[drgenie]

You guys are gonna be SOOOO sorry you created this monster! <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif"><br><br>
I know a couple others have been talking about this too, so....for you veteran trail runners, what's a good starter shoe for trail running, and what about socks?

 

[QuixoticNotions]

When I went to buy trail shoes, there didn't seem to be much variation... <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"><br>
Is there somewhere special I should go?

 

[altoids]

Not much locally here, either.<br><br>
I ended up buying mine online, and got the same brand as merigayle (since I am a groupie)... Brooks Cascadia II. I've been happy with them on trails, they have a good tread and are very comfortable.<br><br>
They are also good at letting water drain out, should the need arise. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
I wouldn't wear them on the road, since I need a little stability support there. I wear Asics GT2120 there, and I've heard there is a trail version of them, which I will try the next time I can justify the expense of another pair of shoes.<br><br>
drgenie, if you are not running messy/technical trails, you may be fine in road shoes for a while yet.

 

[drgenie]

Yeah, I think for now just to get back on my feet I'm going to stick with the tamer ones in VF. I have to find out from Meri which ones you guys ran when you did the midnight run. I know the two I like the best are pretty much "carved out" but I'm guessing she's found some other ones I don't know about. When I'm ready for more I'll probably go to Evansburg, which is also close. Not sure about the poison ivy though.<br><br>
I am a NB girl-76* series for road shoes. I've tried Asics and the Saucony Hurricaine but neither worked as well as the NB's. I had thought about the NB trail runners that came out a few years back but they looked very clunky. I think they were an 800 number. I'm going to check<br><br>
I really like the look of the Cascadias, I may keep them in mind for when I graduate to "real" trails.

 

[hahaoya]

As a longtime Brooks buyer, I went with Brooks' Cascades. They are very good shoes for technical trails, excellent cushioning, but I can still "feel" the trail. They also breathe well and the fit is perfect for my wide feet. As you would do when buying road running shoes, go to a specialty running store to get fitted for a trail shoe.<br><br>
You'll love trail running. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[merigayle]

Dr Genie, finding trail shoes, especially for women is very hard. Depending on what you run, you may not even need them. You can contact roadrunnersports.com and see what the comparable trail shoe to your road shoe is. That is a good starting point.<br><br>
We ran the paved section of the Perkiomen trail in Oaks, but it was snow covered <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> If you run the nonpaved section from Oaks on out to Collegeville and Shwenksville, you do not need trail shoes. The 6 mile river trail at Betzwood is also not really in need of trail shoes, HOWEVER, i run some single track trails off the beaten path at Betzwood which you may want trail shoes. If you ever wanted to run some of them with me, just let me know and you can meet up for a portion of my long runs.<br><br>
There are a lot of trails at the main part of Valley Forge park where you may or may not want trail shoes. I run a lot of the cross country horse trails and the perimeter of the main park. Not really necessary for trail shoes, there is one small section that is technical, but you would be fine. Mount Misery is technical and trail shoes are best for that area.<br><br>
If you ever want to run with us on Monday we will start on rt23 at Washington's HQ, cross 23 to the river trail, 1.5 miles, then go up to Knox's farm and run a small stretch of technical trail, then the rest is cross country for the most part, then was come down about a mile paved and then back to knox's farm and back down the river trail. It is about 1:15 in time each week.

 

[drgenie]

Oh, OK....so you guys don't always "just" run the tough technical stuff. That makes me feel better. I love the Perk trail, I have run and walked there a lot......we actually walked one Saturday day all the way up to Spring Mountain from Rahns, by the Gypsy Rose in Collegeville. That's about a 12-mile round trip. It wa a while ago, but that was a bit of a haul, even though it is mostly flat.<br><br>
The Spring Mountain piece has that one little hill in it and I guess there are some off road trails there too. Have you been up that far?<br><br>
I definitely will take you up on the Monday runs after I get a little more mileage under my belt and feel like I can keep up. Since it's been quite a while since I ran consistently, it's going to take a little time to get reoriented. But I'm definitely in once I get my legs back! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[merigayle]

well, you have time. We run trails until day light savings time in the fall <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[redkite]

Anything but white!<br><br>
Welcome to real running <img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif">

 

[equinox marathon 43]

In a display of perverse humor, the age group awards for the Merrimack River Trail Run were <b>WHITE</b> running gloves. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Another KickRunner was telling me about Innov8 trail shoes, but my big problem with them is finding a retailer where I could try them on. Same with the Mizuno Wave Ascend.<br><br>
I'm not going to order a set only to find out they aren't what I'm looking for.

