Two pairs of shoes

[Joster]

I’m not getting enough kms done at the moment as I prepare for my first HM in March. I’m not too worried that I am falling behind but I need to crank things up a but. Several times I have had to miss my run partly as I am worried about under foot conditions and my regular running shoes not being suitable. I think I need some trail shoes to expand my run repertoire and then I can include parkrun again etc as all my local runs are grass/wet/slippery courses.

Does running alternating two different pairs of shoes work? Will I be mucking things up for my feet?

Any tips or info gratefully received. Thanks.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Elite runners alternate their shoes, so you'll be in good company!

It's perfectly fine, and if you think about it - if you want to wear trail shoes for trails, and road shoes for roads, you have no choice but to alternate your shoes 😊😊😊

One word of caution, some trail shoe brands have a pretty low heel to toe drop. It might be worth looking for trail shoes with a similar drop to your road shoes, because you have to really take your time to acclimatise to low-drop shoes. Of course if your road shoes are low-drop then you're golden xxx

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Thank you. Heel to toe drop - I need to look that up - had no idea such a thing existed. I've figured out a route for today that is on the cycle paths so my running shoes will do, but over the next 2/3 months, it would be great to get out onto other terrains and mix things up a bit. To do parkrun it's essential like trails for our local ones, so needs must as you rightly say!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Joster]

Hmm! Hope they're in better condition than some of the cycle paths I've cycled recently 😂. Take care 😀

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

They are mostly good (better than the flooded route I usually take!) and some have just been renewed so hoping smooth!

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Flippers

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Joster]

You should be able to find it in the spec of the shoe online, or ask a shop assistant. Basically a zero drop shoe has no difference between the height of the heel and the toe, so is completely flat. This can put extra strain on the calf and Achilles tendon and cause problems if those areas are vulnerable to injury, also depending upon your personal gait. A standard drop is about 10-12 mm (meaning the heel is 10-12 mm higher than the toe), low drop tends to be 4 mm or less.

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

My Hoka Clifton 5s have a heel to toe drop of 7.1mm. Apparently. Who knew, not me!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Joster]

As my mum would say, you learn a new thing every day 😄

[Macmac Marathon in reply to Joster]

Hi - yes good idea to get some trail shoes. I alternate regularly- more so recently with this relentless rain... If you’re used to Hoka Cliftons, then maybe try some of Hoka’s many trail shoe options as they should feel similar I would think? Btw, not sure 7.1mm is correct for the Clifton’s?? - I’ve only ever seen drop to nearest mm so worth double checking that. Hope you find a pair you are happy with - it feels much safer under foot in the mud when I wear my trail shoes.

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to Macmac]

That's what Runners World website review said, but I've cross checked and two other websites say 5mm. It means nothing to me, so didn't think to question it! I do love my Hokas has to be said, will be investigating trail shoes in the sales.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Joster]

Yeah, they're 5mm drop - that RW article has some really weird figures! 5mm counts as low drop. I agree with Mac, I'd check out the Hokas for trails 😊😊😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Joster]

I just bought a pair of these! Yet to try them. I was a bit hesitant as people seem to either love or hate them with no middle ground. Having not been entirely happy with any of the three brands I've tried so far I decided to be brave and give them a go 🤞

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

You bought Hokas? Oh god I adore them. Had no idea they were Marmite shoes!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

Great plan... trail shoes are different and take a bit of getting used to so test them out before any longer runs...

[Joster Half Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

I will. Thanks.

[johnm12 Half Marathon]

I too have been suffering from too much Christmas pud. I would definitely recommend getting a pair of trail shoes. Did a 10 mile run last Friday on my normally dry, cinder tow path. This time it was very wet and slippy but amazingly I selected my trail shoes. All good. I find the main benefit is confidence as the slipping is greatly reduced. Its just a bit harder squelching along through the mud.....

[AnnaKarenina Metric Marathon]

I am an alternater (that might be something in a car) between my Brooks and Saucony. I am training for a marathon and it really helps as I have to do a lot of miles plus can leave a pair at work etc. when I am struggling to fit in the run into my week.

I also have a pair of trail shoes but I do find them tricky, especially for longer distances. As ju-ju says, they are different and it takes a while to adjust I find. I dislike them on roads or pavements which I have to navigate before and after the trails, so I don't use them much. I am a big fan of Run and Become and would always go there for shoe advice, but know that is a luxury of living in London. I hope you find the perfect option.