Trail Shoes....

[3930dave]

Stepped up my jogging lately, so needed to update shoes. Ended up with these; first time trying Salomon. Blown away, on my first loop today.

Not inexpensive (they have lower price points, w/o Goretex), but you know the saying......

For this time of year, they are like the best pair of snow-tires I've ever had, and now that I've tried Goretex, they will def be my Winter choice - my feet have NEVER been this dry after a Winter run.

I don't do much pavement, so this is a great choice for my needs. Compound is soft enough, that I wouldn't recommend these for pavement walking/running.... at least until I have more time, to see how these wear.

Anyway, not often I'm THIS impressed by a product I've tried, so wanted to mention the brand, in case anyone is in the market for a trail, walking, or hiking shoe. (They have separate Hiking models, with some similar features, but heavier built). They have other models, with different treads and compounds.

I'm about What Works (Brand-blind in other words), so post up what has worked for you !

Rgds, D

Salomon Speedcross 6 Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoes - Men's | MEC

 

[oosik]

I have "Norwegian fat foot". 10 1/2 - 3E. A whole lot of the uber fancy running/trail/work footware don't make a wide model.

I've settled on KEEN footware. They are available locally - they fit - they last me four years or more.

Like many - I can be exceptionally tough on footware. After four years or so - I literally wear the tread down till its almost completely flat. That's on a shoe with a Vibrim sole.

 

[ArlyA]

Keen do seem to make wide shoes.

 

[Eagle1]

Keen has gone downhill in my experience. First couple lasted years, the last two didn't - at 8 months and less than 4 for the last pair. Same usage.....
Maybe I was just unlucky....

 

[Darth_DMack]

I love trail running... more like trail "wogging"... mix between a fast walk and slow jog... (27 years of jumping out of an aircraft whilst in flight = bad knees).

My shoe of choice these days are made by Hoka. I have the Speed Goat 5's. They are very comfy and have gusseted tongues to keep out the trail debris. They are not goretex, but then again, I have never really needed a goretex liner.

Salomon's are super nice... been using them for years as well.

 

[3930dave]

I have "Norwegian fat foot". 10 1/2 - 3E. A whole lot of the uber fancy running/trail/work footware don't make a wide model.

I've settled on KEEN footware. They are available locally - they fit - they last me four years or more.

Like many - I can be exceptionally tough on footware. After four years or so - I literally wear the tread down till its almost completely flat. That's on a shoe with a Vibrim sole.

My semi-retired Saucony light trail shoe these Salomon replaced have a Vibram sole - for my use - light jogging rural roads (dirt shoulders that I stay on mostly), occasional trail runs - that sole has stood up very well, matching my experience with Vibram on boots. But, with my jogging shoes, I never wear them just for walking, nor do I wear a loaded pack while jogging. Carcass body is starting to give out on the Saucony, and it's no where near the rigidity these new Salomons are, and probably wasn't new. If I could have found a new Saucony of that model, I probably would have bought it..... I probably had over 5 years on those, and did like them.

Hadn't heard of Keen, but I do see Hoka around here.

Rgds, D.

 

[sea2summit]

Only thing I hate about the speedcross is they won't do pavement...you'll start tearing off the little gripper nubs in about .27 miles. If you're 100% trails great but mixed pretty much no go. At least that's how they've been for me. Wore out two pairs.

 

[3930dave]

I love trail running... more like trail "wogging"... mix between a fast walk and slow jog... (27 years of jumping out of an aircraft whilst in flight = bad knees).

My shoe of choice these days are made by Hoka. I have the Speed Goat 5's. They are very comfy and have gusseted tongues to keep out the trail debris. They are not goretex, but then again, I have never really needed a goretex liner.

Salomon's are super nice... been using them for years as well.

Trails..... regular life schedule... I don't usually make the time to drive somewhere just to run a trail, but I probably should.

MEC organized a transponder trail run pre-Covid. The only other organized run I'd gone on before was a 10k street charity run - that was fun too, but I REALLY enjoyed that transponder run - it was a blast.

And... that was with me, picking a wider spot on the trail to pass a lady, and being so EXTRA careful not to jostle or graze her that I missed seeing a really strong root hoop sticking up in the air, which hooked me down cartoon-style, grazing my shin nicely. Got up, feeling like an idiot, answered the nice runners asking if I was Ok with "that'll buff right-out, I've done way worse working in my garage", smiled, and got back to jogging. I really enjoyed the variability of the terrain, it was a spectacular course.... and I got to finish the course with dried blood running down my leg as a souvenir .

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Only thing I hate about the speedcross is they won't do pavement...you'll start tearing off the little gripper nubs in about .27 miles. If you're 100% trails great but mixed pretty much no go. At least that's how they've been for me. Wore out two pairs.

That is a concern for me....will see, and I may reserve these for Winter use - that way the tiny bit of pavement I can't avoid will often be snow or ice covered. It does seem to be a very soft sole-compound, which is magic this time of year, but like my snow-tires, wouldn't like July temps.

Rgds, D.

 

[oosik]

On the other hand - I have three pair of custom made boots. They fit like a fine glove - cost was truly exorbitant. $600 to $750 for each pair.

They were specifically made for use when I rode motorcycles.

