Trail Shoes...on a budget

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Last post: Aug 26, 2009 6:10 AM by Jescatmic

Jescatmic

3 posts since
May 5, 2008

Currently Being Moderated

Aug 19, 2009 11:40 AM

Trail Shoes...on a budget

Hey all!

I'm a outside sidewalk/street runner, in the South. When the weathers bad I go into the Y and get on the treadmill, ugh.

So, I love the trails! but I do not have trail shoes.

Working on a tight budget. I run in asics now and have a low arch. as far as running on the insides of my feet or outsides??ummm? Oh and I'd consider my foot wide, because it's certianly not narrow! ha!

Beat the Heat 7.8m Trail Run Ellijay, GA Oct 10th.

Mercades 1/2 b-ham 2010 feb.

Gate River Run march 2009 jacksonville (first 15k) 1h 46

Race for the Cure 5k 2009 atl. 28.56min

Tags: trail-running

Active Toby

1,540 posts since
Jun 5, 2007

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1. Aug 25, 2009 12:17 PM

in response to: Jescatmic

Re: Trail Shoes...on a budget

I use to think trail shoes were necessary to run trails but not any more. I've run all my ultras and road races in the same brand/model/size and recommend giving it a try, especially if you're on a budget. I buy a few pairs at a time and rotate through the pairs to give the foam time to recover after each run (I heard it takes 14hrs?). I could be wrong, and others please feel free to correct me or add to this statement, I think the biggest difference between road and trail shoes is the tread. Trail shoes have the ability to bail mud and therefore grip better. Also, the last/shank inside the shoe is stronger so you don't feel sharp rocks poking the bottom foam. Oh, and the foam seems a little more durable. So maybe try the trials in your road shoes and if these differences become major concerns for you, then we can go over some trail shoe options for you right here on this thread. Let us know!

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dwm082

1,172 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

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2. Aug 25, 2009 4:10 PM

in response to: Active Toby

Re: Trail Shoes...on a budget

I'd agree with Toby's assessment and add only the following points:

Some trail shoes have a more structured toe box so that kicking rocks is less painful.
Some models are designed to be more water-resistant; the problem is that in keeping moisture out of the shoe, it also keeps sweat inside the shoe.
Pretty much all trail shoes are designed for improved stability, since you can expect to spend time clambering over unpredictable surfaces (also one of the reasons for Toby's point about better traction).

Don

"Don't fear moving slowly forward ... fear standing still" - Kathleen Harris

"Last is just the slowest winner." - C. Hunter Boyd

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dfitz*

418 posts since
Aug 20, 2008

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3. Aug 25, 2009 9:04 PM

in response to: Jescatmic

Re: Trail Shoes...on a budget

I'd agree. The toe will have a piece of rubber wrapped over the top to protect against kicking rocks and roots. The heel is generally wider (more flared side to side) and not as road running shoes, to help keep you from rolling your ankle. Tread is more lugged as Toby said. If you're down South you probably don't have the jagged rocks like we have here in the Rockies, so you can probably get away with a pretty lightweight and flexible shoe, unless you need a lot of support to avoid overpronation. Another poster suggested trying your regular shoes -- it's definitely possible you won't need special shoes, if your trails aren't real rough.

Roadrunnersports.com is one good place to see what kinds of trail running shoes are on the market, with user reviews.

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Jescatmic

3 posts since
May 5, 2008

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4. Aug 26, 2009 6:10 AM

in response to: Jescatmic

Re: Trail Shoes...on a budget

Thank you Toby, Don and Dfitz0223!

I was beginning to think noone would have anything to say, shesh! ha!

alright. I have been looking on line and dfitzo223 I looked yesterday at roadrunnersports, lots of choices.

I know, since I already run in Asics that is the brand I like. They make a all terrain shoe Gel-Enduro 5 reasonalbly priced.

But going on Toby suggestion of using my regular shoe, I still think I should at least get a 2nd pair. I dont' own 2 sets, and I have realized that most runners keep 2 and rotate them.

Asics Kahana 3 or 2, and GT-2140 (also trail version) are other options.

I run in the Gel-1140 now. So maybe just a new pair of these, decisions decisions