Running Gear: Trail shoes

Hi Guys,

 

was wondering if anyone can give me their opinion on the merits of owning a pair of trail running shoes? While it's nice weather I thought I might venture onto the trails during a couple of my weekly runs. Will my regular running shoes suffice or do I need a pair of specialist trail runners?  What is so special about trail running shoes (other than the 'bumpers' and stickier soles)?

I don't have loads of money to throw away and I do need a pair of regular hiking trainers for walking on the trails and everyday use - so if i can get away without buying ANOTHER pair of shoes then I will.

Cheers

Lex

I agree. most running shoes can handle dirt paths and walking trails. But if you get into anything steep or rocky, or if you feel like your runners just aren't cutting it, i would recommend trail shoes. Once you run in a pair of trail shoes, you will definately feel the difference. You "feel" more of the trail in running shoes b/c they are a bit softer and therefore the rocks and limbs on the trail are more noticeable. I can definately relate to the desire to keep costs down so go out in your runners and see how it feels. They should be able to keep up just fine.

Also note that running on hard, even surfaces in trail shoes can cause unnecessary strains and pains.  I learned this the hard way - running the 1.5 miles to and from the trails on sidewalks killed my calves.  Trail shoes are generally stiffer and less cushioning.  Running at your normal gait and road pace in those shoes can be risky.

I have gone back to just my everyday Brooks road shoes for the dirt paths and logging roads. 

 

Hi Lex,

I too am very budget focused, and can only justify one pair at a time.  Based more on the regular routes I run, rather than science - I own trail shoes. Asics Trabuco, curretly my second pair of #10, but every iteration since 2003 (I think #5), and eyeing off the recently released #11.  I found the Trabuco a good compromise - light, but not a light as the roadies (like the Kyano ), slightly more stable, and better grip on all surfaces, particularly in the wet.  I found the roadies could not cut it on the nature strip (ie, foot-path sans path), because most of them in my area are not paved; and the roads can be too narrow to fit cars, "wombat-bum" labrador, and I all at the same time - even without the dog, most of my running is on the trails or nature strips near my house. I found that on loose gravel or wet grass (inclines in particular) the trail shoes perform better than the roadies - added bonus with the trail shoe in the winter frost is the water resistance.

Key caveat: I am a 0.75 scale model of a real adult (approx 60Kg - and no, I have not thought about becoming a jockey); ergo, the impact when running is less for me than a 'full size' adult. I use the trail shoes on the road / paths where they exist; also, I only run about 100-130 km / mth depending on work and family, including both dog pace (about 7-8 min/k) and normal running (about 4:30 min/k), with a 40/60 dog to human % split. So far (at closer to 40 than 30), no issues or problems with ankles, knees, or hips - but I also update about every 800-1,000k.

Cheers, David

Lex, 

 IMHO, you may eventually save more money by owning 2 pairs of shoes at a time and rotating them, whether you've got two pairs of road runners or some roadies and a pair of trail runners. 

 Granted, I am 170+ and beat up my shoes pretty hard, but I have noticed the ability to put more miles on my shoes when I rotate them instead of beating on them every single day.  First, if they get wet, they have some time to dry out before the next run.  Further, I do believe that the shoes "recover" in between runs.  I don't know if anybody has proven this with calipers or otherwise, but I feel that my shoes just add better support and cushioning if I give them 2-3 days to rebound, as opposed to 24 hours. 

 Just a thought -- a little up front pain in the pocketbook owning two pairs, but perhaps more usage over time, saving you money.