Which Lower-Drop Trail Shoes?

Which Lower-Drop Trail Shoes?

Author
Discussion

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,447 posts

180 months

Saturday 7th September 2013
quotequote all
I have trained myself to run with a mid-foot strike. I have a pair of Puma Faas 300 road shoes which fit my narrow feet well and seem to be a good compromise between 'low drop' and cushioning for road use.

I've recently returned to doing a bit of trail running (and winter is approaching). Off road, the grip isn't good enough for loose surfaces and I can feel every stone through them.

I have an older pair of Mizuno Wave Harrier that I find to be a good compromise between grip, ruggedness and practicality on/off road (I had a pair of NB Fell shoes in the past that were great in mud, but terrible on tarmac) I now find that the heel drop is a bit too large, though -I find the heels hitting the ground unless I consciously run 'on my toes'.

Puma do various Faas Trail models, with good traction, but the midsole is apparently the same as the non-trail versions.

Any ideas for narrow fitting, low-ish drop, with a rock plate, fairly rugged trail (that could also cope on the gritstone moors) shoes?

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,447 posts

180 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
quotequote all
Boing

anonymous-user

59 months

Monday 9th September 2013
quotequote all
I run in a set of Nike Flex Trails, not sure about a rock plate but they seem to be quite good, nothing spectacular, just a good, plain shoe that is comfortable to wear with a lowish drop.

Alternatively I don't think you can go too wrong with inov8 for trail shoes, but I'm not sure which ones would be best for on and off road use.

ewenm

28,506 posts

250 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
I've been enjoying multi-terrain/trail/XC runs in a pair of Brooks PureGrit2 - low drop but a decent sole and enough cushioning to avoid bruising from rocks.

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,447 posts

180 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
ewenm said:
I've been enjoying multi-terrain/trail/XC runs in a pair of Brooks PureGrit2 - low drop but a decent sole and enough cushioning to avoid bruising from rocks.
I've read good things about these.

ewenm

28,506 posts

250 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
I like them - they are my go-to shoe now for steady multi-terrain running. When I replace my road mileage shoe (Asics DS Trainer) I'll seriously consider the road shoe in the Brooks Pure range.

MC Bodge

Original Poster:

22,447 posts

180 months

Saturday 21st September 2013
quotequote all
Having swapped the insoles in the Wave Harriers and thinned down the heel portion on each, there is quite an improvement. The heel still feels a little high on road sections though.

My local-ish trail venue is fairly muddy and gravelly in places, so any new shoes would need fairly decent grip, certainly not less than the Wave Harriers.