Trail shoe suggestions for technical/rocky mountains.

I ran about 300 miles in my Nike Terra Kiger 5’s and replaced them with the Saucony Switchback 2. But before I got them some of the shoes I considered were:

Saucony Peregrine 10

Salomon Sense Pro 4

Merrell Skyfire

Inov8 Roclite G 275

I really enjoyed the low profile of the Kigers, but found the two or 3 lugs under my big toe rubbed flat way sooner than the rest. I settled on the Saucony Switchback 2 because I figure with winter here I won’t be running up the Rocky Mountains here, but I’ll be using my trail shoes on snowy days and on the trails in the foothills here. Beginning of summer 2021 I may look into the Salomon Sense Pro 4 (or equivalent).

from Rockies w love wrote:

I ran about 300 miles in my Nike Terra Kiger 5’s and replaced them with the Saucony Switchback 2. But before I got them some of the shoes I considered were:

Saucony Peregrine 10

Salomon Sense Pro 4

Merrell Skyfire

Inov8 Roclite G 275

(or equivalent).

Thanks for the suggestions. Salomon Sense Pro 4 and Inov8 Roclite G 275

are 2 I am considering. I'm a little wary of getting another Salomon though + worried if either of these options have enough underfoot to be comfortable if out on trails for 6-8 hours.

I'm a Sense Ride 2 guy (not a fan of the 3), but lots of locals are having success in either SpeedGoat or Mafate from HOKA.. sounds if you want more cushioning, give those a run.

Standard Setter wrote:

I'm a Sense Ride 2 guy (not a fan of the 3), but lots of locals are having success in either SpeedGoat or Mafate from HOKA.. sounds if you want more cushioning, give those a run.

Thanks. Will add the speedgoat and mafate to the shortlist. Yeah, I'm not sure why I'm having trouble with the sense ride 2 and I've heard a lot of people swear by it. The Terra Kiger is not that cushioned either but it works fine for me.

Has anyone tried the Terra Kiger 6 and if yes, is the grip/outsole bettre on the 6?

JobbyHogger# wrote:

Has anyone tried the Terra Kiger 6 and if yes, is the grip/outsole better on the 6?

I have both versions, they feel almost identical to me. The grip hasn't changed/improved, I find the 6 has a (very) slightly firmer midsole. The Terra Kiger is my go-to trail shoe but agree it isn't a great performer in the wet.

I miss The North Face Ultra Guide. They stop making this years ago, it was the perfect shoe for me from 20km-120km. I bought loads of pairs when they discontinued it but eventually ran out.

sense ride 2 and kiger 6 are my most used trail shoes in the last couple years.

I didn't have any trouble going far in the salomons. In fact I raced a 50 miler in them (buffed out trails, not rocky at all but had 20 miles of pavement and 30 miles of singletrack)

Would've stuck with the Kigers but they were worn out and I got the Salomons from a rep.

I'd probably wear the EVO Speedgoat for future ultramarathons, but I don't have rocky terrain around. I have another pair of Sense Ride 2s and some Salomon s/lab ultra 2s that I use when I go to the mountains. never had any issues with the Ultra 2s.

Why do people call them "technical" trails?

GetOffMyLawnGuy wrote:

Why do people call them "technical" trails?

Don't know, rough trails sounds better to me.

La Sportiva Helios would be my suggestion. Actually most of La Sportiva shoes are really good in my opinion. On the traction side they use the same/similar outsole that is used for their climbing shoes and works extremely well.

Sense Ride 3 has far more cushion than the Sense Ride 2

La Sportiva is basically the brand for technical / rocky trails aren’t they?

La Sportiva Bushido series. Incredible traction, great ride, great durability. Posters above nailed it.

When I use the term “technical” what I mean is a section of trail where you have to think carefully where to take each step to avoid breaking your ankle or falling off the mountain and their are some runners who can bomb down these sections as if they have super human vision and reflexes. At Pikes Peak (which is considered by most to be non technical) there are a few hundred yards of small boulders / rocks you have to navigate through. Everybody can make it through so it is not like mountain climbing “technical” but only guys like Killian Jornet can bomb down at 6 minute pace without crashing and burning

The midsole of both the Sense Pro 4 and Sense Ride 3 are much improved over the Sense Ride 2, so you may do better in either of those shoes. The outsole on both shoes is also much better, much more grippy and slightly taller lugs so they will not wear down as fast.

Also, I don't know how much mud or snow you deal with or if its all just rocky but the Salomon Wild Cross is a new favorite of mine. But if you are not running in mud or snow the lugs are overkill. They have extreme grip, a really nice ride and are agile over technical sections.

Maybe you want to hold out as a lot of shoes will hit the market next year

Kiger 7 (with new outsole)

Saucony Endorphin trail

Salomon Pulsar

Otherwise Sense 4 pro and the G270 is the obvious picks imho

Coming from Kigers you won't like the stiff Speedgoats

btw check out roadtrailrun top 2020 trail shoe picks