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For me in wet terrain with rocks, the best is Asicsgrip (6). After that, probably Vibram (tried in Hoka and Nike shoes), Contagrip in Salomon Speedcross 4 and Continental in various Adidas models. Here, some variation between them (for example, Continental in Adidas Terrex Two Flow is better than in Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 (so a 4 for them). After those, probably the outsole by La Sportiva (in Jackal model) and various Nike outsoles (Kiger 8, Wildhorse 6, Pegasus 4 TR) in wet terrain (btw, in mid Spring to mid Autumn, Nike are pretty nice shoes here)
It depends imo of your weight and walking style. I have already 3 years old Nike Kiger, no holes, still bouncing well, just tired of them. I used them daily for 1.5 years. Now I have some Nike Terra trail, using 1 years, almost every day, run once per week (asphalt), bottom part wear less than 50%.
It depends imo of your weight and walking style. I have already 3 years old Nike Kiger, no holes, still bouncing well, just tired of them. I used them daily for 1.5 years. Now I have some Nike Terra trail, using 1 years, almost every day, run once per week (asphalt), bottom part wear less than 50%.
Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280
I mostly wear Topos but got the Terra Kigers on sale recently. They are awesome shoes
Neutral shoes are fine because the terrain is so varied when trail running. Stability shoes on trails are a recipe for rolled ankles (have flat feet, run in Nike Peg Trails, Nike Terra Kigers, and Saucony Peregrines just fine)
I live in Corvallis, but I wear Nike Terra Kiger and Altra Lone peak
I’ve only worn various generations of Altra Lone Peaks and Nike Terra Kigers and won races in both pairs, so they’re my favorite fast trail shoe.
Terra kiger , thank me later
Peregrines were my first trail shoe and are a good place to start. The new models are not getting as good of reviews though. Olympus have a moderately high stack. Might look at the Altra Timp or even Lone Peak. I really like the Nike Terra Kiegers and they are on sale I think.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Deep mud and soft ground

Top pick
Salomon - Speedcross Series
Best for Quick draining and drying for wet trails

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Road-to-trail transitions

Top pick
Nike - Pegasus Trail Series
Best for Steep technical descents

Top pick
Altra - Lone Peak Series
Best for Technical rocky terrain

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series
Best for Ultra-marathon racing

Top pick
La Sportiva - Prodigio Series





