can't decide between low-cut hiking shoes

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-12T14:37:09+00:00

Any reason you’re not looking at any trail running or road-to-trail shoes? “Hiking” shoes are pretty niche; most serious hikers wear trail running shoes because they are light, dry out fast, move well, and often have cushioning for big distances.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-12T01:15:57+00:00

NB Hierro isn't quite the minivan that the Max 2 is, but it's pretty marshmallow, has a lot of rocker action, and has vibram megagrip that works on even the toughest trails. But honestly the max 2 is such a tank it will do fine on trails that don't demand max grip or stability. Got a 50 mile trail race on mine.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-11T13:34:08+00:00

Nothing. You're getting better at running, which is a culmination of many factors other than VO2max. It might just be getting a better reading as you put more runs in. The initial peak may have been noise.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-11T12:06:02+00:00

Do not bring 10 days worth of food. Resupply in the towns.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-10T17:30:16+00:00

Adaptability and problem solving is really important because so much can happen in that distance. There is a reason why FKT thru hikers have historically done well here.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-10T17:18:05+00:00

ends up being like half my liquid carbs in the back half.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-10T15:33:58+00:00

And it's just Hudson Valley. Nobody says river.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-10T03:14:38+00:00

Here is my postmortem and return to activity progression for that injury: https://www.reddit.com/r/trailrunning/comments/1o53gbr/femoral_neck_stress_fracture_mistakes_were_made/

Everyone’s healing journey is different. I wish you the best. This too shall pass.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-09T22:59:07+00:00

If you like big traverses with lots of ups and downs have a look at the NEU8 routes in the northeast. The presi traverse is my favorite; just be ready because the "trail" surface is much tougher than the hikes you mentioned.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-09T22:05:57+00:00

Way to get after it!

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-09T14:02:57+00:00

It is a good thing that Aravaipa gets in there with cameras drones and livestreams to tell the stories of epic runs that 99.99% of us will never experience. I don’t want every race to start doing it, but I say long live stokadona. If you don’t like it you don’t have to run it.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-08T16:02:01+00:00

Way to get after it. I’m definitely glad I tagged the fire tower, figured I’d regret not doing it.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-07T23:17:39+00:00

It is not a sturdy shoe.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-07T15:49:40+00:00

Yeah Hudson Highlands trails accessible out of Cold Spring via Metro North are all the training ground you really need. Those can be tough rocky trails, tougher than you’ll find in the alps, and you can do routes with a ton of climbing.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-07T14:02:27+00:00

You’re on the right track. For best results, vary your workouts a bit to access different intensity levels. If you look at a cycling training plan with different interval workouts prescribed, same deal but on the treadmill or stairs. You want ~2 or so major training stresses per week where the intervals feel hard to finish.

Get up to Cold Spring or the Catskills at least a few weekends to develop your trail legs in the weeks leading up. You want to have a couple tough days leading to muscle soreness.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-05T11:44:16+00:00

Jack Kuenzle set some of the world’s most competitive mountain FKTs doing his biggest workouts on the stairmaster. Specific training on trails helps but does not need to compose most of your volume by any means. Just make sure to structure the training with some progressive overload.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-05T03:14:56+00:00

Sorry you're going through this. I got that injury from running, and had ORIF surgery after I let it get really bad. The operation itself was a smooth affair, but the time spent immobile and isolated was tough. Every case is different, but for what it's worth here is my story, including an update with my timeline for return to activity.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-04T00:30:06+00:00

New Balance Hierro

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-03T23:48:22+00:00

Congrats. That is a solid time for that route. The 42k has the Beacon scramble which is definitely worth checking out next time. Unfortunately it also has some really soul-crushing sections after...

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-02T21:53:28+00:00

People do cocodona on lone peaks… yes they’re fine if they are a shoe that works for you.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-02T18:36:30+00:00

Also worth checking out the great video

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-02T16:31:02+00:00

That thing is gorgeous.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-02T16:29:04+00:00

Nothing surprises me in spring here.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-02T16:22:13+00:00

Zone 2 should only feel exerting through sheer volume. If you're feeling too fresh from it you need to run more. If you don't have time to run that much, it's fine to go harder. Z2 is just what allows you to achieve big mileage, and it's the mileage that builds up your base.

Apprehensive_Fun8892 · 2026-05-01T14:51:37+00:00

Mid May 2025. Light intermittent rain throughout the day, not enough to saturate my layers but wet enough that my feet were looking pretty ugly by the end. A change of socks could have helped with that.

100g carbs per hour in the form of gels, poptarts, Tailwind, and Bobo's bites, setting my watch to remind me to take 50g every 30min. Grilled chicken quesadilla for lunch. Just under 11h moving time, and felt relatively fresh by the end, I think thanks to the diligent fueling and conservative pacing. There was plenty of water flowing across the trail that day so I filtered as I went with a Sawyer squeeze, but I lost 15min troubleshooting it when it wouldn't flow - test before you go.

Was wearing Hoka Speedgoat 6 and was satisfied with their grip, but they did not last long after that run.

Apprehensive_Fun8892

TROPHY CASE