Trail running shoes

[Fisan]

Damn, i am a 9.5 and only full sizes on sale

 

I ordered a 9 (currently wear 9.5 Pro with socks) hoping that I might squeeze in a sockless (as they are intended) 9. Got lucky

[SeaBee]

Ja slanted rock... sounds about like my experience on rounder smooth rock and granite outcrops around here. But agree with you, overall grip is surprisingly good and works for 90% of what I run. 

[Saag]

Does anyone know where I can buy/fit Vivobare trailfreaks in the PTA/Centurion/Midrand Area?

[Raab]

Natural runner, in that center behind makro in Centurion

[Barry Stuart]

Can any of you guys recommend a neautral hybrid shoe (primarily road but without being complete pants on trail) with roughly 8mm heel to toe drop and a medium low stack height? I've narrowed my shortlist to the following:

 

Inov-8 Road X Treme 250

Stack: 20-14

Drop: 8 (there's a lot of conflicting information about this. Inov-8 claim 8mm but stack heights on places like runningwarehouse claim 6mm)

 

Saucony Breakthru

Stack: 24-15

Drop: 8

 

Nike Free 5.0

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

Nike Zoom Fly 2

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

ASICS Gel DS Racer 10 

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

ASICS Tarther Kainos 3

Stack: 22-15

Drop: 7

 

If any of you guys have experience with some of these shoes I'd love to hear your real world feedback.

[Wheelsuck]

So after reading through these pages, I can sugget the first step is to get to a good podiatrist and by that I mean one that works with sportspeople. I like Frank Dubowitz at the Rosebank Sports Clinic.

 

He tests you and gives recommendations and if you need inserts he does it on site. If you want to buy shoes then he gives the biomechanics and sends you off to the specialist sport store. Sweat Shop Dunkeld for me. They allow you to buy the recommended pairs which you go back and Frank tests you with them and then advises what is best. You take the shoes that didn't work back and they refund you the ones that don't suit.

 

Shoes are so different as each of us and there is no perfect brand it comes down to what works. I would not suggest any particular shoe, but only give my experience. Started with Saucony Xodus, liked them but the drop was to high. Then after moving from my road shoes from Asics to Brooks decided to try the Brooks Cascadia's and I am happy with them. Still a bit scared of minimalist shoes as I supinate (7.5 degrees) and messes with my stability when I run, I tend to twist my ankle regularly. But that is what works for me.

[Raab]

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Can any of you guys recommend a neautral hybrid shoe (primarily road but without being complete pants on trail) with roughly 8mm heel to toe drop and a medium low stack height? I've narrowed my shortlist to the following:

 

Inov-8 Road X Treme 250

Stack: 20-14

Drop: 8 (there's a lot of conflicting information about this. Inov-8 claim 8mm but stack heights on places like runningwarehouse claim 6mm)

 

Saucony Breakthru

Stack: 24-15

Drop: 8

 

Nike Free 5.0

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

Nike Zoom Fly 2

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

ASICS Gel DS Racer 10 

Stack: 23-15

Drop: 8

 

ASICS Tarther Kainos 3

Stack: 22-15

Drop: 7

 

If any of you guys have experience with some of these shoes I'd love to hear your real world feedback.

 

 

I run in the Nike free 5.0 on the road, would not recommend for the trail due to the outsole, very soft and flexible.  Would not last long on the trail

[SeaBee]

Wheelsuck, don't get dee_biker going on podiatrists and inserts. He threw his away after "having had" to run with them for years, now runs in trail freaks, injury free. Strengthen the correct areas - think he made a good post about this a page or so ago.

 

Radman, I have another to add. New Balance 1080.

I started off with that as a road shoe. Interesting tread pattern makes it quite suitable for trail, though the upper did not like the punishment of trail all that much. Nice and wide and 8mm drop. Not sure about the exact stacks, but think it's in those same regions as those you've mentioned. I used the v4, sure they're up to v5 or 6 by now. 

