Backpacking with hiking boots or trail runners: The perennial debate

We wrestle with this question all the time in the shop and offer our thoughts/advice on what is really a matter of personal choice.  Matt Heid concisely captured the essence of this debate in his Appalachian Mountain Club blog post Hiking boots vs. Trail Runners.  So we thought we'd share it. 

What Matt didn't say is that many hiking boot makers are now making boots in an attempt to split the difference.  Their challenge...to provide stability and support at minimal weight.  The two that caught the attention of Backpacker Magazines' Editors in their testing in the past few months are the Asolo Reston--and the Athena for women--and the Zamberlan Crosser.  The Asolo takes on the challenge with mid-ankle support, PU inserts, and a minimalist approach that results in a boot more akin to a slipper than what we usually think of as a backpacking boot.  Zamberlan's Crosser offers a beefier sole platform than the Reston relying on placement of rigid PU pieces in key places like the heel.  With a lightweight mesh and GTX upper, reinforced by Kevlar around the sides this shoe offers Zamberlan's legendary fit without the weight.  However Zamberlan has had major supply issues with their mid-ankle 230 Crosser, so for now interested hikers would be best looking at the low cut 130 Crosser where there is still some limited availability.  Yes, we've blogged about these backpacking boots before, so we won't belabor the point.  Just use our blog's search tool if you'd like to read more. 

Ahhh! Restons.

Looking to buy the Asolo Reston award-winning trekking boot? (or it's sister the Asolo Athena?)  Our first shipment arrived an hour ago and we couldn't wait to try them on and tell you about them!  These boots are so new--and limited in availability--that if you've heard of them at all it's likely because they were just given Backpacker Magazine's 2013 Editor's Choice Award in the 2013 Gear Guide that started hitting mailboxes at the end of last week. 

Asolo's Reston and Athena are a part of their new "Natural Shape Line" an innovative combination of the low to the ground, lightweight minimalist trend and the support offered by traditional boots.  Besides the impressive styling, what is initially striking is how comfortable the Reston is when you slip it on.  OK, it's also hits you immediately how light this shoe is especially given that it has a full-length "shank" that Asolo is calling the "Central insert Asoflex Natural Shape in TP".  While it's not as substantial as a heavier weight boot, this insert clearly offers support and protection against the contours of the trail in a way that running shoes and minimalist footwear can't.

The size 10.5 weighs in at just about 1 lb 3 oz. apiece...for comparison this is about an ounce heavier than Treksta's lightweight Evolution Mid hiker that won the 2011 Editor's Choice Award.  For protection give the edge to the Reston's TPU underfoot, but for support the Evolution's Nestfit outperforms for anyone looking for more motion control.   Both are surprisingly comfortable shoes, the Restons on my feet almost feel like slippers!   I can't wait to test them on the trail. 

Note:  While a comfortable average width, if you've got a wider foot you probably should be looking at Zamberlan's 230 Crosser...also see yesterday's blog.