Trail runners - shoes reco?

rick81721

rick81721

Lothar
Used to wear Asics which were pretty good but heavy. Switched to Pearl Izumi N2s as they were very highly rated. Great traction and very light but noticed after today's run the tread is ripping off in several places on both shoes. Strava says I only have 120 miles on them. Guess the sourland rocks are too much for them. Anyone else running something light but more durable?
 
I have been a big fan of inov8 or Salomon shoes. Right now im running in the Inov8 Race Ultra 290. its very light but with good cushion. im pretty happy with it. In the past ive really enjoyed the Salomon Sense mantra shoe (they are onto a newer version of it now) its more on the lightweight spectrum and was good over varied dry terrain, not awesome in the mud. for wetter stuff ive really liked the salomon fellraiser. deep lugs offer a lot of grip.

basically those two brands are my go-to and they offer quite a range for varying conditions or uses.

for what its worth i dont think ive gotten more than 250-300 miles out of trail shoes. especially the light ones. rocks take their toll. I just try and buy them all on sale so im not paying out the ass every year for new shoes
 
rick81721 said:
Used to wear Asics which were pretty good but heavy. Switched to Pearl Izumi N2s as they were very highly rated. Great traction and very light but noticed after today's run the tread is ripping off in several places on both shoes. Strava says I only have 120 miles on them. Guess the sourland rocks are too much for them. Anyone else running something light but more durable?
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Might wanna write/call them for the heck of it. Maybe they'll send you a new one.

I tried hiking 6 miles in the DWG with really lightweight amphibious trail running shoes. I was ready to cut my feet off at the end.
 
I used to wear Solomon as well but I found them to be way too heavy. I made the switch to Brooks a few years ago and never looked backed. I love the Cascadia 9's for the rocky technical stuff. Plenty of traction with great toe protection. I tried the 10's but returned them after the first run. For places like 6-Mile Run I wear the Brooks Pure Grit.
 
The speedcross is a nice shoe. its really popular with a lot of people, but ive always liked less drop. they come in some pretty cool color schemes too
 
I'm also a fan of Innov8. I have the Mud Claw 265s for wet/cold runs. For summer runs I still use a pair Asics Fuji Racers from a couple of years ago - very light, airy and low drop too. These have the holes in the sole to drain the water if you cross streams, etc. Good for the summer but awful when it's cold. For a bit more rocky terrain/colder/wetter weather I got a pair of Nike Terra Kiger 3. I haven't use them much yet so I don't know about durability.
 
I know that I'm super late to this thread, but I have to give a shout out to Merrill Trail Gloves. They are fairly minimal (though there is arch support), with zero drop. I run them HARD. I often run Baldpate, Water Company, Core Creek, etc, and despite being very light I've never had a problem with roots and rocks. In fact, I think their lack of extra cushioning helps me to navigate the looser stuff. They just came out with the 4th edition (I have two pairs of the Trail Glove 3), but the changes appear to be minimal.
 
rosceaux said:
I know that I'm super late to this thread, but I have to give a shout out to Merrill Trail Gloves. They are fairly minimal (though there is arch support), with zero drop. I run them HARD. I often run Baldpate, Water Company, Core Creek, etc, and despite being very light I've never had a problem with roots and rocks. In fact, I think their lack of extra cushioning helps me to navigate the looser stuff. They just came out with the 4th edition (I have two pairs of the Trail Glove 3), but the changes appear to be minimal.
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thanks - my new balance trail minimus have developed a crease that is annoying. will check them out.
 
Pampa said:
I'm also a fan of Innov8. I have the Mud Claw 265s for wet/cold runs. For summer runs I still use a pair Asics Fuji Racers from a couple of years ago - very light, airy and low drop too. These have the holes in the sole to drain the water if you cross streams, etc. Good for the summer but awful when it's cold. For a bit more rocky terrain/colder/wetter weather I got a pair of Nike Terra Kiger 3. I haven't use them much yet so I don't know about durability.
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The Fuji Racers are my favorite for a longer/rockier trail run. I don't think they're made anymore.

I like the Merrell gloves as a second favorite. Just slightly less grippier.

I went hiking today in Lem's shoes (wasn't expecting to be out here hiking) and forgot how good the Vibram soles on the Merrell shoes are.

I have found that the gloves change generation to generation, I still prefer the first gen.
 
my last two pairs were from La Sportiva, and I can't recommend them. Great for casual runs, but can't handle any rocks
I don't run as much as used to, but do need a new pair so staying tuned
 
Glad this thread is getting some activity. I run about 90% on trail and loath setting foot on pavement. However, with the reduced sunlight I find that I have to log more miles on the road. I have one pair of Merrill Bare Access (previous generation) which are fine, but they make me feel slow. I also have a pair of Skoras which worked well for a while, but what little cushioning it did have broke down relatively quickly. Anyone with recommendations for road shoes? I am pretty committed to zero drop and as minimalist as possible.
 
rosceaux said:
Glad this thread is getting some activity. I run about 90% on trail and loath setting foot on pavement. However, with the reduced sunlight I find that I have to log more miles on the road. I have one pair of Merrill Bare Access (previous generation) which are fine, but they make me feel slow. I also have a pair of Skoras which worked well for a while, but what little cushioning it did have broke down relatively quickly. Anyone with recommendations for road shoes? I am pretty committed to zero drop and as minimalist as possible.
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for short road distances I've been on Newton Isaacs for years and longer distances, one of the stability shoes by Adidas. I have relatively flat feet and have been using the Adidas training shoes since high school. But neither area minimalist so probably no help at all to you.
 
rosceaux said:
Glad this thread is getting some activity. I run about 90% on trail and loath setting foot on pavement. However, with the reduced sunlight I find that I have to log more miles on the road. I have one pair of Merrill Bare Access (previous generation) which are fine, but they make me feel slow. I also have a pair of Skoras which worked well for a while, but what little cushioning it did have broke down relatively quickly. Anyone with recommendations for road shoes? I am pretty committed to zero drop and as minimalist as possible.
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Vivo barefoot. It's all I wear anymore for running, walking, everything but biking. They last a long time as well. Wait till they have a sale, too expensive otherwise.
 
Mahnken said:
Vivo barefoot. It's all I wear anymore for running, walking, everything but biking. They last a long time as well. Wait till they have a sale, too expensive otherwise.
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Thanks. Compared to biking and climbing, running is supposed to be my least gear intensive/expensive sport. Two pairs of running shoes vs. a dropper post vs. a new rope and 3 ice screws... Hmmmmmmm....
 
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