We know many people choose to run the routes on Walkhighlands, and we’ve joined them over the last 3 years. While we’ve both enjoyed building up the fitness and agility needed to be able to tackle many shorter trails, we’ve also taken on longer routes as run-walks and embraced the feeling of moving faster through the landscape. For us, it’s not about speed, but being able to enjoy a different experience; trail running heightens awareness of the conditions underfoot, and enables you to take advantage of shorter windows of good weather to fully immerse yourself in the outdoors.
The right footwear is crucial to an enjoyable and safe experience. Over the last few months we’ve been testing a range of trail running shoes on a mix of packed trails and a little more technical ground, with a few boggy areas thrown in for good measure.
Trail running shoes are typically more supportive than standard road shoes, often with less cushioning and a stiffer midsole and deeper tread to grip on mixed and muddy terrain. Some have waterproof breathable membranes, though we have yet to find a shoe that will keep water out during heavy rain or very muddy conditions. In general we’ve found the added sweatiness and longer drying times outweigh the advantages of waterproofing but they can be useful in winter for keeping feet drier for longer, and therefore warmer, especially when there is snow on the ground.
The difference in height from heel to toe (the drop) is a big factor for running footwear; it can be up to 15mm. It is generally recommended that if you are a heel striker a drop of 8mm and over is best and under 8mm for forefoot or midfoot strikers. It is advised that runners shouldn’t change the drop dramatically (especially to a 0mm drop or “barefoot” shoe) without acclimatising to them to avoid injury.
As with all footwear, fit is the most important issue – ensure that there is room for the toes but that the foot is not slipping forwards on downhill sections and that the heel fits snugly and lacing can be done up to ensure the shoe provides security on rocky or slippery terrain. Feet will swell slightly on longer runs, allow for this, adjust lacing, try on with your running socks and don’t be wedded to your known size as feet generally spread as we age and different brands can have very different sizing – consider wide fit options if necessary, especially if you have a bunion.
We tested the shoes on a variety of terrain, usually a mix of packed trails and more rugged paths with rocks and tree roots, together with a little more technical hillier terrain. Weights given are per shoe in the size / gender tested for each.
Keen Seek Trail Running Shoe
RRP: £160
Weight: 350g (UK men’s 11)
I’ve long been a fan of Keen’s walking shoes and boots. Their wide toe box is ideal for my feet, especially since I developed bunions, so I was delighted to hear that they were launching their first trail running shoe. I’ve found that the Seeks are extremely comfortable, with stretchy upper fabric aided by plenty of padding and a 6mm heel to toe drop. The 4mm rubber lugs have provided excellent grip on the trails; they are rated by Keen to be good for 925 miles. I was a little concerned at first by the softer section of the sole between the lugs, but after a hilly trail half marathon on small sharp stones there is no sign of any damage. One point to note is that the stretchy fabric extends a little higher around the back of the ankle than some, so I’d avoid no-show style socks with these – something a bit longer should avoid any potential rubbing problems. These have quickly become my go-to shoes.
Size: UK Men’s 6 – 14 in 2 colours, Women’s 2.5 – 9.5 in 3 colours
La Sportiva Lycan II
RRP: £140
Weight: 286g (UK Women’s 6.5)
A solid-feeling traditional trail shoe with 6mm heel drop and medium level of cushioning (22 – 28mm stack height from forefoot to heel). Of particular note is the very rugged toe bumper and mid-height reinforcement around the whole of the shoe which should prevent most abrasion. The grippy sole with deep, well spaced lugs make it ideal for muddy, slippery surfaces. The lacing stays in place and there are two sets of eyelets at the top. The tongue is thick and although there is mesh on the upper, I found them slightly on the hot side and slower to shed water than some. The sizing is definitely on the small side, I found going up a half size provided a perfect fit but others have reported needing a whole size larger. However for rugged trails these seem likely to last a long time and to provide the security needed to keep you moving and upright.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 8, Men’s 7.5 – 12, both in 2 colours
Mammut Saentis TR Low GTX
RRP: £170
Weight: 239g (UK Women’s 6)
Very lightweight for a waterproof shoe, this model has a much stiffer upper than most on test with semi-rigid reinforcement at the heel and a quality bumper providing protection around the whole toe. Combined with a traditional, flat, lacing set up that doesn’t slip this can provide a very snug and secure feel if you can get the right fit. The fit is best for narrow to normal-width feet and many may need to go up a half size. The foam at the back of the heel is higher than the other models which may suit (and protect) some runner’s achilles but may aggravate others – definitely a shoe to try on before buying. There’s a 4mm heel drop, adequate cushioning (20mm stack) and flexible sole with closely spaced 3.5mm lugs. The sole provided good grip on the easier trails and proved comfortable on mid length runs. The lining is Gore-tex with a breathable upper but I still found this shoe hot in warm weather although it has kept my feet dry in shallow muddy puddles and wet grass when others got damp feet. My personal preference would probably be for the non-waterproof version but I’ll use this in snowy conditions when keeping out the wet is a priority in order to keep my feet warm.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 8.5, 3 colours, Men’s 6.5 – 13, 2 colours, non-waterproof version available.
