Ever since the introduction of the Adidas Response Trail 15 years ago, trail shoes have been one of the hottest categories in running. The success of the Response Trail spawned numerous trail shoes from every running shoe manufacturer. Although some of the trail shoes have been terrific, others have been thinly disguised road shoes with a trail look.
But what should you look for in a trail shoe? It depends on two primary factors: which type of runner are you (i.e., do you overpronate?) and which type of trails do you run on? If you overpronate, you will need added medial support just like on your road shoes to reduce overpronation.
The type of trails you run on is a trickier question. If you run on hard-packed dirt trails that are little more than dusty roads, a road shoe is just fine. A trail shoe won't do much for you anyway. But if you run on soft, muddy and hilly trails, a trail shoe will make your runs more enjoyable if for no other reason that a good trail shoe should offer much better traction than a road shoe.
The shoe which offers the best traction - due to an unusual outsole that acts almost like a spike - is the Nike Waffle XC. It does offer medial support, but its second density is in the forefoot. The Waffle is so specific and its outsole is so radical that it is only suitable for trails. You can't run many miles on the roads in them because you'll wear the outsole down too quickly. But if you're a real trail enthusiast who hits the mountains three or four times a week, the Waffle was made especially for you.
Many runners get to their favorite trails by running a few miles to them so they need a shoe which works well on the roads as well as on trails. Some good suggestions would be the Pearl Izumi SyncroFuel XC, The North Face Single-Track or Patagonia Tsali.
Here are some of the FAQs we get on trail shoes and the answers:
Q: Are trail shoes really different than road shoes?
A: Most aren't. The majority of trail shoes are road shoes with tougher upper materials and usually a more traction-oriented outsole. A few, like the Roost, are radically different.
Q: I overpronate. Are there any good trail shoes for me?
A: There isn't a motion-control shoe for the trails, but there are numerous shoes with medial support. If you are an overpronator - particularly a big runner who needs plenty of support - one of the best shoes for the trail is a road shoe: the New Balance 586.
Q: Are my biomechanical needs different when I run on trails?
A: Trails are softer than asphalt or concrete roads so less cushioning is needed. If you're running on a mountainous trail, you'll be dealing with more extreme angles so the shoe must be right for running on a slant, quick turns and going up and down steep hills. The actual biomechanical needs of trail running are similar, unless you slip a lot which would cause an exaggeration of the motion in your feet and limbs.
Q: Should a trail shoe fit differently than a road shoe?
A: A little bit. I would recommend a very snug fit in the heel and arch. Also, you don't want a heel counter which is too high because it may become uncomfortable on the downhills. Also you want a little more room toe room so as not to hit the end of the shoe on the downhills.
Author Resource:
Samet Yahya Bilir is is a freelance writer who writes about Recreation and Sports topics such as learn how to snowboard and Adidas running and trail shoes .
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