• This topic has 35 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by Mooly.
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  • Trail running shoes – any advice greatly received
  • Mooly
    Free Member

    So I have stupidly singed up to do the grizzly and need some trail running shoes that are going to be comfy for at least 4 hours.
    Has anyone got any advice? I have had some Nike Pegasus trail (felt OK but am going to need something tougher), salmon speed cross (not enough cushioning on the ball of the feet.
    Currently looking into the following: Salomon Fellraiser
    La Sportiva Bushido
    Cheers for the help.

    avdave2
    Full Member
    Coyote
    Free Member

    Go and get a gait analysis and go with the recommendation. I did this and the difference is amazing.

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    Spin
    Free Member

    If you don’t think Speedcross have enough cushioning then Fellraiser won’t either.

    ahwiles
    Free Member

    comfy for 4 hours?

    advice? don’t ask us – we’re only going to point you at cheap shoes, if you’re lucky we’ll pick ones that we like.

    try loads on, get the ones recommended by your feet, not mine.

    docrobster
    Free Member

    I recently got some innov8 terrahawk 250s that seem to have more cushioning than some of their other more extreme off road shoes. Not cheap mind.

    Spin
    Free Member

    Also, what’s the terrain like? Fellraisers are a good compromise for mixed trail and grass / mud but there are better shoes if it is one or the other.

    Bregante
    Full Member

    Few suggestions here if you don’t want to spend the earth.
    http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/reccomend-me-trail-running-shoes-under-30

    riklegge
    Full Member

    +1 for trying them on and getting gait analysis.

    The difference in price between cheap and expensive shoes is pretty small in the grand scheme of things, but the difference in comfort / pain between the right and wrong shoes can be huge.

    I would recommend visiting a specialist footwear (in particular running) shop. Where are you based?

    Mooly
    Free Member

    Had a gait analysis and I’m Neutral. Terrain is totally mixed with pebble beach, Mud, Trails , Coast path , Fields- pretty much everything.
    I know it was done before but that was for under £30. i`m not bothered about cheap.
    forgot to mention that i also have a pair of inov8 talon which again didn’t have enough cushioning.

    Mooly
    Free Member

    Description of event –
    Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beachy miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time. It’s by no means the toughest race around (honestly!), has changed over the years and nearly died on a few occasions, but hundreds of you keep coming back for more so we must still be getting it right. Whatever it isn’t, it is an experience.

    As everyone else is saying, make sure they’re comfy for YOU.

    But I highly recommend a pair of la sportiva helios. I’ve run a few marathons in them and a 50k too, and the combination of cushioning to flatness (they’re only 5mm drop) feels just right for ‘going long’ off road. The tread isnt as agressive as some others (salomon speedcross for eg, which I find very uncomfortable for any road sections or even hardpack)

    Saw some reduced to 60 quids on runner inn too. Only thing I’d say is to replace the insole straight up with some granger red ones (for a bit of extra plating) insole has lasted me 3 pairs of helios’ so far.

    surfer
    Free Member

    I have had some Nike Pegasus trail (felt OK but am going to need something tougher), salmon speed cross (not enough cushioning on the ball of the feet.
    Currently looking into the following: Salomon Fellraiser
    La Sportiva Bushido

    Why do you need tougher? I have these and unless it is really knarly Fell terrain them these are fine.

    P.s. Nike do not make trail shoes… whatever they might like you to think.

    surfer
    Free Member

    P.s. Nike do not make trail shoes… whatever they might like you to think.

    Yes they do.

    What is it about the Nike “trail” shoes they market as “trail” shoes that you can run on “trails” in that are not “traily” enough for you?
    I’ve got these which I run on the “trails” where I live. “trail” is as “trail” does!

    Lionheart
    Free Member

    Need them to fit and work for you, professional help Reall worth while. There are three of us, all ex military, lots of trail running and have done the Grizley. We all wear SALOMON XA Pro 3D GTX. Can feel heavy are very stable but worked for me on longer rough trails like the Griz.

