Best Trail Runners for Thru-Hiking

To avoid injury and enjoy the trail when thru-hiking, it’s imperative to have the right gear. Outdoor gear should be durable, light-weight, and allow for adequate air flow all while being supportive and protective.

If you are going to be thru-hiking, you need to have fantastic footwear in particular. Blisters and strained muscles are certainly not a positive experience.

Poorly fitting or inappropriately designed footwear can hurt your performance and your body.

For a long time, boots were favored thru-hikers. However, hiking footwear trends have changed over the years, and people are switching to lightweight shoes, which are much faster and more comfortable.

This explains why trail runners have become one of the top choices for thru-hikers.

With trail runners, thru-hiking is a whole new experience. You’ll worry less about blisters and strained muscles. You’ll also feel lighter and move faster, so you can go further.

However, trail runners are available in a wide range of brands, models, and designs. Not all of them are good for thru-hiking. So, which are the best trail runners for thru-hiking?

In this guide, we look at the top five trail runners for thru-hiking to help you choose which is ideal for you.

Read moreBest Trail Runners for Thru-Hiking

Adidas has been making comfortable shoes for decades. Two of the most popular have been around since about 1970.

The Adidas Stan Smith was originally marketed as a tennis sneaker, while the Superstar was marketed for basketball players.

But both shoes have a surprising amount of similarities.

What’s the best pick for you? We’ve put together a list of the similarities and differences between each shoe.

Read moreAdidas Superstar Vs Stan Smith

Comfort is king, and that’s what the competition between Nike and Adidas is all about, which corporate giant offers the best fit, most cushioning, and aerodynamic technology.

The Nike Joyride Run Flyknit and Adidas Ultra Boost are two of the most incredible shoe runners can invest in. To better understand what all the hype is about, it’s essential to compare the two side-by-side, so you understand what each pair of shoes has to offer you. Then, you’ll be able to decide as to which is the better option offered.

Read moreAdidas Ultra Boost Vs Nike Joyride Run Flyknit

 Nike is a leader in creating the world’s best running shoes. Athletes of various skill levels compete in the company’s footwear. Consistently setting its standards for performance higher with each new shoe it creates, Nike outdid itself with the Nike Epic React Flyknit 1. Few people argued that it wasn’t an integral part of their performance with its springiness and snug comfortable fit.

When the company came out with the Epic React Flyknit 2, it confused people. Didn’t they already own the high-performance shoe of their dreams? To better understand what sets the newest offering apart from the original, it’s essential to evaluate their features to see which deliver the most value.

Starting with the Nike Epic React Flyknit 2, we’ll see how a redesign can take the best features of the original, improve upon them, and create a better, more thought-out shoe design.

Read moreNike Epic React Flyknit 2 Vs Nike Epic React Flyknit 1

You may be one of those runners who really questions if an upgrade over the previous design is really worth the hype? It can difficult when comparing a new model over a solid design that it is intended to replace.

We can see subtle differences when comparing shoes such as the Nike Air Zoom Structure 21 vs 22, and those differences could help you determine which model is right for you.

Read moreNike Air Zoom Structure 21 Vs 22

If you are a fan of running shoes, two of the biggest names in the market are Adidas and Nike. These manufacturers have created specialty shoes for a variety of sports, including running.

Two of their more popular designs are the Adidas Ultra Boost 2019 and the Nike Epic React Flyknit 2 and comparing them may give you an idea of which product line will fit you and your running needs.

Read moreAdidas Ultra Boost 19 Vs Nike Epic React Flyknit 2

The Nike Metcon 3 and Metcon 4 are two of the best cross training shoes available today. With the recent release of the Metcon 5, many people want to know how these shoes have evolved in the past. To that end, we’ve put together a guide to each of the shoes so you can decide which is better for you.

Read moreNike Metcon 3 vs 4

Cross training shoes can be difficult to shop for, especially if you’re not sure where to start. If you regularly engage in multiple different fitness activities, you want shoes that are versatile enough to support you. Luckily, there are some shoes specifically designed to carry you through every exercise at the gym. They can help with power lifting, rope climbing, stretches, and gymnastics.

Two of the top cross training models on the market are the Nobull Trainer and the Nike Metcon 3. Each has a variety of potential advantages and disadvantages. The best one for you really depends on what kind of fitness activities you’re engaging in and what you prioritize most in the construction of a shoe.

Read moreNike Metcon 3 Vs Nobull

The Nike Romaleos 2 lifting shoes developed quite a cult following. It’s no wonder that Nike saw no need to change up the design until five years after the first pair was released. What did they change? Are the Romaleos 2 or 3 better? In this post, we’ll look at both in more detail.

Read moreNike Romaleos 3 Vs 2

Are you an enthusiastic skater? The feeling of freedom that you get when you pull off an impressive stunt is like nothing else. It’s not easy and takes a lot of practice, but if skateboarding is in your blood, it’s worth it.

Naturally, of course, it helps if you have the right kicks to keep you stable on the board. But who produces the best skater shoe? Which model is best for developing some serious street cred?

Two serious contenders in this mix are the Nike SB range and Vans. Can the Nike SB range unseat the Vans as master of the skateboarding universe? In this ultimate showdown, we’ll try to settle that question.

Read moreVans Vs Nike SB

High quality athletic shoes can make or break your fitness regime. Whether you’re working out regularly at the gym or going on long runs every morning, you want shoes equipped to handle the strain. The best athletic shoes support and cradle your feet while still being lightweight, easy to use, and ultimately comfortable.

Nike and ASICS are two of the top manufacturers of running shoes and other athletic footwear. Both have high-quality construction and dozens of available designs. Both companies make billions of dollars per year and have stores in dozens of countries worldwide.

So how do the shoes tend to differ? Does one company have a manufacturing advantage over the other? We’ve compared different ASICS and Nike shoes to get a sense of each company’s priorities.

Read moreNike Vs ASICS

Hoka is a leading manufacturer of athletic shoes. Two of the top offerings from this company are the Hoka Bondi and the Hoka Clifton lines. Though both shoes are excellently rated, there are some important differences to keep in mind. We’ve broken down the basics.

Read moreHoka Clifton Vs Bondi

Hip pain can really stop you from enjoying running and the benefits associated for your health and wellbeing.

While there are many different causes for hip pain, the end result is often the same; a difficulty in running as doing so worsens the discomfort and pain.

If you are suffering from hip pain, then it is a good idea to speak to a doctor or physiotherapist to get some expert advice about the cause of your hip pain.

Read moreBest Running Shoes For Bad Hips

Brooks is best known for making innovative shoes with unmatched technology.

The Ravenna line is designed for half-marathon and marathon runners, helping cushion the feet and increase speed.

While the Ravenna isn’t as lightweight as some options on the market, it makes up for this with the responsive foam soles and breathable uppers.

We’ve put together a review of the Ravenna 7 and Ravenna 8 to help you decide which shoe is best for you.

Read moreBrooks Ravenna 7 Vs 8

It might be a mouthful to say, but posterior tibial tendonitis is actually a very common problem that causes pain in the foot and ankle.

It occurs when there is inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, preventing the tendon from providing proper support for the arch of the foot, which it is supposed to do.

As a result, sufferers may experience ‘flat footedness’ as well as general pain and discomfort.

There are several ways to treat posterior tibial tendonitis. The most drastic is through surgery, however this is a last resort as it can restrict movement even further.

Instead, most medical professionals recommend using orthotics, braces and wearing good shoes to both prevent and treat posterior tibial tendonitis.

Read moreBest Running Shoes for Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Dysfunction