Out buying some shoes for the forth coming cross country season and, never having done this since school when plimsoles were the only option, I was a little lost as to what I should purchase. This is where a really helpful (and startlingly young!) lad gave me and the wife the benefit of a wealth of knowledge on the British Cross Country scene.
I had gone in with the (mis) preconception of purchasing something that might be refered to as a "Trail Shoe" and quickly realised that this was no better than an extra-treaded road shoe. I.E. next to useless when faced next week with the gloop the first week of October is going to provide us with (according to the soon-to-retire Mr. Fish).
My opinion is that these so called trail shoes are only derived from walking shoes and at that, only suitable for dry dusty trails. In these situations, I'm sure my trusty road shoes will suffice and save me a small fortune.
I was quickly convinced for the need for something a little more aggressive and opted for spikes over studs, but was then confronted with the choice of spike length.
Does anyone have any experience of using spikes (difficulty?) and what sort of length should I use for what conditions?
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The wetter/gloopier it is the longer, If there is any hard stuff on the course, then shorter is better.
I've compromised at between 8 and 12mm
djb
My partner wore road shoes and fell three times in the muddy conditions.
I do not like spikes, scared I will spike myself (I do kick my own shins a bit when I run.)
10-15mm spikes would be best if you like spikes, but if there are any road sections they can be difficult to cope with, whereas studs are better for multi terrain type runs.
To be honest some of the specific trail shoes are not too bad, it is just that a lot are tweaks of road shoes. However having got a pair of trail shoes, I agree if you are doing real cross country i.e. mud and fields then spikes are better. Just remember that there is no cushioning on these which in mud is fine but if you are on slighlty harder surfaces the achilles can tend to notice it after a while.
If the weather's fine, I reckon my regular Sauconys will do the job - they've got pretty decent grip. For out-and-out cross-country, or muddy trails, I'd use my Flyrocs.
Walsh, Innov-8 (already mentioned), New Balance RX Terrain, Adidas swoop.
As you've already spotted Trail shoes from the regular road shoe manufacturers are a waste of time.
looking for some info on off road shoes ,I am looking to do some cross country this season and also live close to Richmond and Bushy park in southwest London therefore will be doing pleanty of off road running am looking for a shoe which will be suitable ,the only problem is that i tend to pronate and also wear othodics,the shoes i normally wear are addidas cairos, mizuno
wave legend,
and brooks addiction on long runs which are all motion control any advise would be great, thanks
How effetive do you think the Addiction trail would be in mud? are they much different to the Addiction?just the tread I would imagine