Advice
The best shoes for Trail / Off Road Running
Even though Off-road / trail running is better on the joints than running on the street, it does require some special footwear. Unlike on the road, trail running will have you jumping and leaping over things and the ground is also a lot more uneven. That is why it is essential to buy a shoe that has the right support and the right amount of traction. Be careful when choosing trail running shoes because you need to make sure it has enough support for your particular stride.
Trail running shoes were once boot-like beasts with heavy-duty weatherproofing and weighty protective hardware. However today they have more of the flex, cushioning, and profile that you would associate with road running shoes.
With a typical trail shoe you will find that your foot will sit slightly lower to the ground than usual for stability and responsiveness; and the shoes often have less cushioning than a road shoe, because they're designed for softer surfaces.
Here are a few of our recommended Trail running shoes
A brilliant trail shoe that wont let you down. We're not just saying this because Inov-8 are British but because they are fantastic! The Mudroc is just a prime example; its built to last, provides a great fit and a surprisingly good under-foot feel that is essential when trail running! For further information please click here: Mens / Womens.
The Trailfox II retains the features that made its predecessor popular with trail runners who celebrated the edgy-looking, low-profile, flexible ride with a sock-like feel that is different from the other shoes in this lightweight category. Other highlights include ample heel cushioning and an impenetrable TPU protection plate to stave off sharp objects that cause bone bruises.
The Clima is the grippier cousin of the popular Air Pegasus road running shoe. Waffle sole with sticky rubber inserts for traction both on and off road. Full-length air unit for optimal cushioning. Clima-fit upper is water repellent, breathable and very durable. However the level of protection provided is not suitable for severe off road conditions.
The Speed Cross 2 feels like a “normal” running shoe yet is packed with off road features; Contragrip, moulded EVA, Mud Guard and a neat Quicklace system. The cushioning has also been updated to reduce shock on heel impact, control pronation and give a better toe-off.
Top-of-the-range trail shoe with fully waterproof and breathable Goretex XCR upper. Full length Abzorb FL cushioning and grippy Tru-Trak outsole. Also features Rock-Stop and Toe-Protect technology to protect the feet on rough terrain.
Not many of us have the country on our door step. Therefore if you have to run a few miles to get off road the Wave Ascend 3 is perfect. It has the feel of a road shoe but all the support and traction that you need from a trail shoe.
Trail shoe based on the popular Asics 1100 series, with forefoot and rearfoot Gel for cushioning, duoMax medial support and a lugged outsole for offroad grip. The Gore-Tex XCR upper is fully waterproof and breathable. The GEL Moriko Gore-Tex is built to endure all weather and surface conditions.
To view our full range of Trail & Multi-terrain running shoes please click here.