My Favorite Summer Hiking Boots Got Me Through Hundreds of Miles on Vermont’s Long Trail (and Aren’t Boots at All)

After logging 13 miles on the Long Trail in Vermont one day, I did what any hiker would: I kicked my feet up. “Ah, La Sportiva,” said a fellow trekker with an approving nod. “I want to get those next.” I looked around at the group of thru-hikers around me—most of whom had walked to Vermont from Georgia on the Appalachian Trail—and saw not a single hiking boot in sight. In the heat of summer, there’s essentially one type of shoe experienced hikers swear by, and that’s a trail runner. And, in my case, that trail runner is the La Sportiva Bushido II ($150). Read on for my full review after trekking in them over hundreds of miles on one of North America’s longest, most coveted trails.

La Sportiva Bushido II — $97.00

Sizes: 5.5-10

Colors: 6

Pros: 

• Lightweight to go further for longer
• Breathable mesh keeps the foot from sweating and developing blisters
• Soft ankle cushion allows for better mobility
• Aggressive, grippy lugs for excellent traction
• Rock plate in forefoot to guard against rough terrain without sacrificing ground-feel

Cons: 

• Narrow toe box, meaning laces shouldn’t be tied too tightly on average-width feet
• Not waterproof (though that means they are quick to dry out)

About the La Sportiva Bushido II

When it comes to footwear, the La Sportiva Bushido II is truly the best of both worlds. With aggressive lugs that seemingly stick to slippery inclines and steep slopes, they have the supportive soles of intense hiking boots combined with the lightweight breathability of sneakers.

“The days of wearing four-pound, all-leather, over-the-ankle hiking boots—despite what was shown in the movie Wild with Cheryl Strayed [played by Reese Witherspoon]—I think that’s not what’s going on in the real world,” says Howard E. Friedman, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist in New York who specializes in hiking. “People are routinely hiking—thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail—in trail runners, like the La Sportiva Bushido.”

One reason people are swapping out their clunky boots for something lighter is for a better connection to the ground. “If you step on a pebble or rock, you may not know it till your ankle is starting to twist,” Dr. Friedman says. “As opposed to a trail runner, even with a rock plate, you’re going to have a better ground-feel.” Since the Bushido II practically molds to the foot, the shoe is more responsive and allows for better mobility. Despite its barely-there feel, it’s still durable—the added rock plate in the Bushido II offers protection against rocks underfoot.

At the end of the day, Dr. Friedman says choosing footwear is all about it’s what you’re comfortable with; if someone is used to more support, going with a lighter trail runner means the feet may need to condition over a few days to get stronger. But building up muscle response to uneven trails is beneficial for the body overall.

My review

I had tested a few running sneakers in the weeks leading up to my trek, and many had stiff heel cups and collars that aggravated my mercurial Achilles tendonitis. The Bushido II was soft in the right places, helping loosen up my Achilles while strengthening my muscles. In fact, the tendonitis gradually disappeared as my miles increased—a case of luck, cautious monitoring, and having the right shoes.

Something else that seemed to disappear? The shoes themselves. Weighing in at only 8.8 ounces, they felt like nothing at all along my hike; even at mile 70 on my section of the Long Trail, my pack felt miraculously lighter and my shoes seemed like they had vanished off my feet without ever compromising support. A lighter shoe might not initially feel like a big difference, but how tired your legs become is more apparent after a few miles.

The weight of a trail runner isn’t just about comfort; it’s also important that feet aren’t sweaty for long periods since that can lead to blisters or fungal infections. Trail runners may get wet more easily without technology like Gore-Tex (which the Bushidos don’t have), but they do dry quickly, which is crucial to keep going on a hike.

The La Sportiva Bushido II: My final thoughts

Personally, I love a hiking boot in late fall and through winter when I want to warm my toes, carry heavy winter gear, or strap on crampons for ice. But as the days grow longer and hotter, a lighter and cooler shoe—like the Bushido II—is an absolute necessity, whether I’m going 100 miles or five. When I’m hiking, I don’t want to notice my footwear—and these sporty sneakers will make you forget you’re wearing shoes at all. More than just allowing me to become one with my body, these trail runners seemed like they were holding up everything for me and acted as a supportive base to carry me comfortably mile after mile.

Dr. Friedman says that, “If I were going backpacking in the Catskills or Adirondacks, I would get trail running shoes—there’s no question.” I second that, and if you’re on board, too, I can’t recommend the La Sportiva Bushido IIs enough.