[Trail Monster]

I recently signed up for the VT 100, which will be my first 100, and I'm not sure what shoes to go with.<br><br>
Back when I used to be a road runner I wore Asics 2000 series or Kayano depending on my budget. Then I started fell running when I lived in Scotland and wore Inov-8's. Now I live in New England and run trails almost exclusively and wear Inov-8's, but I still keep a pair of Asics for the occasional time when I venture onto the roads. I used to think that I needed the structure of a shoe like the Kayano, but after running a 50 miler in Inov-8's I've realized that I don't.<br><br>
I asked a few people who've run VT what they recommend and they said road shoes. What I want is something that will be light weight (max 11 oz) and flexible. I don't need tons of grip, I do want decent cushioning. I've been looking at some "hybrid" trail shoes and tried a few on today but didn't find anything that was right.<br><br>
I tried the Asics Trail Attack: fairly flexible, good cushioning, 11.2 oz, but the heel cup was too high and I'm worried it will rub me the wrong way.<br>
I also tried the Brooks Cascadia: a bit heavy, midfoot too stiff, toebox a little narrow, nice low heel cup<br><br>
I might try the La Sportiva Slingshot, light and flexible, but not sure if it will have enough cushion.<br><br>
Can anyone offer advice?<br><br>
Thanks.

 

[ctxcrossx]

You may want to check out the New Balance 873. They are very light for a trail shoe. They also drain incredibly well, which also is a nice feature for certain courses/conditions.<br><br>
Chris

 

[Sherpa John]

I ran in hardrocks in 07 and was comfy... but i saw a lot of road shoes out there. the course has tons of dirt roads. just use what you are comfy in and HAVE FUN!

 

[grommit]

..... 07 started in road shoes (1 size up, on someone else's advice), hotspots @ 15 miles, switched back to beloved old Cascadias and finished in great shape..... what ever works, works!<br>

 

[grommit]

..... 07 started in road shoes (1 size up, on someone else's advice), hotspots @ 15 miles, switched back to beloved old Cascadias and finished in great shape..... what ever works, works!

 

[The_Professor]

I'll be at VT100 as well...my lan is to wear my Brooks Racer 3's...7oz racing flats. I have been doing quite a bit of barefoot training to strengthen my feet so they can take the pounding from a nearly support free shoe (I don't really recommend the barefoot training this winter if you are up in New England, although that would DEFINITELY qualify you for Chuck Norris status...all of my winter barefoot training is done in the comfort of Florida).

 

[pithydoug]

I have found road shoes work just fine after 6 trips. There is a lot dirt roads and believe me, they are almost as hard as macadem and cushioning should be considered. The single track and on ATV trails are not extremely technical.<br><br>
I always carry a spare pairs of shoes with screws in case the course is wet and sloppy. Same shoes model and simply add screws. For those unfamiliar see<br><a href="http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm" target="_blank">http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm</a><br><br>
FWIW, I use the same shoes for the 50k/50. Not that it means anything but I happen to be using the ASICS 2NNN series.

 

[jholtthief]

Go with road shoes.

 

[markc7]

Just to add another voice to the choir, I suggest road shoes as well. I wore trail shoes in my 85 mile DNF at VT100 a couple years ago. It was a very bad choice.

 

[Trail Monster]

Thanks for confirming what I've heard about going with road shoes, now I just need to figure out what road shoes are right for me.<img alt="confused3.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused3.gif">