[Barry Stuart]

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I run in the Nike free 5.0 on the road, would not recommend for the trail due to the outsole, very soft and flexible.  Would not last long on the trail

I saw those were kind of in my spec range but I'd always been under the (probably mistaken) impression that they were more of a new year's resolution/fashion shoe than a real road contender so it's interesting to find someone running with them. How have you found them on the road and how well have they lasted?

[Skylark]

Thanks to everyone that helped with the Vivobarefoot shoes, got my normal shoe size and then fit perfectly. Amazing shoes, so comfortable and truly a barefoot feel, which is an awesome experience.

 

I'm new to the midfoot strike when running, when you guys first started did you find it killed your calves, my calves have never felt so tight and sore and I've only been doing short runs in them, taking it easy?

[Pah Bear]

Thanks to everyone that helped with the Vivobarefoot shoes, got my normal shoe size and then fit perfectly. Amazing shoes, so comfortable and truly a barefoot feel, which is an awesome experience.

 

I'm new to the midfoot strike when running, when you guys first started did you find it killed your calves, my calves have never felt so tight and sore and I've only been doing short runs in them, taking it easy?

VERY natural to find your calves talking a beating. With heel striking, your calves become underutilised and weaken significantly.

With forefoot striking, (Note: not toe striking. There is a difference between running and sprinting. The latter you do on your toes) the Achilles is the tendon that does transmit the force and the calve is the muscle that act as the main shock absorber.

 

So your Achilles need to have good flexability and your calves need to strengthen. I pulled my calve on both legs at different times because of wanting to go too far too soon. This will take plenty time, like months and in this transition you have to be patient. If not, you will be injured.

 

Send me a PM with your email. Will share some info with you.

[Raab]

I saw those were kind of in my spec range but I'd always been under the (probably mistaken) impression that they were more of a new year's resolution/fashion shoe than a real road contender so it's interesting to find someone running with them. How have you found them on the road and how well have they lasted?

I have done around 700kms in them and have to say i am very happy with them. Nice natural shoe with wide enough toe box, good cushion without sacrificing feel. still a lot left on the sole and no excessive signs of wear on the rest of the shoes, that being said i have a pretty light strike. They are probably not a real "racing" shoe but i have found them really comfortable and they just seem to work for me so i have no intention of changing them out, i have actually bought another pair as the previous version went on sale.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Raab

[Skylark]

 

 

VERY natural to find your calves talking a beating. With heel striking, your calves become underutilised and weaken significantly.

With forefoot striking, (Note: not toe striking. There is a difference between running and sprinting. The latter you do on your toes) the Achilles is the tendon that does transmit the force and the calve is the muscle that act as the main shock absorber.

 

So your Achilles need to have good flexability and your calves need to strengthen. I pulled my calve on both legs at different times because of wanting to go too far too soon. This will take plenty time, like months and in this transition you have to be patient. If not, you will be injured.

 

Send me a PM with your email. Will share some info with you.

Yes that's it, I meant forefoot striking, despite the initial aches and pains on the road it feels natural and rather effortless. Dropped you a pm.

[Pah Bear]

Skylark: Sent you some BEFORE and AFTER videos taken after I went for a biokinetic assessment. Found the whole process extremely helpful. Showed me what I'm doing wrong even after running vivo for about 18months. Made the corrections and now looking forward again.

 

 

[Gravity]

I dont run alot, and have knee issues, but want to do offroad hillclimbs/trail climbs for intensity.

i tried on a good couple of shoes, and the pair that i ended up getting were saucony nomad tr - they have very little heel drop and a large toe box area.

they are the most comfortable running shoes i have ever worn apart from Nike Free 3's

[Skylark]

Skylark: Sent you some BEFORE and AFTER videos taken after I went for a biokinetic assessment. Found the whole process extremely helpful. Showed me what I'm doing wrong even after running vivo for about 18months. Made the corrections and now looking forward again.

Thanks Pah Bear, going to study them when I get a gap this weekend.