Shoes for trail running?

MarylandRunner wrote:

I'm planning to do my first trail race in February, so I'll also do some trail running beforehand to train. Do I need trail running shoes or will regular running shoes be alright? The course descriptions describes the trail as easy - no large rocks or anything

It really depends on the trail and the weather. If it is muddy you want trail running shoes 100%.

If it;'s dry and the trail not too technical you might get away with road running shoes.

Not for your first trail race but if you want to run on trails more often I highly recommend some trail running shoes. They will make all the difference to make trails fun.

For mellow or non-technical trails, road shoes are just fine, and as a bonus they can be lighter than trail shoes. Two of my all-time favorite "trail" shoes were the adidas Adios 3 and the Hoka Mach (1 and 2).

Trail shoes are necessary only when traction is an issue--dry (loose and dusty), wet (mud or snow), or steep.

if your feet are sensitive or if you run over a lot of small rocks, you may want a rock plate. Over time I've found that I don't really care either way.

Course conditions can vary wildly when it comes to trail races. Rocks and roots on the trail might require more specialized shoes while a lot of trail races are just old rail trails that are hard packed gravel. I really like the Salomon Sense Ride 3 shoes but I probably run on trails 1 to 2 times/week so dedicated trail shoes make sense.

Love the Nike Juniper Trail shoes, solid plate and light as a feather.

VJ shoes are the best trail shoes you are going to get. They are a small company but they make really good rubber that sticks to everything. They are a shoe that you can beat up but are still light and fast. I would recommend checking them out.

Find Me At Nationals wrote:

VJ shoes are the best trail shoes you are going to get. They are a small company but they make really good rubber that sticks to everything. They are a shoe that you can beat up but are still light and fast. I would recommend checking them out.

^This. I always use VJ shoes for tough off road conditions. Their grip on wet rocks are the best on the market.

Find Me At Nationals wrote:

VJ shoes are the best trail shoes you are going to get. They are a small company but they make really good rubber that sticks to everything. They are a shoe that you can beat up but are still light and fast. I would recommend checking them out.

Never heared of VJ, dont even know what that means.

OP: Hoka, Torrent 2

lexel wrote:

Find Me At Nationals wrote:

VJ shoes are the best trail shoes you are going to get. They are a small company but they make really good rubber that sticks to everything. They are a shoe that you can beat up but are still light and fast. I would recommend checking them out.

Never heared of VJ, dont even know what that means.

OP: Hoka, Torrent 2