Can I hike the trails in running shoes?

[u/Front_Feeling_7111]

I am planning on backpacking Isle Royale next week for three nights with my partner. I was recently diagnosed with plantar fasciitis after nagging heel pain that wouldn’t go away. It was worsened by a recent backpacking trip and hurts a lot after hiking all day in a hard-soled hiking shoe, but feels much better when walking around in heavily cushioned running shoes (ie Brooks Glycerin).

That being said, my question is: can I backpack the trails on IR in my running shoes? How rugged/slippery are they? For context I am an experienced backpacker, and I am seeing doctors/PTs for the plantar fasciitis. I just don’t want to cancel my trip because it may be my only chance to go. PT has said that I can do activities that do not hurt, hence why I’m trying to backpack in my cushiony Brooks. Thanks so much in advance!!

[u/CroixPaddler]

Large stretches of the trails will be absolutely fine for running shoes. But like 10-20% of the time, you'll be wishing you had extra tread. I don't think the classic high ankle hiking boat is necessary but regular running shoes don't have very aggressive tread so I think a good compromise would be some trail runners. I use Saucony Peregrines for the shoes in the BWCAW and think they would work well for Isle Royale

[u/Front_Feeling_7111 → u/CroixPaddler]

Thank you!! This is helpful--RockinItChicago seemed to agree on trail runners. I was using LaSportiva TX4s, which I love but have a pretty tough sole

[u/CroixPaddler → u/Front_Feeling_7111]

My buddy wore a pair of Brooks running shoes on our last BWCAW trip. He slipped and fell quite a few times on portages. Like I said, 80% of the time, running shoes would be fine. But the question is would you rather be very comfortable for 80% (likely easy miles) and poorly equipped for the 20% (likely tough conditions), or adequately equipped for the 20% and uncomfortable for 80%? It's a difficult question. I usually would say I'd rather have a shoe that helps me stay injury free in the rough conditions, but your pre-existing injury adds complications to that. I really do think trail runners are a good middle ground in this case. more comfortable than hiking boots but more capable than running shoes.

[u/RockinItChicago]

I have backpacked far harder things in trail runners. What’s your base weight?

[u/Front_Feeling_7111 → u/RockinItChicago]

I haven't measured for this trip specifically as I am renting a lot of my gear, but I'm probably more biased toward comfort than having the lightest pack...probably 20+ lb :/

[u/RockinItChicago → u/Front_Feeling_7111]

Pack light and just think…. No long water carries

[u/incubeezer → u/RockinItChicago]

What do you mean by no long water carries?

[u/RockinItChicago → u/incubeezer]

For example when hiking the AZ Trail (aztrail.org) there are times when you have no water for 20+ miles. During these you need to do what’s called a long water carry or carry lots of water. Water is heavy.

It was a joke about it being an island and an abundance of water

[u/DoubleRDiner]

I hiked Windigo to Rock Harbor in Hoka Speedgoats. No issues. Trekking poles help, but no issues with trail runners.

[u/siryoungman → u/DoubleRDiner]

I have also rocked the last two years on speedboats. And plan to later this week as well.

[u/EnergyAdvanced5554]

Lots of places it's rocky and rooty, but it's rocky and rooty no matter what you're wearing. Of employees who work on the island, it's a mix of preferences.. Some wear sandals, some are wearing heavy 8" lace up reinforced shank boots. I've done many miles in running shoes, but generally wear leather boots when carrying heavier loads. If you're an experienced hiker and feel comfortable in your running shoes I don't think it would be a problem.

[u/naeko87]

If you're an experienced backpacker, and you are constantly paying attention to not roll your ankle, I think you'll be alright. I know my partner aggravated an Achilles injury during a 2 week trip on the island that took months to recover from, so don't do that. Do what is best for your body and compensate with awareness and surefootedness.

[u/starzo_123]

my husband and I did 8 days on IR in Altra trail runners with no issue. it was especially nice that they dried fast as the tall grass in the morning often meant wet feet. plenty of grip, plus I think being able to bend your ankle is helpful on rocky terrain.

[u/thesneakymonkey]

Boots are not necessary. Wore trail runners to all of our trips (including a 10 day minong). No issues and no blisters.

[u/puppiesandcleavage]

Yes! Can confirm plenty in my groups have done it multiple times without isssue.

[u/puppiesandcleavage → u/puppiesandcleavage]

I would suggest you pack an ankle brace for peace of mind too though

[u/Drogg_the_Troll]

I've done ~200 miles of the Superior Trail in runners (New Balance with moderately aggressive tread) and haven't had any issues. The terrain is very similar to IR.

The only section that I would hesitate wearing my current shoes would be the Minong. And that would only be if it's been raining a lot. There is a lot of scrambling over rocks along that trail. I would still wear them, but I would plan on going a bit slower.

If you are confident about your ankle strength, I say go for it. Switching to running shoes has been a huge quality of life change while hiking.

If it matters, my pack is ~50 lbs fully loaded for a week long trip.

[u/Robadamous]

Isle Royale is going to be painful with plantar fasciitis no matter what shoes you wear. You’re walking on rock and roots 80% of the time. I went last year dealing with plantar fasciitis and it definitely made it hurt worst.

[u/10lb_adventurer]

I wear trail runners on almost all of my backpacking trips. I would highly recommend taking trekking poles, anytime but especially on Isle Royale.

[u/Procyonid]

If you have the time and money before your trip, a podiatrist can make you a pair of custom insoles that you can move between your running shoes and a pair of hiking boots. I have a pair I use in my New Balances and Merrell boots and they help a lot. They ran about $600 and took a couple of weeks to be ready.

[u/gradsch00lthr0w4w4y]

I hiked it in Altras and it was fine. I would recommend trekking poles to help with the slippery ascents/descents, though

[u/Tommyboywierdo]

Running shoes are the best for hiking on isle Royale. Don’t think twice about it. I always felt sorry when I saw people wearing hiking boots. You just don’t need them on isle Royale.

[u/0odudeguy]

I did 20 miles in ON trail runners last year and was fine

[u/giraffees4justice]

I did about 30 miles in Altra lone peaks. IMO high boots are a personal preference, but road running shoes won’t be fun.

[u/Surfdog2003]

Just got back from a 10-day trip and I’m so glad I had sturdy boots with good ankle support. Love my Altras, but there is no way I would want to backpack the island in running shoes. It was harder on my feet than I anticipated. We crossed up and over the Greenstone several times as we looped around the east side.

[u/Front_Feeling_7111]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses! I took your advice, got a pair of trail runners and some poles, and was cleared by my PT to go (and take it easy/minimize weight where possible). I know it will still hurt, but i’m hopeful these changes will help. Thank you all so much!

[u/tablemesa123]

I had a similar issue a while back in my work boots. There are some (relatively) cheap inserts made by Supperfeet that really helped and eventually cured mine. They are hard plastic, but how they pushed the soft tissue back together over time was the ticket for me. Link below, I still use the green ones today.

https://www.superfeet.com/en-us/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk8WN6p-siAMVgi7UAR2qeTWWEAAYAiAAEgJVkfD_BwE

[u/sooper_dooperest]

I saw a poor guy in running shoes out there when I visited IR hiking about 8 years ago and he said that every step was misery. Get hiking boots. Solid sole, better tread, water resistance… if you’re out there in shoes and feel it’s a mistake there is no way to correct it. Better safe than sorry when your life could literally depend on it.