In reply to Tim Davies:
I backpacked it during May, about 4 years ago, carrying a fairly heavy pack. I took Chris Townsend's advice, and opted for a pair of Inov-8 Terrocs.
I was certainly glad of the lightweight shoes, although I was very lucky with the weather - only had to don the waterproof for 30 minutes, over Great Shunner Fell, during the 19-day trip - and it would have been a very different story if subjected to incessant rain and bogs.
I started the trip with new shoes, and had thoroughly trashed them by the time that I got to park my arse on a barstool in the Border Hotel.
https://www.northernrunner.com/shoes-c133/trail-running-shoes-c137/inov8-te...