Shoe advice please....

[Ant50]

Having become rapidly tired of always having wet feet, thanks to the UK’s current weather I am thinking of buying some waterproof shoes. Anyone have any recommendations on make etc as I am new to this running game (graduated 3 weeks ago)? I run along a mixture of roads (uneven potholed country lanes) and gravel/grass/mud dirt tracks, so thinking some trail shoes might be a better option for winter. Final question, should I go for the gait analysis before buying? Many thanks in advance for any advice.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Waterproof shoes can be an issue, as the water will get in the top regardless of wether they’re waterproof and then can’t get out again... waterproof socks will keep your feet dryer, if you need that.

Trail shoes will do all but the road bits of your running, running in them on roads will wear them out much faster.

Trail shoes are (virtually) all neutral, so gait analysis isn’t going to necessary if you get trail shoes. More important will be the terrain that they’re designed for, and by the sounds of it you’ll be ok in an all rounder as you’re not mentioning rocks and deep mud, ice etc.

There is a third option, some shoes are good hybrids, most of these are neutral trail shoes that can handle road.

It’s worth seeking advice in your specialist running store, and that treadmill they use for gait analysis is a great place to try out some shoes.

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Many thanks for all this advice as it is all really useful. You can tell I’m new to this as I didn’t even think about the waterproof sock option! Likewise good to know that there is such a thing as a hybrid shoe as I was wondering if a trail shoe was a bit of an overkill for my “only slightly off-road” running exploits. Thanks again I shall find my nearest decent running shoe shop for a visit.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Ant50]

I run in Zoom Pegasus on road and am looking at getting the trail version (which isn’t a shoe that can handle trails really) for a familiar feel on light trails as it can handle roads... for more serious terrain I’m going to the running store! I did pick some cheap ones up in decathlon a couple of weeks ago that have done pretty well on grass, much better than my road shoes and no grass stained shirts after a downhill on wet grass! I do need to get some that can handle serious mud though, we get a lot of that 🤣

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks I’ll take a look at the ones you mention as it’s bit of a minefield even knowing where to start !

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Ant50]

It’s a bit of a Cinderella job... the right shoes will feel so good when you try them!

[Tasha99 Graduate]

The ultra marathoners in my club totally hate waterproof shoes. They prefer waterproof socks if anything - sealskinz,

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks I will give a pair of these socks a go.

[backintime Graduate]

I recently bought hybrid shoes.

I didn't go for the waterproof ones as I wanted the drainage should water get it (and it will).

I went for Inov-8 Parkclaw. I found them online for 65€, which I thought would be a reasonable investment without breaking the bank (I had amazon vouchers).

They are billed as road to trail but not full blown deep mud trail shoes.

I have tried them out once and found them good. But you do need to try shoes on. As UnfitNo More said, the sports shop treadmill is a good place to try : )

[Ant50 Graduate in reply to backintime]

Thanks, hybrid shoes sound like the way for me to go, will certainly find a shop where I can get some advice and try a few pairs on.