Our Top Trail Running Shoes For Fall
So why do you need trail shoes when running on the trails? We often tell our customers that different shoes serve different purposes. For example, a versatile everyday training shoe, a speed day or race day shoe and a trail shoe when getting off the hard roads.
Sure a road shoe can be used on easy going and hard packed trails, but when the terrain gets technical with rocks, roots, steep hills, wet and muddy, a trail shoe will be your best friend. Trail shoes offer more protection underfoot from rocks and roots and have a stickier rubber and larger lugs for added traction. They typically have more durable uppers to withstand the rougher terrain.
When in the market for a trail shoe, a couple of things to consider are what kinds of trails are you running on and how far are you planning to run on trails. This will help determine how aggressive of tread you need and whether you need a lighter more agile shoe or a shoe that will provide protection from the impact of a long run.
Below are a few trail shoes we carry at BackRoads and some of their special features:
Altra Lone Peak 6 & Lone Peak All-Weather:
Altra is known for its signature FootShape design for added natural comfort and is a zero drop brand to help you run more naturally and efficiently. The Lone Peak 6 uses its Altra EGO foam designed for extra energy return and a responsive yet soft and comfortable feel. The MAXTRAC outsole and TRAILCLAW lug formation provides the perfect combination of grip and traction underfoot to keep you on your two feet.
The North Face Vectiv Enduris 2:
Newer to the trail running scene, the Vectiv Enduris 2 has a highly rockered midsole geometry engineered to create long lasting forward propulsion on the trails. This shoe combines the innovative rockered midsole with exceptional traction using 3.5mm lugs and optimal cushioning with TNF’s Ortholite footbed for a comfortable and speedy ride. The Enduris also uses a 3D TPU plate that makes the rocker more pronounced for forward propulsion and multi-directional stability.
Shop The North Face Vectiv Enduris 2
HOKA Speedgoat 5:
The well-loved Speedgoat utilizes everything HOKA is known for with its oversize EVA midsole that provides lightweight cushioning with a floaty feel. The late stage meta-rocker is another feature HOKA is recognized for that encourages an efficient and smooth roll from initial impact to toe off. To make up for the extra stack height the wide platform provides an exceptionally stable base on varied terrain. Lastly, the outsole uses 5mm Vibram megakrip lugs you can trust on any surface.
Brooks Cascadia 16 & Cascadia 16 GTX:
The Brooks Cascadia 16 was a big update with a new, softer cushioning and improved adaptability to give you utmost confidence on the trail. We just received the Cascadia 16 GTX which uses a lightweight GORE-TEX invisible fit membrane to keep your feet dry. The new DNA Loft v2 midsole in combination with the TrailTack rubber, providing wet and dry traction, and the ballistic rock shield plate, with vertical grooves for side to side adaptability, gives the Cascadia a very stable yet adaptive run.
On Cloudventure & Cloudventure Waterproof:
On uses its Cloudtec and Helion superfoam in the Cloudventure to offer a smooth and comfortable ride on and tough and rocky terrain. On uses individual Clouds underfoot to provide the cushioning and support where you need it. In the Cloudventure the clouds are specifically placed to act as aggressive lugs and with the Missiongrip outsole it is On’s best traction on technical trails.
Visit us in-store and one of our staff can help you find the right trail shoes for your needs!
