Latest Gear - Trail & Mountain Running Shoes

Four running shoes for summer trails in Val Thorens

Imprint: By Andy Malton, Updated 4 June 2018

The popularity of off road running continues to grow. Running is a great way to keep fit and experience nature at the same time and it’s an activity that everyone can get involved in. From a simple 20 minute jog through a local park to a big multi-day itinerary across the Alps. There are also a huge number of events and reces out there these days and they’re a great way to get involved in the sport. Still, the real beauty of running is in its simplicity. All you need is a pair of running shoes and you’re good to go.

There are so many trail and mountain running shoes on the market these days it’s sometimes difficult to keep up. Here are a few that are worth checking out this spring. As is always the case with footwear though, it’s best to try a few different shoes on before buying as the most important thing to get right is always the fit.

Salomon Sense Ride

The Salomon Sense Ride is aimed at the runner who wants a shoe that will handle a variety of terrain types and underfoot conditions. It would make a good choice for the runner who prefers to run in one pair of shoes whatever their outing.

At 275g the Sense Ride is a mid-weight shoe that offers moderate levels of protection and stability. It has a 8mm drop with a well cushioned midsole that makes it a good option for harder surfaces and longer runs. The outsole has quite deep lugs to offer good traction on a variety of surfaces from hard dusty trails to wet muddy ones. If you’re new to trail running and looking for a shoe, the Salomon Sense Ride (or something similar) could be a good place to start.

Scott Kinabalu Supertrac

In the past year or so Scott have released the very well received RS range which features a lighter, faster version of the Kinabalu Supertrac. The Kinabalu Supertrac is something of a classic though and still definitely has its place.

At 370g this is most certainly not the lightest trail running shoe out there. It is however very durable, versatile and comfortable. It makes a really awesome training shoe for the runner who gets out in all conditions. The deeply cushioned rockered midsole also means the Kinabalu Supertrac is more than happy on the road for a few miles and once on the trails the deeply lugged outsole provides amazing grip in on pretty much any surface.

Invo8 X-Talon 230

The Inov8 X-Talon is a legendary shoe. Designed to provide the ultimate in grip in a superlight weight package, the X-Talon has been upgraded this year with the new Sticky Grip outsole for even better traction and improved underfoot protection.

This is a shoe for fell and mountain running races over soft and steep terrain. The 6mm drop and low stack height (13mm - 7mm) means the X-Talon is fast and nimble and the Powerflow+ midsole offers increased shock absorption over previous models for comfort in firmer conditions.

Hoka One One Mafate Speed 2

Hoka One One have seen massive growth over the past few years. They lead the way when it comes to the ‘maximal’ concept that has become increasingly popular recently. The basic idea behind the classic Hoka design is to create a shoe with a lot of cushioning and a smooth ride but with a minimal drop. Many runners feel this gives a good balance of comfort and responsiveness, especially for longer runs on paths and trails.

The Mafate Speed 2 is one of Hoka’s best selling shoes. It has a 4mm drop and plenty of cushioning, along with a Vibram Mega Grip outsole with 5mm lugs for a good grip on a variety of surfaces. This is a classic shoe for the longer distances and will undoubtedly be on the feet of many ultra runners this summer.

Jargon Buster

Drop

This refers to the difference in the amount of midsole cushioning between the heel and the forefoot. Generally speaking, shoes with a bigger heel to forefoot drop will provide more
support, whereas those with less will be more nimble and responsive. Where trail and
mountain running shoes are concerned, a drop of between say 5mm and 8mm may be
considered about average these days, although there are plenty of options either side.

Rocker

Rocker has become more popular in recent years. A rockered sole tends help roll the foot
forward and can provide a smooth and efficient ride. Rocker is usually found on trail shoes
and less often on minimal fell running shoes designed for extreme terrain.

Outsole

The outsole is a really essential part of any off road shoe. An outsole that has very deep lugs will be great for wet, muddy conditions or very steep terrain but may feel overkill on smooth, flat hardpack. Likewise a shoe with a shallow lugged outsole may feel clean and fast on hardpack but will be less suitable for more extreme underfoot conditions and terrain.

Read more of Andy's reviews on his website.