[Closed] Runners of the Forum: Advice needed

You need trail running shoes - do not under any circumstances buy her shoes that she hasn't tried on.

Take her to a good trail running shop, get them all tried out. Even better, delay until just after christmas and get them in the sale.

Approach shoes are not for running - they are for walking.

As above, trail running shoes are best, but make sure they match her running style etc. I bought some cheap Addidas ones to do the occasional cross country run. After 10km they pretty much ruined my knees so i got rid. Moved to some Nike ones with a neutral fit and i've had no issues.

Mrs AFU uses Salomon Mantras when running on mixed conditions i.e. road to trail. She's had about 4 pairs all in now - Salomon sometimes do try out days, scattered around the country (our nearest was in Edinburgh - other side of the country from us, but was free and certainly helped in her decision making).

Brooks True Grit for trail runs up to half marathon
Brook Caldera for marathon+

Make sure to speak to folk in the shops who actually have experience of trail running - we fell out with a shop when the assistant was a sprinter trying to advise on ultra marathons, to which they had only read about.

What brand shoes is she currently running in?

And when you say trail running what do you mean? ie moorland requires a different type of shoe to running on dirt tracks.

You might want to ask your other half first though if she wants to run off road.

In our local club, a lot of the women wont run off road due to mud, and some how being more likely to be attacked... 🙄

Love Merrells for general off-road bimbling but Salomon Speedcross are my faves for trail running - light, springy and grippy. Need a narrowish foot/highish arch though so not going to suit everyone.

Tricky, I'd not feel confident buying anyone shoes. See if you can get a gift vouchers for a running shop or even mock one up on the computer and give her that.

If she wants someone with whom to run off-road then she can drop me a line 🙂

A lovely gesture, [b]however[/b], speaking as someone who does the majority of their running off road, you need to try on the shoes before you buy them.

Everyone has variations and needs in the their running styles, does she over pronate, under pronate, or is she a neutral runner ? Does she need prefer a thicker more cushioned sole, or does she prefer a lighter shoe ? Will she be running more on hard pack or more loose and muddy conditions ? How wide is the toe box ? What about heel grip ?

All things to consider when trying on proper off road shoes, pus throw in the variations in different manufactures sizes, and buying someone else a pair or shoes becomes a complicated process.

Also, what colour. This is very important, as my GF will testify. They have to match the rest of the outfit you see...

You might want to ask your other half first though if she wants to run off road.

She also loves hiking, and has talked about exploring trail running

😉

Salomon Speedcross are my faves for trail running - light, springy and grippy.

I hate my Speedcross. Heavy. Clumpy. High. Slippy.

But we’re all different. Different feet, different trails.

and has talked about exploring trail running

Ah sorry.

Now answer the other bits 😆

I would also suggest you avoid anything claiming it is for fell running. They are brilliant in the wilds but dont work very well on trails as they tend to have a tread patter for more extreeme terrain and less cushioning.

Personally Im a fan of the Hoka ATR range, but try before you buy to what suits her feet

What brand shoes is she currently running in?

I think her current pair is New Balance. She could actually stand to replace them, but I don't want to converse with her about them, as I want to get to Christmas before I bring them up.

And when you say trail running what do you mean? ie moorland requires a different type of shoe to running on dirt tracks.

We live in Cardiff, so I would expect trails not dissimilar to the kinds of terrain we mountain bikers ride: a mix of loamy, root-y stuff.

'Fell' running seems to be a specific category of running up and down boggy hills particularly in Northern England 🙂 They seem to be basically rubber spikes, not sure I'd want to use them on any other surface including surfaced trails or tarmac, which you might end up finding on an exploratory run.

If it's just dirt paths then you don't really need trail running shoes - my local trails are sandy, gentle inclines and pretty much rock free, so I just use normal road shoes. As long as they've got a bit of cushioning to cope with the odd sharp stone they're fine.

When I head up into the mountains it's different - lots of rocks, steep climbs and descents, water... Personally I like La Sportivas, New Balance and Altras. I don't get on with Salomons. But lots of people do - you really do need to try before you buy.

New Balance are not really known for their off road shoes.

Unfortunately she’s going to need to try shoes on.

Personally for trail running (like mountain biking trails) the I like Inov8 TrailRocs

Anything with bigger lugs than that on trails isn’t necessary. However a grass field can require more spikey shoes

New Balance are not really known for their off road shoes.

My Leadvilles were fine, managed at least 2 or 3 ultras in them. See quite a lot of them around here.

Cripes.... another trail running thread ??

At this rate there will be no trails left for us that have been getting sweaty on them for years..

Get yer own sport, try golf 😆

As always I’ll pile in with Salomon SpeedX3’s but [i]try them on[/i] because they’re not for everyone. High heal and close healcup are the main bugbears for some but for me and many others they’re just brilliant.
There’s a thread on here from last week with plenty of advice.. Head there...

