I've tried many types of trail shoes. By far and away, the most comfortable and durable are my Altra Lone Peak 2s. Got them half price and have 2 pairs - waiting for the first pair to expire. Get at least a half size up from normal. Some go a full size up. Got mine from Northern Runner - great company.

Used Salomon X Ultras for the last 5 Challenges and wouldn't go back to boots for anything outside the winter months.

Remember 2018 was a dry year. One wet day, that was it.

What is appealing about having wet feet and feeling rocky terrain through your soles? I’m sorry, I just can’t buy in even though more and more are going this route. I can’t imagine doing a high level route in anything other than an ankle supporting boot, but I do use lightweight ones, not mountaineering or full leather.

What I continue to enjoy about the challenge is everyone has their own individual tastes or levels of comfort. Some don’t need a pillow (I do) or use a 3/4 length mat (I don’t) or carry ‘real’ food (I do but it’s dehydrated) or sleep on a garbage bag (no one does, or do they.). It’s all part of the TGO charm!

I know where you are coming from Julie.

Did TGOC in 2011 in Trail Shoes: rained every day.:sob:

Trail shoes still feel comfy when wet - unlike wet boots.

I still use boots for full on Winter.

As you say: it's all about individual taste and what makes us feel most comfortable.

Look forward to meeting you again, at some time.

I too like the Altra Lone Peaks (3.5). But I read that the new Lone Peaks 4 have a little less cushioning and a lot of people are switching to the Altra Timps...
The Altra Olympus have a lot of cushioning but the grip on the edges is not very good because of that - in my opinion.
Another pair that was really nice were the La Sportiva Wildcats.

I use them with Gore Tex Socks (Gore Bike Wear) when going through bog in Scotland. :)

I've used them for all my backpacking for a decade or so.

Get into a shop and try on a range of them to see what suits your feet.

In general people will recommend what works for them, which is a useful guide, but might not work for you.

On that bandwagon my preference is for Brookes Cascadia, or La Sportiva Wildcats as a close second.

I had 2 pairs of La Sportiva Wildcats and also found them excellent. I switched to Altras after seeing them and .... getting them half price. I found the Lone Peak 2s pretty robust - more so than the Wildcats.

I've used Trail shoes since 2011.
Can't see me changing this year.
Nothing else has the feel in the sole or the grip.

I'll add to that.
I use Inov8 Roclites.
Used to use Terrocs.
They work for me.
But..........
That is just me.
My feet.

You need to find a pair that work for your feet, and that you have thoroughly tested first.

I’ve worn trail shoes for backpacking for the last ten years or so. Mostly inov8 - I loved the terrocs sadly no more - currently wearing parkclaw 275s - lots of cushioning - not sure if they’ve enough grip for mountains. I’ve also got a pair of Salomon x ultra mid 3 gtx which are light boots - a good halfway house - unless I change my mind, I’ll wear them for this year’s challenge. Salomon are narrow fitting which suits me, a number of the brands suggested by others are too wide for me.

I carry more socks with trail shoes as they get wet quicker, I also buy half a size bigger for walking than I would for running so I can wear double socks - it’s a process of trial and error to find out what works.

I suspect it’s also true that most trail shoe wearers carry fairly light packs - less stress on the feet so you can get away with less padding in the midsoles.

Hope you find something that helps you to have a good crossing.