Trail Running and Hiking Shoe Fit Guide
How to size trail shoes for the rocky, steep trails around Salida, what drop, cushion and lugs actually change, and how our brands run.
Size up from your street shoe
Feet swell on long runs and slide forward on descents, and the trails here are mostly descent. Most runners do best a half size up from their casual shoe, with a thumb width of space in front of the longest toe. Hikers carrying a pack should go a full half size to a full size up and lace the top eyelets with a heel lock to keep the foot from sliding. Try shoes on in the afternoon, in the socks you run in.
Width
Shoe width matters more than most people think. Narrow or average feet fit standard lasts from Salomon, La Sportiva and On. Wide forefeet are happier in Altra, Oboz and Merrell. If your pinky toe goes numb or you get blisters on the outside of the forefoot, the shoe is too narrow, not too short.
What the numbers mean
| Spec | What it is | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Drop | Height difference between heel and forefoot, in mm | 8 to 12 mm feels like a road shoe and is easier on calves and Achilles. 0 to 4 mm (Altra) rewards a midfoot strike but needs a slow break in. Change drop gradually. |
| Stack height | Total foam under your foot | High stack (Altra Olympus, On Cloudultra) saves legs on long days and the Monarch Crest. Low stack feels the rock and is more stable on technical ground. |
| Lug depth | Height of the outsole tread | 3 to 4 mm handles our dry, rocky trails. 5 mm and up is for mud and snow; it wears fast on rock. |
| Rock plate | Stiff layer in the midsole | Worth having for the Collegiate Peaks and anything above treeline. Skip it for smooth dirt. |
| Gore-Tex | Waterproof lining | Good for winter running and snow. Hot and slow to dry in summer. Most locals run non waterproof shoes with wool socks. |
How our brands fit
- Altra: zero drop with a wide, foot shaped toe box. Lone Peak is the most forgiving shoe we carry for wide feet and Colorado Trail thru hikers. Sizes run true but feel roomy.
- Salomon: runs narrow and about a quarter size small, with a precise heel and Quicklace. Great on technical trail. Consider a half size up.
- La Sportiva: Italian sizing, runs about a half size small with a snug heel and narrower forefoot. Built for steep, rocky mountain terrain.
- On: true to size, medium width, firm and responsive cushion. Cloudultra and Cloudvista are the trail models.
- Speedland: true to size with a dial closure and a removable rock plate, so one shoe covers smooth dirt and technical ridge.
- Oboz and Merrell: hiking shoes and boots that run true to size with generous width. Oboz comes with a real supportive insole out of the box.
Hiking boots and shoes
The same rules apply, with a little more room up front for a loaded pack and downhill miles. Mid height adds ankle support and keeps scree out but is hotter and heavier. Leather boots stretch a little over time; synthetic boots do not. Break boots in on short walks before a 14er. Superfeet insoles fix most arch and heel problems and fit every shoe we sell.
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