Most of us hikers have favorite shoes. Some of us wear boots, some wear trail runners, some sandals, etc … but, we all want rock plates, right? I recently swapped from Topo Athletic to Altra (post and Topo Graveyard).
REI has a post on what to look for in shoes, and rock plates are a critical part. I do not agree with REI about rock plates adding too much weight – sorry not true. I will carry that weight every day / mile after my recent experience.
The key for rock plates and hiking are clear about rocks on trail or other uneven / sharp surfaces. However, I have now found two new ‘why do I always wear shoes with rock plate’. First, I recently had a tree branch break as I was stepping on it and the sharp edge went right through my shoe sole (upper right corner).
Without a rock plate, I think that twig / branch would have gone right into my foot. What happened was the rock plate deflected the twig out the side of my shoe
I still wear this pair of shoes – Altra Lone Peak 7 https://www.rei.com/product/239877/altra-lone-peak-7-trail-running-shoes-mens – I have a second pair on the shelf to take over. I wear them everywhere during peak season EXCEPT the area around Mt Jefferson Wilderness where the volcanic and fire ash is too fine and seeps right thru mesh uppers.
The second use for rock plate trail runners is biking. I use neither clips or baskets on my pedals – just flat pedals and trail runners – that rock plate gives additional strength and rigidity to my shoe and makes biking easier on my feet.
So, … what’s on your feet? Without a rock plate, why?
