I need a trail shoe that can do both long runs and tempo sessions, within a reasonable price.
looking at potentially Brooks Catamount 2, Hoka Mafate speed 4(if on sale), Saucony Peregrine 13 or Xodus ultra 2, and Altra Lone Peak 7.
thoughts and recommendations are appreciated, thank you!
What is your priority? Is it trail running or road/track workouts? What kind of trails are we talking?
I run gravel type trails and run intervals and long paved runs in a single pair of shoes, but I prefer using a road shoe for light trails instead of a trail shoe for workouts. For my use most road shoes work fine. I have used the Asics Novablast Trail in the winter and found it to be a good compromise for when I need more traction - but its still totally fine for pavement intervals. Maybe your trails are much more technical though.
I said track intervals, but should have said tempo workouts. Same takeaway.
i think i'd rather run barefoot than run in just one shoe tbh
What? You’re only buying one shoe? I didn’t know stores sold then one at a time. Ask if you could put the other one on layaway
ifIwasinyourshoes wrote:
What is your priority? Is it trail running or road/track workouts? What kind of trails are we talking?
I run gravel type trails and run intervals and long paved runs in a single pair of shoes, but I prefer using a road shoe for light trails instead of a trail shoe for workouts. For my use most road shoes work fine. I have used the Asics Novablast Trail in the winter and found it to be a good compromise for when I need more traction - but its still totally fine for pavement intervals. Maybe your trails are much more technical though.
Sorry for not clarifying. Most of the high mileage will be partially smooth and hard, and partially rocky— fire road type stuff. I definitely need some lugs to do certain hilly sections with loose gravel and rocks, but not necessarily extremely aggressive soft-ground grip.
Also, while not the highest priority, I will also probably be having fun on a couple more technical trails in the woods on easy days.
Tldr: dry and rocky/loose, but usually well-maintained and not particularly technical.
ASICS Superblast is the best all around shoe imo. The Novablast TR model also might be a good one for you.
Do you have a hookup at the Nike ES? You should run in the Ultrafly. I love it. If you don't know someone at Nike, then you should skip this one (too much money).
If you’re right handed then buy the left and vice versa
Saucony Endorphin Rift
Peregrine is a good all arounder
Salomon Genesis
Expensive, love the Tecton X2
Best to go without. Walking on one shoe would not be good for your back (unless one leg is longer than the other).
Ray wrote:
If you’re right handed then buy the left and vice versa
+1 , But if you're doing track workouts, get the right shoe because the outside foot needs more traction.
Nike Pegasus Trail 4.
With the 5 coming out, the 4 will drop in price. Currently around $85.
Can handle the long distance easily. Good on the road. Handles easy (candy a**) trails. Great road to trail shoe. Not the best option for really technical trail but then again I wore a pair of Saucony Guides in the Shenandoah Mountains on the "Harry Landers Loop" (if any VHTRC members on here, they'll know this loop) and didn't have any issues.
adidas Terrex Speed Ultra. It's not current product, but highly rated in reviews. I bought 3 pairs when it was on clearance December of 2022 on ebay for $40. adidas still has it in their Ebay store if you happen to be size 11 men (size up a full size, so size 10 in normal sizing) at $112 minus 40% off with code. Other sizes are available outside the official store.
It runs like a trail version of the classic Boston, so good for tempo work. And adidas athletes were also using them at Western States 100 a few years back, soalso good for distance.
You only have budget for one newly release shoe. Why not spend 50$ twice on two previous generation shoe that will fill two different needs. You think a shoe released 2 years ago will be that much worse?
Xodus ultra 2
soft for long runs, bouncy for workouts.
local 9:45 10th grader used it for track workouts and its worked for him
