Trail runners

Orion

I need to get some trail runners for Connemara. Can anyone recommend a decent brand. 53 degeres north have some inov8 and TNF ones - they any good?

Failing that where can I get Asics or New Balance trail runners in Dublin?

Krusty_Clown

Brands are very personal and the type of shoe depends on the type of terrain. I'm an Inov-8 fan, and have two pairs for different environments. What type of event in Connemara are you targeting?

Snow and Rock in Dundrum carry a pretty good range of shoes, including Inov-8 and Salomon. Amphibian King in Bray also carry Inov-8 and other trail type shoes. Also try some of the other dedicated running shops like Runways. The great outdoors (Chatham Row) may be worth a look too. I have found the shop you mentioned to be well over-priced. I generally buy Inov-8s online for €65-€80, but already have a good idea about sizing/fit.

Orion

Thanks Krusty. I tried on Salomans in Great Outdoors and didn't like them at all. I wear Asics and NB for road running but I'm not tied to those brands. I'll try Runways - it's not far at lunch time. Bray and Dundrum are a bit awkward to get to. If I can find a shoe I like I can always buy it online if there's good savings to be had.

The 53 degrees north prices for Inov8 were higher than that alright. It's always worth shopping around.

OuterBombie

Howdy,

Got a pair of these a couple of weeks ago for 60 euros in Elvery's Galway.

Adidas Kanadia Trail 2.

http://www.bournesports.com/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=3194

So far so good, very nice on grass (increased traction) and don't feel too bad on the tarmac either. Going for 15 miles offroad this weekend with them on so that will be the real test.

OB.

Orion

A girl in work recommended them too this afternoon. She does mountain running in them. Must get to Elvery's and try them on for size.

@Krusty - the event is the Connemara Adventure Challenge.

trinewbie

The Kanadias are ok for general off road trail running (fireroads/forset paths ) but I havnt found them great on technical mountain trails (rocks, loose stones, roots) the thread pattern isnt really aggressive enough on them and there isnt much in the way of ankle support or cushioning in them.

That said they are a decent choice if a run involves a combination of road and trail terrain. I do a lot of running in Innov8 Roclites and find them excellent, cushioning is good and plenty of ankle suuport. The grip pattern is quite aggressive on them ( imagine a knobbly mountain bike tyre on the sole), and they grip on ANYTHING including wet slippy roots, loose rocks etc...They are pretty much an 'all mountain shoe' rather than trail shoe and I couldnt recommend them enough (although they aint the smartest looking pair of trainers around)

Jip

OuterBombie wrote: »

So far so good, very nice on grass (increased traction) and don't feel too bad on the tarmac either.

I've a pair of Adidas Swoop 2s and the sole looks very similar, they're great in muck and grass but I find they feel very weird on tarmac/concreate. It feels as the ridges are compressing and the shoe is moving beneath me as they do, if you get me meaning.

Best thing about them is that they have a mesh around the bottom which is great of pushing the water out if you run through some water and great for rinsing them off under a shower, they dry relatively quickly compared to regular pair of road runners.