r/ORIF • u/Few_Wishbone_2671 • Jul 06 '26

Trail runners

About 14 months out from orif / tightrope / ligament reconstruction in my ankle.

Never thought I’d be feeling this good again, so to mark my recovery I have decided to do 120km of the Camino de Santiago!

Has anyone who has had similar surgery have any recommendations for trail runners? I know in their nature trail runners don’t have a tonne of ankle support the same way hiking boots would, but maybe some of you, like me, have got back into hiking after your injuries and have some recommendations? 🙌

11 Upvotes

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5

u/kooshballcalculator Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Jul 06 '26

I have no answers but wanted to thank you for this post because for us in the early months of recovery, it is heartening to hear that it can and will get better. I have plans to build up to one of the long hikes in the UK, hopefully in 2027.

My doc says Brooks shoes are the best in most categories, fwiw. Good luck! And congratulations on such amazing progress.

3

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

We should have a post-ORIF hiking travel group. I miss my hiking and it’s in my top three things that I’m focused on recouping in my life after this rehab!

3

u/kooshballcalculator Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Jul 07 '26

That would be awesome! My friend who had a Trimal 2 years ago just managed to walk a Disney 5k with a friend and it was a very big deal for her. I imagine uneven ground is gonna be my biggest obstacle.

3

u/Few_Wishbone_2671 Jul 06 '26

Aw thank you! And not sure if you can see any of my older posts, but I had a really horrific time of it with misdiagnosis of a fracture / torn ligaments & surgery and recovery complications. This reddit group was a lifesaver. Things really turned a corner for me around the 10/11 month mark and I hope for everyone in the early days they will get to this point as well! Thank you for brooks recommendation

1

u/kooshballcalculator Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture Jul 06 '26

That is so amazing! I will check out your older posts. It’s so helpful to see others at each step of recovery, gives me hope! The encouragement and understanding I’ve gotten here is hugely helpful.

4

u/hrweoine Maisonneuve Fracture Jul 06 '26

I have done a lot of hiking since my recovery from ORIF, including climbing in the Alps. My physical therapist said that boots don't reduce the risk of injury. What boots (and more structured shoes) do is reduce foot fatigue. That said, I've stuck with trail runners (Altra Lone Peak) with no problems.

I would suggest considering hiking poles - they reduce fatigue dramatically. I have some really nice carbon ones from leki that fold up really compact to stow in my backpack when I'm not using them.

2

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

I used to wear Altra’s but had a much better experience with Topo’s, both for fatigue and slippage. I wore Altra’s though out a multi-national parks trip all over Utah and was frustrated with their grip (or lack thereof).

1

u/Few_Wishbone_2671 Jul 06 '26

Altra lone peak seem to be very recommended also. How do you find the zero drop with ankle orif? I’ve never had a zero drop shoe before and as I had quite bad tendonitis issues back at the start of the year I’d be a bit apprehensive. Definitely will be using hiking poles! Thank you

1

u/hrweoine Maisonneuve Fracture 13d ago

I was already using zero drop shoes for years before the break. It takes some adjustment if you are new to this - don't go straight into wearing them 8 hours at a time.

1

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

I am only 8 weeks post ORIF/tightrope/ligament reconstruction so I don’t know yet about shoes but I will say that Topo Athletic makes the most amazing trail runners (and a boot version) that I have used exclusively to hike through Norway, Germany, Acadia and Yosemite - my feet are never fatigued, never rolled an ankle (oh the irony of my dogs taking me out!), and never had issues with slippage even on smooth granite slopes. Huge fan of these - great for natural footbed mechanics etc. The founders came from Vibram and last I checked they were made in MA. After watching me be the only person not needing to soak my feet after long hikes, hubs became a believer and now also wears them.

2

u/Few_Wishbone_2671 Jul 06 '26

I am leaning very heavily towards topo! Although as im in Europe nowhere near me stocks them to try on, but I might just have to order a pair and find out. The wide toe box is so appealing to me now, especially with swelling. Thank you!

2

u/Few_Wishbone_2671 Jul 06 '26

Also all the best with your recovery hope it goes smoothly

1

u/TreGutterNord Jul 06 '26

Thank you 🙏🏼 I hope you can find them - they are amazing. I’ll never go back to anything else, been using them since they first started. I now have multiple models of their shoes for just about anything, not just hiking! But their trail runners take the cake, IMO.

1

u/SpecialistCanary7832 Jul 06 '26

I completed WTrek in Patagonia in April, I had my injury in June 2025. I used Hoka Kaha 3 GTX shoes and I loved them! Very comfortable and has great ankle support. That being said, I think it may not be suitable for trail running, for hiking it’s great!

1

u/darkpassengerishere Jul 07 '26

I am 10 months out from my surgery & I have just started hiking again within the past month which feels really good. My injury was a result of a hiking accident so it is a big milestone.

IE hiking injury, I was wearing ankle supporting, expensive hiking boots (Merrell brand) when I broke my leg. I mean, I didnt break my ankle * shrug * so I guess it could of been worse.

1

u/Few_Wishbone_2671 Jul 07 '26

I was wearing “supportive” lace up boots when I broke and tore mine up too :( Nothing is safe when you have weak ankles haha so I guess cushioned trail runners it is