    CraigW
    Free Member

    I quite like my Asics FujiAttack. They do have a fair bit of cushioning, designed for a neutral gait. Definitely more cushioned my Inov8s anyway.
    Seem to have pretty good grip, OK for a bit of mud etc. Not tried them for long runs yet, but I think they would be good for mixed terrain.
    Cost about £60 from Sportsshoes or Start Fitness.

    surfer
    Free Member

    professional help Reall worth while

    Maybe but running on a treadmill whilst an untrained shop worker on minimum wage recommends a pair of shoes that they just happen to stock isnt the kind of “professional” help that will add value IMO

    stevemuzzy
    Free Member

    I use saucony pretty religiously. Most recent pair look gopping but amazing grip in snow/mud. Will find a link.

    DezB
    Free Member

    I have some Haglof Gram AM shoes (SportPursuit bargain!) that are really comfortable and much better cushioned than my old Salomon’s. Worth trying.

    marcus
    Free Member

    Unless you’ve got the time to do enough long distance runs to make sure a ‘new’ shoe isn’t going to rub / cause problems with its fit and money to keep trying options until you find the 1, I would stick with what you’ve got. Imo gait analysis for off road shoes can be a bit of a red herring, unless you are running mega distances and / or have a major deficiency. Much more important to get something that doesn’t rip your feet apart and offers the right grip and cushioning for the terrain. You aren’t going to know how a shoe will fit after 2 hours when your feet have swollen and your running style has changed by trying it on for 5 mins in a shop on a treadmill.

    slugwash
    Free Member

    I’ve done the Grizzly a couple of times and worn basic New Balance trail shoes.

    You’ll be ‘running’ a couple of miles on shingle, several miles on tarmac and hard pack trails, and a lot of distance on firm to slightly mushy turf. You’ll also be wading along rivers (shingle bed) and through several short sections of (possibly knee high +) gloop. I’d say a cushioned trail shoe with moderate grip is better than anything with a knobbly, aggressive sole, which will be harsher on most of the route and not much use in two feet of mud. You might slide sideways on the odd treacherous camber but there’ll probably be someone to grab onto 😉

    Flickr’s not letting me post pictures at the moment, but there’s some Grizzly ones here..https://www.flickr.com/photos/8308384@N06/page42

    gallowayboy
    Full Member

    Get trying them on – you’ve got a month; find something that fits really well, no rubby or catchy bits around heels, toes, bunions; run in them as much as you can. Dont bother with goretex, all it does is keep water in (i assume there will be a lot of running in water involved). Don’t be sucked in by the bigger brands, and as marcus says, gait analysis wont really be an issue for multi terrain running/shoes.
    Sounds like a blast, enjoy it, and if you can carry a spare pair of socks, a quick change after 15 miles will seem like heaven!

    edit – in fact spend some time getting socks you’re happy with as well – a sock with no cushioning where YOUR foot needs it can be as bad as a badly fitting shoe…..

    dragon
    Free Member

    Salomon CityTrail series sound perfect for this job, look at something like the X-Scream. They are like the cyclo-cross of trainers, a bit of everything but not a specialist. They are a fair bit lighter and softer than the Salomon XA Pro 3D and as a result feel faster.

    dovebiker
    Full Member

    Make sure you tie the laces firmly – seen shoes disappear in the quagmire of the Grizzly! Gait analysis isn’t much use for running on the big pebbles of Branscome Beach – just go for a well-cushioned, neutral shoe with decent grip.

    tuboflard
    Full Member

    Innov8 Race Ultra 290’s are by far the most comfortable all round trail shoes I’ve used. On offer on sportsshoes.com at the moment too. They don’t excel on any specific terrain but do well on pretty much everything. If you’re expecting a mud fest go for Innov8 Mud Claws, ran for them for 4 hours twice this week with no issues.