 

[kenmbz]

I use Salomon XA pro 3D - good crossover for the woods and tarmac trails.
Not as good as they used to be, but pretty inexpensive on sale.
Not a lot of ankle support, for that I use Merrel boots on the rough trails

 

[WoodChuckDad]

Hoka Speadgoat 5 . they were fairly pricey, I thought. $130. But my old knees and hips thank me. two loops on my on farm trail, puts me at almost 3 miles and that's enough for me. Gets my heart working and gives the dogs the opportunity to run around and investigate with me.

 

[3930dave]

On the other hand - I have three pair of custom made boots. They fit like a fine glove - cost was truly exorbitant. $600 to $750 for each pair.

They were specifically made for use when I rode motorcycles.

Anything quality and custom, is going to be pricey. Once you have the disposable funds... enjoy..... IIRC, one of the first things Charlie Watts (RIP) did back-when, was head to Saville Row.

I ride MC, currently, and can appreciate the value of good boots/gear in general..... haven't spent that ^ kind of money on boots, yet ...... next thing in the MC-gear budget is probably updating my jacket.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I use Salomon XA pro 3D - good crossover for the woods and tarmac trails.
Not as good as they used to be, but pretty inexpensive on sale.
Not a lot of ankle support, for that I use Merrel boots on the rough trails

I think that was the alternate model I was just checking out in-store @ MEC..... Not a light shoe (fine by me, not racing), and seemed quite solid (upside of the weight), and was a killer-price on Clearance - I probably would have gone with that one, if they'd had my size in-stock.

My sizing went the same with these Salomons, as many online comments.... expect to go Up at least a half-size. In my case, I was a full size larger than I normally select with many shoes...

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Hoka Speadgoat 5 . they were fairly pricey, I thought. $130. But my old knees and hips thank me. two loops on my on farm trail, puts me at almost 3 miles and that's enough for me. Gets my heart working and gives the dogs the opportunity to run around and investigate with me.

Sounds like a great outing, with the canines

I've been hearing good things lately about Hoka; I'll keep them in mind for next time....

Rgds, D.

 

[5030]

Least the seller of the OP's shoes listed the country of origin which is CHINA. I do believe 99% of footware is made there today. What I wonder is, do they smell like the rubber stuff that HF sells, IOW, stink?

At 74, I don't jog, I walk my dog everyday up and down the dirt road out front of the farm but when I do go hunting, I always wear my Kennetrek Hunting boots and they aren't made in China. They are made in Italy and very expensive too boot (no pun intended). When it comes to hunting and excellent foot ware, I spare no expense. Wearing ill fitting or foot ware that lacks the proper support when hunting can and will ruin your day and nothing worse than blisters or sore feet when on a multi day hunt. My Kennetreck's have been everywhere, from Idaho to Mexico to New Mexico to the Dakota's and back here and are still comfortable and wearing like iron. Best part is, they require no 'break in' and you can change out the footbeds as often as you want to. Certainly not a 'running or jogging' shoe, but than I do neither.

 

[ultrarunner]

Surprised so many runners here…

I may check out the Salomons as looking for one now with a wide toe box… got to keep the toes happy.

Remember when I was buying 10 and now wearing 13 extra wide for the toes but really too big for the feet.

 

[scootr]

Merrell boots for work and play. Comfortable all day. They do run narrow but that's what I like. They have serious sales on discontinued stock - they are always introducing new stuff. Old stock at 50% off is good enough for this guy. When I find something I like I usually buy a second pair.

​	Thermo Snowdrift 2 Mid Waterproof Product Number: J037245 Color: Black/Granite Size: 13 Quantity: 1​

 

[oosik]

It only takes ONE incident to realize how important your feet/legs are. I was "chair ridden" a couple years ago - exactly 27 days. A real PITA. That's when I bought this work station rolling chair. LARGE wheels and easy to scoot anywhere around the house.

Good shoes sure help with all the joints going up your legs.

 

[3930dave]

Least the seller of the OP's shoes listed the country of origin which is CHINA. I do believe 99% of footware is made there today. What I wonder is, do they smell like the rubber stuff that HF sells, IOW, stink?

At 74, I don't jog, I walk my dog everyday up and down the dirt road out front of the farm but when I do go hunting, I always wear my Kennetrek Hunting boots and they aren't made in China. They are made in Italy and very expensive too boot (no pun intended). When it comes to hunting and excellent foot ware, I spare no expense. Wearing ill fitting or foot ware that lacks the proper support when hunting can and will ruin your day and nothing worse than blisters or sore feet when on a multi day hunt. My Kennetreck's have been everywhere, from Idaho to Mexico to New Mexico to the Dakota's and back here and are still comfortable and wearing like iron. Best part is, they require no 'break in' and you can change out the footbeds as often as you want to. Certainly not a 'running or jogging' shoe, but than I do neither.

I've always valued a high-boot, for stability and protection - working or recreating outside. Repeating a post of mine from another thread.... I was glancing at an anatomy poster in my chiropractor's office a little while ago, and was struck by the # of bones in your feet.... I figured there were lots, but wouldn't have guessed that high. MC riding alone, tends to focus attention (at least mine), on how vulnerable ankles are.

Easy to take feet for granted.... this discussion is reminding me of an interview I saw with a Canadian Forces member, would lost his lower legs in the Sandbox. His first comment was "Yep, I was like everybody else.... just got out of bed, started my day, never thinking about what my feet were doing for me".... then the rest of the clip covered his daily workout in the gym, which I would have struggled to follow @ that pace.

Rgds, D.