Topic: Fell runners (Read 6453 times)

Samm · « **on:** March 11, 2012 »

Just looking for a bit of advice regarding some footwear. I've recently gotten into orienteering and up to now I've just been using my normal road runners, but as soon as I'm off trail and running through the woods and grasslands I'm just slipping and sliding everywhere. I'm very tempted by stuff from the Inov8 range, especially the Mudclaws. But before I part with lots of my hard earned cash I'm just looking to see what folks might suggest?

whoisaaron · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2012 »

Hi Samm,

Inov8 & Saloman are the most popular brands. I recently went from road runners (Saucany Kinvara) to the Saloman XR Crossmax; they are designed for both trail & road, and excellent at both.

Inov8 are a 'barefoot' style runner, with various degree of a minimalist sole. Saloman have cushioning, like a standard runner.

I recommend going to a shop like Cotswald and trying both on. They stock a good range of both brands. You will also get your exact size, whether you purchase from there or not is another question! The Saloman that I bought were £100 in store and £65 online.

Good luck shopping!

twentyclicks · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2012 »

Inov8 do quite a range (some would say too much). The mudclaw, mudroc, and roclite range all have good levels of grip for the slippy stuff, with the heavier shoes having more cushioning and heel-toe drop. They also have an orienteering range with metal studs on the chunky rubber.

Saloman speedcross are also very popular for offroad or the delicious new fellcross (£££!!!). The XR is designed for trails as whoisaaron says, especially rock-hard european trails, but will be no good in mud or wet grass.

Walsh are classic fell shoes for the slop and tend to be cheaper. They have a new ultra trail which is supposed to be a bit wider fitting and has a less aggressive sole to make it a bit better on more solid terrain as well (like to Inov8 roclite).

Trail & fell are really two different categories. Trail shoes often want to be stiff and a lot of cushioning for going over rocky ground. Fell shoes want mega studs and a bit of flex to let the foot mould to the terrain to find grip...they need less cushioning as the ground is softer. Both want to be fairly low for stability on uneven ground.

There are some very minimal options like Merrell Trail Glove (not good in slop), Vivo Neo Trails, New Balance minimus trail, Inov8 baregrip, etc. They have zero heel-toe drop and no cushioning/thin sole, but take a bit of transition to get used to.

Samm · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2012 »

Thanks for the advice. Tried on a pair of Salomon speedcross today and think I fell a little bit in love with them! Want to try on some of the Inov8 stuff and maybe the Walshes before I decide. The only problem with the Salomons is that they look too professional for my through other self!!

mregan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2012 »

I have been running with Salomon speedcross for a fair few years and I love them. Comfort, grip and so light.

I am onto my third pair and still wear the older ones for day to day wearing.

MG1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2012 »

I use the speed cross salomons as well. Great trail shoes.

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Author Topic: Fell runners (Read 6453 times)

Samm

Fell runners

whoisaaron

Re: Fell runners

twentyclicks

Re: Fell runners

Samm

Re: Fell runners

mregan

Re: Fell runners

MG1

Re: Fell runners

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