Trail shoes or not?

[Jesse]

Hi everyone,

Just looking for a bit of advice regarding shoes from those who have done the full event before. I've never used trail shoes before for anything over 12km and am very happy with the road shoes I use (Mizuno) and can easily spend all day in them. Also, my feet are a bit fussy and I don't really like changing shoes too much.

So, how necessary it it to use a pair of trail shoes? I bought a pair of Salomon Speed Cross 2 the other day (haven't run in them yet) purely because I thought they'd be better for grip and more comfortable on single track with the stiffer sole, but now I'm less sure.

I'm sure plenty of people have done the race in road shoes...thoughts? Suggestions?

Cheers,

Jesse.

[Joshua]

Hi Jesse,

I am a bit like you in the fact that i prefer road shoes to trail shoes.  i ran TNF100 last year in a pair of road shoes and apart from losing my big toe nail afterwards (which i think will happen anyway) they were fine.  i run in Aasics 2140's and they are fantastics for me....i guess everyone is different.

good luck

josh

[Tegyn]

Hi Mate,
I did Kanangra to Katoomba, which covers some of the off track sections of TNF100, in Vibram FiveFingers, so I reckon you'll be fine in whatever you're most comfortable in!

good luck!

Tegyn

[Peter]

Hi All,

On the topic of trail shoes, does anyone have any advice on what trail shoe brands/models are best for people with wide feet, to date I have found myself restricted to running in asics road shoes of various models, however now that I am attemping an event of this length over the type of surfaces likely to be faced I am playing with the idea utilising trails shoes this time. I know asics do trail shoes, however have heard mixed reviews about them.

Regards,

Peter

[Luke]

To All,

I mainly use asics road shoes for marathons etc and last year I purchased a pair of their trail shoes (Trabucco) and found that is was a similiar "ride". The only main difference is the stability as trail shoes tend to have more cushioning and stability and to be honest if you have not done a huge amount of trail running this can come in handy when you are attempting to run through the dark on uneven surfaces with tired feet!

I saw a lot of people running in normal road shoes, even some in racing flats but I guess it is what you have trained in and if you are confident with the strength of your joints especially your ankles to last the strain of the uneven surfaces.

My suggestion would either to get a quite stability based pair of road shoes or you can get a pair of trail shoes that are more for flat trails or road as they tend to be lighter.

I lost both my big toenails, they have only just recovered and yet I am running it again!

Luke

[Patrick]

Hi all and Peter,

I ran Oxfam Trailwalker last year in both my road shoes and trail shoes and found it beneficial in changing shoes, mainly due to comfort.

I am lucky enough that my road shoes -Brooks Adrenaline GTS- also come in a trail shoe.

Peter, I have wide flat feet and have found the Brooks Adrenaline ASR to be a great trail shoe.

Although one thing I did learn last year was the importance of having strong ankles! It saved me alot of heartache.

Cheers and good luck.
Paddy

[clinton]

gday All
generally Brooks make shoes with the widest last so best suited for a wider foot.
i have just purchased a pair of Solaman Trail shoes and will have a crack at them this weeknd on trails around redhill (victoria) so will let you know how they go