Published: September 2010
Running up and down hills and across muddy, slippery surfaces, demands more stability, and grip. This month RF readers review the latest off-road shoes...
Nike £75
Air Pegasus 27+
“I like the look of these on, and they felt light, and comfortable. When I ran across a stony canal path (the closest I get to a trail), I was reassured that I wasn’t going to turn my ankle! The Nike+ function allows you to check your pace, distance, time elapsed and calories burned. To get the feedback you need a Nike+ SportBand, or iPod nano and Nike + iPod Sport Ki – which I loved, and would buy for that reason.”
Hannah, London, 25
Innov-8 £60
Roclite 190s
“A lightweight trail shoe – um, an understatement. I know of Innov-8, as I’m a fell runner and was asked to test these, as I prefer lightweight shoes. They are marketed as being great for hot weather and recommended to be worn before and after running, which is what I’ll be using them for! I prefer my new Roclite 315s for ‘proper’ running! 190s are comfortable, breathable, and ideal for ‘barefoot’ fans.”
John, 34, Cumbria
Puma £75
Complete Nightfox
“I loved the look of these shoes; they were smart and robust. When I put them on and went for a run, I was struck by how supportive they felt around my ankle and on top of the foot, which will be great for wet days on the Downs, especially as the upper is water-repellant. The sole felt like it had good grip, but also gave a smooth run on the road. Other features included a rock shield plate to protect toes from sharp objects.”
Julie, 30, Eastbourne
Somino £100
Westridge
“‘On their website, Somnio say their shoes adapt to the individual and improve biomechanics. They were very lightweight, but seemed to be sturdy when I ran across a stony path, a rocky path and through the forest (up and down hills!) so for me that’s good! The forefoot was great; a plate for protection, but mesh for movement. As for improvement in my biomechanics... I’ll have to come back to you on that one!”
Tom, 27, West Hampstead
Brooks £80
Cascadia 5
“I didn’t think these shoes, looked as sturdy, or aesthetically pleasing as the Puma I’d tested. But the sole looked really solid with plenty of grip. When I put the shoes on, however, I was amazed. Running in these shoes was brilliant! They gave me a smooth run and loads of support under the arch, ideal for someone like me who needs stability. The only downside was that the upper part of the shoe wasn’t waterproof.”
Julie, 30, Easbourne
Mizuno £85
Cabrakan 2
“I like the look and the feel of these shoes. A good grip for running on the South Downs, which I’ll need when I run The Beachy Head Marathon in October. Trail shoes always take me a while to get used to as they feel solid, without much movement, and these have an extra lace hole at the top which I left undone. I like the waterproof upper, and there’s extra protection around the toes, for hill running.”
Frances, 43, Brighton
Asics £50
Gel Enduro 6
“A really great price, but not lacking in quality. These shoes felt very comfortable on. Sometimes, I find trail shoes need a bit of breaking in, but these were perfect from the word go. The shoes are described as an entry level shoe and I think that’s spot on and it would really suit beginners to trail running. A good hybrid, in another words suited the road/trail route more than a hardcore off road trail – which is how most of us start off-road.”
Adrian, 41, Sailsbury
Salomon £90
XA Pro 3D Ultra
“As someone who’s new to running off road, I went by the look and feel, both of which I liked. The quick lace feature, was a great touch, too. I wore them on a training weekend in the Alps and found that the traction was really impressive, especially as I was on unfamiliar terrain. The cushionishing was just about right and the fit perfect. The synthetic sandwich mesh meant my feet were able to breathe, and it was quick drying, too.”
Nick, 38, Tunbridge Wells
Walsh £65
Spirit Elite
“I know that Walsh have a great reputation amongst fell runners. The soles of these shoes are amazing. They reminded me of studs, and I didn’t feel so comfortable on the road, but they worked brilliantly running through grass. I didn’t feel like I was going for a run when I put them on, the look reminded me of something my Uncle Eddie would wear for comfort! Overall, a great quality shoe, and lightweight, so moved quickly – without falling!”
Clare, 47, West London