Trail shoes with decent grip

[37201xoIM]

Nowthen!

I have a perennial problem with walking shoes and boots, namely that so many of them seem to have soles made more or less out of Teflon, in particular giving very little grip on any halfway smooth stone surfaces. This isn't just on hill-walks: even for example walking on cobbled streets or the marble-type floors you get in many places (e.g. St Pancras Eurostar platforms!) can be amazingly bad for slippage if even slightly damp. I've had this with soles of many types, including Vibram amongst others.

I have relatively small feet (size 42) for my height (and weight!), but have no idea whether that is relevant!

I've asked for advice before from retailers when buying trail-shoes for "mixed use" but really have struggled to find a good solution - or a lasting one: I had, for example, an excellent pair of Keen shoes a few years ago, but for some reason the updated model was useless, so I was in trouble when they wore out.

So does anybody have any ideas? As I say, I'm looking for shoes, not boots, and they'd be for general walking of pretty much all sorts (obviously not including scrambling and scree or the like!).

Any thoughts would be hugely appreciated - thanks in advance...

[Sack the Juggler]

I bought some fell running shoes a few years ago.. for fell running, but they have great grip so I also use them for trails where I know the going will be muddy or slippy.

Inov8 are probably the best out there for fell running, loads of different types, but I've got the griproc, but they have loads of different types available so try some on.

[37201xoIM]

That's not a route I'd thought about going down - interesting idea. Thanks very much!

[hbeevers]

Inov-8 Roclite sound ideal for this. There are different "weight" models which just increase in cushioning and raise the heel the "heavier" you go. They do shoe and a boot shape ones too with GTX at the heavy end.

I use the light roclite 295's for trail running but I also did the Yorkshire 3 peaks in them and was happy.

[37201xoIM]

Thanks very much for the "corroborative evidence"! This sounds well worth investigating, then.

Much obliged!

[Pastychomper]

In a similar vein, I was looking for trail running shoes a couple of months ago and ended up buying Asics field hockey trainers. I don't play hockey, but these were far more grippy and easier to clean than the same brand's "trail shoes" ("running" or otherwise) and were cheaper to boot (sorry). They're fine to run in and I expect to use them for hill walks as I've come to prefer trainers when it's dry. Your mileage may vary, of course.

[simcc]

In a similar vein, I was looking for trail running shoes a couple of months ago and ended up buying Asics field hockey trainers. I don't play hockey, but these were far more grippy and easier to clean than the same brand's "trail shoes" ("running" or otherwise) and were cheaper to boot (sorry). They're fine to run in and I expect to use them for hill walks as I've come to prefer trainers when it's dry. Your mileage may vary, of course.

From a different angle, I will also vouch for the Asics field hockey trainers.
I am an active football referee (high up the amateur chain in the Netherlands), and use the same Asics on astroturf pitches.
They are very grippy with decent soles and are very very comfortable to wear. And as I dont need to kick the ball, that doesnt make a difference either.

I could well imagine that they would work well on hills. The only thing might be that they are not really designed to keep rain out on a wet dreich Scottish day. But then, that might go for most trainers.

[bydand_loon]

i used Inov8 Roclite (Cant Remember the Number, think its 280 or 275 ish) for pretty much all my walking, not waterproof in the slightest but the grip and comfort (For me) is outstanding.

Late 17/early 18, I got a pair of Adidas Terrex Swift R2 shoes, and these sort of became my go to pair for last year, so comfy and a great grip on all surfaces i've used them on, They are G/tex.

I'm doing the CWT in April and this is the one thing i cant make my mind up about, what pair to wear as i really rate both of them for comfort and grip. I'm leaning towards the Inov8 as at least the water has an escape route with them, rather than sloshing around inside the G/Tex pair.

[37201xoIM]

Thanks a lot. Am not looking for something waterproof anyway, so this might well be a solution.

[Robinho08]

I wear Innov8 Roclites too. Really grippy and paired with waterproof socks they're great for 3 season use.

I found this article useful too:

https://sectionhiker.com/sectionhiker-gear-guide/10-best-hiking-boots-and-trail-shoes/?fbclid=IwAR1lOBl15dP9VfjkzNg3L_6VFuFIfXAHwgjCA4JVyiILyyotJvmfSXv2sdQ

[GillSte]

The Goretex Innov8 Roclites are good in shallow snow too, with waterproof socks, up to Corbett height (but take spikes in case). In normal "summer conditions", they are excellent on Munros and Corbetts. The Roclites generally are known colloquially as bog slippers, as the grip is very poor in peat or mud, but they are very good on rock, grass, frost and snow. The Mudclaws are excellent in heather, bog and mud, so are better for Grahams and Marilyns. I switch between the two depending on the type of hill. I only wear boots in deep snow or when I might need crampons and ice axe, or for very wet conditions with big river crossings.

[37201xoIM]

Thanks again - very useful gen!

[Hola]

I’m wearing New Balance, Fresh Foam with a Vibram Sole... grippy and using in Patagonia at the moment
Have been using NB for many years. As they update or discontinue models sometimes I look elsewhere
The Climbers Shop in Ambleside sell Scott’s with real deep lugs... terrific also
Never wear boots 4 seasons
Boots were given away years ago
Wouldn’t wear them if were given to me free!!
Trail Shoes aid foot and muscle strength... boots don’t!!
Cheers

[37201xoIM]

Thanks - noted!

Makes I've been disappointed by include Merrell, Scarpa and recent Keen! Strongly tempted to go down the fell-running shoes route, I must say: the Roclites sound as though they could suit my lower speeds too!

[Hola]

Oh, and priority that I forgot to mention.. NEVER Goretex or they will never dry out!!
After wading rivers if you keep the trail shoes on, they soon dry out.