Which Shoes are Best for You for Trail Running?

Trail running is a sport that has grown in popularity in recent years. And Tremblant is a prime location for trail runners in the region for its terrain and diversity of trails. But, before embarking on a new sport, it is important to be well equipped, and trail running is not excluded from this rule! Choosing shoes adapted to your needs and the terrain is therefore essential before hitting the trails, and we have some tips to help you find the pair for you.

What to Look For When Shopping

Although the principle remains the same on the road and in trail running, the equipment must be adapted to the terrain. Therefore, trail running shoes are developed to provide comfort, traction/grip and special protection for rough terrain. Here are some important aspects to consider when making your choice:

Studs

The soles of trail running shoes are equipped with studs so that the shoes have better traction on the ground. Depending on the intensity of the studs, the soles will perform better on different terrains. For example, soles with more discreet studs will be more effective on dry ground and more pronounced studs are ideal on humid ground. The studs also allow better stability of the shoe and greater efficiency for running safely.

For winter runners, there are studded soles with carbide tips, giving you a biting and effective grip even on ice.

Durability and Resistance of the Shoe

A trail shoe has different reinforcement points to help protect your foot. Under your foot to reduce contact with roots and rocks, and on the shoe to protect the toes and instep from shocks. This allows your shoes to be durable and wear resistant despite the terrain.

Foot Support

Safety is an important aspect of trail running, and the shoes you choose should help with that. Trail shoes should therefore hold your feet precisely and effectively to prevent any feet twisting in the shoes when running on unstable ground. Also, the inclination of the shoe should be around 8 to 10 mm to promote a stride on the front of the foot.

Stability

Your shoes should also be stable. Firm cushioning and a rigid construction is therefore to be prioritized. These characteristics will allow your shoes to forgive small support errors and thus give you confidence during your outing. Also, the longer you run, the more these aspects of the shoes are important to project the foot from the impact.

Shoe Width

Trail running shoes should be comfortable and hold your feet well. A good fit, without being too tight, is important so that your feet do not move from side to side or front to back. Since the front of the shoe is generally wider, your toes should be able to move easily. Remember that your feet will expand during exercise, so your shoes should hug your feet tightly.

Material

Breathable waterproof membranes are useful when running in rain or snow, or when the ground is muddy and wet. The most popular is GORE-TEX for waterproofing the shoe and thus keeping your feet dry. However, this material adds thickness to the shoes and does not wick away sweat, thus retaining heat during summer. It is therefore rather recommended for fall/winter runs.

Mesh uppers are also popular with trail runners, especially when crossing streams as they allow water to escape and dry quickly.

Terrain

The type of terrain you’ll encounter is not to be trivialized when shopping your pair of trail shoes. Indeed, certain aspects of the shoe will be more important than others depending on the rails on which you run.

Rough and Unstable Trails

Prioritize shoes with very pronounced studded soles. These will give you more traction on the ground and make it easier to brake on descents. The studs also help absorb shock on uneven surfaces.

Rocky Terrain

A rigid shoe that protects the foot from impacts is required. Rigid shoes often even have a protective plate in the soles to better distribute the impact, thus helping to reduce foot fatigue and prevent sprains.

Soft Trails (Parks, Clay, Gravel)

Shoes with less pronounced studs and softer grip rubber soles will be your best bet. These offer you less rigidity than more rigid models, thus gaining in lightness.

Brands and Shops

There are a multitude of brands from which to choose your pair of shoes. Luckily, at Tremblant we have a choice of sports shops and experts who can advise you on your purchase.

Explore!

Columbia Tremblant

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