Terra Kiger 9

I ran my first 50k in Kiger 9s and they worked out great. Those and the Zegama 2s are solid trail shoes IMHO.

Try pick up a pair of Kiger 9s for like $80. Solid heel and it's 4 mm drop similar stack to peregrine, and toebox is wider than you might expect from a Nike. Peg Trail 5 another option, although the heel foam is quite soft and high drop so it's not really for technical terrain. But it handles road and fireroads well.

Kiger 9 very durable. I took 2 pairs to 1200 km each and actually still ok. I'm skipping the K10 cuz no react foam and will wait for the ACG Kiger.

ACG Pegasus Trail looks more breathable as it's an open mesh (similar to the Kiger 9 which I good). Aero Blaze 3 GRVL is a great shoe, but breathability is low. Most importantly - get some quality merino socks like Smartwool.

It's 4 mm. But honestly the Z2 didn't feel low like the Kiger 9's did. It's softer and with more rocker. I prefer lower drop = more forefoot cushion and a more stable heel. Peg Trail 5 did suffer from a tall unstable heel. That limited it to less technical use.

Only comparing to the Z2 here, but the Prodigio Pro is more a race shoe - more rocker, better lockdown, lighter weight, but maybe not the best comfort due the bootie upper and doesn't accommodate swelling well. I'm glad to take them off my feet at the end of a race. Zegama 2 is more a comfort cruiser. Deeper cushion and more comfortable upper. It's a shoe where you prioritize foot comfort over pure performance. That might sound dumb, but foot comfort is often a priority in long Ultras.

Kiger is indeed great, totally underrated shoe.

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%.

Altra escalante racers for all distances on road and nike kigers for trails. I actually prefer a slightly tighter shoe for trails bc it feels more secure on the technical stuff.

Altra lone peaks in a 14 alternated with a Nike Kyger in 14. I tend to stick a shoe when I know the fit.

I mostly wear Topos but got the Terra Kigers on sale recently. They are awesome shoes

Like any surface change, mix trail runs in gradually, starting at shorter distances/whatever you're doing now. Your ankles will thank you, and it'll give you some time to build the stabilizing muscles that don't get as much work on pavement. (Though I guess this partially depends on what gravel you're running on, too.) And, what u/medicore_remnants said about hiking, though I'd add that the goal is \*often\* to keep perceived effort mostly even across uphill/flat/downhill segments. That can mean hiking uphills, but doesn't have to be. (I also know trail runners who are very specific about uphill hiking form for efficiency — long strides and a solid hip bend for loading. I wouldn't sweat it.) I run in Nike Kiger/Pegasus Trail (with extra love for the Kigers — they're an amazing shoe and everyone I know who wears them swears by them, but that's also selecting for folks who liked the feel). Beyond that, I'll let other folks take over on shoe & preparation recs (and assume you'll be wise about HM training). For finding trails: whatever you use for hiking. AllTrails, Gaia, Avenza, Hiking Project, Google Maps, Strava, etc. It's all good. TBH sometimes I'll just look at a topo and pick a place that looks like it'd be fun/has trails. >I really want to do a half marathon at a national park. Lastly, and taking unsolicited advice as usual, I suspect I won't be the only one to say: consider setting some intermediate goals along the way. It's easy to get excited about a long race somewhere amazing (and I have done so!!), and just as easy to lose momentum when it feels too far away, either by date or by fitness. Having ways to celebrate milestones along the way (longest/furthest runs, most elevation, fastest split of a given distance) or to be in community with runners (run clubs, running shorter trail races, volunteering for the longer ones, etc.) is a great way to feed that joy and build momentum.