Trailfly zero unless you have a lot of mud to deal with, in which case get the trailtalon zero. Not quite as comfortable for me as the old G270, but still pretty decent
Try out Inov8 shoes. I have great results on wet rocky terrain. I like Trailfly Speed and Zero. They’re foot shaped wide toebox. They also last 2-3x as long.
Second choice would be Altra Timp.
They’re all the same shape, and the models (i.e. Trailfly Zero, Trailfly Speed, Trailfly Max) have different drop and amount of cushion. However, as far as aggressive sole, choose which line of Inov8 shoes based on the tread/terrain you plan to encounter:
Roadfly = 0-2mm tread; Trailfly = 4mm tread; Trailtalon = 6mm tread; Mudtalon = 8mm tread
I rather naively got some inov8 zero drop trail shoes first time using them was to hike the GR11 in the Prynees in Spain but fortunately I had no issues at all hiking in them. However, first couple of runs in them after I got back home my calves were knackered, probably took 2 or 3 weeks to get used to them for running
What is the issue with inov-8 quality? I’ve been trail running and hiking in them for many years and they are the ones with the best traction and durability. I have not tried any high options since I don’t think it’s necessary. I love most of their zero drop models.
It's a very personal journey to find the right trail runner (and I wouldn't hike in anything else, plus I never had ankle issues etc). My favorites are Topo and Altra for hiking only but I tend to use trail runners for trail running and hiking outside of thru hikes. Inov-8 are my favorites for running plus hiking. But others swear by Hoka or Salomon, both of which don't work for me (too high; too arched). So if you can, try a few different brands and see what feels right from the get-go!
Hi,
Not much of a runner (bits of trail here and there, but nothing to write home about). Just signed up for a 20km fell race so need some shoes. Will of course try them on before buying, but any suggestions?
I run in either Hoka W torrent 2 size 7, or Innov8 Trailfly wide in a 6 or 6.5
With the hokas, I feel super stable, but get blisters on the outside of my little toe and big toe, within 2km so I think they are too narrow.
With the trailfly, no blisters and very comfortable around my forefoot, but I feel like I’m going to roll my ankles (and do if the ground is uneven) and pronate, which has never been a problem for me in any other shoe.
I have a very forefoot strike, although slightly more midfoot if tired, and other than in my trailflys, pretty neutral gait. I do have an old Achilles injury caused by pressure from a seam in a too small pair of hiking boots - it’s well rehabbed but I do get tendinopathy easily if a shoe places pressure on it (I can have shoes that touch it, just when they dig in I have no tolerance for that). I do think I do maybe slightly spin my heels out on landing (possibly landing lateral forefoot and rolling towards big toe, resulting in heel spin), because I always kick the inside of the other ankle.
I have reasonable arches so do find I get numb toes if the laces put pressure in the wrong place.
I have tried many, many times to find shoes that work for me, had gait analysis etc, but the best shoes I’ve found are the 2 above, which I don’t think fit well enough to take the increase in running I’m about to do (or indeed, the terrain?). It’s one of the things that puts me off running is I’ve never found shoes that feel good.
Apologies for the long post - hoping if anyone has any suggestions it’ll be a starting point, otherwise I’ll be running through the mud in January barefoot 🤦♀️😬
I live in north west England
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Mount to Coast
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85% positive of 177 users
Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.
Andy_DT
