Shoes

CB · Joined: 31 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Would normal running shoes provide adequate support for the various running surfaces or would it be necessary to wear trail shoes.

Cape Odyssey · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 14

Dear CB,

Decent trail running shoes are definitely the way to go for a long event like the Cape Odyssey!

Trail running shoes:
1. The sole is harder to protect the soles of your feet - small stones and rocks poke through normal running shoes bruising your feet.
2. There’s better traction (safer and more efficient)
3. Uppers of the trail running shoes are more robust and resistant to cutting from rocks.
4. Trail shoes have a toe cap to protect your big toe should you stub it on a rock
5. The good trail shoes have Goretex uppers (water resistant) so your socks stay dry.
6. They are stiffer and therefore more durable than running shoes.

I would advise you to get two pairs of identical trail running shoes (both previously worn). You can alternate which pair you use every day, as they may get wet. Also an old wives tale says that the foam in your shoes needs to recover for a day after being worn. This is up to each runner, depending on finances etc. but if you can, this might be the difference between a difficult run with blisteringly sore feet, and a comfortable run with dry, clean shoes each day.

Kind Regards,
Sarah Harrop

ninabodisch · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Hi There

What are the most popular trail running shoes on the SA market at the moment? I'm quite new to trail running, and I usually wear a stability shoe for road running. I prefer New Balance, but a few years ago I bought one of their trail running shoe models and had sore feet every time I ran in them (they were EXTREMELY rigid, hard and clunky).

Any advice, borne out of experience will be very appreciated!

Thanks,
Nina

Team Moondance · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:44 am Post subject:

hi Nina

I can't claim to have experience of a very wide range of trail shoes, but I've had good experience with Salomon (currently using the XA Pro 3D, but getting some Wings soon Smile

) and my partner swears by her Montrails (she uses both the Hardrock and Streak models, depending on terrain, distance etc).

There are obviously more and more trail shoes appearing on the market, and I've heard good things about some New Balance and Adidas models, but I can almost bet that you'll see a LOT of Salomon Wings and Montrail Hardrocks at the Odyssey.

Gerry

ninabodisch · Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks indeed for the tip - I appreciate it! Will hit the shops tomorrow and try on as many as I can find before making my decision to buy.
Got to find myself some trails to practice on & test out the shoes... Wink

Team Moondance · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Nina, if you're in the Gauteng area and you want to hit some dirt on the weekend, you can always join us at Northern Farm on Sunday? Smile

Check out the discussion under "Training" for details...

cheers,
Gerry

julyshoead · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 1

Really decent trail running shoes are definitely the way to go for a long event like the Cape Odyssey? that is really good...

Smile

brayantobbe · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 1

Well choosing the right shoes for trail running is very important to me and the shoes I am always using is the Brooks Trail Addiction. These kind of shoes has the HydroFlow cushioning system that absorbs shock, stabilizes the foot, and returns energy. They are very comfortable and durable as you continue wearing them on.
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