Nike - Zegama 2

Mafate Speed 4 is still great. Big fan of the Nike Zegama 2 these days too. Both are on the heavier side but are very protective and have great grip. I feel a bit more nimble in the Mafate though. I have a Kjerag that I really like but I guess I have poor footwork because I think I need more cushion. I really hurt my foot landing on a root in the last race I wore them on. Mafate Speed 4 Lite is very cool but I want to see some reviews from trail runners. Hoka is positioning it as a lifestyle shoe which I think is odd and is causing it to be looked over by real runners (I think).

TX2 is a great choice. I would size up half a size from a Mafate though. The TX2 has a particularly tight toe box. This is one of the things that was updated on the TX3 Now that I think of it though, I would also suggest that you look at the Nike Zegama 2. It's pretty great, if only a tad heavy. Unless you're running some super technical trails, I don't see a reason to stay away from max cushion for a heavier runner, even for shorter races. Unless you are specifically going for highly technical running and very sensitive trail feel, go for the support and give your joints a break

I'm really enjoying the Zegama 2 for all kinds of trails. The lugs are bit overkill for nontechnical trails but it's not going to kill you to haul around a few extra ounces if you otherwise like the shoe. I've used them for nontechnical 100 milers and had no regrets. They're great shoes, at least on my feet. I've had terrible experiences with Challengers, particularly the ankle collar rubbing on my ankle bones. Chafing, bruising, or both. I get the feeling this is just a me problem, though, as these shoes are otherwise quite popular. Every few years I try on the latest Challenger iteration and experience the same problem. If these shoes are working for you already in 100s, I don't see a point in switching. Zegamas aren't going to make you any faster. You could also consider road shoes for a nontechnial trail 100. I wore Hoka Cliftons for my first 100 mile race and had zero issues.

Topo Ultraventure is a solid alternative. Nike Zegama also similar.

I've had fairly good luck with them, they usually crap out for me around 500-600 miles. I feel like that ZoomX midsole starts to get pretty lifeless around 500 miles. Uppers also start to tear for me, but that could just be due to the heaps of sweat and dirt that dry them out. Really great shoe overall, been my go-to for the last few thousand miles of trail running. Wish it was maybe just a touch lighter though, but nothing's ever going to be perfect.

Ah, thanks. Good additional info there! I tend to keep a few different shoes in my drop bags or with my crew during the really long races. I've found that really high stack shoes (Speegoats, Zegamas for me) work well early in the race, but as my muscles fatigue, my form degrades, and my turnover starts to suffer, I want a little bit less shoe. The big stack shoes make me stumble and trip! When that becomes a problem, I go down to a smaller stack shoe. Like most things shoe related, I think you'll have to experiment a bit. Over the years, I've grown further and further toward using exclusively high stack shoes both training and racing. I've been testing out different stack heights in training more recently, simply to remind myself that other options exist and can work in the right situation. If you feel like your shoes might be holding you back, give a new strategy a try.

Nike Zegama 2 - great cushion for the road  but excellent grip for muddy trails with the vibram outsole- plenty of sales, you can pick then up for £99- I have stocked up 👌🏻

That’s what I’m wearing :)!

I really love the Nike Zegama. I’ve done up to 32 miles of trail in them and my feet were great at the end.

The foam on the zegama 2 is more comfortable for me for long efforts than the challenger. My feet get sore in the challengers a lot faster than the zegama.

Same. It’s a great shoe.

I avoid asphalt as much as I can and I don’t think I shuffle too much. I’ve put a decent amount of miles into my Zegama 2s, north face vectivs, Salomon’s, and ultrafly before retiring them and they held up pretty well. This is the first pair of trail shoes that looks like they took a beating early on. It is a great shoe though

Plug for Zegama 2s. I’m only 180 lbs but find the performance and the amount of wear I put on shoes differs greatly from my lighter friends. The Zegamas snappy mid and rugged outsole has held up amazingly well (just replacing them after >600 hard miles). They’re high and not super wide and some complain they’re not stable but they work for me, size 15 probably lending some stability. 

Some already said, but I'd look at the: * Topo MTN Racer 3 - tried them on in store and thought they felt great * Brooks Catamount 3 or 4 - I run in the 2's right now and have the 3's waiting in the wings. This is my favorite trail shoe, although it is a little narrow. * Nike Zegama 2 - I didn't like them because I thought the heel drop felt like too much for the trails and would cause stability issues for myself. Foam felt great though. * North Face Summit VECTIV Sky 2 - heard good things about this one that's about to come out. The one might go on sale soon. * adidas Terrex Agravic 3 - heard good things but too narrow for me * adidas Terrex speed - heard good things but too narrow for me * nnormal kjerag - heard good things and is a sustainable brand * Altra Monte Blanc - heard good things from people who have no heel slippage problems, although the heel didn't work for me at all

Rotating out Nike Zegama 2 and Terra Kiger depending on run type and/or weather.