Trail running shoes - New balance (various)
Preferred use: trail running
Pros: I only use trail running shoes for, uh, trail running. And pack weight up to 8kg (fastpacks or day hikes where speed / stamina is key)
Cons: Expensive, they dont last
Other comments: Trail running shoes do not work for me while hiking with a heavy pack, not enough “rock plate” i.e. feet get sore / tired. The most noteworthy issue with trail runners is they are expensive and simply do not last (I am an offtrail boi). Also I have wide feet so New Balance works well for that issue.
Hiking / approach shoes Merrel Chameleon
Preferred use: day hiking / multi-day hiking
Pros: My Chameleons seem to last very well, and are sturdy enough to handle a heavy pack. Good for scrambles on TM or on-trail hikes with a pack
Cons: For multi day trips, I am prone to ankle twist so these type shoes are a bit of a risk. I prefer boots when things get remote.
Other comments: Merrell Chameleons also suite wide feet.
Hiking boots Redline Hiking Boot double layer (similar to Jim Green Razorback)
Preferred use: multi-day hiking / long distance hiking
Pros: They are built to last. These boots are my go-to 90% of the time, especially when guiding or leading groups (cant risk rolling an ankle). I am about to have them resoled soon, after 2.5 years of hard use, incl. multi day trips and offtrail. Another pro is they are cheap, and relatively water resistant. When snow hiking in Matroosberg, my boots soaked through after 2 hours, while my wife’s K-Way Kili’s soaked through in about 4 hours.
Cons: They are HEAVY. This doesnt bother me too much, as I mostly hike with people of inferior fitness to me (does this sound vain?). I use them for “strength training” - after a few days of walking with boots I become young like a spring chicken when I wear trailrunners again! Another con - not waterproof. But I generally wear wool socks and just bear with it.
Other comments: Bringing old school back, big boots heavy pack
Your style of hiking for multi-day and long-distance hikes:
Mostly “normal” or a heavy pack laden with meat, fruit and whiskey. Once again, I mostly hike with civilians, so pack weight is my way of leveling the playing field and training for trail runs. This changes drastically however when I hike with experienced folk,but also then I choose to suffer.
Have done fast-and-light trailrun type missions, then I don the trailrunners and dirtbag it out. Deal with the pain and the hunger afterwards!