Shoes

[geezerpower]

Hey Trail runners,

Looking for help. Been running forever, so knees have been repaired and I need lot's of cushioning in my shoes.
However two layers of insole makes them less stable. Presently have Vasque Velocity, but still prefer my road shoes even on trails.

Any comments as to what combination of insoles and/or over the counter orthotics have worked for you would be appreciated.

Kaiser says my foot structure is good, but they don't cater to the athletic desire to continue doing the improbable.

Thanks,
Geezerpower

[willgotthardt]

GP-

Can't help with an answer from experience...but I would recommend you also post that question on the Runner's World trail forum (link below), lots of similar discussion there. Good luck, hope you find a solution.

forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/698106477

Will G.

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

Do your road shoes give you enough cushioning, GP? If so, do you have other problems with them that preclude your just running trails in your road shoes? We have lots of running friends, including some extremely fast and success ones, who wear road shoes for all their trail runs regardless of terrain.

I happen to be a 'trail shoes for all trails' kind of person, but that's because security/not slipping/stability are important and cushioning/a soft shoe are not. Wendell wears both trail and road shoes on trails depending on the surface.

Sarah

Sarah

[geezerpower]

With enough insole, either type of shoe can provide enough cushioning but of all the trail shoes I've tried, the road shoes are typically more stable for me. Too much pad in the heel will lift me out of the shoe. Also, since I have a slight pronation in one foot, can't wear "cushioned" shoes; they fail too quickly.

I'll check out the RW message board.

[Pacific Coast Trail Runs]

but of all the trail shoes I've tried, the road shoes are typically more stable for me.

I'm just wondering why you're trying to find a trail shoe that works if your road shoes are the best for you in terms of stability and cushioning.

I mean, is there some reason you feel you need a trail shoe as opposed to a road shoe? If you're happy with your road shoes, I'd just use those.

[jhulka]

QUOTE: "I mean, is there some reason you feel you need a trail shoe as opposed to a road shoe? If you're happy with your road shoes, I'd just use those."

Agreed. I was advised early on to try the trails using the same shoes as I do on the road. I'm happy I did. I've had no issues with my road shoes on the trails in the bay area. Unless there is some special reason, I'd stick with your road shoes.

[thr3ee]

I tried a number of different trail shoes throughout the years and eventually just gave up and now run pretty much everything in my road shoes. The only time that I ever have an issue is when conditions are particularly muddy and slippery. Being in California this, luckily, only happens on a handful of runs.

[geezerpower]

Nice to know so many run trails in road shoes. Although I never actually took a foot count, it is my belief that most of the longer runners do wear trail shoes. Better toe protection, better traction in slop and theoretically, more stable. Although my road shoes work better at this point, they are still slushy and squiggly due to all the cushioning I have in them. I'll keep looking for the perfect insole that will provide enough cushioning but give me a crisper ride.

[thr3ee]

geezerpower said:

Nice to know so many run trails in road shoes. Although I never actually took a foot count, it is my belief that most of the longer runners do wear trail shoes.

Perhaps I just buck the trend, but I actually ran in trail shoes UNTIL I started doing longer races. Basically, the longer I ran the more my feet suffered from ill-fitting shoes. I could get away with a lot for a couple of hours, but going all day in shoes that were either too tight or where my foot slid around inside or where the soles were just too stiff and I ended up with chronic injuries that took months to heal.

I now accept that above all other performance features, the fit of the shoe is the most important factor. Mind you, I would still love to find a pair of trail shoes that fit as well as my Brooks Adrenaline 2E's, but until and unless I do, I will continue running all my races in them.

On a related note, I do wonder if anyone has tried ice traction devices such as "Yak-traks" or "Get-a-grip" on their shoes for very muddy runs. I think I could have used them for running up Mission Peak yesterday (either that or I could have used some common sense to stay off the hill in those conditions).

[rwedington]

Hey Geezer- I too have been running for decades and baby my repaired knee joints,as well as other parts that surprise me on occassion. Like most over-pronators, the arches and knees have been successfully tamed by motion control shoes. I prefer the Brooks Beast, also a road shoe. It has been faithful to me for many years on the trails, so I don't buy anything else. The trail shoes I have experimented with haven't worked as well as the Beast. I wear a custom orthotic and I add a flat Spenco insert on top of it for an extra layer of support. Works like a charm.

[trailrunner]

As a new "ultra" distance runner, I've been struggling with shoe issues as well. For the trails here in the foothills, I prefer my trail shoes for their traction on the rocks, both loose and slides. I wear inov8's, and love them! On the other hand, like some of the rest of you, after a couple of hours, usually around 15-16 miles, I start to have some problems that I don't have in road shoes. I've been trying to figure out whether it's best to keep trying different trail shoes for the ultra distances, or whether to stick to the road shoes. I can visualize an entire closet devoted to a wardrobe of different shoes for different conditions and distances! It can be an expensive mistake, both in terms of $, and the wear and tear on the chronic-pain areas of your body! Does anyone have a suggestion for a trail shoe for ultra distance, low-profile, light weight, woman-specific?

[adunni66]

I've had some success using "Free Laces" with my trail running shoes. I found them at a Marathon expo last year. They allow you to adjust the fit of your shoes very precisely. In the US they seem to be sold as the "Knotty Boy" or "Ultimate Shoelace". Anyway, they are elastic with little knots that grab onto the eyelets of you shoes. You have to pull the lace taught to make the knots go away -- so the laces will slip though the eyelets. It is easy to make different parts of your shoes fit tighter of looser. This really helps on downhill sections where shoes can slip a lot. I use them to leave the toe-box fairly loose while keeping the rest of the shoe tight.

[hippietrainer]

I typically run all my ultras in the summer when the fireroads and trails are harder packed in road shoes and double up on the insoles for 100 milers. I ran both the TRT 50 miler and the Headlands Hundred last year in Mizuno road shoes and had no issues. The only places I notice a need for more traction is on extremely steep sections of scree like material, and in muddy patches.

Online Coach Brian

[thomasclarke01]

I've been running in Mizuno's trail shoe (Wave Ascend) with a Montrail insert for added cushioning. It is light enough for racing, relatively low profile with a dual density medial post for stability. I've had no issues with these shoes racing 50K distance. Best think I can say is I forget I have them on.

The Wave Ascend is made in a woman's version as well.

[lexy]

How are the trails at Diablo? I'm running it and would like to stay in my road shoes if the trails are suitable, but I prefer trail shoes if lots of rocks or if extremely steep downhills.