Running shoes for trail/mixed terrain recommendations please.

[xsquared]

Hi,

I've entered a trail race for May and will need a sturdy pair of trail running shoes for this now that I've checked out part of the route, which was extremely muddy, slippy and leafy.

I bought a pair of Asics trail shoes in the sale but I found the tread/lugs too close together to be able to shake off excess mud on the next step.

I will be going into Runners Need and a few other running shops tomorrow to try out some brands, so far I have:

Salomon Speedcross 5
Scott Kinabalu
Scott Supertrac 2

Anyone own any of these models and rate them?

Thank you.

Did you find a good pair?

Salomon shoes never seem to fit me - all the support seems to be in the wrong place and just uncomfortable. DH is a fan, so I think it's just down to personal foot shape.

I have had Brooks which were fine.

But I now just repeat-but Asics Fujitrabuco, which I find really comfortable. I road run to trails in them, and then run muddy/grassy/mixed terrain trails. They are also OK on rock, but I would probably try something else if I was mainly running rocky stuff.

• repeat-buy

I used to have salomons but they don't agree with me now. I've got a pair of sauconys which are great. Got them from Accelerate in Sheffield who are very good.

Salomons don’t fit my feet very well, nor do Inov8. Mizuno do. Brooks trail shoes, surprisingly don’t, even though I love Brooks Adrenaline for road running.

I think what I am trying so say, is that you need to try a few pairs on.

@Thecatisboss

I used to have salomons but they don't agree with me now. I've got a pair of sauconys which are great. Got them from Accelerate in Sheffield who are very good.

My favourite running shop!

I run in Inov8 Roclite 275 which are perfect for the terrain I run in but they’re not a mud shoe. Inov8 do a Mudclaw model

I like the Salomon speedcross, it's really comfortable and grippy on varied terrain. My favourite was the 4 but the 5 is excellent.

My preferred off-road shoe is the Hoka Speedgoat, it's the most comfortable running shoe I own despite the odd appearance, but if it's exceptionally muddy the lugs wont cope well. Inov-8 mudclaw are reputedly amazing with mud but are very light on cushioning.

I like Topo running shoes. Wide toe box so more space to spread your toes out than others (such as Salomon which I've also had). They hold up well too, and nice and light weight.

Ooh never seen Topo before! They look nice but only go down to a size 4 sadly.

Hi,
Just reporting back.

I tried on the following with the verdict of each one:

Salomon Speedcross - Awful and clunky on me. A bit too much like a hiking shoe.

Scott Kinabalu - Liked these, very light as I ran down the corridor at the back of the shop.

Brooks Cascadia - Liked the fit and feel in the shop, but no way was it going to cope with soft terrain.

Saucony Peregrine ST I pulled a face as the assistant showed them to me but when I tried them in and ran the length of the shop, I was amazed how light they felt even with deep lugs. I would have bought them but they're so ugly!

Scott Supertrac 2 Like how they feel, and the lugs are well spaced and deep. Taking them for a short spin fir when I do my next easy pace rub on trail!

I think I'm just going to have to accept that there is a trade off between good road shoe vs trail shoe. Most of the race is off road so I've settled.

Thanks for your feedback.

Thank you for the update! Shoes are such a personal thing!

A useful review - thanks!

I'm like a pp - I love my Brooks Adrenalines (I think I'm on my 5th pair...) but my Brooks trails just didn't suit me. I had to give them to a new home. I've currently got Asics, which are pretty good on very muddy terrain, but feel really heavy, so long runs in them feel like a chore. They're also not great on hard surfaces, so don't work brilliantly for me because most long runs are mixed terrain.

The search for the elusive shoe continues...

I came on to say ASICS, but you don’t want those. They are my all time favourites!

Keep an eye on the weather, you might get away with road shoes with adequate tread if it's a summer race. I have 2 different trail shoes. Mizuno Wave Daichis for all but the muddiest options and some cheap More Miles Clifton with deep lugs for mud and snow.

The Daichis are good on most mixed trail but struggle with deep mud and frosty/icy tarmac. The Cliftons are good on deep mud and wet grass and pretty good on snow and frosty tarmac.

I also have wave rider 25s which are ok on trail but you feel the stones more if it's rough.

Main take home is avoid goretex unless you can guarantee no stream crossings or deep puddles...

Brooks Cascadias are fabulous most of the year on trails, deep mud no good though. I've also got Salomon Wildcross, fab for thick mud and waterproof but omg they're so tight!

Just bought a pair of Saucony Peregrine - trying out shortly! You end up with multiple pairs for every eventuality!