I put a lot of miles on shoes. Between daily walks and morning runs about 40 miles a week, in addition to the daily grind. I also do a lot of hiking trips and have an Alaska trip coming up that my old New Balance 481s aren't going to be serviceable for. I really like these shoes...they fit my feet well, are light, have good traction, the soles are thick enough that you can walk wet trails without getting your feet soaked if you avoid the big puddles, and best of all I was finding them for less than $60/pair on sale. They also hold up to the abuse well...my current pair are still in pretty good shape up top, I've just worn through the soles.

These have been my go-to for the past 4 or 5 years, and I've been really happy with them. I've been on a lot of hikes with other people and have watched them express all manner of shoe complaints that I've not had with my 481s. I should have bought a bunch when I could, because those assholes at NB have now discontinued them without offering a viable replacement. There are still a few new-old-stock out there, but I can't find anything in my size 13. So I need something else. None of the current offerings provide the same type of pliable, aggressive tread, which I am pretty insistent upon because it's kept me from sliding and falling down hills more than once. And no, boots aren't an option...I've hiked in those before and much prefer a lightweight, breathable tennis shoe.

Does anybody have a recommendation for an affordable, lightweight, in-production tennis shoe with good "off-road" traction?

Brooks Cascadias are on sale for $70 right now. I have a pair and paid a lot more. Unfortunately it looks like they're out of most sizes. If you don't need them immediately check the Brooks sale listings every month or so.

Link.

You can also get decent deals from 6pm and the search filters work well (full disclosure it's owned by Dr. Evil, a.k.a. Jeff Bezos).

Merrell Moabs

I believe the Moab Speed and Moab Edge are their dedicated trail running variants, though the standard Moab shoes also work well as breathable trail running shoes as-is. And there are other variants with other features.

https://www.merrell.com/US/en/...emStyle&prefv3=SHOES

I really like Keen brand and I buy at Sierra Trading Post.

https://www.sierra.com/mens-shoes~d~11/keen~b~10054/

I'm wearing these right now and also have a pair of Circadia's in mid boot

https://www.sierra.com/keen-ta...11%2Fkeen~b~10054%2F

Adidas is using Continental soles in some of their shoes.
They seem to be pretty good. Nice traction with good comfort
https://www.adidas.com/us/terr...ng-shoes/HR1157.html

Click here, lots of choices

Brooks are going to be your value brand. Hoka has the largest market share right now in the running market, Altra is very popular, their toe-box is like Keen being a wider-forefoot. Much is going to depend on fit, doesn't matter if it's a model everyone recommends, if it doesn't fit your foot, then it won't work.

To get you through your Alaska trip on familiar shoes, would you consider resonably priced "preowned" 481's with little to no wear?

13 4E
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30543...a:g:Nm8AAOSwmuJl6nu3

13 4E
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15612...1:g:sJYAAOSwmMRl-Qhs

13 D
https://www.ebay.com/itm/14564...d:g:WBUAAOSwZo1l34M9

I saw the adidas AX2S Terrex (model Q46587) at Costco yesterday for $30. Yes, they carry size 13. Costco SKU is 1716068.

I’m on my fourth pair of Salomon Speedcross 5’s. Very lightweight with excellent traction.

My Merrell Moabs were much heavier. I typically do 12-20 miles at a time on speed hikes that are technical with moderate elevation. Speedcross seems to stick to anything out there but ice and moss covered rocks.

I’ve yet to pay more that 100.00 a pair. They do run small though.

Some of the Adidas options look interesting and affordable. We are Costco members, too, so I could go give them a look in person. We were just there this past week, I should have looked. Thanks for the heads up!

My wife likes Merrells, but I've always found them to be a bit heavy. I looked at some Moabs the other day, and while they seem well constructed they're definitely heavier than my NBs. Keen have been kind of similar in my experience...well constructed, but heavy.

The Salomons look really nice, but pricey. I was actually looking at them online and wondering how they would compare, and it's partially what prompted this post. I may need to see if I can find some on sale somewhere. How are they on asphalt? That sole looks pretty aggressive.

I did briefly consider used 481s from eBay, but the more I thought about it the thought of wearing somebody else's used shoes kinda grosses me out. I'd be ok if I knew where they came from, but I've been in enough disgusting houses at work that I'd always be wondering what kind of nasty feet had been in them before me...

I do a lot of walking on pavement and they’re fine for that. They do seem to wear quicker but not super bad.

I wear them rucking a 30 pound weight on pavement while at work. Some slippage on mossy brick but stable on other surfaces.

For exclusive pavement, I’d look elsewhere. For example; tomorrow I’m doing a 20 mile/1700 feet combination of single track, blacktop, and dirt and they are great.

I’m 6’1 235 lbs for reference. Speedcross 5s are the only shoe I don’t pronate in. I get even wear.

After 20 miles, my feet will be hot spot/blister free using crap socks.

The speed lace system was quick to learn and I haven’t broken one yet. Check Amazon for like new ones. They run very small so they get returned often.

I’m a 12.5 dress shoe and 13 in most casual shoes. I’m a 14 in Speedcross.

quote:

the only shoe I don’t pronate in. I get even wear.

Yeah, the NBs have worn pretty evenly for me, which is why I hate to have to switch to something else. I finally found a shoe that really works for me...I've probably gone through four or five pairs in the past few years...and then they go and discontinue it .


My current pair is pretty much done for, though .

Are you hiking or, running?

The compounds for the outsoles are going to be quite a bit different depending upon your activity.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Are you hiking or, running?

The compounds for the outsoles are going to be quite a bit different depending upon your activity.

Been doing both with these shoes for years. Hiking on trails, running and walking on pavement. I've been happy with their performance on both, and a pair usually last about a year, give or take a couple of months.

I was wearing the wrong running shoes for years because I though the most expensive ones (Asics Kayanos at the time) were the best. There is a store in Rockville, MD, forget the name, but the staff really know their stuff. One of them had me walk around in my own shoes and observed closely, then told me I needed a different model, I think Asics Gel-Nimbus something or other. That made such a huge difference in my comfort and they were cheaper, to boot.

I’ve been happy with New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro or Saucony Peregrine, not available in size 13. Not as inexpensive maybe but often last years colors are on sale.

I like ankle-high even for trailer running.

My go to brand is Salewa, model depends on the terrain.

Not cheap at all ( my personal opinion is your feet are too important to cheap out on ) but I absolutely love my hoka speed goats. Super stable comfortable and great traction. They do run small ( I measure a 9.5-10 wide and wear a speed goat 11 wide) a local store called the hike shack has really knowledgeable staff and make sure to get the fit right.

Most running people recommend replacing shoes at a specific mileage ( I have seen some recommendations as low as every 300 miles but that seems excessive) regardless of how good the shoe looks or feels.

I like the Merrill Moab’s as well.

Hoka and Altra are the two brands with the largest market share in that space.

Without getting too deep into details, sounds like you're looking for a sporty-hiker, that has some running DNA to it.
Consider the Altra Lone Peak, one of the most popular shoes found on all the endurance trails (Appalachian, Continental Divide, Pacific Crest & John Muir) in the US. Lone Peak has been on the market for nearly 10-years (actually maybe more) and older colors are available at reduced prices from a wide range of retailers.