Hiking a marathon across the countryside - trainers or walking boots?

[cherrybakewell17]

I’m hiking a marathon across the Jurassic coast in the summer which has hills and rocky parts, would walking boots with ankle support be best or would a pair of trainers be okay? My first hiking marathon distance. Thanks

We regularly do long holes in the Lake District which includes rocky & uneven ground with crossing areas which are soggy or bogs etc.
We find it much better to wear leather traditional style hiking boots as they are sturdy and offer more protection.
The downside is they are a little more heavy than trainers.

Walking boots, definitely.

I hike a lot. I can’t wear boots (an old Achilles issue which becomes irritated), so I wear ASICS trail runners (the goretex ones for over pronation). They are really stable and support well.

I’d suggest hiking boots or asics do a boot like trainer and trail shoe. Highly recommend breaking in the walking boots.

I live on the Jurassic Coast and find hiking boots too heavy. I wear them in bad weather but prefer ALTRA’s long distance trail running shoes which are light and fantastically comfortable.

What have you been training in? I'd wear them, whichever they are.

(Walking boots are old fashioned, its now understood that their ankle support makes all the small stabilisation muscles weak as you don't use them much, so although you feel protected from turning your ankle, in the long run you are much worse off and more likely to suffer such injuries. You are much better in trail shoes and using your own ankle strength for support. But if you've been practicing in walking boots, its likely you wont have the stabilisation strength to manage without them this time, so maybe use walking boots this time and start to build up your ankles strength to do without them in future.

Trail runners are enough for non-rocky ground in the summer. They're lighter and more cushioned on the feet than walking boots, but have better lugs, side/ toe protection than standard road running shoes.

Walking boots have their uses on very rough, rocky ground or very wet/ muddy conditions.

Trail running trainers. I wear saucony.

Hoka have a goretex boot version of the speedgoat 5 trail shoe. Really light and stable. I have a lot of ankle instability but they've just got me over an ultra in the lakes and one in Northumberland

Would you mind linking to some? They sound ideal for me.

Trail running shoes

Trail runner boots with great ankle support. Break them in first.

I have an older version of these and they're great

www.salomon.com/en-gb/shop-emea/product/outrise-mid-gore-tex-li3090.html

I'd recommend Salomon Speedcross trail running shoes. Light and very comfortable.

Decent lightweight walking boots but break them in for a least a month.

Walking shoes are a good option. I use them for all types of walking including lakeland fells. Haven't worn boots in years.

I do a lot of hiking, mainly in the mountains. I wear traditional leather boots (Meindl Vakuum) for the big rocky boggy days in rough terrain, and trail shoes which are a lot lighter for easier terrain. Up Ben Lomond today (easy terrain) in nice lightweight Salomon Predict Goretex Trail shoes - the Cuillin would shred them to bits! I’d personally go lightweight for a marathon distance on a coastal footpath, but we are all different and some people would prefer boots.

Whatever you currently wear.

I wear boots if it's super icy/snowy otherwise trail shoes all year round.

I find traditional walking boots very awkward now - clumpy, no ground feel, I'm much less confident on my feet on uneven ground.

In summer trail shoes will be a much better option.

Hiking boots 2 sizes bigger than your regular size.

I've got some mid height Merrells (Moab?) which are a kind of hybrid trail trainer/walking boot. I've done (some of) the Jurassic coast in them, as well as the 3 peaks.

Trail running shoes sounds like a better idea.. I’ve been wearing these in but they are heavier and I prefer trainers.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/adventurer-womens-waterproof-boots-p11653.aspx/

How about some Mudclaws (very aggressive lugs for grippyness)

or some Peregrines (less aggressive lugs, so less grippy but less hard underfoot)

Either of these might be a decent stop between a trainer and those boots

Mudclaws will feel very harsh underfoot on trail. Peregrines are a good shout though.

I've also worn Hoka Challengers and Inov8 parkclaws on long walks.

If budget is an issue these might be worth a try Decathlon trail running shoes

They're the men's version (I tried the women's and they didn't fit, you might have better luck). They're pretty comparable to peregrines tbh, they feel quite similar underfoot.

I'm assuming when you say 'hiking a marathon' you mean a long walk? In which case go for decent waterproof walking boots, they'll stabilise your ankle over rough terrain, give decent grip on the downhill slopes, and keep your feet warm and dry with good breathability.
Trail trainers are good if you're looking at running trails, but on that bit of coastline, I'd stick to a good boot.
Brasher are expensive but they are my go to boot for quality, comfort and durability....having said that its such a good boot mine are a several years old so checkout reviews to ensure they have remained in the top ranks of walking boots quality.

Check the waterproof rating, mountain warehouse regularly claim stuff to be waterproof but when you look at their rating its questionable! Anything under 10,000 is pointless so just check the label. The other thing with mountain warehouse is it's fine for light outdoor pursuits, but it sounds if you are planning a serious hike, so if brasher is out of your price range look at Jack wolfskin, decent quality for serious hikers.

My Merrells were rated as waterproof and mostly are, but if it's going to be really soggy underfoot I wear a pair of these as well: https://www.sealskinz.com/products/waterproof-warm-weather-ankle-length-sock-with-hydrostop