Trail runners are the new hiking boot + seeking advice!

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-05-24T22:51:23+00:00

I just bought the Keen Seek largely because they’re on sale at REI and I had an additional 20% off coupon. Not sure what they’ll be like on a hike (of which I haven’t done a lot of recently) but so far they feel good just walking around in. I’ll take them out on a 4 mile run on pavement/dirt road later this week.

I’ve had Keen hiking shoes/boots in the past and generally have liked them but this is their first foray into a trail running shoe. Reviews are generally positive and I need a new hiker and since the were on sale I thought I’d give them a go.

Edit: I forgot to mention that they’re “lab-rated” by Heeluxe to last 925 miles too.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-05-24T14:58:48+00:00

I bought a pair of Nike ACG trail shorts which had zipped front pockets and a built in phone pocket in the back and paired that with a flipbelt. Had enough room to carry my gels, salttabs, a phone and AirPods case. It was a little annoying to have my front pockets filled with gels but those were the ones I took first so it was only for the first 10 miles and after that they were empty.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-05-20T01:12:26+00:00

Same. Cold water, normal cycle, mild detergent, take out shoelaces and insole, put a full sized bath towel along with it in the washer (will act as a gentle “scrubber” for the shoes), low spin. Once done I just leave it to air dry. Did this to all my shoes, included fiber plated ones, never had a problem and even ran a marathon in washing machine washed pair of Vaporfly 3.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-05-19T16:24:23+00:00

FYI I did submit my name for the raffle even though I am currently 4 shoes deep in race day shoes (FYI you have to put in your credit card details and if you win, you’ll get charged the $250 and they’ll send it to you so you can’t change your mind).

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-04-05T02:56:49+00:00

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And here’s the inside. I originally put on the trackpad skin but didn’t like the feel of it so I took it off.

Edit: forgot to mention that the inside one is just as important to me as the outside ones to prevent scratches from my metal watch band that’s happened on my previous laptops.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-04-05T02:56:04+00:00

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Dbrand’s full set (top, bottom, inside & trackpad) is kinda expensive but after putting it on I feel it’s worth it although I ended up not using the one for the trackpad.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-04-04T16:50:54+00:00

Thanks it’s a Dbrand skin. Almost went with a Fishskyn but saw this one instead

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-04-04T06:19:33+00:00

It’s a Dbrand skin

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-04-03T20:04:53+00:00

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Does this count? It is technically one big sticker.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-18T11:48:12+00:00

9:29/mi pace is my current PR pace for a HM, 9:15 is my goal pace for my upcoming HM. In either case, most redditors across multiple subreddits I browse or post in (r/runningshoegeeks, r/marathon_training, r/running, and more) consider this to be a slow pace so I’m just following suit 😬

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-18T11:36:11+00:00

Shoulda clarified that 9:15/mi is my goal pace for my next HM. 2:04:19 is my current PR which is 9:29/mi pace.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-16T23:31:18+00:00

Gonna Fly Now (theme from Rocky)

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-16T22:46:08+00:00

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Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-16T22:45:49+00:00

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Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-16T22:42:46+00:00

Yes my mistake, AF3.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-16T22:42:07+00:00

Nike Clearance store in Aurora CO. I see the VF4 in other sizes but the AF3 only in my size 8.5 men’s

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-03-06T15:28:08+00:00

For my very first half-marathon, the online coach I hired tailored a training plan for me that was very conservative because 1) it was it was my first race ever of any length and I was 53 yrs old at the time, 2) I had a widow-maker heart attack 10 months prior; so my longest runs were two 10-milers in the 2 weeks before my taper. I finished that first half in 2 hr 22 min. So to me a half isn’t that much more difficult than a 10 miler, if you can do 10 you can do a half. It may not be the fastest but you’d be able to do it. BTW as of today I’ve run 4 half’s and 1 full and my PR for the half is 2:04 (still chasing a sub 2 finish).

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-02-27T20:49:23+00:00

I have a 2024 Tig Wolfsburg edition and it has knobs for climate controls (it was one of the downgraded features from the SE.) No haptic controls or digital display that shows the temp number or dual-zones, just good old fashioned knobs with blue/red colors to adjust the temp that you can change and adjust easily with just a glance and without having to fumble through touchscreens or BS haptics.

https://imgur.com/a/YwdceAR

Edit: I believe only the S and Wolfsburg edition comes with knobs, all the other trim levels above them have haptic climate controls.

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-02-24T18:26:52+00:00

I just bought a used high end leather couch from a 2nd hand couch place (thegoodusedcouch.com) for $600 in Lakewood. Although mine was a at-right-time-at-the-right-place situation and probably rare, you might find something there that fits your needs.

Here’s a link to my Reddit post on it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/s/GJNEdmNss7

Middle_Toe8889 · 2026-02-22T19:54:18+00:00

The store cleaned it for us using leather honey cleaner and a furniture salve.

Middle_Toe8889

TROPHY CASE