The Best Trail Shoes
Are you wearing the best trail shoes?
Many shoe reviews come out every season to rate and review "The Best shoe." There are an overwhelming amount of articles on the internet titled "The Best Trail Shoes." Ha! Even mine (insert charming smile) 😘.
And you may not see your shoe listed and panic, and "oh shit, am I wearing a good shoe?" Just because all the cool kids and elites are wearing HOKAS doesn't mean squat, nor does it mean that it is the right shoe for you.
The best trail shoes are the shoes you are wearing. The shoe that suits your needs now, whether you are just diving into trail running or looking to try something new. Finding "The best shoe" is trial and experience; the best part is it's specific to YOU and your NEEDS! One year you may love Altra’s, and the following year you may hate them.
It is beneficial to research, read, feel and try on the shoes before making a purchase. It is also worth knowing what you are looking for in a shoe, and if you don't have a clue, I hope this blog will point you in the right direction.
You've been warned this will be long, so make yourself comfortable; it’s not a toilet read. Or you can scroll down to the "guidelines." And get the answers you are looking for.
So let's not waste any more time and dive into it, shall we? First, let's start with the basic anatomy of the shoe.
Your running shoe is divided into two parts; Upper and Sole Unit
The upper is comprised of specialized constructive material, such as knit, polyester, and nylon mesh. We need a breathable, sweat-wicking, and durable fabric for the kicks on our feet to offer a comfortable ride. Because when your feet collect moisture, that's an excellent opportunity for a blister.
The sole unit is comprised of the midsole and outsole.
The Midsole is in the middle, hence the name "mid" sole; it's created with fancy foam, rubber, and other top-secret materials (Every shoe company has its secrets). The midsole's construction will either provide a more cushioned, stable, or motion-controlled ride (Yee-haw)🤠. In other words, a "bouncier" or springy or stiff feel.
The Outsole is the shoe's portion making ground contact; it offers protection, and its material is flexible and durable. If you look at the bottom of road shoes, the tread patterns will be flat. Trail shoe's tread pattern will offer aggressive deep lugs to handle slippery, muddy, rocky surfaces. It's worth noting that trail shoes will be stiffer. If you need clarification on what that means, grab your road shoes. Twist them, and notice how they flex and bend easily versus trail shoes. They are rigid and take more pressure to bend.
Other shoe parts include the tongue, heel collar, toe box, and laces.
Now onto fancy shoe vocabulary because we heard these words and nodded, smiled, and agreed. Knowing that we had no freaking clue what they were talking about. Guilty. 🙊
The rock plate is extra protection for both your midsole and outsole.
Heel drop or Heel Lift is the height difference between the heel and toe. Most shoes have a heel drop of 10mm and up. In addition, 10mm (and up) shoes provide more cushion in the heel and support the heel as it first makes contact with the ground through the gait cycle.
The famous Zero drop means the same amount of cushion in the toe box equals the heel. These shoes are generally 0.0mm and encourage a more midfoot strike. These types of shoes will make your Achilles tendon work harder.
Cushion-
The cushion spectrum goes from maximum-moderate-minimum-barefoot. Think of a pillow and the level of cushion that supports your neck and head. Now envision these pillows on your feet. Do you prefer something more spongy? Or firm? or a balance?
More cushion is not superior to minimum cushion. It's what you feel’s most supportive and comfortable for you.
Support - We've heard these terms before pronate, overpronate, and supination. And these terms are often associated with shoes in the following categories "stability, neutral, or motion control."
Pronate - foot rolls inward.
Overpronate - foot rolls inward too much.
Supination - foot rolls outward, like a lot.
These types of shoes are supposed to help limit or control to prevent injury (which is bogus). Newsflash, we all pronate! Whether you purchase a stability or motion control running shoe doesn't matter. These shoes will not prevent injury. Comfort is what matters! If it works for you! Then, by all means, run like hell in them. If you want to read more about the findings, spend some time and read the article; Why Running Shoes Do Not Work
So, with all this new information, here is the million-dollar question how do you pick a shoe?
Well! I got’chu!
Here are some helpful guidelines to help you with your purchase:
Shoe size, trying on shoes at the end of the day is always best. Why? Because your feet expand throughout the day (like when you run). By doing this, you will avoid purchasing a shoe that is too small or too big.
Toe Box, say yes to wiggle room. Rule of thumb you want a thumb's length of wiggle (ha!)—the big toe needs space to fulfill its big duties. The big toe stabilizes the foot; it is responsible for forward propulsion and regulates pronation during running.
BYOS, when trying on shoes, "Bring Your Own Socks," or if you wear orthotics, bring those too! You may favor a particular sock brand and orthotics that could impact how the shoe fits.
Protection, the trail is full of all sorts of surprises! Choose a shoe made of sturdy material that will protect your feet from sharp objects. Such as a toe guard or a rock plate. Hence, your road shoes won't do.
Traction, it's okay if you are not scaling mountains like Kílan Jornet. It's okay if you are sticking to fire roads and groomed trails. Choose a lug pattern based on what you need right now.
Love at first feel, if the shoes are uncomfortable at the store. If you don't love them - do not take them home and say, "I just need to break them in," because your shoes don't need a break-in, period. Jog around in the store, walk around in them, and remember "love at first feel."
Return Policy, be aware of return policies at the stores you purchase your shoes from. REI is a year. I don't know what other running stores offer but keep that in mind. And support your local run shops.
Final thoughts: Hooray! We are nearing the end of this educational read. And in no particular order, my brain vomit (insert smiley face).
Be aware that all brands size differently (shocker). For example, I wear a women's size 10 in Altra Lone Peaks and a W9.5 in the Brooks Cascadia. So, make sure you try on the shoe, or if you don't have that opportunity read the reviews. Feel free to try men's shoes; if the size works and they are comfortable, then do it! Two of my current rotating shoes are men's; they offer me a little more wiggle room in the toe box.
I stuck to groomed trails and fire roads when I began running dirt. I then ventured out to mountainous terrain and realized I needed more of an aggressive shoe to handle the rocky terrain. So, be patient. As you gain more confidence and experience, you'll adjust your footwear. Take some time and learn how to lace your shoes. Whether you like a heel lock or a window, try them out and see what makes for a comfortable ride. I encourage you to check out this article by REI How To lace.
Lastly, don't cheat on your feet. Trail shoes are an investment; your feet will take you to some pretty cool fucking places. Keep them happy. Or else.
So, there you have it! The best trail shoes; are the ones you are comfortable wearing. And with all this new information, I hope you can better answer the questions.
What qualities am I looking for in a shoe?
What are the demands I need from the shoe?
If you have questions, drop them below or send me a message.
As always,
I am ringing my cowbell for you! Happy Trails!
Quote of the Week:
"You're fine. This is fine. Keep Going." — Courtney Dauwalter
Song of the Week: Danielle Ponder, Some Of Us Are Brave
Side Note:
Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is a topic you want me to cover in more depth, let me know; I am happy to help. As I continue to write blogs, I want to add more value to you (the reader), whether it's sharing my stories/experiences, gear, training tips, etc.
I'm here for you!
