The usual issue...which shoe?

Newbie to the sport, tried it last year, injury kinda caught up, this year have entered two proper IMRA runs, including Carrauntoohil.

I hear so much about Walshs and Inov8s and getting a bit lost. At the moment just pottering around in Asics trail runners which seem fine, though never seem to see Asics pop up on many threads here. Plus I'm guessing that they are probably a little high on the heels, and as I want to stay with real open mountain running as opposed to forest trails, I understand this is less than ideal.

However, of course, money is a factor, and would like to get something that will be cheap while I ease my way further into the sport and see what suits, whether I need ankle support, wider foot or narrow etc. More Miles Cheviots and Adidas Kanadia seem to be about the cheapest, would anyone recommend them for a beginner?

http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/A...running-shoes/

or

http://www.startfitness.co.uk/product.asp?P_ID=47910

Fell shoes and trail shoes are just not the same. As you will know that decent off An Cahair on the Carrauntoohil race is a bit wet in places, full out fell shoes like Inov8 mudclaws are just designed for that type of terrain. I noticed that on the Galteemore race last summer a lot of guys were in trail shoes. I left them for dead on the very steep decents off Galteemore, Galtee Beag and Cush.

I am a very average decender, it was purly having the right shoes. I was wearing Invo8 272s
The 272 are out of production now but this is what the studs are like
Attachment 7069

Have a look on Google Products there is often deals going on. I tend to buy when the price is right rather than wait until I need them. I have a new pair in a box just waiting to be used.

I have kanadias for trail/grassy tracks and the occasional dry 'fell' run. for a full on fell run I use inov8 xtalon212s and where I need extra grip or its really muddy I use mudclaws (the yellow/grey ones). the kanadias don't cope with steep/muddy terrain. like DrPB I keep an eye on for deals and buy when cheap(er) than rrp.
I do own a pair of walsh fell shoes but find them a bit too high on the heel and always feel really close to turning an ankle in them, hence they rarely get used.

I guess to answer your question I'd go for kanadias....having used them I'm happy with them, and I have generally heard better things about them than more miles. guess to some degree it will be which fits your foot best, which is most important!

+1 for the above. Kanadias are fine if it's not too muddy and steep, otherwise you may need to think about more "aggressive" options. Patrick seems to have some inside information on your course, this is definitely worth its weight in gold. He runs for a full on fell club as opposed to a dabbler like me so his advice on grippy shoes is worth taking.

I know money is an issue for many (including me), and in fairness I've run fell and XC in my Kanadias in summer / early autumn and they were great. My only advice is try to get the Kanadia 4s as opposed to the Kanadia 5s - they are much more aggressively soled and would be a much better option in bad conditions. For what it's worth, I can't fault my Walshes so far, they have done everything asked of them. Not tried Inov-8 yet but want to, at the last race I did they outnumbered Walshes by at least 10-1.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rasher

He runs for a full on fell club

---

That makes me sound good :o
On Pennine's club runs on Thursday night when there would be 20ish people out. I reckon at least half would be in Inov8s.

Thanks for all the pointers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

Fell shoes and trail shoes are just not the same. As you will know that decent off An Cahair on the Carrauntoohil race is a bit wet in places, full out fell shoes like Inov8 mudclaws are just designed for that type of terrain. I noticed that on the Galteemore race last summer a lot of guys were in trail shoes. I left them for dead on the very steep decents off Galteemore, Galtee Beag and Cush.

---

Felt good enough coming off Caher in my Asics, except on pure rock where the foot was a bit all over the place. Would I be right in saying though that there is nothing will grip to wet rocks and crags anyway? Was on Slievenamon last Sunday and hauled in a good few on the descent, but that was a dry grassy/turf bank beside the track and it felt very grippy and comfortable. Guess it's a bit like cycling - you cannot grow up in Kerry and not have spent half the childhood hurtling down some slope or other!

Think I might go with what you say and keep an eye out for cheap Inov8s and for the moment get by on the Asics or maybe go for the Kanadia 4s - judging by Cyclops and Rasher's comments they'll have their own uses too and they won't go to waste, plus guess the chance of sales increase as the year moves on and the general enthusiasm amongst the public wears off!

I have about six different pairs on the go. Each pair have their strenght and weakness. I pick the appropriate pair for the conditions I will expect.

I have both Kanadias and Cheviots. Like them both. The Cheviots definitely have more grip on serious fell terrain but there may be an issue of durability. Mine are fine (but only done 80 miles in them) but others say they don't last so it's false economy.

Walsh is a good all-round shoe.
PLUS
You can get them resoled when required.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stagger

Walsh is a good all-round shoe.
PLUS
You can get them resoled when required.

---

Loads of people say that but my walsh's always shredded on the uppers too, making replacing the soles pretty pointless. Not a great photo as the pair on the left don't look too bad (they were) but my last two pairs of walsh's on their death bed:

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/1072/9tzc.jpg

Arr but I always attempt to rinse or swill them after a run or race.

