Trail and fell running questions

[Kevtrev]

Hi guys I’m looking into trying some trail and fell running what I need is some advice on trail shoes can I get a pair that will be suitable for both I am looking to buy them from Decathlon as they are good price and good quality shoes plus I am not paying over the odds for a brand pair as I have never done it and not sure if I will like it but I’m sure I will I hope someone with trail and fell experience can lead me the right way 😉🏃🏻‍♂️👍

[runwithdog Graduate10]

i have some karrimore for agility and also have grays hockey too.very comfy for all day events and grippy in mud but not as light as running trainers.

i waterproof them myself.

[damienair Administrator]

Hi Kev. I don’t have a huge amount of experience. I’ve done a few trail runs and I took part in a 13K Mountain race in November which was across very technical and tricky ground. I ran in my old Brooks GTS 17’s as I didn’t want to destroy my current running shoes. I’ve had no problems running on trails in my regular road running shoes. I embrace the puddle jumping and don’t mind getting my feet wet. I wear stability running shoes and trail shoes are neutral only.

Damien

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

I have Adidas..end of line stock... bright orange .. so cheap They are very light and have great grip in mud and sludge an over uneven ground.

[SlowLoris]

I agree about decathlon. Good value.

Many trail shoes are narrower to give a more secure fit. They are all neutral because trying to stabilise a level foot fall on uneven surfaces is pointless.

Same as all running shoes, try them on and make sure they fit correctly.

[Kevtrev Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

That’s fine anyway as I am a neutral shoe so should be fine what I need to know is for trail and fell how big do I need the lugs to be the biggest at decathlon are 5mm will that be ok for both?

[SlowLoris in reply to Kevtrev]

5mm is a good all rounder. For proper fell running they go up to 8mm but if you have any tarmac or hard pack sections they can be a bit too much. (And will wear down quick on tarmac).

My roclites are 6mm which are sufficient for most stuff.

[Kevtrev Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

Great thank you that’s what I need to know I will get the 5mm ones then because I was looking at a 8mm pair but wasn’t sure 😉👍 so the 5mm will be fine for both then 😊

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

Maybe ….. but I use my trails on some runs which do include a high proportion of pretty flat and level terrain, and definitely needed to add insoles to give the same support as my road shoes - when I tried without them, I did my achilles no good at all

[SlowLoris in reply to UpTheStanley]

I'm nearly always trail running now. I went out on tarmac this morning. Sun was shining. Easy run became threshold run. Achilles started popping at 5.7 miles. Clearly the Slow in SlowLoris refers to my complete lack of common sense and the speed at which I learn from mistakes.

On a different note, the River Meon Marathon can't be far from you. Tempted?

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

Definitely not! I am trying my best to resist the lure of an HM - if I fail it will be the New Forest I do (Dexy already signed up for the 10k again) but a full marathon is a complete no-no 👎🏼

[SlowLoris in reply to UpTheStanley]

I'm going to screenshot this reply for my 'I told you so' moment sometime in the next couple of years.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Yes, in the past I have got brooks trail and road shoes and they are super. I run off road alot and I have run alot with my regular shoes too, but I am not a speedy runner so I am fine. Enjoy the trails they are the best

[Kevtrev Graduate10]

Thank you everyone 👍

[Deals1 Graduate10]

hope you enjoy it, Great advice already posted. I was wondering this the other day too as to get on trail I would need to run on roads... so was thinking do you just run on trail shoes on the roads too?? or maybe trail and road shoes are the best as ju-ju- says

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

I love Saucony as many are classed as road to trail so support on road and grip off road.

My favourite is Peregrine for that or Koa for deep mud.