After running in 15 brand new trail shoes for the 2013Mountain trail running test, I have some advice to offer. Think long and hard about what you're looking for. In the pages of the magazine you'll find a shoe for every individual and every condition.
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| Chris McDonald (Photo by Dave Cox) |
Start by knowing the terrain you intend to run. Then take a good look in the mirror. For this (gracefully) aging ex-road racer and track athlete, I had to be honest and admit I can't latch on to sleek, flyweight shoes any more. Instead, I determined what I do need in a shoe by making a shortlist:
Stable and agile. My 5K times look more like my 8K times of 20 years ago. Now, it's less about speed across the finish line than it is avoiding ankle tweaks or back landings after slips. My trail shoe must be stable under foot without sacrificing agility.
Exceptional fit. Shoe and foot must move as one. No sliding around inside the shoe. No toe jams on downhill segments. The laces must snug properly with no puckering, and I need enough structural support in the upper to prevent rollovers. Soft padding around the ankle and the Achilles helps snug the shoe and prevent rubbing.
Versatility. I like to vary pace and terrain, but I'm not doubling back to the car to change shoes mid-way through the journey, or carrying two pairs of shoes. I want to crank up steep hills, slalom aspen trees and hop rocks on a descent, and get up on my toes and pull hard for the finish line if I decide to enter a legit trail race—all in one pair of shoes.
That sounds simple. But a true one-shoe quiver can be as elusive as beer that actually lives up to marketing hype—great taste and less filling. For me, five shoes quickly separated themselves from the pack:
Mammut MTR 201 Saber-toothed tread and dynamic feel underfoot helps this shoe gobble terrain with Thanksgiving Day veracity. I wanted to hate this shoe for its 80s color palette. Instead, it was my pick of the test.
Vasque Pendulum Though a race-weight entrant, the Pendulum swings with great savvy between get-up-and-go speed and the guts to lay waste to a rutted out scraper trail. I'll lace these up for the GoldenLeaf race on September 21.
TrekSta Sync Ever wanted to run in tiger paws? Imagine a shoe with jungle cat quickness and precision cornering. The natural, low-to-the-ground feel connects you with the trail. And TrekSta's NestFIT alleviates the need for custom insoles or orthotics, making the price point $20 to $200 less than other shoes.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor This hybrid hike/run shoe combines the rugged durability of a burly hiker with the weight and ride of a running shoe. If I had to run the Leadville 100 tomorrow, these would be on my feet.
Hoka Stinson Evo Seriously, just go run in them. Then we'll talk. It's a Hoka thing. You have to try it to believe it.
Honorable mention goes to the Pearl Izumi E:Motion N1, a trail racing specialist that packs so much engineering into an 8 oz shoe, Mercury himself would shed his winged kicks. Use Mountain's complete test results to pick your tool for the trail, and I'll see you at the Imogene Pass Run or the GoldenLeaf Half Marathon this season. —Chris McDonald | Photo by Dave Cox
