Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX

“Been to Colorado before. Beautiful place. My preference is, always has been, and always will be boots. That said, it's mostly personal preference. You have to do what makes your feet happy, and you have to do what works for your physiology and your parameters for the trip. For some, that's trail runners. For others, that's boots. Boots typically have a more rigid midsole, which provides more support than a more flexible shoe. The height of the collar isn't that important in support until you get to around 8," which is taller than most mid boots. Still, the rigid midsole aids in supporting your body's structure and preventing injuries. If you get a hyper flexible boot, it's not providing anymore support than the average trail runner. I have Ehler-Danlos Syndrome, so the support of a rigid boot is invaluable. Aside from the support, boots will also allow for better waterproofing. GTX trail runners are worse than useless because the collar is too low to keep water out, and then the inside gets soaked, resulting in wet shoes that take a day to dry. Boots are able to keep out most standing water, and if you use gaiters, most or all of rain. If you want maximum breathability, though, you want non-waterproof, whether that's boots or trail runners. Non-waterproof footwear also dries much faster. Boots are more protective of your feet, in general. They're often more "built." The taller collar keeps debris out, and they typically feature better toe caps. These features protect you from tree roots and rocks and prevent sand and small rocks from making their way into your footwear. If you encounter mud, boots are less likely to be sucked into the abyss, whereas a trail runner can slip on your heel more or come off if the fit isn't just right. Boots also feel better with heavier packs to me. I feel much more secure and stable, and I have better balance. I find boots to be less fatiguing because my feet and ankles aren't allowed to overextend and flex so much. They're held in place, so they aren't getting overworked. Again, this goes back to the Ehler-Danlos Syndrome. Those are some of the reasons I choose boots, but again, it's mostly personal preference. There's a right tool and a wrong tool for every job, and a lot about what decides the right tool for your trip is your physiology, your hiking style, how much you're carrying, etc. I'm just offering some input on why I make the choice I do. I'll drop a list of the best boots here ... >Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo. Asolo Fugitive GTX. Lowa Camino GTX. Lowa Renegade GTX. Lowa Zephyr GTX. Scarpa Kinesis Pro GTX. Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX. Zamberlan Vioz GTX / Vioz Lux GTX RR. I use the Asolo Fugitive GTX and TPS 520 GV Evo. I use the Fugitive GTX when I want a lightweight boot, and I use the 520 when I want a boot that's extremely support. They're both fantastic boots, but the reason I love them so much is because they fit me so well. That's the most important thing about any footwear, trail runner or boo”