Lightest Mid Top Astro Turf Shoe For Trail Running?

fivefingers

Saucony ProGrid do have one with a gaiter, which looks like a mid top, to stop stones getting in (never found that to be a problem with normal running shoes), but I doubt it's at all rigid.

Last time I checked (Vibram) Fivefingers weren't mid tops (like basketball boots?). And, as someone who actually trail runs, I imagine you'd break your metatarsals trying to trail run in them. I wouldn't even want to tread on a stone! Too feeble and flexible and true trail running needs mid tops - unless you want a rolled/broken ankle every week.

Saucony ProGrid do have one with a gaiter, which looks like a mid top, to stop stones getting in (never found that to be a problem with normal running shoes), but I doubt it's at all rigid.

Last time I checked (Vibram) Fivefingers weren't mid tops (like basketball boots?). And, as someone who actually trail runs, I imagine you'd break your metatarsals trying to trail run in them. I wouldn't even want to tread on a stone! Too feeble and flexible and true trail running needs mid tops - unless you want a rolled/broken ankle every week.

Ah, not the ProGrid Razor! The 'Saucony ProGrid Outlaw'!:

http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/productdetails?catId=cat10004&productId=4-108130

Well done Clint anyway, we've found the world's first proper trail running shoe! I will get the black & yellow ones!

x Goatlips x

DO NOT BUY SAUCONY! Their upper cloth materials are too weak! My Outlaws have holes in them after just 50 miles! Reading their website reviews (not including the ones they corruptly ban, like mine!) all their uppers and soles are extremely non-durable. Even their most popular shoe, the Kinvara, only last 200-250 miles by fans' own admissions!

The idiot who designed their 'Outlaw' made the firm rubber/plastic toe guard taper up into a point, right beside the little toe joint, where it's already vulnerable to wrinkle fatigue. The cloth kinks against the plastic point with every step, and tore the cloth/mesh! If the guard tapered down into the sole, as with all other shoes, or continued along the entire shoe's base it would be okay. But, even with a critical design flaw, the cloth upper is still feeble.

The only current option for a trail running boot is the "10.2oz in a UK size 8" Inov8 Roclite 286 GTX. But I don't know how tough Gore-tex uppers are and the company doesn't claim it's for runners (although I've seen on their Facebook page that their trail runner fans are using them and posting about it). Not sure if the sole is too stiff though and I hate trail running soles having a large, flat, slippery area under the foot's arch (using running shoes with bare 'torsion' areas in the middle is always dangerous and unpredictable when treading on roots, stones, etc:

http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-Roclite-286-GTX.html?L=26

The 286 is also very expensive (currently £109 minimum price):

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/inov8_roclite_286_gtx.html

...So, last time I checked, no one at all currently makes trail-running boots! WTF? Just gimmicky, heavy, low top shoes with extra sole tread (which fills with mud and stops working after 2 strides anyway). Inov-8 stopped making the lightweight boots, I think.

Anyway! I actually worked out what to do afterall.

Just buy a couple of lightweight ankle braces - such as Aircast A60 (113g ?) - and then wear any shoe you prefer (Adidas Adizero - any of those). Fixed! ;)