[pct-l] Running Shoes vs. boots

[gwschenk at socal.rr.com]

---- ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com wrote: 
> Ok, everybody, help me out with understanding something,
> 
> >From what I have seen of trail running shoes and lightweight boots, their 
> heels are virtually non-existent. Since the vertical face of the heel in the 
> instep of a traditional boot is used as a tremendous braking device, I have 
> to assume that these runners and lightweight boots must not work very well 
> in a panic stop and slip on things like pebbles on hard trail.
>

My cheap New Balance trail runners perform fine in those circumstances.
 

> If the shoes feel great when you have a lightweight pack on, what happens to 
> your feet when your weight goes up with your Sierra extra gear?
> 

Two years ago we set off to climb Clarence King. We had pretty heavy packs, 45 pounds or so, we had a rope, harnesses, helmets, climbing shoes, a small rack, 'biners, some webbing and bear cans.

In the Onion Valley parking lot I went to put on my boots and discovered I had grabbed to lefts! Oopsie! I had my cheap New Balance trail runners, though. I was sure my feet would get toasted carrying a heavy load over Kearsarge and Glen, and then cross country over Rae Col.

My feet could not tell the difference between the trail runners and boots. I became a convert on that trip. Unless I'm going to be spending time on snow, no more boots for me.

Gary