What are the preferred trail running shoes in 2014?

[swammie]

My 2010 Montrail shoes aren't available any longer and I'm out of spares. What's are the shoes of choice currently?

[RED-DOG]

I am using Salomon XT Wings 3.

[Nick P]

Salomon XA Pros...found for $80 on sale at backcountry.com.

[bigcranky]

I found the XA Pro too stiff, and wore the XA Comp instead for years. But these days I like the Inov8 Roclite 295 or 315.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[astrogirl]

I'm going with these: Merrell Women's Ascend Glove Trail Running Shoe

My old NB are falling apart, and I also had some old Montrail Kinabalu (I think) that have also bit the dust.

Last year, I did a section around Hot Springs in Nike Frees, and while I did not get one single blister, they have no side-to-side stability, and I had some axial pain in my feet for a couple of weeks after. These Merrells feel nice and stiff in the sole.

[daddytwosticks]

I use cheap New Balance trail runners found at my local Burlington Shoe store. The model varies every time I need a pair...whatever they got that looks good and feels good in the store. I'm easy to please and my feet seem to be happy. In fact, I've had such little problems wrt shoes while hiking, I've been thinking about planting small pebbles into my footwear just so I can have something to complain about! :)

[QHShowoman]

I do the Salomon XA Comps in the winter since they're a little hardier and in the spring/summer I've been wearing the Salomon XR Missions -- they're lighter and mostly mesh, so they'll dry out more quickly.

[nastynate]

New balance Leadville 1210.

[rafe]

Please keep the suggestions rolling. I'm still trying to understand exactly what a "trail runner" is. Closest I know about (or have experience with) is New Balance 659.

[MuddyWaters]

I use Inov8 flyroc 310s, that arent available any more either.

[xokie]

Next time you're driving through Red Wing, MN stop at the Red Wing boot museum. They'll fix you up with the perfect pair of Vasque trail runners.

[swammie]

My choice is the Montrail Sabino Trail. Lightweight, big toe box, grippy sole tread, super breathable, great ankle padding, low rise shoe. Should have bought 10 more.

[Zippy Morocco]

My vote is for inov-8 roclite 295

[Cro-Mag]

I used Brooks Cascadia 8's on my 2013 thruhike. I recently purchased the new 9's and love them just as much as the 8's.

I never got a blister, they dried really fast, I didnt feel the pointy PA rocks through the soles, and they gripped on slick rocks. Oh, also, one pair went 1200 miles and didnt have any blowouts in the sides. Pretty amazing shoe I must say.

[Shonryu]

Solomon speedcross 3 with climashield and montrail trail running inserts.

[Praha4]

Garmont Momentum shoes with green Superfeet insoles. But they are just about impossible to find anymore. Next shoes I'll probably try the Brooks Cascadia 8 or 9s; or Patagonia Forerunners.

[hikernutcasey]

I bought a pair of LaSportiva Wildcats last year that I have put about 300 miles on and I love them. They are comfortable, big toe box and dry quickly. Couldn't ask for more.

[Just Bill]

Brooks Cascadia, LaSportiva Wildcats, Inov-8, New Balance, Merrell barefoot or all out series shoes, Patagonia, Solomon, Montrail are all popular shoes.

Altra is a smaller company gaining momentum- the lone peak is a good shoe if you want to try a zero drop. They do get chewed up faster in rough country. http://www.altrarunning.com/fitness/en/Altra/Men/lone-peak-15-mens

Rafe-
Officially a trail runner is just a road shoe with a "trail" oriented tread and often an added toe guard or other high wear area beef ups. It also occasionally involved building a running shoe out of hiking boot material or something as simple as using a more natural color palette and slapping a vibram sole on it.

These days- it's mainly marketing. Further confussed with the addition of minimalist, zero drop, ultralight, and other bewildering terms. I hiked in regular tennis shoes for a long time before they became "trail runners". I also generally prefer road shoes in all but the worst areas and find they have better traction and "throw" mud better than aggressively treaded shoes.

[rafe]

JB - I've done a lot of AT miles in what were probably just plain tennis shoes. Eventually I had to admit that I needed stiffer soles. That's how I ended up with New Balance 659. I don't pay much attention to brand names and model numbers. I know in general that my wide feet seem to do well in New Balance shoes. Which trail runners have Vibram soles?

[Corsac]

So far I am loving my Altra Superior's and Lone Peak 1.5. Nice wide toe box and zero drop.

[jjchgo]

I bought a pair of LaSportiva Wildcats last year that I have put about 300 miles on and I love them. They are comfortable, big toe box and dry quickly. Couldn't ask for more.

same here, i cant say enough good about these shoes.

[Drybones]

I am using Salomon XT Wings 3.

Worse case of blisters I've seen was a young man at a hostel in Buena Vista who was wearing Soloman, said he didn't have any issues until a week earlier when his feet got wet and stayed wet for a while...dont know how he didn't get his feet wet in the first 1000 or so miles.

[QHShowoman]

Worse case of blisters I've seen was a young man at a hostel in Buena Vista who was wearing Soloman, said he didn't have any issues until a week earlier when his feet got wet and stayed wet for a while...dont know how he didn't get his feet wet in the first 1000 or so miles.

Not sure what the takeaway is from this other than you really shouldn't hike for prolonged periods in wet shoes.

