Hoka - Torrent 2

if you are in asics n like asics fit, maybe Fuji n Trabuco also something you should look into. for my light gravel, i have Novablast3 TR, n sometimes also got away with Adizero SL2. but my long distance trail shoes are Torrent2, Speedgoat5, XodusUltra2 n just newly acquired EndorphinRift. among my lineup, SG5 probably overkill for something under 30km. for Salomon, most reviewer would highlight about its narrowness. take note

I'm on my third pair of Mach 6 (wide) for road runs and I'm looking for something with a similar fit for trail runs. I owned several pairs of the Torrent 2 and loved them, but swear they got narrower when they redesigned them as the Torrent 3 and haven't really found a trail shoe I love since. I recently tried Speedgoat 6 in wide, and I generally like them, but after a 70-minute run with about 2k ft of vert in the Marin Headlands, my pinky toe is kind of busted (even with heel lock lacing). Curiously, I ran up Mt. Tam (\~2500 ft, 3.5 miles) then back down a rather steep trail and didn't have issues. I ran the Double Dipsea (14.5 miles, 4.4k ft vert) in the Saucony Peregrine 13 (wide) and got bad blisters on my heels (even with heel lock lacing). I still wear the shoes for long walks on the weekends and like them -- just didn't seem to do well on all those stairs. I haven't had much luck with Topo or Altras. Any recommendations?

I prefer speedcross on technical courses and really muddy/wet. I like how they closely huh the foot from toes to heel and their grip is great. I trust them in bad and hard conditions. But for more normal trail runs that aren’t technical or wet/muddy I go with Hokas torrent like which are a little looser in the toe box and a bit more cushiony.

First, there is nothing that wrong with using road shoes on trails. 25 years ago there was no such thing as trail running shoes and people did fine. If you do want specific shoes and like Hoka then: Hoka Challenger if they are smooth trails or mixed road trails. Hoka Torrents if they are rougher trails.

Nike alpha flys for my short loops! Kidding kidding I’m a brooks guy, caldera is what I use and keep in rotation. I need something soft to avoid fatigue. Hoka zinal for speed sessions. Hoka torrent for race day, they do wreck my legs though but in fastest in those. Ohh I use to use a lot of inov-8 but they don’t last for me at all, terrible for me and Altra don’t last either My next venture is asics. I did get Nike Pegasus trail this year as a gift, so we’ll see

Conversely, don’t get hamstrung over Vibram if your environment is dry for much of the year. Or if you have multiple pairs in rotation not all have to be Vibram. Said another way, this is my rationalization for my Hoka Torrents. 😃

I’m on my 3rd season of switching to trail runners over hiking boots. Everyone may have a different experience but for me, my feet have never been happier (Hooka, Speedgoat 5).

I’ve switched almost entirely to trail runners including on a lot,of rugged terrain. I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. I like the padding, but have found lower drop shoes to be better for this. Altras are good, but I destroy them in about 300 miles. Trying Topos right now. Not as padded, but low drop with a wide toe box and they seem to be holding up better.

Trail runner will be fine. I was talking to a guy recently that said the AT requires real boots. But even by his argument, trail runners will be fine. The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka. Altras and Topos have less to zero drop and they don’t have this occur for me. Though Altras kind of suck for durability (expect 300 miles unless they fixed things). And Topos have less padding and are not as comfortable.