If you want to stick with trail runners, pick the pair with the most padding and thickest sole. There are a lot of people on the trail with foot problems now days that are using trail runners and the rocks are killing their feet. I was fine until I got to Maryland and then the bruising started. Pennsylvania wasn't too bad because of the foot placement on the trail more between the rocks or on flat surfaces but when I got to New England it got bad. Coming down Mt. Washington to Madison I ended up with both feet purple from bruising and the soles of my feet were one big bister. My shoes at the time were Hoka's and were 1 month old. I tried some low, light hikers which are almost as light as trail runners but a far better sole and the problem was solved. I used them to the end of the trail. During my first thru hike in 1990, I was testing shoes for Hi-Tec and for Vasque and really liked the Sundowners even though they were all leather but they just didn't wear out. I settled on Solomon low light hikers for the '02 thru hike and also used them for the PCT. They worked well and I never had a problem with my feet since. I did notice that even down south on the smoother trail that with the trail runners my feet were tired at the 15-18 mile mark and were painful for any further distance. I like the trail runners but I think that they were designed for trail running, not backpacking. If you watch 2023 videos, most people are complaining about their feet hurting after 15 miles. BTW, in 1990 I did 53.1 miles into Damascus in 19 hours and 35 minutes in a pair of Hi-Tec Sierra's and had no foot problems......I couldn't walk for 3 days afterward but my feet were fine.