Off Road Running shoes/ Trail Running

Longtrang

Longtrang

Joined
Jan 21, 2010
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Currently I am working on a base in Afghanistan. My old running shoes are great but worn out. Since all the roads here are dirt or gravel I was thinking of replacing them with something more suited for off road running. Earth tones are preferable but comfort is first. I have flat feet, so stabilization of the arch and ankle is a must. Are there any shoes you guys could recommend? Here is what I am looking at so far. Blackhawk, Rocky, Lowa, Salomon.

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Are you able to try on the shoes, or do you have to order 'em? If so, I'd go with the brand you've previously worn and found comfortable. Of course, I don't know if you've ever owned any of the brands of the shoes you posted. My most recent trail running shoe is a pair of Brooks Trailblades. Brooks is now making the Trailblade 2. Up until this last pair, I wore Nike Air shoes; since wearing and running in the Brooks, I'm a believer. The Trailblades don't look quite as tough as the shoes you posted, but I recall reading a review of the 'blades from a soldier stationed in Afghanistan who said the shoes worked well for him.

As you said, the most important quality is comfort, and that's dictated by how well a particular shoe fits your feet. Of the brands you posted, Lowa are known for having a relatively narrow forefoot. Salomon shoes, in my experience, have a slightly wider forefoot and, again in my experience, are durable. Good luck in your search!
 
Thanks, I was leaning toward a new pair of Brooks or the Salomon. Unfortunately I have to order everything off line and hope for the best.
 
Have a look at LaSportiva Wildcat. Reasonably lightweight, good ventilation, firm/supportive midsole, flexy/roomy toe-box, sturdy heel cup.

I've had a pair only a week and they've been great so far. Feels like nothing on the feet, but plenty of support and cushion. Stiff under mid foot/heel avoids feeling rocks, etc underfoot. Somehow they feel "fast" while walking/running... feels like they're easy to keep moving... rolls right along with no dead spots if that makes sense. Not sure exactly how to describe it, but after trying on several different pair, even the Salomon, which I figured was what I really wanted since they usually fit me well, the Wildcats felt the best for fit and mobility.

Tried a few pair of Oboz trail shoes... nice enough, but felt heavy/clunky and not as fast feeling. The insole was quite firm and shaped for high arch which may not work for you... although replacing the insole might help.
 
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I was talking about trail shoes with a neighbor recently. He has flat feet while I have a low arch and both of us really like the Brooks Beast. I also like the Salomon XA Pro and the North Face Fire Road.

I was excited about some Montrails I had until the sole lugs started tearing off on rocky trails. Speaking of rocky, I haven't had any of the Rocky trail shoes but with the negative experience I had with their customer service & warranty on a pair of Rocky boots when the sole started coming apart in chunks I would recommend that you stay away from that brand.
 
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I went to a site called runner's world. They have a program that takes your height, weight, stride, running speed, foot type, where your foot impacts the ground and recommend about 8-10 shoes. The top pick for all my stats was the Salomon Men's XT Wings 3 Trail Running Shoe. The Brooks Beast was the number two pic. I was going to order both on Amazon but the seller for the Brooks wouldn't ship to an APO. Thanks again for all the advice. I may get a different running shoe if the Salomon's don't work out for whatever reason, so I am still open to suggestions.

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My vote is for Salomon, whichever configuration you prefer. They all fit about the same, but only some models come in half-sizes above 12 (I'm a 12.5). So I went with the Crossmax Neutral. Love these shoes. I am officially a Salomon convert. FWIW, I tried on the La Sportiva Wildcat, and thought they were inferior to the Salomons in every way. Thin, cheap-feeling material, narrow footbed, lack of tongue padding were some of the things I noticed. The Salomon just wraps your foot, like a comfy slipper. I like that. And the Salomons now come in reasonable colors (I got the aluminum, it's a grey with some minor orange accents).
 
Maddogg774 said:
My vote, the Brooks. I have Ghost and they are the best I ever had.
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I had a pair of Brooks (Cascadia 7) before I got my Salomons. They were super-comfy, while they lasted. But after only 6 months, I had worn them out. Got 8 months on the Salomons, and they're still going strong. But I loved those Cascadias for that 6 months.
 
Long did you choose yet? I have flat feet and I had torn my ankle ligament in a street fight after I kicked a bunch of dudes trying to kill me. So I'm pretty up on sneakers for flat feet and unstable ankles.

Are there a lot of rocks in the terrain? The foot plate on the Brooks Cascadia and New Balance MT1210, 810 series are the thickest. I don't think the Salomons have an optimal good a foot plate/stability and cushion combo but I'm probably in the minority. The Inov8 don't feel cushy enough. The La Sportiva's (Raptor I think its called) is incredible, its also incredibly fuggly and will never buy a pair after trying them on and not being able to find a pair that looks like modern art.

