Mixed surface shoe advice please!

[Penguinita]

I mostly run on tarmac and gravel but I’m doing Ju-Ju’s plan and can’t avoid occasional muddy tracks on the longer runs. Do I need trail shoes? I was nearly overtaken by hikers this morning as I gingerly crept along the slippiest bits! But my friend said she was advised not to use trail shoes on tarmac. I would appreciate some advice, thank you!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Many use trail shoes, I'm like you and do most of runs on tarmac but have kept to same shoes in woods and mud, just dry and brush down after. I dont think I'd go any less gingerly in trail shoes so dont think for me it's worth the expense. Happy running

[tony_a Graduate10]

Not too knowledgeable on this (or most other aspects of running) but I think you can also get hybrid shoes designed for both, as well as trail shoes with serious lugs on them that wouldn’t be good on tarmac.

I happen to have trail shoes with a tread that isn’t too extreme and I use them for runs that cross tarmac and trails. I did all of C25K in them as I didn’t realise they were trail shoes when I bought them in Go Outdoors 😀. They are fine on tarmac and are useful for a bit of extra grip if it’s frosty etc. But then again when it’s dry I do use my road shoes on trails too and I’m sure lots of people do.

I think the important thing is that you don’t want to be slipping so if you are then it might be worth looking into some trail shoes. A running shop will be able to advise on the best shoes for the routes you run.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

I use my trails (Saucony Peregrines - not particularly extreme treads) if the run is not entirely tarmac or pavement. As far as I can tell, they're perfectly happy on paved sections, better than my road shoes on hard gravel tracks and significantly better on mud and grass.

Running can't be fun if you're worried about falling over!

[Penguinita Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thank you! I broke my collar bone a couple of years ago after slipping when just walking on the pavement, so I’m a bit of a worrier about falls now 😁 Will look into Saucony.

[sTrongFuse Graduate10 in reply to Penguinita]

I have the same trail shoes as UTS and they are fine on paved bits as they are designed to be hybrid. You land a bit more solidly than in a road shoe, but it's not a major issue. That said, because at this time of year, I'm mostly running on tarmac (or compressed fine gravel) paths, my road shoes (Brooks Ghosts) are fine with the odd occasional muddy/gravelly section on my route. I guess it really comes down to how muddy/slippy the conditions are underfoot and what makes you feel most secure/comfortable running in those conditions.

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I recently bought some Saucony Guide TRs which are sold as trail shoes but appear to me to be hybrids. They will become my go-to shoes except when I know a run is entirely tarmac. As a bonus they even have pronation support, which you don’t usually see in a trail shoe. On the feet, they don’t feel hugely different to my Mizuno road shoes.

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Hhmmmm... i've just been wondering the same

[Penguinita Graduate10]

Well I’ve ordered some Saucony Excursions, I will let you know how I get on! Thanks everyone for the advice! Ooh, new shoes...