Trail running shoe recommendations

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m looking for recommendations for a good trail running shoe to train with and for an Xterra this season. My concern is that I have a stiff big toe that doesn’t bend (Hallux Rigidus) and hurts like hell if I happen to hit anything uneven. Are there any trail shoes out there that may have a stiffer sole that could alleviate the effects of stepping on small rocks or roots but not be like running with wooden clogs on? I wear K-Swiss, Suacony’s and Adidas to run on pavement.

2

I was at an Adidas store yesterday and they had some really rockin looking trail running shoes. I don’t remember the model but they had super aggressive looking tread and seemed pretty stiff when I tried them on. Might be worth a look. I will try and find the model for you.

3

My preferred road race shoe is the Kinvera, and I’ll wear those or KSwiss Blade Light Runs for tri. Also have some Brooks Launch that I rotate for training.

That said, I wear Brooks Cascadia for technical trails with rocks. They have large rock plate that will protect your feet. They are a bit heavy, but the rock plate will do the job on roots and rocks. They are fine from the 5k to the 50k.

If you run on less technical courses, then try maybe the NB MT 110s, or some by Salomon, that are much lighter weight, but offer less protection.

4

http://www.shopadidas.com/shoes-men-s-running/_/N-svZu2Z1z139kxZ1z13y9l?sequenceparam=svZu2Z1z13y9lZ1z139kx

The ones I was looking at was the Kanadia and the Thrasher. I love my Boston 3 road shoes from Adidas so I may still go back and get some of these for the same thing you want them for, Xterra preparation.

5

Try the moon boots - http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Running_Footwear_by_type/Structured_trainers/Hoka_One_One_Mafate_1959.html

They look stupid but it really is amazing how little your feet hurt after long trail runs. They are also as light as any decent trail shoe. I’ve been really impressed with the product.

6

I like brooks cascadias
.

7

So you need a stiffer sole. Check out the La Sportiva Crosslite 2.0. They are currently on sale at runningwarehouse.com and (according to a review) are quite stiff. And at 10.7 oz, fairly light.

8

So many variables - the type of trails you plan to run, your toe, etc.

I think the best thing for you to do is go to a good running shop and get on the treadmill to figure out what will work for you. Do you need the rubber toe cap to protect stubbing the big toe? The heavier salomon shoes provide protection but to me feel clunky and I only run in my Wings GTX in the snow because I prefer dry feet. I also have some vasque velocity’s which look fairly clunky, but I like the feel on some technical track. I doubt the KSwiss trail shoes will provide enough protection.

9

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll look at these and see if my local running shop carries any of them.

10

You have two options:

  1. Any trail shoe with a real metatarsal plate. Some companies call it a rock plate or a rock shield. Someone already mentioned the Brooks Cascadia - they have an OK rock plate, but not super hard.
  2. Get an orthotist/podiatrist/sports doc to build you a thin orthotic with a firm first ray extension. The caveat to this is that if you have tight heel cords, you will start to have trouble because you wont be able to cant over the extension to appropriately toe-off.

Andy

11

I second the La Sportiva Crosslite. I run in them and the sole is very stiff.

12

Might be worth checking out the offerings from Saloman. Check out the iRunFar blog for reviews and info (Byron is sponsored by Saloman).

13

You can’t safely rely on a shoe to limit the flexion in your foot. The construction will, to a slight degree, control how the shoe itself responds to terrain, but ultimately your feet will mimic the surface of the trail. Stiffer shoes with rock plates and rockstop in the soles will reduce impact and acute flexion, but the only way to be safe is to have strong, flexible feet. You may be better served by a much softer shoe that allows greater displacement of your entire foot. Salomon and Montrail have some good, flexible options.

14

For my rocky and technical runs I choose my Brooks Cascadias.

For Fire Roads and less technical single track I wear my Inov-8 rocklite 295’s. (need to get your feet used to a more minimalist shoe over time, don’t jump right into them!)

I have tried gore-tex shoes but they tend to be heavier and don’t drain all that well when you run through rivers. I no longer even bother with GTX.

Cheers,

Dave

15

Salamon makes some trail shoes that have “strike plate” in the midsole. XTC or something is the model (not quite sure but there is a X in the name).

I would NOT get the gortex version.

16

x2 on the Hoka One Mafate
I also have Hallux Rigidus and these have been the best for me by far. I previously tried Asics Tabucco and Brooks Pure Grit. The Pure Grit feel good but don’t protect as much on rocky trails - and I live in AZ where most trails are rocky. The Mafates give me a lot of stability and confidence.
I feel your pain on the Hallux Rigidus. I count the minutes in a day where I am not in some sort of pain.