Ok...so, there I was joffling along the riverbank (which was getting very overgrown) with water from the long grass squelching in my trainers. I was just thinking the squelching wasn’t as bad as I imagined, when whoomph! I was lying face down like a cross between a hippo and a pancake. I lay a few moments thinking it wasn’t nearly as bad as last time when I was knocked off my bike and I did a flying bellyflop on to the tarmac. I continued somewhat muddier than I had planned.
My question is, do you think trail shoes would help prevent a repeat performance?
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Benttoe
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Really depends on what caused the face-plant 🤔 if it was actually a trip of some sort in the undergrowth, wouldn't make a difference. If it was a slip on a muddy surface they _may_ have made a difference, _if_ they were a mud tread. There are so many treads designed for differing surfaces...
If you generally run on tarmac with a bit of gravel/hard paths you're better off with a more road based shoe as you would wear a trail shoe out faster on that terrain. If you're doing a lot of mud/grass/dirt, loose surfaces/rocks etc then you might be better with trailies.
Thank you. It was definitely a slip not a trip. I mostly run along the riverbank or canal. Our local park run is on main tracks in forest...not sure if I will do that or not. I don’t think I will ever want to run on tarmac, although I have a 10 min walk to the river.....
In that case check out some trail shoes with wider/flexible treads for mud/soft ground. You don't want too rigid a tread as that will just slide too. 👍🏻
I wouldn't bother, good trail shoes expel water fast and dry quick. Goretex adds weight and makes your feet hotter. Invest in waterproof socks for the coldest months but as weird as it sounds it's not that big a deal getting wet feet.
Like you I rarely run on tarmac unless it’s to get to trails. The right trail shoes will give you more grip and probably make moving over rougher, slippy ground easier. Have a chat with a good local running shop
Like GoGo_JoJo says, I use Asics GEL Venture trail shoes with waterproof socks. I do parkrun tourism in them as they are almost like road shoes with a deeper tread so can handle most surfaces and conditions including ankle deep mud!
These have studs which will be bad news for your 10 min walk to the area you want to go. You really need to go into a shop and grab hold of them. See if you can twist the footbed a little, that's your flexibility. Use your fingers on the treads to see if you can get any movement.
I have trail shoes and road shoes. The trail shoes are mainly for our parkrun which is on grass but I wore them a winter on my usual railway path as it is muddy and uneven. My road shoes are fine for a mix of roads , pavements and a bit of off road if it's dry!!
My advice would be to avoid goretex. I didn't and they really are too hot in the summer. But I don't slip! New ones are on my Christmas list! Minus the waterproof lining!
Thank you. My ASICS cumulus have been fine off road in the dry, but realistically, it’s now clear I do need to get some off road flexible soled shoes for winter.. thanks to everyone for their wisdom.
I wear Salomons GTX shoes. They are supportive and tough, gripping well. But and this is something I really regret... they are too solid and hard for me for running on the flat. I need another pair too which I’m now saving for. I naively thought I could use them as walking and running shoes when I started my C25K. My knees and I have now learned much...
I kept getting lots of minor foot injuries. Run mainly in the park. I got my self a pair of Nike Terra kiger 5s. I was astonished at the difference in stability on all surface. All my pet strains and stuff stopped. Can’t recommend them enough. My running gait was already suitable for Nike Pegasus shoes so there might be an equity or of shoe for you depending what type of hair you have.
I should add that started couch to 5k. Did my first 10k today and on track to have run 100k this month. I’ve also lost 3 stone in that time so it’s all good.
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My trail shoes are coming !!! 😬😬😬🏃🤸🏃
Running like a hippo...
Hanging up my running shoes
My current running shoes! 
"Yeah, I brought my running shoes...but..."
