13 replies to this topic

[kazz]

My trail running shoes are nearly ready for an upgrade but living in a small town the selection is very limited.
My current pair are Asics Trabuco IV (womens), and I would have no hestiation in purchasing the same again,but just thought I'd ask for some opinions of other trail running shoes to compare them with.
kazz ;)

[PurplePete]

Try the ASICS Eagle Trail II. I bought some for the OXFAM Trailwalker and I love them. I want to wear them on the road too, but I know they are not designed for this.
So comfortable. Like a glove.

[Mister G]

I ran WS in a pair of Trabucos. Great shoe! Having trouble finding them these days however....

[Winston]

Trabuco's are a pretty decent shoe as are most made by asics. If they have worked well for you in the past a common phrase of mine would be to stick with them. Other options exist in the Brooks range, the Addiction trail shoe, New Balance have a great new one with mild medial post like the trabuco called the 907?? I think! From what i beleive though the trabuco has no forefoot cushioning or very little which is a trait in the asics range of shoes. The addiction is quite a straight last and unless you need that stability stick to the trabuco.

Dont deal to much with trial shoes however the net is a great resource, check out the Newbalance website, Brooks, Asics, Mizuno, Saucony, Nike and see what is on offer, then find out where stockists are. Good luck! :D

[runner lyn]

If you are looking for discounted price Asics shoes go to www.justasics.com.au (sorry I don't know how to insert a link). Typing this address in will redirect you to a sports store in Melbourne, Springers Sport Store, who retail all ASICS running shoes over the net. They are the cheapest for ASICS I've been able to find anywhere. They charge $7.50 for delivery anywhere in Aust. Has not taken any longer than a week for the shoes to be delivered. I've purchased half a dozen pairs this way and never had any trouble. And yes, they do sell Trabuco's.
Hope this helps

[Mister G]

Thanks Lyn. They even list Trabucos in a size 15! Wow.

As far as cushioning goes I found the Trabucos to be quite good- have done a few long road runs in them and even a couple of interval sessions without discomfort.

The NB800 range seems to be getting worse as it goes on (up to 806 now)- their grip on rock is almost non existent and cushioning is nowhere.

Salomon Extempo is a good bombproof shoe for the really gnarly stuff (eg rogaines etc) but is no longer manufactured. I found a few Salomon outlets still have a few in stock however. Haven't tried the newer Salomon trail runners (eg Flagstaff, XA) yet- they don't come in my size. Hopefully they'll give you better service than I received.

Cheers....

[kazz]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback,it sounds like I picked the right shoes first time round (trabuco)!!!

PeterW, I don't think Asics import the womens Eagle Trail II into Aust, they do sound great though.

Runner Lyn, my original trabucos were from the www.stringersports.com.au website and your right, they are fast, cheaper than anywhere else that I've seen and no trouble at all to deal with.

It looks like I might upgrade to the Trabuco V shortly.

kazz B)

[Suzy]

Flicking through an Australian Runners World mag today I saw an ad for some great looking trail shoes from The North Face. I've not seen any in shops but it says they're available from outdoor stores. Anyone know much about these?

[lebusqp]

ihave been trail/mountain running for 25years.
in the early days xc racing waffles were the only
choice.i still find them best on short trail runs
and steep loose climbs.
i sometimes used to run MT. JULIET(very steep&loose)in old footy boots.

[Dang]

I think it is wise to get shoes from our specialty stores in oz thru a personal visit rather than mail order as i find the shoe companies are more than ever messing about with the characteristics of shoes. . Every 6 months there is a change to a model in size/ width/make up . My favorite shoes 2000 series Asics are now way different to 2 years ago, in width , size & response.Most trail shoes appear to be just styled fashion items & models change too often to risk mail order.Unless you get a written guarantee & assurance they are suitable for your needs/weight/ running style/foot problems etc.

[kazz]

Dang, where I live there are no specialty stores and because I've worn the Trabuco before I know they suit my running style. When I do go to the city & visit the specialty stores they don't seem to stock much (if any) in size 6 womens trail running shoes, maybe I'm going to the wrong stores.
I disagree with your comment
"Most trail shoes appear to be just styled fashion items".
I've tried regular runners in the trails but they don't have any stability or grip and I found I was always slipping on the loose gravel, forever correcting my footing.
As they say "different horses for different courses".
kazz.

[lebusqp]

i tend to agree that many of the new trail shoes are more fashion than function.
even some of the better models aren't suitable for some of the trails i like to run.
i find the soles to thick and chunky,i like to feel the trail with my feet.when i say trails i'm thinking of something trickier than 6ft.tack.

[Jogger]

I do quite a lot of trail running and have worn some trail shoes (they were NB ones a couple of years back) but to be honest I just wear my brooks addiction and they are ok.

Some models of trail shoes are likely ok, but don't think they are a "must have", they aren't.

Someone else said horses for courses. That's true also. Don't be afraid to try something different.

[kazz]

Thanks everyone for your ideas and advice.
You've given me some food for thought.

kazz B)