    EDIT: just looked at the description and some photos of the event and Mud Claws would perhaps be better. Are fine for short sections of tarmac too though a bit too grippy (almost feels like you’re sticking to damp tarmac)

    bol
    Full Member

    Solomon XT Wings or Wings Pro for me. Really well cushioned, grippy and fairly light on the foot. As others have said, it’s all about your feet not mine, but give these a try if you can.

    Kamakazie
    Full Member

    How about a pair of Walsh PBs?
    Classic fell running shoe that could well suit that mix of terrain. Made in Bolton too.

    Spin
    Free Member

    How about a pair of Walsh PBs?

    On the basis of the OP’s preferences and the route description I think they’d be a really poor choice. Horrible on tarmac, way more grip than necessary and not a lot of cushioning.

    alanf
    Free Member

    Brooks Cascadia?
    Have found these to be pretty tough and plenty comfy enough.
    I’ve got some Nike terra kigga or something like that at the moment and they seem pretty good too although they dont have massive lugs so not as good as the brooks in mud.

    Digby
    Full Member

    How heavy are you?

    The Salomon Speedcross is a tax flexi, compared to the La Sportiva Bushido.

    Apparently if you are heavier than 80Kg then more cushioning is recommended – especially on longer runs to avoid knee and hip issues:

    http://www.epictv.com/media/podcast/how-to-choose-the-right-trail-running-shoes-for-you/603476

    I’ve run in both and can confirm the Bushido is a tad stiffer – Both have similar grip in the mud.

    But like others have said – it’s what works for you that counts and this can involve buying various shoes until you find what really works for you.

    highlandman
    Free Member

    If comfort and cushioning are your priorities, have you considered Hoka?
    I don’t use them myself but know a lot of crazy ultra runners who swear by them. As above, IF they fit. They do look a bit odd but that extra cushioning in the soles is a big plus and they make some with a proper trail tread.

    lucky7500
    Full Member

    I use Brooks puregrit for obstacle racing and trail running. I’ve found them to be pretty comfortable and grippy. They also wash and dry without falling apart which is a bonus!!

    biglee1
    Full Member

    I`ve done a few trail runs in a pair of these, very comfy and a good size toe box for the downhills
    http://www.barrabes.co.uk/new-balance-mt1210/p-44800?gclid=CjwKEAiArdG1BRCLvs_q-IObwxMSJACXbLtz5zM9Elb3yuW8hO6kiHEo7G45hymvvvec1V97fEzZ5BoCF8bw_wcB

    Lace them like this, explains what that other lace hole at the top of the shoe is for 😀

    manton69
    Full Member

    I would be wary of putting cushioning at the top of the list when looking at trail shoes. In fact I have done some of the these events in barefoot style of shoe and what you need is grip. What I would be looking out for is the hardness of the sole and the harder, long lasting, lugs on some shoes just have no grip on hard surfaces. I used to use Saucony and Walsh as my two go to brands, but I have now tried loads and I have to look at the sole pattern and grip to decide what to but.

    As for only having a month to “break them in” I would not worry too much. If you go for one run and they are fine (no hot spots, stay done up and grip correctly in the same terrain as you are racing in) then you will be good to go.

    Just for reference all of my running is now off road and the amount of cushioning that you actually need (especially in sloppy conditions) is zero. You spend a lot of time correcting with your core and all of the cushioning you need some from your own body. As there is less of the repetitive nature of road running you recruit other muscle groups as well, particularly core muscles, to control your position. One of the key skills to learn with regard to this is running down hill. If you can roll with the hill and not stop on each step then you limit the force through your ankles, knees and hips, but you need to be able to trust that your shoes will grip.

    Mooly
    Free Member

    Cheers for all the feedback and advice. Really helpful.

    I have ended up going for salomon wings trail running... and having tried them on today and have to say they should do the job.

    Seriously comfy and sturdy all in one and FWIW were and absolute bargain. If anyone is interested Millets sports are doing some great offered. Mine were reduced from £115 – £70 and then with a further 25% off. Total bargain!!!

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