My brother does a lot of trail running (around South Wales) he swears by Innovate Talon, as others have said your wife would really need to try them on. Also Innovate do a variety of drops (I think it's the gradient of the sole from the heel to the toes) on their trail shoes so again I think it's best she chooses what suits her feet

Cheers
Nick

The trail shoes I like best are from Adidas at the more expensive price range, as I also have cheap Adidas that I don't like. Salomon and Saucony also make decent trail shoes, but as others have said fit is important.

Running around Cardiff I'd say you want a 'general' light trail shoe, as you'll encounter hard packed gravel, sticky clay type mud, tree roots and steep ups and downs. However, Cardiff isn't very rocky so you shouldn't need loads of protection.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I find Adidas a good fit for me and they offer a wide range. Got x-kings for fell type terrain, agravics for long distance, agravic speed for my shorter, easier off road terrain. I have also heard good things about New Balance too, the Vazee is supposed to be a good non specific trail runner. I believe they may have just released a shoe that is designed for both on and off road, although I could be confusing it with something else.

As above I would avoid Inov8, Walsh Salomon etc they are "Fell" specific and not for trails. I would suggest one of the main brands such as Nike/NB/Adidas etc and look for one of their "trail" shoes which are really a road shoe with a rugged outer sole. They are ideal for almost anything that doesn't involve steep and wet ascents and descents. You will slip and slide a bit whatever your wear.
The Hoka ATR's are a good shout but whatever model she needs to try them on.

Got to try them on. Mrs Danny had just bought some trail shoes and tried on 5 or so pairs before finding the ones she felt comfortable in.

If you can get to a proper running shop to get some advice so much the better.

As above I would avoid Inov8

Inov8 are not fell specific. They even make weight lifting shoes.

They do very claw-y fell shoes. They do trail shoes.

Go to running shop, try lots of shoes on and let her buy the ones in the colour she likes 😉

I'm running shoe consultant for my Mrs and in the main she's been happy with my recommendations - Hoka One One are her favourites because she's had problems with less cushioned shoes and plantar faciitis

inov8 terraclaw are a reasonable trail shoe that I've got. But there are dozens of reasonable choices depending on the sort of trails that she runs on. As above, don't go with "fell running" shoes unless it's boggy hillsides. Lightweight road shoes won't be ideal either. But just about anything in between might be ok.

Def agree about try before you buy.

Skimmed thread so this may well have been said...

There's a Salomon shop at CyB that do have a test fleet of shoes and short trails to try that out on. Maybe worth a trip (and you might accidentally take your bike, you know, 'just in case there's a trail...'

Inov-8 do terrific trail running shoes, and I'm not looking forward to the day when my latest (now discontinued) pair of Trailroc 255s need replacing.

For me they handle everything I do from the concrete/tarmac outside my door to the grounds/woods/bogs of Ashton Court, Leigh Woods and ROWs west of Bristol!

I don't think there's the magic advice out there that will provide you the perfect shoe from the start. The choice can be refined by what you're running on, comfort/fit etc but after enjoying the trails and possibly going through a few different models/brands you'll settle on what works for you. Then they'll discontinue them 🙂

Anyway, trail running is ace, hope Mrs SR enjoys it!

Inov8 are not fell specific. They even make weight lifting shoes.

They do very claw-y fell shoes. They do trail shoes

Well they have certainly added 500 new models since the last time I looked however even their "trail" specific models are really "fell" specific in the sense that they use a very aggressive outersole. I run in Inov8's but wouldnt run a mile of road (unless in a race) using them they are very low and uncompromising whcih makes them good for the gnarly stuff but not for "light" trail such as paths, grass etc and combined with hardpack and road. I would go got a roadish shoe with a gnarly outersole, plenty of protection but some grip.

I use Innov8 X-talon, and they're ace when running on muddy paths and tracks and that slick grassy field edge type of footpath. They're OK for roadie stuff but I wouldn't want to run more than a few kms.

Terraclaw 250 or Roclite 290 would both handle a bit of tarmac and have a decent amount of cushioning. Anyways, go find a shop with loads of stock (easier said than done). Treat yourself to a weekend in the Lakes and drop in on Pete Bland or Kong 🙂

Get to a decent shop, get a good gait analysis, get lots of shoes tried out and buy the ones that feel/work best! If you're popping further north, I can highly recommend Accelerate in Sheffield.

I pretty much only run off-road, hate road running with a passion. I've been through Saucony Xodus, Mizuno Wave Harrier, Montrail Bajada and now onto Saucony Peregrines. Also have Inov8 X-Talons for more 'fell' less 'trail' stuff.

As above I would avoid Inov8, Walsh Salomon etc they are "Fell" specific and not for trails

Nonsense They do a huge range of shoes. As @stever says above Inov8 Roclite 290 is a nice cushioned,resonable looking general purpose shoe that I use for a lot of my off road running (my God, its the gravel bike of running!!) X-Talons are more of a specialist, all off road shoe. Fantastic grip but not a lot of cushioning.

I don't get the Inov8 love, the ones I tired seemed a odd shape and really flimsy.

I don't get the Inov8 love, the ones I tired seemed a odd shape and really flimsy.

Yep... Great fell shoes the others just appear to be similar. All 500 of them....