NB 805 worked for me

“This last saturday I picked up a new pair of New Balance 805 Trail Runners to see if they would work for hiking. At first I didn't really care for the insoles / footbeds so I stuck in my old pair of Superfeet. Once I did that I could tell that these shoes had a good feel to them so I took them backpacking on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in Laurel Fork VA. I was very pleased with them - my legs were not as tired as usual with my heavier boots. There were some minor aches and pains in the ankle and knee that I marked up to the new shoes having a different feel to them but by the third day I was used to them already. No blisters or even hot spots although I had to put one on three times following a stream crossing in order to get the socks to lay right and to have no wrinkles. Anyways basically a thumbs up for the 805's.”

“What a coincidence. I just picked up a pair yesterday at the Factory Outlet tent sale. I'm looking forward to trying them out. I almost got 905s, but the arch supports really bugged me (maybe I should get super feet).

(I've got fat feet, so New Balance gets a lot of my business - since they make extra wides)”

“I'm not sure what the number is on mine, but I have several pairs of NB walking shoes that I sometimes wear on trails if the rocks are at a minimum. I keep buying the same model. Comfortable and give fairly good support. Good right out of the box. But they don't hold up worth a hoot on rocky terrain!”

“New Balance makes GREAT running shoes, great brand overall.”

“Nb's are what I wore on my sixty mile walk. I bought three pair of 705's and rotated them. I'm good for trail shoes for awhile. I really like them and many NB's are still made in the USA! Some aren't though.”

“If you're on a well-developed trail like the AT (excepting PA of course) trail runners work great and you don't get as tired wearing them. I've been looking into getting a pair myself and trying them out. But for any off-trail or rocky hiking, you need a good pair of boots.

Trail runners would have worked well on the section of the AT I did last September .”

“Sass, that NB store in Farmington Hills is having a big clearance sale. I didn't have a chance to get in the store, nor do I know when the sale ends.”

“My 804s have been working well for me. I keep my loads light (under 20 #). The arch support could be better. I'm going to replace the insoles with green superfeet in a couple of weeks and try them on the AT.”

“Bit: I think the AT gets far rougher in NH & ME than in PA.

BTW: Your common sense approach can stir up real controversy some places. The AMC gear discussion board has had a really heated debate about the need for ankle support on rough terrain... though its come up mostly in discussing sports sandals on the trail.

http://appalachia.outdoors.org/bbs/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=416”

“I mentioned PA because of its infamous rocks, but yes, I agree, the AT is much tougher in NH and ME.

Common sense makes a lot of people angry, I've noticed. Doesn't keep me from using it. If you've got ankle problems, are carrying a lot of weight, or are on rough terrain, you should probably have some ankle support. Is that evil?”

“Oh gee... I guess this means I don't get to do territorial chest beating about my AT stomping grounds (at least not without looking ridiculous even to myself).

I'm planning to try my 805s out on the NH AT on a day hike, after doing some ankle strengthening.

PS: The same board had a more moderate discussion of trail runners (like the 805s):

http://appalachia.outdoors.org/bbs/messageview.cfm?catid=2&threadid=442”

“I have NB 704's that I use when taking walks in the evening at home, but I need hiking boots when out backpacking.”

“Yes, that discussion was better balanced than the other one, which was a pissing match between Mr. Legalist and Ms. Bootless.

I still like hiking in boots though.”

“the key thing that made the 805s work for me was the superfeet footbeds - before I put in the old superfeet from the old boots I had serious doubts about using the 805s on the trail - with the superfeet I found the combination to be very good even on rocky trails such as the Christian Run trail in the Laurel Fork VA SMA. Now I do admit that the trails in Laurel Fork VA were not overly rocky in general but there were areas such as where I camped the first night that was nothing but rock (ahh the joys of using a hammock) and in these areas the combination of the 805 and superfeet green footbeds worked very well.”

“I've been checking the 805's out ever since buddur wore them on our hikes, and talked them up. I bought a pair of 407 running shoes about a month ago, and they ROCK!”

“I've got 804's and enjoy them a lot more than boots on established trails. Boots do give me a little more comfort if I can't really see my next step (swamps, palmettos).”

“I have a pair of 804's that finally died this year, they have been replaced by a pair of 703's which will be replaced by 805's. I use my trail runners for 4 months or so for running, then replace the insoles and they are hiking shoes...its magic.

I have used em for 4 days with 30# pack in Shawnee Ohio which is mainly up or down with little or no flats, no trouble.

BTW I dont think ankle support is an issue if you ankles are accustomed to the strain.”

“I have loved NB's running shoes for years and I've been using a pair of 804s for dayhiking for about a year now. They're about to be replaced so I'll be sure and check out the 805s. Thanks for the unsolicited advice guys!


Oh and HOI, I love my superfeet too. I've been using them for less than 2 months now and I don't know how I ever got by without them.”

