Up until now I have been running in my son's (cheap) out-grown trainers and I had promised myself a new pair when I finished week 9. But, I've just completed week 4 and I'm hooked! I also feel that I need a bit more support for my feet now. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience of decent trail running shoes?
I run pretty much exclusively on stone tracks and rough pasture with a few stream crossings. It is dryish at the moment, but I'm in upland Wales, so know this won't last! I've read the buying advice, etc, but I'm a bit confused about the following:
- waterproof or not? I dread the thought of trying to run in non-waterproof trainers ( I certainly wouldn't go for a walk in anything but wellies/hiking boots & gaiters for much of the year), but many sites seem to suggest that waterproof running shoes will get too hot. Really?!
- what sort of tread should I go for? I imagine that if my runs get longer I would eventually stray onto a road, but only for very short stretches...
- size? Some people seem to suggest going up a size...does anyone have experience of the fit of different brands?
- durability? I would rather not spend a fortune, but I don't want a pair that falls apart quickly. Any thoughts on a minimum spend?
Sorry, I know that is a lot of questions, but you strike me as a wise lot. And I am serious confused 🤔😦. Thank you 🤗
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Woollyweaver
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Have you ever thought what will happen with waterproof running shoes first time you stand in a deep puddle........and you will.........the water will not drain out. I would rather the water can get in and out again than swill around my feet and most of my running is offroad.
Waterproof socks are another option,of which I have no experience.
Running in trail shoes on roads, for anything other than brief sections, is not recommended as they will not generally have the support and cushioning of road shoes and they will wear quickly. There are such things as hybrid shoes which are a compromise. My wife had a pair but reverted to trail shoes when they wore out.
Sizing.....Brooks and Nike tend to be a wider fit while Asics tend to be narrow but I don't have enough experience to say how brands differ in actual sizing.
My first pair of trail shoes were Karrimors......cheap and cheerful but not very durable. My second pair had a lacing eyelet break after a month and the sole started to delaminate after less than six months and they were not my only shoes, so not impressive and I would not buy them again. Spending more, often means spending less frequently and is probably the most economic route, especially if you can buy old models in the sales.
I bought a pair of Salomon trail shoes (can't remember model) for about £50-60 and they seem pretty good, although my Brooks GTS road shoes probably have better grip.
Road shoes are always my default shoe for mixed runs, unless it is extremely wet and slippery.
Money spent on good well fitting running shoes is the best investment you can make in your fitness and much cheaper than a physio.
I run mainly on stony tracks up and down hills and though muddy bits. I found my ordinary Nike trainers though comfortable were picking up stones and mud until I felt I was carrying the trail with me! I also got a bruised foot from some particularly hard scree. I invested in some nike wild horse trail shoes and the harder sole protects the foot and best of all I don’t have to prize the stone out of the shoes when I get home. Hope this helps🙂
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Some decorum in the forum! Advice please on trail shoes and wireless headphones 
Of course I need trail shoes!
Do I need trail shoes?
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What sort of terrain justifies trail shoes?
