Trail running shoes

I only really have experience with Salomon Speedcross GTX, and I like them - I've had a few pairs now. The GTX means GoreTex which is enough to keep my feet dry on the runs* I do, though obviously there are limits on how much a shoe upper can do.

The more recent ones have a wider fit IIRC, so ignore any comments about them being narrow if they refer to the III or earlier. Complaints - the soles wear out if you use them on concrete, and they're heavier and not as sproingy as a dedicated road shoe so I don't wear them for road running.

* runs, but also mainly dog walks. I am neither a good nor a committed runner.

https://www.inov-8.com/trailfly-g-270-mens-trail-running-shoe

These are a trail shoe but work on the fells (worn for the BG record this year). Also Inov8's widest fit. Not waterproof though.

Inov8 shoes have always suited me. They do a good spread of sole patterns and thicknesses so you should be able to find one that'll suit what you want to do. That said, best thing is to try and get to a decent running shop and try a load of different ones.

Something a bit more important I'd say for fell running is room in the toe box. You'll probably be running down steeper slopes so easier for your toes to hit the front of the shoe.

Look at similar older threads, then go to a shop. If you really can't do that, Nike Pegasus Trail. But trying some on is impossible to beat. Lots of people love Inov-8, but an equally large group don't like them

Proper fell running shoes are not very good for every day running on things like railway paths as they have very limited cushioning, and not much support. Get something with some cushioning that's a bit less extreme.

First thing to consider is that most decent running shoes have a ‘life’ of about 500-1000miles so if you get into lots of regular running over different surfaces then you’ll probably end up with 2-3 pairs that you swap for different types of runs. The shoes you buy now could be pretty worn-out in 6 months anyway.

‘Trail’ can refer to a hard-packed, relatively smooth gravel tracks to proper mountain/fell running over loose rocks, knee-deep bogs and everything else in-between - there’s probably not a shoes that does all those things well. GoreTex is great if running on firm surfaces and protecting you from puddles, maybe snow and wet vegetation. However, step in deep water or mud and you have a water-filled shoe for the rest of your run - most hardcore fell or mountain shoes aren’t waterproof for a reason.

Best bet is to go to a specialist running shop, try a few different ones on and see how you get on - one person’s comfortable slipper maybe someone else’s instrument of torture.

If you have wider feet, then Altra or Topo are brands worth considering.

Salomon Speedcross GTX
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The more recent ones have a wider fit IIRC, so ignore any comments about them being narrow if they refer to the III or earlier.

These I've looked at before, partly because I have Salomon walking shoes and they fit well, but I think it was the comments about them being narrow that put me off.

Proper fell running shoes are not very good for every day running on things like railway paths as they have very limited cushioning, and not much support. Get something with some cushioning that’s a bit less extreme.

This is the kind of stuff I have no idea about. I guess if it's a wide and not entirely compatible spectrum, then I'm probably looking at a decent running shoe with grip for mud for the time being.

For wide feet have a look at Altra. The Olympus should fit the bill for the running you're talking about.

I've tried various waterproof options none of them last and if it's properly wet their worse than useless. Better to get something that drains and dries well.

I asked a similar question here a month or two back and went with Altra Lone Peak for my wide feet. I’m very happy with them.

Those Innov8 Trailfly 270’s are lovely shoes, though they are zero drop so be careful of your calf muscles if you do much work on smoother terrain. The trailfly 280 has 8mm drop and may be worth considering as well.

A lot of my running involves road to trail and/or fairy tame trails (towpaths, that kind of things). For that I use the Nike Pegasus Trail 4, they’re well cushioned, fine for a bit of road and work well for non-technical stuff. They’re a great all rounder, but struggle a bit in the mud.

i am by no means a seasoned, proficient, or in any way capable runner but found the altra lone peak all weather shoes much less hot than some goretex salomans i had before. they use eVent as the liner. the toe box is very roomy without feeling sloppy for my feet and they fit true to size. beware zero drop though - it takes some getting used to but arguably promotes better running technique. cue arguments. 🙂

fine for my 30 mins - hour and a bit runs 4-5 times a week.

