Running shoes for softer surfaces

[Polar Bear]

In the past I have been very much a pavement and road warrior.   Now I'm starting again I've been looking at the local parks and pathways.  Also, our relatively new Parkrun is pretty much a cross country run.

Does anybody have any experience of and recommendations for specific trail shoes please?   

[mrcharly-YHT]

I can't recommend specific shoes, but in general I suggest looking for shoes where the soles don't extend too wide (ie much wider than the body of the shoe), because when you step on the edge of an irregular surface a wider sole tends to twist your foot.

Also, not too high a heel cushioning for similar reasons.

Sports Direct have a pretty good sports shoe department (at least the York shop does) and the staff know what they are talking about. Quite often the staff are sports/PE instructors who work in the shop so they can afford to teach what they love in the evenings.

[mattc]

I'm not one of them, but there are a heck of a lot of runners who seem to manage in quite iffy conditions on "proper" road shoes. So maybe give that a go first?

That would have the advantage of using shoes that you know don't injure you. And being cheaper 

[I think Inov8 do good products for not stupid money, and get consistently good reviews in the fell-running world - but I haven't honestly done enough miles in mine to give a reliable opinion. They look like the Swedish flag wrapped round my feet.]

[Greenbank]

I use Saucony Peregrine for muddy/boggy trails (Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common).

My local parkrun can be like this if it's been wet:-

parkrun 498 (38) by WC Parkrun, on Flickr

If it's dry I just use normal trainers that I'd use for the road/pavement (Saucony Jazz in my case, although they've discontinued that model annoyingly).

[Polar Bear]

I walked the course of the local Parkrun on Tuesday in my regular road shoes.  It was very very slippery and treacherous and it's still only September.   My mind is definitely made up.

I'll check out the Inov8 stuff.   Thanks for the tip.   I'm told that Asics also have a range of trail shoes so I'll be looking at them too.

Those Saucony Peregrine's look interesting.  thanks.

[fuaran]

Yes, Inov8 have a decent range. The Mudclaws are great for extreme mud. Not really suitable for any Parkrun that I have seen!
Most of them are fairly minimal cushioning. And I have found they can cause blisters on my heels.

I now prefer the Asics FujiAttack. Fairly grippy, and comfy for me on long runs. They have a bit of cushioning, so not too bad for sections of road.

[sojournermike]

I've got a cohold of pairs of Inov8 x-talon 190, but they're very light and focused. Not for anyone who isn't a very neutral runner and who can run uninjured with minimal cushioning etc.

However, the Mudclaws seem to work across a much wider group of runners and have loads of grip.

I used to run in Walshes,  if they're quite close to the x-talons really.

[citoyen]

I have a pair of Mizuno Wave Harriers, bought specifically for running on the trails through the local woods, and I've been very happy with them. They're impressively light and offer a noticeably improved grip on trails compared to my road running shoes. They were recommended to me by the local specialist running shop, and if you have such a thing near you, I would advise going in and getting some first-hand expert advice, as well as having the opportunity to try on a few pairs.

I also have a pair of Helly Hansen Pace Interceptors, which were a freebie. I do like them - they're very sturdy and waterproof - but they're far too heavy for running - ideal for winter dog walks in the woods though.

My brother lives in the Lake District and does a lot of fell running and he seems to favour Salomon footwear for that.

[hellymedic]

Just out interest, how easily can you clean mud and muck from these shoes' uppers?

[delthebike]

Just out interest, how easily can you clean mud and muck from these shoes' uppers?

Hose or washing machine usually.

[sojournermike]

Just out interest, how easily can you clean mud and muck from these shoes' uppers?

I just run them under the cold tap and leave in the utility room with the hot water tank

[Polar Bear]

Remove insoles, rinse under the outside tap, brushing whilst rinsing if necessary, stuff with newspaper* and hang to dry.

If they get really grubby a quick wash in the machine helps.

* out of habit: not sure it's strictly necessary.

[HeltorChasca]

I have a pair of New Balance Off Road trainers for cross country that have held up well. Wish I could say the same about my knee

[Greenbank]

Just out interest, how easily can you clean mud and muck from these shoes' uppers?

It eventually falls off or gets cleaned by more running in the rain or puddles.

I never clean my running shoes.

