Trail shoes

[jessmarimba]

Thanks, Emily. I've used some of the Vasque shoes for hiking in the past and they were great, but I've been looking for trail shoes with less structure (and less heel bulk) for running. Shoe weight is about the equivalent of wheel weight and I'm definitely hooked on the lighter road shoes. Just not having much luck with off-road!

[SadieKate]

Jess, have you tried the Saucony Peregrine or the new Xodus 3.0. The Xodus was re-designed from the ground up and ain't the same aminal as the old 2.0. My foot sounds very similar to yours except it is tall. I think it is worth checking out both models.

The Asics Gel Trail Attack 7 sounds like what you want except the heel drop is too extreme and the sole too thick! However, since the trend is to lower the drop and reduce the sole maybe Asics changing that in the next model. Might be worth checking with them. It seems like this is the time of year for the new models to start showing up.

[GLC1968]

Just to offer a positive review - I run in the NB Minimus trail (WT10) on the road and LOVE them. They were the only shoe wide enough in the toes for me, but narrow enough through the arch to keep my feet from sliding around (ie, forward) on long runs. And I went through LOTS of shoes before finding these.

Running in them on trails (which I don't get to do that often) is almost as much fun as running barefoot! They feel great!

(and I had zero luck with the NB Minimus road - they didn't fit my foot at all)

[jessmarimba]

Thanks all.

Neither the Peregrine nor the Xodus fit.

I love the NB WT 10 (they are actually the only shoe that DOES fit) but I am wary of transitioning to so little cushioning this late in the season. I need something that's going to work for the Pikes Peak ascent. I'd like to see how the WT 1010 will fit, though rumor has it they are running wider (at least in the men's shoe reviews). It may be that the WT10 ends up my only available choice.

[jessmarimba]

After lots of time staring at my feet as I veg on the couch resting my sore calf, I migh have figured out the problem.

My feet would probably be at least 2 sizes smaller if I didn't have such GIGANTIC monkey toes. I'm not kidding. My big toes are practically opposable.

So clearly, I should just buy a size 8 shoe and cut holes for my toes. Ta-da!! Problem solved.

[yellow]

jess, I have really long toes, too. Sometimes I'm not sure whose feet I have.

Long shot, but have you looked at the Hoka One One? It's like a 3 or 4 mm drop but obviously with a substantial sole. I'd say a good 40% + of the ultra running crowd here wears them and swears by them (including my TRR partner). Not the shoe for me (I'm pretty much in love with the Peregrine 2), but I don't know anyone who has them that has gone back to, uh, more "traditional" shoes.

I run on pretty technical trails and long ago came to the conclusion that while I like a shallower drop (like 3-4 mm), I do not like a minimal sole. The shoe manufacturers are finally figuring out that there is a market for this type of shoe.

I'm surprised SadieKate didn't mention the Scarpa running shoes. Have you seen them?

[SadieKate]

I didn't because what I read talked about high volume feet. Maybe that was for only some models. You saw them in person. What did you think?

[jessmarimba]

I'm surprised SadieKate didn't mention the Scarpa running shoes. Have you seen them?

Haven't seen them in person. I don't think the running stores have them but it looks like REI & Wilderness Exchange do, so I'll definitely check them out.