That rainy week on the Pacific Crest changed my mind about trail runners

I used to swear by heavy boots for the Sierras, no question about it. Then last August I hit a seven day stretch near Tuolumne Meadows where it rained every single afternoon, my boots stayed wet for four days straight, and I got blisters between my toes I still have scars from. A guy named Dave at a resupply point told me his trail runners dried out in under an hour on the same stretch, and I laughed at him. By mile 80 I was ordering a pair of La Sportivas to pick up in South Lake Tahoe and I haven't worn boots since. Has anyone else switched mid trail after a bad weather week?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesley87328d agoTop Commenter

I mean that line about boots staying wet for four days straight hit me right in the feels. I did a similar thing on the John Muir last year, thought I was tough with my heavy Asolos, then hit a rainy stretch near Reds Meadow and ended up duct taping my blisters so bad I looked like a mummy. I'm with Dave whoever he is now, my Hoka Speedgoats dry out in like 45 minutes on a sunny rock and my feet have never been happier, even if I still trip over roots like an idiot.

kevin_sullivan28d ago

Always swore by boots too. That waterlogged foot bit finally convinced me to try trail runners.