Shoes

[AvatheGardener]

So, I've been doing C25K in my trusty Salomon XA3D Ultra2s. I've been buying these for several years since I dog walk across interesting off road terrain- Cornish cliffs etc whenever possible 😀

I killed another pair at the weekend so I would be interested in what anyone else wears for off road terrain shuffling- sorry running!

My Salomons are great for protection, comfortable, quick to put on with that clever lacing system, and weatherproof as well. I'm a bit overweight, have wide and deep feet and also have plantar fasciitis so have to be well cushioned! Haven't had running gait done yet since the shop folks would only snigger at my shuffles so far.

All recommendations / comments welcome!

Rainshine

[misswobble Graduate]

I think our resident trail/fell distance runner wears Salomons. I think she posted a pic of hers recently.

I remember now! They were Fellraisers.

[Rignold]

Inov-8 X-Talons or Mudclaws, depending on the weather. I am quite tempted by the Icebug Accelerita and the Irocks look excellent too - I have noticed a lot elites have switched to them this year. I had a look at some at a race recently and they appear to be a fine shoe.

Ah, so many trail shoes, so little cash.

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to Rignold]

oh dear oh dear- but thank you! I could spend many (more!) hours trawling the net for these suggestions...

[Bonniesingh Graduate]

Hi. I love Salomon shoes. I've just bought a pair of Salomon XA 3D GTX, but I think they may be a bit narrow, and feel rather stiff, so considering sending them back. In your experience, do they soften up a bit after a while? I am similar to you - overweight, wide feet. I tend to "run" in the woods and on uneven grass. Although I have a graduate badge, I haven't run much for a year, so am doing the programme again - just starting week 5, and finding it tough. I use a pair of Salomon XR Mission. They are really comfortable, nice and wide in the forefoot. They don't have as much protection as the XA3D and are not waterproof, but are more flexible. They do seem to come up about half a size smaller than the XA3D. Your response re the XA3D would be welcome .

[AvatheGardener Graduate in reply to Bonniesingh]

Hi Bonniesingh and apologies for not getting back sooner. They are quite stiff I guess that's because they need to provide the support for off road conditions. I like the sound of the XR Mission... I've been buying the XA Ultra (goretex) for so long I think I've been through several iterations. I think my most recent pair (back/purple) were a bit of a 'firmer' fit. But I have found them to be abslutely wonderful over the years, keeping all but the worst of the weather out, supporting my scrambles across Cornish cliffs and Cotswold scarp, and feeling comfortably snug on my feet.

However since killoing my third pair at the weekend during my W2 R2 run, I myself have been contemplating getting a different more running focussed pair to complement my remaining two pairs of Ultra 2s. The sizing is rather particular, and peculiar. My sister liked mine so much she bought a pair, in theory she has the same shoe size. She found them a teensy bit too short, but only so in winter, and fine for summer. I however can wear hers just fne...

sorry that's not definitively helpful...!?!!

[Bonniesingh Graduate]

Thanks for your reply. I'll try them on again one more time in the house before I decide. Good luck with your running (and the shoe shopping - let us know what you decide on)