trail shoe recommendation + advice for heavier gent

I have avidly tried to avoid running since i left the army over 20 years ago having dislocated my knee playing rugby against the filthy navy (and it is what got me into cycling)…

I hit 50 next year and try to do a charity challenge each year for Diabetes UK as my daughter is T1, a friend has challenged me to do the London Landmarks half marathon in April with him.

I know that with running it is best to build up very slowly and have looked at Couch to 5k, then 5k to 10k, then 10k to half marathon plans online, and will try those as they seem to state you can get to half marathon distance in 3-4 months.

I have decent cardio and do a lot of weight training, but cannot escape the fact i am 98 kilos.

Running shoes have changed a lot since i last bought some Saucony and Brooks pairs, it seems to be compulsory to come in a garish colour with a mattress for a sole?

Any recommendations for a good light trail shoe (as we don’t have pavements in mine or surrounding villages, but do have a network of off road trails) for heavier guy and any advice on starting out again?

I’m the same weight as you and wear Altra Olympus for what you describe.

Have also had success using foam midsole shoes such as Adidas Boost and New Balance. The midsoles retain shape much longer than EVA.

90kg here and happy with my Asics Fujitrabuco.

I do like my garish colours though 😎

Oh but maybe look in to some running specific ‘pre-hab’ exercises. I’ve been building up to a hilly 10km trail run over 8 weeks and despite trying to be cautious have ended up with a tendinopathy in my right calf. I’m assuming because I went too heavy too soon with strength work (e.g. dumbbell calf dips) or just didn’t do enough strength work early doors.

To be honest i am not to bothered about the garish colours, as i’ll be bright red myself and waiting til after dark to go out as to not frighten kids and pensioners..

I’m the same weight as you and wear Altra Olympus for what you describe.

I wear Altra Olympus also. One of the comfiest shoes I’ve owned, alongside Brooks GTS running shoes for pavement etc.

I started with Couch to 5k last Feb having never been a ‘runner’ before. Then upped to 10k which I found really tough initially. When the GNR came round last year, I found I really struggled with following/sticking to training plan as I just couldn’t get over the mental barrier of it even being possible to run for double digit miles. It was all mental though, as this year I knew I had achieved it previously so, whilst still a bit of a hurdle, it wasn’t as much of one.

Good luck! 🙂

 started with Couch to 5k last Feb having never been a ‘runner’ before. Then upped to 10k which I found really tough initially. When the GNR came round last year, I found I really struggled with following/sticking to training plan as I just couldn’t get over the mental barrier of it even being possible to run for double digit miles

Thanks Fazzini, i think i should be ok with training plan, i have followed Wahoo SYSTM training plans for cycling mixed with strength training and yoga for a few years, so good at getting my head round following a plan and sticking to it, but running is something i have avoided for quite a long time as i have been worried i’d crock myself and not be able to do other sports i enjoy.

I guess Park Runs are a good starting point once up to 5k too?

@scud, Running shoe geek, former fat man here and now a qualified running coach here.

I think in terms of prep you’re doing the right thing, ease in slowly, stretch lots after each run, take it slow. Running on trails also takes some impact away from your joints.

For a well cushioned and not super heavy trail shoe I’d start by looking at the ASICS Trabuco Max 2 or 3 (but not 1). Lots of stack, very comfy and good grip too. I like mine at lot. Version 2 is currently quite cheap in the ASICS outlet shop.

Another well cushioned option is the Brook Caldera 7. Similar to the ASICS, lots of cushion, good grip.

Finally, I would look at the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. It has less foam than the ASICS and the Brooks, is a bit firmer and the grip isn’t as good, but that makes it good for easier trails.

I’ll also say to tread very carefully with Altura shoes, they are mostly zero drop and than can make a right mess of your calf’s without proper attention. They have their fan and their uses, but I wouldn’t recommend them for newer runners.

Edit, ad yes, parkrun’s are brilliant. Running with others just pushes you a bit to run faster, which is no bad thing at all.

Go see a proper running shop – if you are nearby, the Derby Runner are fantastic.

I’m on Week 6 of C25K (gone back a week after some holiday). Failed consistently at around this point on previous attempts with hip/ankle/calf injuries.

This time I’m doing it on the treadmill at the gym. I’ve got a set speed to plod at for the running and walking, it’s flat and level. Hopefully will transfer to my first flat local Parkrun before Christmas.

I guess Park Runs are a good starting point once up to 5k too?