Salomon Ultra Glide 3
RRP: £135
Weight: 304g (UK Women’s 6)
Another shoe that has been very comfortable from the first step, this is a highly cushioned runner with a 6mm heel drop suited to a variety of terrain. With a stack height varying from 35mm at the forefoot to a whopping 41 at the heel I was worried that they might feel a bit squidgy, but in fact my feet felt really stable and secure and I had faith in the widely spaced 4mm lugs on the sole to grip on a range of surfaces without any fear that stones would get stuck or anything sharp get impaled. The fit is on the generous side with plenty of space in the toe box and they’re easy to get on as the tongue moves a lot on elasticated mesh which is good as there’s no tag at the heel to help pull them on. I liked the toe bumper for avoiding scuffs and the upper mesh seems pretty breathable although the cushioned tongue is quite thick. The quicklace system works well, can be adjusted reasonably easily and doesn’t slip during longer runs and there’s a pocket to keep the lace from flapping. Despite their slightly bulky looking sole these are great all rounder for all but the muddiest, slippy conditions and are comfortable enough to tackle long days or ultra events.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 9.5, 4 colours, Men’s 6.5 – 13.6, 5 colours
La Sportiva Prodigio
RRP: £135.00
Weight: 320g (UK Men’s 11.5)
Whilst La Sportiva are best known for their shoes aimed at more technical terrain, the Prodigio’s are more specifically for those tackling longer distance – including ultras – with plenty of cushioning to help avoid fatigue and a 6mm drop. The lugs are much less aggressive than on the Lycan IIs (above) at 3.5mm, but I’ve found they still provide enough grip for tackling some sections of rougher trail, whilst being ideal on improved trails and landrover tracks. The fit is a little wider than usual for La Sportiva, which suits my feet well, though as usual their sizing tends to run a little small – it’s worth trying half a size up. The uppers are breathable, shed water and dry quickly – which is important on long days of mixed conditions. These are a solid choice for those looking to run less technical trails, even if they aren’t going to push the distance to the extreme.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 8, Men’s 7.5 – 12, both in 5 colours
Inov8 TrailFly Zero
RRP: £130
Weight: 330g (UK Men’s 11)
Inov8 is one the more prominent brands in trail running, so I was interested to try these as I’ve long been a fan of their very lightweight walking shoes. TrailFly is their range designed for hard-packed terrain which suits a lot of the trails around Strathspey where I’ve mostly been testing them (their MudTalon model is intended for the wettest terrain, and the TrailTalon is a more all-round shoe). These are the only zero-drop shoes on test, and whilst I found this felt strange initially, I appreciated how they gave me a feel for the terrain underfoot, giving a bit of confidence on more technical, rockier terrain – something I struggle with. They do also have a speed version with 4mm drop, a standard version with 6mm drop, and a max version which has both the 6mm drop and more cushioning, which Inov8 say is aimed at long runs. However I’ve found the Zero’s to be comfortable on fairly long runs, aided by the very spongy ‘Boomerang’ footbeds which are covered in small foam beads. The sole unit has hard wearing 4mm lugs. The shoes are available in both standard and wide fitting, and I found them true to size.
Sizes: UK Women’s 4 – 8.5, 1 colour, Men’s 7 – 12, 2 colours, standard and wide fit in both.
Mammut Sertig TR Low
RRP: £140
Weight: 338g (UK Men’s size 11)
A trail-running extension to Mammut’s Sertig range which also includes mid-height boots, Mammut’s Sertig is something of an all-rounder – if you are looking for a capable trail-running shoe that also works well as lightweight hiking footwear, these are a solid choice. I had the non-waterproof version – I’d recommend these over lined shoes to avoid being too hot and sweaty in summer. They have an 8mm drop, decent grippy lugs for rougher terrain, and good cushioning, with a 20mm stack height. Unlike the Saentis model, these have speed laces which pull tight – a band half way down the lacing lets you tuck them out of the way. Like the Saentis, however, they have a high foam heel, so it’s best to avoid no-show socks to prevent rubbing. The colours are noticeably dark and discrete amongst the brightly coloured alternatives – so if you prefer a more traditional look you might appreciate that.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 8.5 in 3 colours, Men’s 6.5 – 13, both in 2 colours, waterproof versions available
Altra Experience Wild 2
RRP: £130
Weight: 241g (UK Women’s 6)
Super comfortable straight out of the box this is a lightweight shoe with a wide toe box, low (4mm) drop but pronounced rocker shape to allow a smooth, rolling stride. The lacing is flexible with 2 additional lacing holes which should enable a secure fit. There’s a small bumper at the toe which should reduce wear against rocks. The upper mesh is quite thick but I’ve found it pretty breathable and it’s held up to minor scuffs well so I’d expect it to be durable. There are attachment points for running gaiters which I find useful for running through heather undergrowth and for loose sandy conditions to keep debris out. The cushioning is at the mid level (26mm-30mm in this shoe) and the sole has relatively short (3.5mm) lugs which are close together meaning the shoe is ideal for harder packed trails with puddles although I found it felt secure and grippy on all but the more technical trails.
Sizes: UK Women’s 3.5 – 10, Men’s 6 – 14, 4 colours for each