Trail running shoes

Whereas running shoes are mainly designed to allow you to run on asphalt and other paved roads as comfortably as possible for as long as possible, trail shoes are mainly made to keep you safe and upright on more challenging terrain. 

Running shoes have a lightweight upper that breathes well and a low-profile sole to help you run faster. Trail shoes have a much more robust upper to better protect your feet from sharp rocks, branches, and gravel. In turn, the sole has a coarser tread to keep you upright, even in the mud. There is often also a rock plate between the outsole and insole, which provides extra protection. With some trail shoes, you also have the option of puncturing small holes in the sole, so that water entering from above can come out from below. 

As with regular running shoes, you also have many types and options with trail shoes.
Don’t let your favourite colour guide you, but make an informed choice that suits your running style above all else.

• Waterproofness: shoes with a membrane like GORE-TEX are useful if you often run through wet grass and streams. Pair them with waterproof socks to keep your feet completely dry. The disadvantage of shoes with a membrane is that if they then get wet on the inside, they dry slower. Shoes without a membrane tend to be a lot lighter, so if they get wet, they are also quicker to dry again.
• Cushioning: do you prefer as much contact with the ground as possible or do you like the feeling of a bouncy spring in your shoes that launches you with every stride? Then look at the amount of cushioning your trail running shoes offer. In any case, the bigger and heavier you are, the more cushioning you can use.
• The drop: the height difference between the front and back of your shoe can affect your stride considerably. The drop is measured in millimetres and usually varies between 0 mm and 12 mm. With a lower drop, you run more on your forefoot, which puts more strain on your calves but reduces the impact on your system.
• Protection: if you run a lot on rocky surfaces, you will benefit from a shoe with a plate between the outer and inner sole. If you mainly stay on softer trails, choose shoes that are a bit lighter and less stiff for more comfort.