For running, I currently have Saucony ProGrids, Asics Gel Venture 4. The Pro grids offer more forefoot flex and cushion, whereas the Asics have a thicker foot plate that protects from rocks. If you need a kick around sneaker, look no further than the Brooks Pure Cadence on flat ground. They are offset, look like they are not made for flat feet. But I was shocked that they are. For just walking around its like wearing some kind of memory foam slipper. Incredibly comfortable, although not long lasting.
 
Now I'll have to try Salomon's. My longest lasting and most consistant are my new balances. I got about a year at a time out of them. Not as comfortable as my brooks.
 
Maddogg774 said:
Now I'll have to try Salomon's. My longest lasting and most consistant are my new balances. I got about a year at a time out of them. Not as comfortable as my brooks.
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You should. The 8 months I have on mine include trail time, gym time, and kicking around shoe when it's dry outside. Not too shabby. The only drawback I can see with them is they are pricey. Easily $20 more than their competition.
 
razorsdescent said:
I have made the switch to vibram five fingers, so I am a bit out of date, but Salomon has always been the top brand of trail running shoes in my opinion.

Another option that has not been mentioned here, is the brand Inov-8, they might be what you are looking for and they are definatley down to ship to APO adresses.

http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/product-select-US.asp?L=27&A=Off Trail
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Inov-8 shoes are awesome. I've been using them for the past few years for hiking or trail running, and I'm flat footed too. I've been moving towards minimal shoes, so I can't provide useful comments on the support factor; also, be aware that Inov-8s are more minimal and neutral than offerings by other companies. The Roclite 295s have performed very well in running/hiking for me, you should check it out if the last fits your foot shape. It's great in terms of fit (for my feet), weight, traction in wet or loose stuff (depth and layout of lugs combined with "sticky" compound, has even worked decently for me on wet rock, despite lugs), and draining after water crossings. My buddy uses the F-lite 195s and loves them, and the X-talon 190 is basically the same shoe with a more aggressive tread -- either are for those with narrower or possibly normal feet. My old Roclite 295s are running down now, so I'll be replacing them either with the new 2013 Roclite 295s or a pair from Inov-8s new Trailroc line (Trailroc 245 [3mm drop] or 255 [6mm drop]). Features in particular I'm liking about the new Trailroc lineup: built on last better suited for my wider feet, lighter, rockplate on 245 and 255 models while retaining decent flexibility, Tri-C outsole puts harder-wearing lugs in high wear areas and grippier but softer lugs in areas not worn down so quickly, reported to drain well enough.

The only down-side to the Inov-8 shoes, IMO, are the colors. Their shoes are pretty flashy, not subdued at all. It hasn't been a deal breaker for me though; get them dirty enough, and it's fine.
 
cchu518 said:
Long did you choose yet? I have flat feet and I had torn my ankle ligament in a street fight after I kicked a bunch of dudes trying to kill me. So I'm pretty up on sneakers for flat feet and unstable ankles.

Are there a lot of rocks in the terrain? The foot plate on the Brooks Cascadia and New Balance MT1210, 810 series are the thickest. I don't think the Salomons have an optimal good a foot plate/stability and cushion combo but I'm probably in the minority. The Inov8 don't feel cushy enough. The La Sportiva's (Raptor I think its called) is incredible, its also incredibly fuggly and will never buy a pair after trying them on and not being able to find a pair that looks like modern art.

For running, I currently have Saucony ProGrids, Asics Gel Venture 4. The Pro grids offer more forefoot flex and cushion, whereas the Asics have a thicker foot plate that protects from rocks. If you need a kick around sneaker, look no further than the Brooks Pure Cadence on flat ground. They are offset, look like they are not made for flat feet. But I was shocked that they are. For just walking around its like wearing some kind of memory foam slipper. Incredibly comfortable, although not long lasting.
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I am wearing the Salomon's, they are pretty comfortable. A little narrow for me but so far not enough to cause serious pain. Tuesday I ran 10 miles with them, not perfect but I am not a cripple so at least I won't have to try and send them back. I was wearing Saucony, had the same pair since 2006. At this point they are more shoegoo than actual shoe. I love the Salomons I just wish they came in wide models.
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I'm glad it worked out for me with my foot type and needs it's all about toe box, cushioning and foot plate. For that I really stick with Saucony, Brooks and New Balance products more so than anything else. I don't think I will go with Asics again after the ones that I have wear out - same fit as the Salomon's for me. Good luck with your tour!

Longtrang said:
I am wearing the Salomon's, they are pretty comfortable. A little narrow for me but so far not enough to cause serious pain. Tuesday I ran 10 miles with them, not perfect but I am not a cripple so at least I won't have to try and send them back. I was wearing Saucony, had the same pair since 2006. At this point they are more shoegoo than actual shoe. I love the Salomons I just wish they came in wide models.
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They have a great reputation but the Salomons that I've tried were very narrow and not at all comfortable for my foot shape. I can't remember the exact model name but the most supportive offroad hiking/running shoe I've found is made by Montrail.
 
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