Question:
I have been searching and found
very little direct advice on what
are the best shoes for trail racing.
I would really appreciate any advice
from people with practical trail
racing experience as to what shoes
they wear.
My choices
seem to be:
1) Use regular
road shoes
2) Use my
racing flats, but don't look to
me like they would well on slippery
stuff
3) Go out
and buy XC spikes, but not sure
those would do on rocks and across
the parking lot
4) Go out
and buy spikeless XC shoes
Answer:
If your road shoes do better on
trails than your trail shoes, then
wear your road shoes. I wouldn't
tolerate shoes that result in frequent
ankle twisting. Or is this a function
of the trail and that happens in
your road shoes also? Is it the
shoes or do you need ankle strengthening
exercises?
you might
look at some newer models - if you
feel a need for a different trail
shoe. Many people use their road
shoes for everything. Yes, many
of the older model trail shoes may
be the proverbial 2x4.
Some newer
models, like the Brooks Tresp, are
lighter and much more flexible -
at least compared with my Saucony
Grid Stabils (road) and other trail
shoes I tried on. That said I noticed
the Trabuco appears slightly lighter
than the Tresp (RRS weights). I
switched because of the fit and
biomechanics (recommended by my
PT for some foot issues I have).
Having better trail characteristics
was a bonus since I could feel rocks
through the GS - and they definitely
have better traction than my GS
and some hiking boots.
