Happy Feet -October 2008 This season's top trail shoes deliver comfort, protection and performance By Michael Benge and Elinor Fish
Nothing can ruin an otherwise great trail run or race like shoes that pinch, rub or bruise your feet. Putting 13 new models to the dirt, rocks and roots, we evaluated them not only on how they performed on a variety of trail conditions, but how comfortable they felt and how they fit. If your feet aren't happy, you won't be happy. The latest trail shoes offer varying fit, support, weight, breathability, waterproofness and cushioning. Between reading our reviews and "tester-monials," and trying on shoes at your local running shop, you'll find the shoes to keep you smiling through another trail-running season.
THE NORTH FACE Chinscraper $120, 13.2 oz www.thenorthface.com
Soft-shell technology-a tightly woven, breathable, water-resistant material used in jackets and pants-is the rage, and it was only a matter of time before the fabric encased our feet. The Chinscraper's soft-shell upper proved reasonably breathable and admirably repelled dew, snow, slush and light rain (although it is not waterproof like Gore-Tex XCR), and is best suited for cool-weather outings. With a gusseted tongue and stable, cushioned heel, the Chinscraper features a burly, but not overly heavy construction, and ran nimbly on rugged, sloppy mountain trails. The outsole gripped well and stiff midsole provided moderate pronation control. The shoe fits medium to wide feet; some testers felt the arch area was roomy. All this technology, however, comes with a hefty price tag.
Tester-monial: "The great traction made hammering out quick and dirty kilometers even more fun, and they kept my feet comfortable and dry on the long haul."
-Rob Chambers, Halifax, Nova Scotia
ADIDAS Supernova Riot $95, 12.3 oz www.adidas.com
Featuring Adidas' signature foot-hugging fit and roomy toebox, the updated Supernova Riot was a great all-rounder for quick runs on technical trails and mud. The low cuff allowed for great ankle mobility while the strong heel counter and medial posting limits pronation. Testers loved this lightweight trainer's flexible forefoot and ample heel cushioning. One drawback was the rather thin, stubby tongue that lacked sufficient padding under the laces.
Tester-monial: "The Riots gave me good control on muddy rainforest trails here on Oahu, and the forefoot protected my toes when I banged into rocks." -Cheryl Loomis, Kailua, HI
ASICS Gel Trabuco 11 WP $100, 14.6 oz www.asics.com
Asics has taken it's best-selling trail shoe, the Trabuco, and made it waterproof. While its previous generations ran well on both road and trails, this version's aggressive outsole, Gore-Tex upper and stiff midsole make it a true off-roader. The sticky rubber outsole gripped well on slick grass and rocks and the sticky-rubber tread chewed up technical climbs and descents. Though the midsole plate protects you from stone bruising, some testers found it overly stiff in the forefoot.
The waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex bootie keeps water out but makes the fit surprisingly snug, so consider a half-size larger than usual. The gusseted tongue had a tendency to wrinkle under the laces. At $100 for a Gore-Tex trail shoe, the Trabuco 11 WP offers excellent value for runners looking for maximum protection.
Tester-monial: "I was pleased with the strong support and aggressive traction, which helped me keep my footing when running over wet rocks and fallen trees." -Stephanie Reighart, Columbus, OH
AVIA Avi-Trail $90, 12.3 oz www.avia.com
Your feet will breathe easy in the techy-looking Avi-Trails, which feature a debris-stopping durable reinforced upper over a breathable-mesh liner. And for those who prefer drainability over waterproofness, the shoe sheds water (from the inside) exceptionally well. A bomber, cushioned heel mitigated downhill pounding on steep, rocky trails, while the low-profile forefoot provided a locked-on fit and good underfoot protection. For its svelte weight, the Avi-Trail had a burly outsole that performed well across all trail conditions. Fits medium-width, medium-volume feet best.
