Beginning off-road running – what shoes?

Do loads of walking and some road running – would like to try some running off-road – any shoe recommendations for a beginner?

Use the ones you currently have unless you need lots more grip. If so get something like the Nike Pegasus with a slightly more aggressive outer sole. I wouldn’t bother with a full on “fell” shoe unless the terrain is really tough. They are useless on hardpack or roads etc, they wear quickly and they are expensive.

I use Asics Gel Fuji Trainers for most conditions. I also have some Inov-8 Roclite 295s for when it’s really muddy.

Don’t get too caught up with pronation etc because it doesn’t mean much off road, given that your foot is rarely on a level surface.

Asics Gel Fuji Attack here. Now on my third pair and the only criticism I have is that they can be a little slippy on wet smooth tarmac (my local park that I cut across en route to my local bridleways) awesome everywhere else.

Go to a shop and try loads. Feet are different shapes and a shoe that doesn’t fit correctly is brutal off road as you put alot more stress sideway and fore and aft with the irregular surface.

Inov8 for me are useless my feet slip around in them. That would translate to extremely painful blisters

I use some Mizuno Wave Trail Ascends from a couple of years ago for my off-road/on-road running. They have served me well, but are slowly falling apart on me so may well get replaced by a pair of Inov-8s at some point this year.

Anyway… Go get yourself to a proper running shop and get them to look at how you run and where you run and then decide what is most comfortable.

I like Salomon but try different ones and see what fits you.

What sort of trails do you have in mind? Forest paths / woods? As has been said get something similar to your current shoes but with better grip. In time you’ll end up with at least 6 different pairs on the go at any one point in time

I’ve used New balance mt10 for the last few years but recently felt I needed done more sole protection and some more grip. Using some inov8 trailroc 235s right now, which seem pretty nice so far.

Go try some on. My missus has loads. Mainly inovates but every one is different.

Plus what terrain?

Go see pete bland in Kendal

I have some Adidas ones, they’re comfy enough with good grip. Have used Salomon in the past which were good too.

Any pair of neutral shoes which are comfy will be ok, try as many pairs as you can and make sure you run the laces through every eye hole.

Adidas ones here as well, but they’re pure moors winter bog bashing jobs (neoprene with football boot type blades), pretty scary on wet tarmac. As Pieface says, think about the sort of routes/terrain you’ll run on (often mixed) and go seek advice from the local specialist running shop.

Adidas Kanadia’s for me. Can be found in your local Sports Direct for about £40.

Bikerdan +1

Adidas Kanadias here too. GORE Tex ones were about 50 quid or so.