Trail running shoes

[Highway Star]

In order to supplement my swimming training, I've recently started running once or twice a week. In my youth I was a tidy cross country and middle distance runner on the track, never really enjoyed running on the roads, but loved cross country. Now I live just a short distance from fields, I can be out running over them within two minutes of leaving the house. I've worked out a couple of nice circuits of 3 or 4 miles, mainly off road across muddy fields and hills, down muddy towpaths and with maybe 3/4 mile of road running.

I'm currently using some old running shoes I've had for over ten years, they are pretty knackered and with an almost complete lack of grip on the bottoms means I'm slipping like Bambi on anything muddy.

I've seen trail running shoes for sale - has anyone used these? Any recommendations as far as shoes go for muddy trails; are trail running shoes markedly better than normal running shoes? Was looking at a pair of Adidas Kanadias for about 50 quid. Ideally, I'd buy a pair of x-country spikes and whack in a set of long spikes, but given the short distance of running on road I do, that would be pretty uncomfortable.

[ewenm]

Answered in the running thread but:

• Nike Pegasus Trail are my choice for mixed surfaces
• Inov8 (various shoes) for full off-road and fell running
• Spikes for XC races

[andy_s]

The Inov8s are brilliant, different ones for different uses.

[Animal]

Brooks Adrenaline - can't fault 'em!

[FamilyGuy]

Highway Star said:

I'm currently using some old running shoes I've had for over ten years

I thought that 300-500 miles was tops for a pair of shoes after which the cushioning and support elements start to give up the ghost? Having said that I did see someone in a race, presumably an under-pronator, who seemed to be running along quite happily on the outer side of his shoes which were misshapen wrecks.

[freedee]

I have a couple of pairs of Inov-8's as well and they are very good

[Zip106]

I've used Saucony for years - very comfy off road (and on).
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/reviews/shoes/off-ro...

[alfa phil]

I find you cant beat Asics , never realy got on with inov8 but thats just a personal view.

[thepritch]

Bringing this thread up again, because it’s the same question - but now in 2024. What’s a good choice of trail shoe - as all rounders, people seem to point to Hoka SG’s or Saucony Peregrine’s both of which I’m very tempted by.

Been a cyclist along time so have good cycling aerobic fitness, but really only a beginner runner, but as I now live in a forest with trails all around me I’d like run a lot more. Especially through Autumn and winter. Nothing longer than a hour at a time though.

Local terrain is forest tracks with gentle gradients, mostly compacted sandy / gravel in nature - think seldom used 4x4 access tracks but can get a bit muddy if I take smaller ‘through forest’ paths. I’d take in a km or so of pavement every other run.

Any pointers very welcome!

(And of course would try and buy from a local running shop for fit)

[dudleybloke]

Mizuno is my go to choice these days.

[james6546]

I’ve currently got some On cloudsurfer trails and love them.

I did 44 miles in may and had no blisters or sore feet at all.

Negatives are there are better shoes for mud, but for me the positives outweigh the negatives.

[gazza285]

I like ASICS, Scott, Inov8, Mizuno, and Salomon, and have shoes from them all at the minute.

Scott Kinabalu 2 are my current light trail shoe.

[troc]

I use hoka torrent trail shoes, lovely things and various brooks for everything else, adrenaline gts and ghost depending on what I’m running.

[oddman]

thepritch said:

Bringing this thread up again, because it’s the same question - but now in 2024. What’s a good choice of trail shoe - as all rounders, people seem to point to Hoka SG’s or Saucony Peregrine’s both of which I’m very tempted by.

Been a cyclist along time so have good cycling aerobic fitness, but really only a beginner runner, but as I now live in a forest with trails all around me I’d like run a lot more. Especially through Autumn and winter. Nothing longer than a hour at a time though.

Local terrain is forest tracks with gentle gradients, mostly compacted sandy / gravel in nature - think seldom used 4x4 access tracks but can get a bit muddy if I take smaller ‘through forest’ paths. I’d take in a km or so of pavement every other run.

Any pointers very welcome!

(And of course would try and buy from a local running shop for fit)

I think you'll be good with Hoka Speedgoats. They're about the nearest thing to a cushion/comfort road shoe in the trail world. For more muddy gnarly stuff they're a bit over built and under treaded IYSWIM. The only caution I would add is check the drop. Hokas tend to be a bit flat so if you have tight calf/achilles, then a shoe with a 12mm drop might suit better. Salomon have a pretty wide range.

I really like Innovate shoes but they are annoyingly inconsistent in sizing and last shape between models even the same model from one year to the next.

Another brand which really impresses me for quality and durability is La Sportiva

I tend to have at least 2 pairs to cover when it's dry and when it's muddy.

Edited by oddman on Friday 6th September 09:49

[MC Bodge]

I'm not sure why trail shoes have become so thick and cushioned.

It is as if people went all-out to running in Vibram 5 fingers and then swung to the completely opposite extreme and bought Hoka platform marshmallow shoes,

I would suggest something in the middle, without a huge squidgy midsole, a reasonably low heel to toe drop (around 4mm) and build up gently.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the Nike Terra Kiger.

[Slowboathome]

I've been very happy with my Inov-8 X Talon 255s, but as a previous poster says, Inov-8's sizing and fit is all over the place.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

I'm currently using a road to Trail New Balance DynaSoft Nitrel v5. Not as marshmallow as Hoka or On, and run true to size. Asics have changed their last and no longer fit me.

[CarlosFandango11]

If you want some with a wide toe box, then I would suggest Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 and Altra Olympus 6 (zero drop);
https://www.topoathletic.co.uk/products/mens-ultra...
https://www.altrarunning.eu/uk/olympus-6-man-8-103...

[WyrleyD]

I've got a pair of Danner shoes, bought two years ago and still like new and they are really comfortable for my feet.

[MC Bodge]

WyrleyD said:

I've got a pair of Danner shoes, bought two years ago and still like new and they are really comfortable for my feet.

I did not know that they made running shoes. I have always associated them with US work boots.