For what it’s worth, Hayden Hawks wore the Hoka Cliftons on the first 15 miles the year he won and set the course record. He changed into the Rocket X, but you’d be fine in the Cliftons the whole way.
I would second the Clifton. The Challenger runs well on trail and road as well, but you are looking to just get through the first 15 so Clifton is probably better if you aren’t going to change.
Never used the Clifton but isn't that a road shoe? Is the clifton better suited for trail than a Novablast or endorphin speed?
Yes, but it goes just fine on your average trails. The tow path is basically a dirt road. It you want an actual crossover, the Challenger is very good. I run on extremely rocky trails with it and also pavement. I haven’t run in the nova or endorphin so won’t speculate on those.
I was lining up for the Hatrun 50k years ago and that clown who wrote Born to Run (something McDougal) showed up wearing Tarahumara Sandals. I don't recommend this.
I just don't understand many of the responses here. This is a 50 miler with 38 miles off road, including 12 technical and rocky miles. If any of that is also rooty, off camber, and/or slick, then there is no road shoe, especially ANYTHING road-racing oriented, that would be a good match for that course.
Much better off getting something you'll be confident in during the rocky/technical portions, and solid for the dirt/gravel trail portion, than worrying about the relatively short(er) asphalt sections.
Something from Hoka or Salomon, tried and true on mixed terrain, that's the way to go here. And as for weight/racing shoes, unless OP is likely to be a top 10 finisher, weight is almost completely irrelevant in a 50 miler IMO.
Thanks for the response. I'm neither going to finish top 100 or care about weight of the shoe much.
Others recomended the Clifton. What is your opinion on that choice? Sounds like a good compromise if it is stable for the AT.
The problem I had with the 4% on the AT was stability, twisting ankles and hitting rocks with the front part that hurt like hell. I don't remember slipping on the rocks. I did fall twice with roots.
Can the Clifton handle that as a compromise? Looking for the right balance.
Clifton will be vastly better than the 4%; as someone said earlier, that shoe is almost uniquely bad for this kind of race. I love the feel of the Clifton, but it always gives me blisters (something about the way the insoles hits me). But so many people swear by it...
I don’t know why the Clifton was s mentioned over the Challenger. They are close enough to being the same shoe, and the Challenger has much more confident traction, especially if it’s wet at all. Between the two, Challenger all the way.
I just don't understand many of the responses here. This is a 50 miler with 38 miles off road, including 12 technical and rocky miles. If any of that is also rooty, off camber, and/or slick, then there is no road shoe, especially ANYTHING road-racing oriented, that would be a good match for that course.
Much better off getting something you'll be confident in during the rocky/technical portions, and solid for the dirt/gravel trail portion, than worrying about the relatively short(er) asphalt sections.
Something from Hoka or Salomon, tried and true on mixed terrain, that's the way to go here. And as for weight/racing shoes, unless OP is likely to be a top 10 finisher, weight is almost completely irrelevant in a 50 miler IMO.
Thanks for the response. I'm neither going to finish top 100 or care about weight of the shoe much.
Others recomended the Clifton. What is your opinion on that choice? Sounds like a good compromise if it is stable for the AT.
The problem I had with the 4% on the AT was stability, twisting ankles and hitting rocks with the front part that hurt like hell. I don't remember slipping on the rocks. I did fall twice with roots.
Can the Clifton handle that as a compromise? Looking for the right balance.
Everyone's different and I've known at least one runner who wore training shoes for biggie 100-milers. In my case, when I started running trails in my area (NE Ohio, mud, slick clay, roots, rock, off camber, steep inclines constantly) I found that any road shoes I tried had too little structure and grip, not only in the midsole or outsole, but in the fit of upper itself. I needed a little structure and a good trail fit so that when my shoes/feet are being torqued in all directions, my feet stay secure in the upper. I also need some side and toe protection, and a rock plate is nice too.
I couldn't believe how much better trails were when I started to use actual trail shoes like the Peregrine and Speedcross. The question becomes how much do you need to keep secure and moving fast on the technical parts, where structure, protection and lugged outsole with grippy rubber will help tremendously, while not feeling like you're strapped into boots for the easier portions, especially on asphalt.
There are plenty of trail-oriented shoes that are made to be runnable on asphalt too, "road to trail" types. I suggested Salomon and Hoka because they offer several models that are right in this wheelhouse. Of the Hokas, I don't like the Clifton for ANY technical work because the outsole and structure of the upper aren't going to provide the traction and support you need IMO. Terrible in the slippery muck, ankle breakers on rocks and roots.
I would look at the Speedgoat 5 way before the Clifton. Of the Salomons, I would look at the Ultra Glide and Sense Ride 4 models. Enough structure, grip, traction and toe protection to help get you through the technical stuff, and actually built for it too, while cushioned and not too deeply lugged (outsole) to be bad on road.
YMMV. I'm doing a 50K on mixed asphalt/trail in November and will probably pick up some Ultra Glides for that one. Best of luck with the shoes and the race.
It's okay not having a crew you'll just be more dialed into equipment and nutrition instead of leaving it to crew. The 50 mile distance as long as pre meal/hydration is followed along with scheduled fuel stops could be your zen race.
*Footwear/Socks: Medium thick SmartWool. temperature can be anything from 45-75F. Wool is best of both keeping cool/warmth and drying fast. Surprised no one has mentioned Brooks Catamount. It's at the middle stack height and once you get to 20-30miles of wear the nitro foam softens up enough. That along with a very good tacky rubber and minimal lugs makes for a one shoe. It's is higher volume and good width which is good or bad. Another hybrid mentioned would be Challenger ATR which I would need a Wide in compared to Brooks.
There is a new medium stack Salomon out in Pulsar trail/Pulsar trail pro ( not to be confused with ultra light Pulsar)
btw did you register last year ?(for this year's race)
JOIN THE GR CREW: http://bit.ly/GRCrewGET THE TERREX SPEED ULTRA: https://www.runningwarehouse.com/adidas_Terrex_Speed_Ultra/descpage-ATSUM.html?from=gingerT...
I've been using that shoe for a little bit and I second it as a very good trail/road hybrid shoe. However I don't do Ultras and would like a little more cushion if I was trying to run 50 miles.
Another very good road -Trail hybrid would be the Pegasus 4 trail. A little more cushion than the addidas. Either one of those shoes would suit you well I think [ depending if you want a little more shoe [Peg 4] or a little less shoe [terrex] ]
I don’t think a trail shoe is needed. I wore ASICS Cumulus and Saucony Kinvara the times I raced it. I would probably use Hoka Rincons if I were racing this year.
I’ve raced in the Cliftons on dry, rocky trails and loved them. As mentioned, Hayden Hawks wore them on the Appalachian trail section during his course record at the JFK50. They would feel more runnable and lighter on the tow path/road sections than the Challengers.