 

[GaRebelRunner]

I wear Brooks for my road race shoes. I bought a cheap pair of Nike trailrunning shoes for my first venture into trail running. They are sitting in the back of my CRV to be thrown away if I ever thing to pull over near a trash can.<br><br>
I'm probably picking up a pair of Asics 2120 Trail shoes before the Twisted Ankle half in May. I used to wear Asics for my road shoes too, but the Brooks shoe seems to give me just a lighter feel for my road races.

 

[drgenie]

I was reading the reviews at the trailrunner magazine site and the Asics got good ones, as I recall. I forget which other ones I thought might be good to try.<br><br>
White gloves....now that's funny.... <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Hippo]

Cascadias have a huge following, and that's what I wear. YMMV.<br><br>
I've run several medium-technical ultras in my Asics Evolution road shoes. If you size them as big as I do, there is a "crumple zone" in front of your toes that works better than you'd think if you bash a rock.<br><br>
Of course, deep mud, icy terrain, or slippery off-camber trail will all be character builders with road shoe tread.<br><br>
And personally, I would not pay extra for gore-tex shoes. If there is water to get in, it will. Even breathable gore-tex will drain much more slowly than open nylon. I'm not wild about wearing the "roach motel for water." <img alt="icon_cyclops_ani.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif">

 

[GaRebelRunner]

I have read the reviews on the cascadia and they are very interesting. I might give them a try, but that yellow color is gawd awful.

 

[merigayle]

i think they come in grey as well. The womens, for this model are red/orange and grey/blue.

 

[GaRebelRunner]

I can deal with the grey ones.

 

[hahaoya]

I have socks reserved just for trail runs because the dirt just does not wash out. And I like that. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[merigayle]

DH wanted to know why i never buy white running socks! lol.

 

[altoids]

I was so happy when I discovered I could buy socks already gray! <img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif">

 

[witchypoo]

i've worn scads of different makes and models, looking for proper trail shoes.<br><br>
asics gel eagles are great for the beginner. i do know some veteran trail runners who still choose to use them. they are very comfy (built on the same last as the nimbus), and have adequate toe and ankle protection. the plate in the shoe is not as thick/hard as i would prefer, and you can end up with some foot bruising on rocky, bumpy trail. good on wet, muddy trails with leaves/grass/other vegetation. not so good on scree or significantly rocky trail.<br><br>
saucony grid whatevers were good for about 75 miles, and then they tore up my achilles. the heel counter is way too high. good grippiness, and my feet were adequately protected. not well ventilated.<br><br>
vasque velocity are very nice looking. mr. poo loves them. he doesn't run. i tried a pair and found the tongue, decorative stitching, and heel counter all rubbed my feet in myriad ways and made me terribly uncomfortable.<br><br>
the vasque blur is nice, but i wouldn't wear it for long trail runs. it simply doesn't provide enough support or cushioning. nor is it grippy enough for slickrock or scree.<br><br>
salomon xa is a nice shoe. i dislike the lacing system.<br><br>
nike assail is a road shoe. i don't care what "they" say.<br><br>
currently, i'm wearing montrail hardrocks. they feel snug in the heel, the protection plate is fantastic on very rocky trail, the toe is adequately flexy, and they aren't terribly heavy. nice grippy tread. well ventilated/drain easily. i've had days of +40 miles in them, and they do not become uncomfy.<br><br>
essentially, go to a good running store and ask to try many pairs. make inquiries about their return policy - you might just have to bring the shoes back - will they allow you to return them if they're covered with dirt? find a pair (or two) that feels comfy. go for a trail run (on your preferred type of trail). you may not find the perfect pair on your first go...