Altra for wide feet , salamon are very narrow, I use olympus for anything long distance and lone peaks for trail runs less than 20 miles and something else altra for cross-country , I used to use their road shoes until they altered the sole and they now give me blisters
But with footwear it's very individual best going to a proper shop to try some on

Mrsmidlife currently has a pair of Salomen for her morning dog jog around the field, bought in Feb, the rands and soles are separated from the upper and they leak like a sieve. As soon as we get them dry they will be returned.

Checked my Salomon walking shoes and they're wide fit. Don't see any of their running shoes with a wide option, which might rule them out.

Like the look of the Altra Olympus, although if they're to become the go-to daily winter shoe, I think I might prefer something at least semi-waterproof.

I've got lone peaks in a waterproof fabric as well as the normal, decent on bike too

Be aware that zero drop shoes (Altura, some Innov8) feel quite different to normal shoes. Not necessarily worse, but different. And that can affect how you run.
I run a lot, think 70 miles per week and no days off, and just can’t get on with zero drop shoes, they don’t feel good to me and exasperate some calf issues I have.
I’d be looking for between 5 and 8mm drop if I was you.

I'm a pauper and have some higher state soil shakers for trail runs. They’re a bit heavy but comfy. I think they’ve been revised since I got mine ( just over 2 years now blimey) and the new ones look even better. Nice wide toe box and only £20 so I don’t mind messing them up.

That said, as you might guess from the fact that they’re over 2 years old I don’t do that much trail running, according to Strava they’ve only got 99 miles on them in that time.

Weird isn't it lunge as altras solved my calf issues , always best to try before you buy

I don't think I want zero drop. I'm completely inflexible and heavy on my feet, so I'm not convinced it would do me any favours. Hence the Olympus over the Lone.

Edit: apparently the Olympus are zero drop too 🤷‍♂️

@firestarter, I quite agree.
But how do you try before you buy? The only manufacturer that lets you send shoes back after they’ve been used is Nike unless someone can tell me otherwise.
5 mins in a treadmill in a running shop isn’t enough to get a feel IMO.

I think the wide feet / narrow feet thing is a bit of a myth - you have shoes that fit well, and shoes that don't. I used to think I had wide feet, and tried some Altra Lone Peaks. They were great, did >1000km in them, an ultra, etc. Fast forward a few years (and many other different shoes) and I tried some Decathlon Evadicts - narrow, close fit, and they were great too! They're up to 1200km now, and again there's at least one ultra in that.

So I'd say don't get hung up on narrow vs. wide, but try some shoes on. Fit is a million times more important than any purported difference in shoe shape or whatever. The worst shoes I've had are the ones that were not quite the right size, either too big (and they shifted around while running) or too small (hello black toenails!).

Just get some normal trail running shoes from a local shop and see how you get on. That said, personally I'd avoid the Goretex (running) shoes for now, and any of the overly specialised shoes like Mud Claws.

Lunge I meant to try on at least, but my local shop let me run in altras and take them back , I did about 30 miles in one pair and swapped them but I do have a good relationship with them

Don’t go ‘waterproof’. They just end up retaining water.

For the type of running OP describes you dont want an aggressive sole as it just moves about or catches in grass. A road shoe will be fine on gravel, maybe a little less so on grass

If the ambition is to do some proper off road/fell running, don’t buy shoes for that now, wait until you get to that bit and you are used to running. Proper fell shoes have better grips(but not great on easier trails), less cushioning, an overall tighter fit, mesh like materials to let water get out easily

I have both the lone peaks, Olympus Altra shoes. The main difference is the Olympus are quite cushioned with a more supportive sole and upper. They feel more like a normal running shoe even if zero drop. The lone peak are lighter, more supple and less cushioned which I think makes the zero drop feel more extreme.

My first foray into trail/fell shoes is the Higher State soil shaker;

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/hst1514/higher-state-soil-shaker-2-trail-running-shoes/#sku-hst1521

Been great. Worth consideration and much cheapness.