Almost all my runs start and end on paved roads with gravel roads and trails in the middle. I'm tired of rocks poking through the sole of my shoes and bruising my feet, but I have felt that a true trail shoe would be harsh and clunky on the road.
Is there a shoe that you can recommend that transitions well from road to trail?
Brooks Cascadia. Sill one of the best trail shoes out there. If you really need support, add in a Superfeet insert.
I do know a couple of my friends would tell you Hokas.
Stick to racing flats. Check the guys that win at Western States or all the major trail races, they are in road racing flats, unless you are very, very heavy and cumbersome on the trails. You want to tread lightly on trails as to not bruise your feet. Practice makes perfect.
I race in an 8.0oz stability road flat. Stability is key for me, as additional posting helps me late in a race when fatigue and/or descending really set in and I need additional balance and support.
Wrong wrong wrong. The GUY that won Western States the last 2 years is actually wearing one of 2 shoes that I would highly recommend, and they aren't racing flats. Check out the Pearl Izumi N1 Trail (Timothy Olson who won the Western States the last 2 years runs exclusively in them, and when he left his sponsorship at PI to sign with North Face he had it written into his contract that he could choose whatever shoe he wanted, thus making him a North Face athlete that wears PI shoes) Or, check out the shoe I wear which is the Salomon Mantra, specifically made for door to trail
I think the NB MT110 would be good. Although the rubber is really soft so you'd blow them out pretty quick if you run on a lot of asphalt and concrete.
http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-NB110M5.html
The NB M1690 is supposed to be a road and trail shoe, but I'm not sold on the looks.
Thanks for the advise, but the gravel roads are strewn with almond to walnut sized stones of irregular shapes- it is impossible to step around them. My issue is not one of agility. A racing flat is not going to do it.
I'm not interested in any technical trail running - just want a shoe with decent protection from rocks poking through while being relatively lightweight (
Hokas for me. They may look goofy as hell but they do the trick for me. I use them on both trail and road constantly. I would expect that they would be ideal for the terrain you are describing because they have a very thick sole. So you shouldn't have to worry about anything poking through.
Merrell Mix Master 2 is a shoe specifically made to be worn on both road and trail.
Saucony Kinvara Trail might be a good option then. Very light (fairly snug fit - may have to go up an extra 1/2 size) and a nice long rock plate that even protects the arch area.
Hoka Bondi B2 -- work great on roads and trails. I train in a pair about 4 days per week. On weekends usually do 8-10 on hilly, tight, sometimes rock trails, and the Hokas provide a much more stable, smooth ride than road shoes.
Even though they have a tall stack height, in my experience you're less likely to twist an ankle, as the soles are wider than normal and absorb a lot.
I use the Asics DS Trainer for all of my running (vast majority on trails). I've run several 100-mile ultras (don't laugh) with these shoes and rarely do I ever wish for more traction....in only but the most muddy conditions do I wish they had a bit more grip...and this rarely happens.
The Inov-8 Terrafly 277s are specifically designed to be a hybrid road-trail shoe and very lightweight, soft on roads, and grippy on trails.
http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-Terrafly-277-Blackberry-Lime-White.html?L=27
The day I lose to a Hoka on trails, I will quit the sport. Mostly see a lot of Triathlete types crossing over to trails wearing them, as they are the most easily influenced into fads (i.e., Newton).