[CoffeeBager]

Saucony Peregrin 4 (http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/womensperegrine4/4-115970/catId/cat10002/stockNumber/10230-1/skuId/***4********10230-1*M115/subCatId/cat520162/showDefaultOption/true/productdetails) for me (men's here (http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/mensperegrine4/4-115960/catId/cat10004/stockNumber/20230-1/skuId/***4********20230-1*M090/subCatId/cat5500387/showDefaultOption/true/productdetails)). 4 mm drop and wide forefront without too-wide of a heel. They even have a little metal bit at the bottom of the laces for hooking in my Dirty Girls.

[Trail Ponderer]

I have been trying out the New Balance 1210. I like them so far. Alot of room in the toebox. I tried the NB 910 but found them to be tight.

[Marta]

Another vote for Brooks Cascadia.

[Swordpen]

I am using Salomon XT Wings 3.

ditto here.

I used to "attempt" to use La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes, but found they were too short (their mens 8.5 USA is 1/2 inch shorter than the mens Salomon XT Wings 3, or Salomon Synapse mid, or Salomon Men's Quest 4d GTX).

I might have liked the La Sportiva better if the sizing was correct, but I wasted over $100 with a European company's version of USA sizing.

My 2 fav shoes are (for the past year) the Synapse (non-waterproof version <- non-waterproof hard to find, only on Amazon now), & the XT wings 3.

I have severe foot/ leg issues so I am very picky about a shoe.

My probs: replaced hip, 2 broken toes, broken ankle, flat feet (& thats just ONE of my legs).

HTH

[AndrewAZ]

Saucony Peregrin 4 (http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/womensperegrine4/4-115970/catId/cat10002/stockNumber/10230-1/skuId/***4********10230-1*M115/subCatId/cat520162/showDefaultOption/true/productdetails) for me (men's here (http://www.saucony.com/store/SiteController/saucony/mensperegrine4/4-115960/catId/cat10004/stockNumber/20230-1/skuId/***4********20230-1*M090/subCatId/cat5500387/showDefaultOption/true/productdetails)). 4 mm drop and wide forefront without too-wide of a heel. They even have a little metal bit at the bottom of the laces for hooking in my Dirty Girls.

I'll probably be switching to these next. I'm currently using the Saucony Outlaw, but they've been discontinued.

[redseal]

For backpacking I use La Sportiva Wildcats

For trail runs over 20 miles I use La Sportiva C-lites.

For trail rungs less than 20 miles I use La Sportiva Helios.

Clearly the brand works well for my feet :-)

[DandT40]

Another Brooks Cascadia owner here. I have the 7's and the 8's and love them both.

[fredmugs]

New balance Leadville 1210.

Concur. My feet take a beating so I got a pair of Hoka's and they were way too tight. Just got a pair of 1210s and this weekend we did a 12 mile hike with several miles along a rocky road. The shoes were very comfortable and I felt no tightness in the footbox (I have 4E) even with my Darn Tough socks on. Looking forward to wearing these on my upcoming PCT hike.

[twindaddy]

Does the collective wisdom here think that any of these shoes mentioned in the thread would be sufficient for Trek 16 at Philmont this year presuming a 35 pound pack max? I confess I have a pair of Salomon XD Pros that have just given up the ghost. I have been using a pair of Brooks Adren. GTS 12 and was seriously considering sliding over to the Cascadias.

[Sara]

Salomon Synapse non- waterproof +1


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Berserker]

I've been using various models of NBs over the last few years including the 814s and 909s. Those were both decent shoes, and I'm a really big fan of the Leadville 1210s. Roomy, cush and nice flexibility.

[jsbikehike]

i run with the salomon xa pro 3d ultra cs wp's

[thomas5052]

I've been using La Sportiva Helios and they've been wonderful. Maybe too wonderful considering I've worn them as everyday shoes around campus. They pop up on steepandcheap every once in a while for around 50 bucks if you keep an eye out.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[slbirdnerd]

Don't rule out Asics, they have a great line of trail runners and I am thrilled with my Asics Gel Scout.

[g8trh8tr]

Brooks Cascadia...

[WorldPeaceAndStuff]

Salomon X-Scream. Bought those over the Brooks Cascadia 9. But it was very close between the two.

[imscotty]

I have been wearing my new Altra Lone Peaks around town. Love the super wide toe box. Looking forward to take them out on multi-day hikes soon.

[WorldPeaceAndStuff]

I'm very picky with shoes so I always go to REI so I can return. While there I tried on five different shoes before getting the Salomon X-Scream. The Salomon XA 3D, XT Wings 3, X-Scream, and Brooks Cascadia 9, Pure Grit?. I didn't try any barefoot or minimal shoes.

The Salomon Wings were too narrow and I didn't like the XA series at all. Felt like a boot and was also narrow. Also couldn't stand the Ortholite insole system. The X-Scream is Salomon's city trail series which gives more cushion but doesn't use ortholite. It's also mainly mesh and should dry fast. All have removable insoles.

The Brooks Cascadia 9 has loads of cushion from arch to front of shoe. So much so it felt like my toes and ball of foot sat higher in the shoe. But I really liked the cushioning. The Pure Grit was perfect in cushion but too wide near ankle and I can't get a good fit.

I chose Salomon due to speed lacing and more mesh for faster drying time. But I would be happy with the Cascadia too.

[Pottsalot]

I use Paragonia evermore for strictly trail running and the Patagonia everlong for road and trail versatility. Both are feathered weight and have good cushion.