Tester-monial: "I liked the low-profile cut, which allowed responsive ankle articulation. I found this shoe to perform best on long technical trail runs." -Lindsey Utter, Carbondale, CO
INOV-8 Roclite 295 $95, 10.1 oz www.inov-8.com
Last year, Inov-8 introduced the Roclite 320 and 305 (the numbers represent the shoe's weight in grams), addressing requests for a burlier shoe more suited to the rigors of ultrarunning. The new Roclite 295 features the same fit and outsole (Inov-8's most aggressive) as it's heavier brethren, but a much softer midsole. The result is a very flexible, low-to-the-ground, responsive shoe that feels "soft" underfoot, the antithesis of a motion-control shoe. A thick toe rand protects toes and wrap-around lacing system hugs the mid-foot well. Most runners will appreciate the 295 on smooth trails and even roads, although minimalist-shoe fans might run the Leadville 100-miler in them.
Tester-monial: "While many trail shoes are bulky, overbuilt road shoes, the Roclite 295 is a specialist off-road running and racing shoe. With its narrow last and trim midsole, the 295 is wonderfully comfortable." -Richard Bolt, Portland, OR
LA SPORTIVA Lynx $100, 12.4 oz www.sportiva.com
A departure from La Sportiva's racier Raceblade, Fireblade and Crosslite models, the Lynx harkens back to the company's approach-shoe tradition, with a running bent. The Lynx is lightweight and trim fitting, with a low-profile forefoot and foot-hugging instep. The high cuff is supportive but did not rub ankle bones, the heel cup is well reinforced and the midsole offers plush cushioning. The forefoot provides a good trail feel and adequate protection. Borrowing from the Crosslite, the Lynx features an elastic scree-repelling "sheath" over the instep, while maintaining an airy, breathable forefoot. Overall, the Lynx is a solid all-around trail performer.
Tester-monial: "Because of the Lynx's low-profile design, I felt less likely to roll an ankle, and the outsole provided good grip. Even on rocks and roots, my feet were protected." -Justin Ward, Mount Pleasant, SC
LOWA Arete $90, 12.6 oz www.lowaboots.com
The Arete looks understated for a trail shoe. Slip it on and its pillowy foam-lined mesh upper feels more like a slipper than a performance running shoe. The low-profile midsole keeps you low to the ground and has adequate cushioning on soft ground, but on technical trails, you may feel any sharp rocks and rough ground underfoot. The outsole is moderately aggressive; however some testers found it slippery when running over wet rocks. This shoe runs a bit "flat," meaning the sole lacks a rocker to facilitate a smooth heel-to-toe roll. The Arete is best for those with a neutral footstrike and looking for a lightweight road-to-trail hybrid.
Tester-monial: "For quick, easy running on rolling dirt trails, I found these shoes very comfortable, lightweight and breathable." -Shannon Johnston, West Bloomfield, MI
MERELL CP Paragon $90, 10.6 oz www.merrell.com
Merrell recently hired a new footwear designer to re-vamp its trail-running line, resulting in a plethora of new models. Their lightest, most flexible of the bunch is the CP Paragon. It scored big points among testers not only for the upper's flashy, metallic fabric, but also for its breathable wide-mesh upper and good protection and performance on rough trails. The Paragon best fits those with a medium- to high-volume foot, and who like a roomy toebox and don't require pronation control. A wrap-around toe rand protects your toes, and though the flexible forefoot gives a responsive ride, it lacks cushioning under the toes. The Paragon is a great alternative to lightweight cross-country shoes, which tend to fit snug.
Tester-monial: "This is a great-looking shoe-I didn't want to take it off after my runs! It provided excellent grip on rocky, technical terrain, but I'd recommend it for soft, packed dirt or grass trails." -Kirsten Poulin, Rolling Hills Estates, CA
MONTRAIL Wildwood $110, 12.9 oz www.montrail.com
Named after Portland's Wildwood Trail, this shoe provides a wide, stable platform and roomy fit. Its breathable mesh upper, well-padded collar and gusseted tongue add up to a comfortable fit. The thick midsole provides substantial cushioning, especially under the heel, and a heavy-duty toe bumper protects toes. Testers lauded the Wildwood for its wide-spectrum performance. Fits medium to wide, high-volume feet. For those with lower-volume feet, over-tightening the laces can cause ripples in the upper.
