At some point on your hiking journey you will encounter this conundrum for yourself, and like I said, hiking is a singular journey so only you, can decide what is best for you. There are many emotive opinions on the subject of hiking in trail runners, but from personal experience it is possible, just weigh up the pro’s and con’s for yourself. Here is how I approached it when I encountered the same question:
Ask yourself a few questions?
• Do you have a foot problem?
• What is the type of terrain and distance you are likely to encounter?
• What will the temperatures be, and will there be a likelihood of rain, or having to cross streams?
• How heavy will your pack be?
• What kind of pace will you be hiking at?
The Hiking boot:
• It is heavier, sturdier and meant for multi-day trips, high cut, excellent ankle support, durable but takes more energy to hike in. Your new boot will last for thousands of kilometers, but will require breaking in.
Pros of Hiking Boots:
• Stability
• Durability
• Foot and ankle protection
• Warmer for cold weather hikes
• Good to use when you encounter mud, snow and water.
Cons of Hiking Boots:
• Heavier and bulkier.
• Require a lot more energy to walk in.
• Requires a break-in period.
The Hiking shoe:
• This is a combo between the boot and trail runners, keeping the best attributes of both. It is intended for lighter loads, the shoes flex easily, and requires little breaking in, but they can be pricey.
• The have a shelf life of between 9-18 months, depending on the frequency and distance of use.
Trail runners:
• Much lighter, comfortable, more breathable, good grip, but they offer less protection, and are less durable, between 6-12 months.
• Only consider trail runners during hiking expeditions when you have a relatively light pack, and you will not be require to do technical climbs on rocks etc, as they may be slippery.
Pros of Trail runners:
• Breathable, so your feet can air out.
• Much more comfortable.
• Little or no break-in require.
• Lightweight for a fast pace, and a lot of kilometres.
• Versatile for multiple uses.
• Cooler for hot weather hikes.
• A range of traction options.
Cons of Trail runners:
• Less foot-support.
• Not as durable, so will require replacing more frequently.
Tip:
You find multiple Gortex options in foot wear, bear in mind that this will keep you feet comfortable and dry in cold weather, but may have the exact opposite effect in hot weather, so if you do wear Gortex boots in warm weather, be sure to air out your feet, every 2-3 hours or so to avoid hotspots.
Consider socks based on your footwear, it is just as important of a consideration during a thru-hike.