“I just took my NB 805s on a 12 mile day hike (2650 elevation gain)with some steep and eroded mountain trails. I took about about 15 pounds on my back (I threw in some extra weight to get a better test of them)and used hiking poles. It was great! I really felt the weight difference - I didn't get tired, needed no rest stops (although I stopped once, for almost 2 1/2 hours at the first summit - see my flags on the 48 trip report) and was much faster than usual. Normally I pass as many people as pass me - my speed is about midddling, but with the 805s and carrying more weight than most, I was the fastest moving person on the trail (My dog was faster).

The rest of the summer I have been backpacking in my EMS Summit Gtx. boots. My options are a bit limited, because I need wide (usually 3E or 4E) shoes.”

“did you use the NB supplied footbeds or did you upgrade the footbeds with superfeet or some other brand? I really like the NB 805 / Superfeet combo myself.”

“HOI: I stuck with the NB footbeds for my first real road trial. I did get some Superfeet, partly because of your enthusiasm for them. I'll prolly try those out before too long.”

“I'm a big fan of NB shoes. I've got some 804 and 805's and I like both pairs.

I hiked 35m a few weeks ago wearing my Nike Trailrunner sandals. They were very light and I couldn't believe how comfortable they were. I didn't notice any foot problems with the sandals and I was carrying about 30lbs. Give them a try if you get a chance. I carry them as a backup for my boots.”

“Interesting MDS. Do they give you much support?”

“I'm an 804 fan as well. I think they have a 904 or maybe 905 now that is a trail runner with even more support. Haven't tried 'em out yet though.

Hmm...superfeet - maybe I'll give those a run too.”

“That's great that you can get away with wearing those for hiking. I love my NB 805s but only for running on smooth surfaces.

My ankles will turn over on a pebble and I can't even wear my beloved Lowa Renegades (light hiking boot) on dayhikes anymore. My ankles have decided that I must wear a higher stiffer boot from now on.

I'm jealous when I see sneakers and sandals on the trail. God bless ya's! ;o)”

“I waited until my ankles got a bit stronger before trying them out. I think I may try to get them even stronger before trying trail runners with multi-day backpacking trip.”

“The more ya wear em the stronger the ankles will be. I absolutely love sneakers instead of boots. I wear NB 704 trail runners and have a pair of 805's (my old runners on standby). I love the way my feet feel after hiking all day in them,NOT aching and burning up. It makes me smile when I hear of others making the switch or at least trying it out.”

“i have been mulling over the idea of switching from my trusty vasques to my 804s on the upcoming journey onto the roaring plains....i still have concerns about getting my feet wet or getting rocks into my shoes....do any of you wear gaiters with them?”

“I've worn gaitors with them before. My gators are short, like 6-8" total. About the wetness...NB is coming out witha goretex trailrunner, TNF has em already. MY thing with shoes is that even if they get wet they dry soooooo fast g-tex seems like overkill.”

“Last spring I bought my first pair of gore tex boots and while they keep water out really well, the insides dry slower than non gore tex boots when they get sweaty. I still like them for cold wet hikes.”

“I use gaiters with the NB 805s - I use OR short mtn. gaiters - they work OK but the back of the gaiter occassionally works its way up over the upper edge of the shoe. I have shortened up the arch string but it will still happen under unusual circumstances.”

“Based on this, my first substantial trip with trail runners, I have to agree with Birch: the NB trail runners dry fast. While crossing streams, I felt the wetness when I wouldn't have with my boots - however, I was dry again very quickly.

For nasty cold days, I might want some more water protection.

I didn't wear gaiters and did start getting a few minor things in the sides of my shoes over the 12 miles - but nothing worked its way underfoot.”

“Hey pedxing, the particular Nike sandals I have don't offer much support but are very soft and comfortable. I don't need much support but I know that everyone is different. Some of the nicer sandals offer a sole with arch support, etc.

A few weeks ago I was on a 6 day solo hike and it rained everyday. I had on boots and gaitors and managed to get my boots absolutely soaking wet the first two days. If I hadn't had the sandals with me as backups, then I probably would have had to go home. The boots rubbed my ankles raw and I had to switch over to the sandals. They were totally excellent in the rain and didn't rub anywhere.

It's my own fault for not taking better care of my feet and just goes to show ya that I don't have much experience backpacking in the rain.

I learned my lesson the hard way!”

“Interesting MDS.

You see more and more people backpacking in sandals these days.”

“A solution for wet feet in sneakers is goretex socks. We used em in the army and they were nice. This little "add-on" would allow sneaker hikin in cooler wetter weather...”

“I'm using a pair of Salamon Raid Proofs right now. They are gore-tex. They work great, but when they finally do get wet, they seem to take a long time to dry, also they hold sweat in. I am never going back to boots, I've been hiking in sneaks this whole year, and it is great. I think I might go with a lighter weight pair of trail runners next time (like the NB 804!) I also use my OR Rocky Mtn Low gaiters and they work great.”

“I've been using those Gore tex socks for years on rainy hikes and for winter use. They work well, but will make your feet hotter. In the cold that's good. I like them and in wet conditons with a non gore tex boot they work for me.”

“Just went to a Merrell Reflex. I've only hiked in them a couple of times, but man do they feel great. Durability is my only concern. If they don't pan out then perhaps I'll try NB 805's.”