Tester-monial: "Its wide sole provides stability on quick, sharp turns and offered good traction." -Steve Shaum, Trumansburg, NY
NEW BALANCE 840 $80, 10.0 oz www.newbalance.com
The fell-running-inspired 840 is a lightweight, foot-hugging racer or, if you're a minimalist, a training shoe. It runs nimbly and has a low-profile midsole with surprisingly bouncy cushioning that still gives you a great feel for the trail. Its diamond-shaped lugs gripped well on turf, packed dirt and mud.
The mesh upper is highly breathable but lacks reinforcement, another reason to beware of taking this shoe on really technical terrain. Some testers found the length ran short, so consider a half-size larger than usual. This shoe is ideal for those who have a neutral footstrike (no pronation control needed), and love a snug fit and responsive, agile ride.
Tester-monial: "I am inclined to roll my ankles, but felt much more stable in these shoes. They were light enough to let me hurdle rocks on steep terrain." -Sarah Shepard, Glenwood Springs, CO
KAYLAND Dragonfly eVent $115, 14.3 oz www.kayland.com
At first glance, the Dragonfly appeared more light hiker than trail runner. And while it's at the opposite end of the spectrum from a racing flat, the shoe proved itself a decent runner. The Dragonfly is designed to withstand the harshest elements, with an eVent waterproof-breathable membrane, stretchy, gusseted, neoprene tongue and supportive mid-foot and heel "exoskeletons." And does. The Dragonfly was a solid performer on high-mountain run-hikes, especially on sloppy, trail-less terrain. The Dragonfly comes in only in unisex sizes and fits medium to wide, high-volume feet best.
Tester-monial: "The Dragonfly felt a bit clunky at first, but after my first run, the shoe formed to my feet, and on the second it felt surprisingly agile and fast." -Justin Derkash, Denver, CO
SALOMON SpeedComp $90, 11.3 oz www.salomonrunning.com
A big brother to the recent Speedcross 2, the SpeedComp offers a more versatile outsole that performed well on dirt, slick rock and even roads. However, the low-profile lugs aren't as suited to mud or slick grass. The form-fitting shoe is very lightweight yet offers a dreamy cushioned ride and a stable heel. A mesh covering over the laces kept out debris, and the pull-tab laces didn't slip. Some testers noted a lack of support and forefoot protection on super-rough, rocky, rooty trails. Breathability and drainability was compromised by the upper's densely woven fabric, and the black color made them toasty in hot sun. We're hoping for a flashier color in next year's edition.
Tester-monial: "This is one of the lightest shoes I've run in. It was very low to the ground, and the lacing system was quick to fasten and adjust." -Brian Hass, West St. Paul, Manitoba
VASQUE Velocity VST GTX $120, 14.9 oz www.vasque.com
This is an all-wheel-drive model that will get you through the wettest, roughest terrain. Though one of the heaviest and firmest shoes in this review, it's also the most protective in wet, rough conditions. The high-profile, laterally reinforced midsole has a stable TPU plate (the manufacturer calls it Vasque Spine Technology, or "VST") to give you a smooth heel-toe roll, and ample arch support, and protect your feet from sharp rocks.
Adding to this shoe's comfort is gel cushioning in the heel and a waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex XCR liner to keep out moisture. Its curved last ensures a secure fit for those with moderate to high arches and the roomy toebox won't pinch when you're pounding downhill.
Tester-monial: "The Velocity was stable in all conditions and weather on my favorite rugged trails in Brown County State Park."
-Cindy Harris, Indianapolis, IN
