Running Footwear

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Swiftwick is as good as it gets for scent-free, blister-free comfort, wicking, and durability. Updated!!

I have owned Swiftwick socks of one variety or another for five or so years now. I've worn them up and down several Cascades Volcanoes and they are now my go-to light hiking and running socks. Test Conditions: I received two almost identical sets of Swiftwick socks about four months ago and I have included them in all my fitness, trail runs, gym workouts and hikes in the hills. It's been long-pants season so I don't have a ton of action shots in them (socks are tough to review) because you'd just see me in pants and shoes.

Read more: Swiftwick Pursuit Four Sock review (1)

Featured review by Bluelu

After years of trying various shoes, boots, orthotics, socks, etc., and never being quite happy with the way my feet feel, I tried the Vibram Classic. What a difference! Hiking/city walking both work well. Your feet feel very light. After not running for the past 20 years due to bad knees, I'm tempted to break into a run just because it feels like it would be so much fun with these on. You do have to watch where you put your feet; gravel of a certain size can give you quite a poke in the heel or mid-foot.

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Featured review by Maria

As a children how many of us did not need any shoes and were happy running around barefoot even if it meant to get some blisters here and there? Later on, when we had to put shoes on and go to school and then work and so on, things changed and it would be considered inappropriate to one day show up without any shoes on. I wonder how many of us feel happy with what they are wearing on day to day basis on their feet and how many of us is actually comfortable?The Vibram soles is revolutionary innovation as far as comfortable shoes can be, which is based on the age old methodology that being barefoot helps your balance and will make you feel aware of the nature around and ground beneath your feet.

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Reviewed by Alicia MacLeay

The La Sportiva Bushido II is a solid, comfortable trail running shoe for all-around, year-round use on trails and mountains. With excellent traction and fit, it retains everything I loved about the original Bushido trail runner with some minor refinements.

When I heard that La Sportiva was introducing an updated Bushido II trail runner my first response was "No!" What if they screwed something up? I've worn at least six pairs, possibly more, of the original La Sportiva Bushidos over the five years since they launched. That totals well over a thousand miles, probably double, by my rough guesstimate. While I also have road running shoes for pavement and own a few other pairs of trail runners, not to mention hiking footwear, the Bushidos are my go-to, everyday pair for when dirt, rocks, mud, and snow are underfoot here in Maine.  I rarely think about these shoes.

Read more: La Sportiva Bushido II review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Balega's Blister Resist Quarter is a hybrid mohair and synthetic sock from a company that does a great job with running socks. Great wicking properties help keep your feet comfortable. Smooth material doesn't tend to chafe. They tend to show wear by looking "fuzzy" but that's cosmetic—no notable thin spots or wear. Slightly more bulky than a typical running sock.

OVERVIEW By calling this a "blister resist" running sock, Balega is pretty clearly pushing the narrative that this sock is somehow better at protecting your feet from blisters than the average sock. I'll address that but will mostly focus on the more general reasons you might want to get a couple pair of these socks. I was provided two pair to review—a quarter-height and crew height Blister Resist sock. You can see that the crew is a few inches longer on your leg than the quarter. Other than the height and the color, both pair are effectively the same.

Read more: Balega Blister Resist Quarter review (1)

Featured review by Andrew F.

Salomon’s XA Pro 3D is a heavy duty trail running shoe that has been around, with various updates, for years. It is very heavy and firm for a running shoe, and I use it as a low light hiker. It’s available with a waterproof/breathable membrane, but I like the no-membrane version for it’s very good breathability. Very good traction, support, foot protection, and durability, plus an interesting lacing system, make this a winner. The non-waterproof version’s availability in wide sizing was fortuitous for me, as the regular version was too narrow for my feet.

Basic Information The pair weighed 2.2 pounds out of the box, including the light insoles that I discarded. The guy who built my latest pair of custom orthotics recommended this shoe for its relatively firm and more supportive midsole, and I always wear them with the orthotics. The shoe requires break-in because it is so solid; it takes some time to get used to the firmness of the shoe. More on that in a bit. These are on the heavy end of the spectrum for trail running shoes, and also on the more expensive end at $130 full price.

Read more: Salomon XA Pro 3D reviews (11)

Reviewed by Sammy312

VJ claims to have the best grip on the planet. These are the widest orienteering shoes with metal studs that I could find.

December 2024: This review has been updated after a year of using these shoes. I got these after realizing that my super-comfy Altra Lone Peak 6 may be great for all-day comfort, but don't compare with studded orienteering shoes for off-trail running and may be a little too roomy for competition.  After these arrived in the mail (from Latvia!), I tried them on, and took them for a 1.6-mile run through some nearby woods. The extra traction was most noticeable on logs. I then took them on a 4-mile trail run to break them in before using them in a competition.  My first big test for these was an orienteering competition on Nov 5 (8km course that took me 8 miles to complete).

Read more: VJ Falcon review (1)

Featured review by Sean Van Cleve

Brooks continues to stand on the podium with this high-quality trail runner. Offering ample room in the forefoot while still holding perfectly secure, the Cascadia 16 provides the wearer with a lightweight shoe that has excellent under-foot protection. This lightweight shoe is best suited for the hiker/trail runner that needs great traction and support on groomed trails, rough terrain, or anything in between. The Cascadia 16 is available for both men and women as a waterproof (GTX) or well ventilated, regular model.

Although finding the perfect trail shoe may sometimes feel like chasing a "glass slipper," the Brooks Cascadia 16 checks many of the boxes… Without a doubt, the venerable Brooks Cascadia is one of the ‘tried & true’ products that has been around the block. Currently in its 16th generation, the Cascadia always seems to be reaching for new improvements.    These trail runners are ideal for lightweight/ultralight backpacking, when saving weight is a priority. Using the Brooks Cascadia 16 under loads up to 25 lbs feels comfortable on a week-long summer backpacking trip.    Specifications: Price: $130 ($160 GTX) Men's and Women's separate lines Weight: 298g/10.5oz per men's shoe; 319g/11.25oz actually recorded weight without insole,...

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Featured review by Danny Wang

A nice option to have for those who are looking for an insole that provides great arch support. They are MUCH less expensive than shelling out the cash for custom orthotics. I have pretty severe foot problems and the Superfeet Green insoles have allowed me to continue my active lifestyle.

Back in 2008, I suffered a pretty bad injury to my left foot, commonly known as a Lisfranc Fracture. It is named after a French doctor who described the injury in 1815 when riders would fall off their horse with their foot stuck in the stirrup. It's a fracture of the midfoot coupled with the rupture of ligaments. The injury is also common in American Football, with players such as Dwight Freeney, Maurice Jones Drew, and Santonio Holmes having suffered the injury. Sadly, I did not play American Football and could not have afforded the expertise of doctors such as Dr.

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Featured review by David

A sturdy trail runner fit for lightweight backpacking. The outsole on this shoe is the best thing since the old Vibram soles on my heavy full-leather boots. They stick to every condition I've encountered on the Appalachian Trail (except for mossy wet rock, but everyone is going to break their neck on that stuff). Lightweight and breathable. If the shoe fits, wear it!

After 15 years backpacking in heavy, full leather, boots, I finally decided to give a trail runner a try. I wish I had switched sooner. The differene between having 2 lb boots on each foot vs. this 12 oz shoe is amazing!  Here's the bad news, these shoes will not last as long as a leather boot. The inside of the shoe at the top of where you insert your foot is starting to wear after only about 80 miles of backpacking and trail running. But, that's the only place where I think they are wearing too soon.

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