"last about 100 to 200 miles"
First of all, that's not entirely true. If you follow the accounts of this year's crop of PCTers, they're getting 400-500 miles per pair of shoes.
Secondly, so what? Trail runners cost $100+. It costs me more than $100 in gas every time I head to the Sierra from SoCal. For many numbers of out-of-state & foreign visitors to Calif, they're spending $1,000s to come out & visit.
I have never understood the allure of false economy & attempted savings. You'll spend way more than $100 for a single night in a flea-bag hotel + dinner before/after your hike. Your shoe is a key component - why not spend the money on a quality trail runner that will do the job?
Here are the biggies worn on the PCT. As far as I'm concerned, 20-somethings averaging 30 miles/day for 4 months are experts on what and doesn't work when it comes to hiking:
http://www.amazon.com/Brooks-Cascadia-Trail-Running-Shoes/dp/B00B1JJBVIhttp://www.amazon.com/Altra-Lone-Peak-Trail-Running/dp/B00CM3AJG8PS While Zpacks are nice & light, this is the go-to UL pack for most:
http://www.ula-equipment.com/product_p/catalyst.htm My mistake. I should have said starts breaking down.
I got 300 or 400 miles on my Garmonts lows and they have been toast for a while. EVA breaks down quickly...sorry, that is just a fact. I just use them to save my boots.
We are not talking about a trip to the Sierra, we are talking about shoes and how they are used. I know I am going to buy shoes whether I go to the Sierra or hike locally. I paid about $180 for my boots, I have had them resole once. With my boots, I am not limited to trails, which I am with trail runners. They will last at least 1,500 miles, 2,200 if I resole them a second time.
I have found those who use trail runner to be evangelical religious about their use. Me, I don't care one way or the other what others use. I own 3 pairs of hiking footwear...I use all of them depending on what I plan.
