If we told you there was a method to lessen the impact of jogging while increasing your lower leg strength and balance and reestablishing your connection to nature, you would most likely be thrilled. In a nutshell, that is trail running. It exercises your quads and glutes as you tackle steeper climbs than you usually encounter on the road, and it develops your feet and ankles as you adjust to uneven terrain. Even better, the miles can add up considerably faster when you’re in attractive surroundings and your legs aren’t suffering as much. Enter trail sneakers.
What Is the Point of Trail Running Shoes?
Although you can use your regular road running shoes on trails, there are some clear benefits to using specially designed trail running shoes for the rugged terrain. In addition to protecting your feet from jagged pebbles and unintentional stubs, their aggressive tread and softer outsole rubber offer better traction on wet, loose or soft ground than road shoes’ stronger rubber.
The cleat-like lugs underfoot of trail sneakers are often coated in sticky rubber to improve grip on uneven terrain. They prioritise drainage so that an unplanned creek crossing won’t cause blisters later on in the trail. They also keep rain out thanks to waterproof uppers composed of materials like Gore-Tex.
What to Consider When Choosing a Pair?
Different trail sneakers are designed to handle various trails. That, combined with your desired level of protection, determines how aggressive the traction, stiffness and fabric’s durability are.
Type
The three main trail shoe types are light, rugged and extreme. The kind of trails that a shoe is most suited for is frequently confused with how much cushioning it has. However, some runners want to feel every rock and root beneath them, while others want the most cushioning possible on even the smoothest routes.
Light Trail Runners
Similar to road running shoes, light trail sneakers have extra features to improve traction, agility and foot protection. They’re a great option if you alternate between weekend trail runs or light hikes and runs in town or prefer to go quickly over less complicated terrain, even if they provide less protection than their hardcore equivalents. These shoes provide moderate support on uneven ground and are frequently more flexible.
As you don’t require excellent traction on uniform surfaces, they often feature reduced-profile lugs. Because they won’t be subjected to as much wear and tear, the upper part of these shoes is also typically composed of less resilient materials, resulting in a not-so-pricy shoe which we always value. Light trail shoes vary greatly in cushioning and heel-to-toe drop.
Rugged Trail Runners
Rugged trail shoes for running provide adequate foot protection to handle most terrain without the excessive stiffness and traction of off-trail versions, which can be difficult to get used to. They hit the sweet spot that works for most individuals on most trails most of the time. These shoes are probably for you if your preferred trails aren’t always level and smooth, but you’re not going off the path to scramble across a mountainside. Rock plates or heavily cushioned EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam midsoles provide more durable protection for rugged trail shoes.
Typically, the upper cloth has a more noticeable toe guard and is robust. The platform and upper provide enough rigidity and support to keep your foot stable on uneven terrain and steep descents without being so stiff that a long break-in period is necessary. Rugged trail shoes have bigger lugs arranged in patterns to enable multidirectional grip on various trail angles and surfaces, including rock, loam, sand and gravel. Widely separated lugs provide suitable traction on wet trails and let the muck slide off without slowing the runner down.
Extreme Trail Runners
These shoes might be for you if you’ve ever thought “I’d like to run straight up that,” after looking up at a random rocky mountain. Extreme running shoes are constructed from the toughest materials and are essentially a pair of tough trail shoes on steroids. With the aid of more durable midsoles, they often provide maximum torsional rigidity—imagine twisting the sole of your foot.
If you come across streams or snowfields, these shoes are more likely to be waterproof. In addition to being heavier and more rigid than typical, waterproof shoes may compromise ventilation. They secure your feet, however, you might need to wear them for a while to soften them. Check whether Gore-Tex is an option if you like a shoe but want the extra water resistance. Many shoes come in both standard and Gore-Tex versions.
Your Trails and Climate
Where do you typically run? Light trail running shoes are ideal if you stick to smooth trails and occasionally run on the road. If you enjoy running on what most people would consider a hiking trail, look for a robust shoe. If your run calls for a map, compass and several sessions of route-finding, you’ll want to choose an extreme, off-trail alternative.
Remember to account for your climate as well. A waterproof shoe with big, mud-shedding lugs might be your best option if you frequently find yourself trudging through muddy or icy paths in the spring. Sticky Vibram rubber shoes will make you feel like a mountain goat if you live in a dry, rocky environment.
Cushioning
The paths you plan to run, how much you prefer to feel the ground beneath you, how far you plan to run and how easy you want your joints to be all influence how much cushion you want in your shoe. Barefoot or minimal, moderate and maximum are the three broad categories of shoe cushioning.
Fit
While some shoe manufacturers are noted for having a wide toe box, others tend to run small. Taking out the tape measure, measuring your foot and comparing the results to the sizing tables on each brand’s website is always a good idea. This is particularly crucial if it’s been a while since you placed your order or if you’re trying a new shoe brand. Over time, your shoe size may change.