Shoes for Off-Road Trail Running

When I started taking pictures of running shoes, it was a bit daunting that there were so many varieties and technologies. (I can relate to how overwhelmed a new runner might feel when attempting to buy their first pair of serious running shoes.) With just a little bit of homework and guidance from the right sources, it quickly became much easier to discern the unique attributes and degrees of quality and materials of various running shoes. I was also intrigued at the number of sub-categories there are of running shoes. This post focuses on the running shoe category of trail shoes.

Unlike the most popular offerings of running shoes, such as ASICS’ GEL-2140, GEL-Nimbus cushioning shoe, and venerable GEL-Kayano, trail shoes are meant to hold up to greater punishment from the elements. Outdoor trails can put obstacles such as mud, stones, twigs and foliage in the path of a runner. Trail shoes are built to rise to the challenge.

There are even sub-categories within the realm of trail shoes! For fans of ASICS best-selling 2100 series, the 2140 Trail takes the same performance attributes of that beloved line and integrates tougher polymers and water-resistant materials to stand up to the trails.

Similar offerings are available for those who may split their miles between the road and the trail, yet are not willing to shell out the dough for both a trail shoe and a road shoe. The aforementioned 2140 Trail is a good choice for this, as well as the GEL-Trail Sensor, and Pearl Izumi’s elegant Syncro Seek. ASICS’ GEL-Trabuco is offered in two versions; the standard GEL-Trabuco WR, and the GEL-Trabuco WP, which features a GORE-TEX waterproof breathable upper. Brooks’ Cascadia is engineered with many off-road attributes, yet offers such a smooth ride that some runners wear it on the pavement regardless.

For those who are hard-core trail runners, and aspire to fast speeds on tough terrain, there are the highly responsive ASICS GEL-Trail Attack and New Balance 873, which offer lighter weight and optimized traction.

So, even runners who are in the market for trail shoes are best served by doing a little homework rather than buying on impulse.