[ElyDave]

Absolutely Inov8.  I have 5 pairs of their shoes at last count and have had others in the past ranging from absolute off-road fell running shoes through to the lightest smooth soled road shoes.

You will definitely find a pair to suit.  I have an earlier version of the trailroc which is OK on hard packed gravelly surfaces and light mud, their new parkclaw seems to be aimed at you as well.  Those are a decent compromise between grip in the mud and comfort on on-road sections for me.

The FLite 195 is my road running shoe.

If you are not used to low drop shoes, go very carefully to start with i.e. run a mile, no more, and build up very gradually.  the Inov8 shoes have a system of chevrons on the back, denoting the heel-toe difference, more chevrons, more difference.  I typically use one or no chevrons, so almost flat.

[Polar Bear]

Having tried a lot of different shoes I've bought some Asics Gel Sonoma 3's.  The fit is really nice, as comfy as my ten year old Asics 2070 road shoes.  Not quite so sure about the colour scheme but you have to take what they've got..  I didn't really like the 2070's when I bought them either.

It's hard work at the moment but enjoyable: I'm doing my own version of couch to 5k.  Only six runs in but I'm well and truly hooked again. 

Up to 2kms already and all is good.  Registered with Parkrun and targeting January 13th for my first run with them. 

[mattc]

the Inov8 shoes have a system of chevrons on the back, denoting the heel-toe difference, more chevrons, more difference.  I typically use one or no chevrons, so almost flat.

I've stared at millions of Inov8 pictures and read a thousand reviews - yet hand't noticed the chevron thing 

 Perhaps cos I'm mostly interested in low-drop => no chevrons?

<goes off to check mine ... >

[ElyDave]

Good stuff PB, I used to run in ASICS before I went minimalist.

[sojournermike]

the Inov8 shoes have a system of chevrons on the back, denoting the heel-toe difference, more chevrons, more difference.  I typically use one or no chevrons, so almost flat.

I've stared at millions of Inov8 pictures and read a thousand reviews - yet hand't noticed the chevron thing 

 Perhaps cos I'm mostly interested in low-drop => no chevrons?

<goes off to check mine ... >

I've not. Prices the chevrons on mine either, but the x-talon 190s are 3mm drop and the 212s are 6mm.

I've been wearing some Saucony Kinvara on the road. They're 4mm drop, but I'd not call them minimal, justbflattish and very cushioned.

I much prefer these to the large drop shoes that used to predominate and which always made me feel clunky by forcing a heel strike.

Mike

[pucklie24]

I've got the New Balance Vazee Summit v2. It's for all surface trail running shoes.

[fimm]

Just out interest, how easily can you clean mud and muck from these shoes' uppers?

Why would you want to? They'll only get muddy again...

[Polar Bear]

Aaaargh!   My ordered shoes arrived today and despite my trying on the same shoe in a different colour in the shop (yes, wearing a pair of my usual running socks!!!), these are a bit tight across the top of the foot.  I am in a bit of a quandary now as to ask for a refund or to exchange for the next half size up. 

I'm erring for the next half size at the moment which they do have in stock.   What does the panel think?

[Greenbank]

Slacken the laces off completely and start again?

If not you could probably solve it with a different lacing pattern: https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/lacingmethods.htm

[Polar Bear]

I've been through the options but even without laces one shoe is tight across the top of the foot at the point where the stitched lace flaps start.   Oddly, the shoe for my 'bigger foot fits much better.but not perfect.  I'm going for one euro size up.

[CrazyEnglishTriathlete]

I've just got a new pair of Salomon Speedcross 4s, I had a slightly earlier generation and when they were worn out I wanted to replace them with a new set, only to find their size 48 (the maximum) was just a bit tight.  So I was delighted when I found the latest generation were just right.  The original pair were great servants in the soft ground around Basingstoke and took me round the Beachy Head Marathon and the Dorset Coast Ultramarathon.   Wiggle have them on special at £75 at the moment, although I do support my local running shop as I prefer to test pairs out properly on the treadmill.

In between I've had a pair of Adidas Riot 6, which have done a good job, without wowing like the Salomons do.  I broke the Salomon in with 4 1/2 laps of Puttenham Common (14 miles) and they soon felt like a pair of slippers, but gave a good grip on all surfaces.