Park runs are brilliant. I suffer with GAD and I’m always very self-conscious about not wanting to look like a total pillock (I probably do anyway laugh emoji), but they are so inclusive it’s brilliant. I’ve volunteered on a few now too which is also very rewarding.

Park runs are an excellent starting point.

I’d be a bit wary of Altra as well as the feeling of ‘zero drop ‘ will be a complicating issue.

How extreme trails are we talking here? I’ve got a pair of Hoka Torrent 3’s I like, but you might want something like a Hoka Challenger that can do a bit of road as well.

@wbo Not extreme trails at all, i live in North Norfolk! So roads tend to have a lot of blind turns, no lighting and no pavements, but we do have a lot of bridleways and 5-6 Park Runs within 15 miles from me

Finally, I would look at the Nike Pegasus Trail 5. It has less foam than the ASICS and the Brooks, is a bit firmer and the grip isn’t as good, but that makes it good for easier trails.

I’d probably go with these or something similar from one of the big brands, rather than something from a brand that’s more trail oriented. You haven’t said what your trails are like, but bear in mind a lot of the more specialist trail shoes are designed for races with lots of long downhill stretches over rough terrain – not what you really need if your trails are more of a footpath-through-the-woods type thing, slippery and a bit of mud but nothing too extreme.

Go to your nearest running shop, Run4it or whatever is in your area.

Speak to them and they will suggest shoes and let you try them out on their running machine.

Go to your nearest running shop, Run4it or whatever is in your area.

Speak to them and they will suggest shoes and let you try them out on their running machine

I’ll add my standard response to this. I’ve had very poor experiences doing this. Partly as I question how qualified the staff are, partly as a shoe that feels good on a treadmill may not feel good on the road/trail and party as the shop will try and sell you what they have in stock.

I can see value in it if it’s done by experts, perhaps podiatrists or physios who don’t sell shoes, but getting it done in a shop is not something I’d ever suggest.

Some research on the internet and reading/watching some reviews on the web will give you a more balanced view.

Also don’t forget that if you buy your shoes direct from some shoe manufacturers (Hoka and Brooks, maybe ASICS) they let you try them for 3o or 60 days and send them back for a full refund if you don’t like them. I had a pair of Hoka’s that felt great out of the box and were fine for 5k’s but made a mess of my feet once I got over 10k. There were sent back to Hoka covered in mud and I got a full refund.

Go to your nearest running shop, Run4it or whatever is in your area.

Speak to them and they will suggest shoes and let you try them out on their running machine
I’ll add my standard response to this. I’ve had very poor experiences doing this. Partly as I question how qualified the staff are, partly as a shoe that feels good on a treadmill may not feel good on the road/trail and party as the shop will try and sell you what they have in stock

Same here. The worst shoes I’ve ever had were through this approach, after being told I overpronate on the treadmill. I now buy standard  fit shoes that feel comfortable and they work for me.

Given where you live I’d be perfectly happy in a normal Pegasus rather than the trail version.  As long as it’s not too heavy, clumpy, straight shoes might work well for you.

I lived Cambridgeshire a long time

I had a good experience the first time I went to a running shop and took advice. That was Ron Hills in Hyde back in the 90’s.

The second time I took that approach was some shop in Chorley when gait analysis etc was becoming a thing, so I jumped on the treadmill and they advised a pair of supportive shoes, I was a bit sceptical of that as the wear pattern on my old shoes indicated a quite neutral gait. So I asked what other options there were in a neutral shoe, and it turns out they only had the 1 pair of size 14’s in the shop ie the supportive shoes they had miraculously recommended. Having rather large feet I was quite used to shops having to order in what I required it was common for us bigfoots before the internet became king.

So I would say it is pot luck if they actually tailor the advice to suit your actual needs or if it is actually just used as a crafty sales technique to upsell or get rid of stock.

I would advise starting with a pair of neutral shoes, I like altra for the roomy toebox and the zero drop helps cultivate a better stride pattern IMO. I have just ordered some altra timp 5 to try and get back into running this winter.

Ron Hills

Now that takes me back, what happened to wearing Ron Hill’s bottoms, last time i wore them, was the last time i ran i think for Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon!

I had a good experience the first time I went to a running shop and took advice. That was Ron Hills in Hyde back in the 90’s.

Up And Running, I think. I used to live in Hyde and it was a great shop staffed by people who knew what they were talking about. RonHill, the company, is still based in the town along with Mountain Equipment and Sprayway.

On the wider point of using a specialist shop, I guess it’s stating the obvious, but it depends on the staff and the range of shoes they carry, like any specialist shop really.