Maybe its your after care that causes the uppers not be at their best.

Do I take it that Inov8 Roclite model is more a trail shoe than classic open mountain running? Have seen them on sale in a few places.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Conor74

Do I take it that Inov8 Roclite model is more a trail shoe than classic open mountain running? Have seen them on sale in a few places.

---

Yep the inov8 300 is their main fell shoe.
http://images.e-outdoor.co.uk/images...800&height=800

I've kinda gone off the Kanadia, on the basis of more reviews around the place the More Miles Cheviot seems to be the poor man's Mudclaw and see a couple of posts from people who wear them training to preserve the Inov8s. Can pick them up from £24 so think I'll get them, again until the price of Mudclaws comes down, which I trust it will after the summer. And at £24, even if I hate them, it's not like shelling out £100 and finding out I hate them after a couple of runs.

Hey, I'm a beginner looking for a new fell running shoes. Before I have been using Salomon XA pro 3d ultra gtx. I liked them but I hated how easily the rubber sole wes destroyed by sharp rocks. That's the reason I'm thinking about trying Inov-8. I don't need a light competition shoe because I only run for myself. Also, looks like my Achilles hates too flat shoes.
Which one would you suggest? I'm thinking about Inov-8 Roclite 275 gtx. What do you think?
Thanks a lot.

What type of surface will you mainly be running on ? If trail then one of the Roclite range is a good choice, but if more mud then a more aggressive sole like the Mudclaw will give you a better grip. Most runners do not go for a goretex lined shoe as if you step in a puddle/bog and water gets in then it can't escape, better to go for a non-goretex shoe and the water can easily drain out the mesh upper.

Thanks, Yaks. I would like to run on all types; trails, mud, rocks, etc.
I can't find Mudclaw with 9 mm (or more) drop... I'm not sure my achilles is willing to try 6 mm :)

Do do not want a large drop on a fell shoe as a low heel give much more stability on rough ground. Your ankles would talk a hammering with a higher drop.

There are a few excellent runners out there racing internationally in Salomon Speedcross, they have an 11mm drop and are beautifully cushioned..they suit me down to the ground as it were (novice, back of the pack, with a preference to just going out for a run in the hills type person) If you want a shoe that has the same heel height but 'feels' lower then go for a La Sportiva Crosslite, they are my second choice shoe..I have done short and long distances in both shoes. If you need cushioning then you need cushioning, that's all there is to it. I had some mudclaws and my ankles just couldn't handle them stability-wise..Inov-8 are not for me..although Walsh and Inov-8 are synonymous with off road running they are not the be all and end all of choice..it's what is comfortable for you. Look for tread and comfort and simply enjoy yourself when you get out there..:)

INOV8 Mudclaw 300s have been the best fell shoes I've ever had (the ones pictured above in DrPatrickBarry's post). They were comfortable from the first 6 mile outing and I didn't have any issues when I next wore them on the 42mile High Peak Marathon! They are so grippy and I've worn them on all sorts of felly terrain (boggy, rocky, grassy etc). If I could wear them on all my runs I would but for hard trail and long distance (anything over 25miles) I use Roclite 315s because they have more cushion and are kinder to my feet on hard surfaces. I'm on my third pair but have had an issue with my most recent pair (new colours but old style). They seem to be a slightly different fit and they gave me blisters on the first day of my 140 mile Cornish Coast Path run which was a bit annoying to say the least. I have just resurrected an old pair to run the Lakeland 50 in (didn't want to risk it in new shoes). It was like putting on comfy slippers :) My feet felt fine all the way through and I haven't had any problems since the race. I'm now going to try on different roclites in 6.5s and 7s until I find a pair that fit perfectly and that I can trust as they aren't making the old style one now.

Having said that, you have to find what works for you because we're all different!

You could get away with them on a lot of fell runs, they are quite grippy and excellent on rock (funnily enough :) ). Just not so good if its really slippy and muddy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Conor74

Do I take it that Inov8 Roclite model is more a trail shoe than classic open mountain running? Have seen them on sale in a few places.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hes

You could get away with them on a lot of fell runs, they are quite grippy and excellent on rock (funnily enough :) ). Just not so good if its really slippy and muddy.

---

With the smaller Irish population and smaller walking community, Irish mountains are a bit more like the highlands in that foot paths are far and few between - very unlike the lakes. Grippy fell shoes would be required more often.

Sounds like a good place for running and good place for mudclaws :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

With the smaller Irish population and smaller walking community, Irish mountains are a bit more like the highlands in that foot paths are far and few between - very unlike the lakes. Grippy fell shoes would be required more often.

---

I have finally decided to buy TRAILROC 246 for fell running and TERRAFLY 277 for a combination of roads and off roads. I am looking for the cheapest price.. Is there anything cheaper than this http://www.upandrunning.co.uk (£93.50 for Trailroc and £85.00 for Terrafly)? Thanks a lot.

Email http://www.sportsshoes.com and tell them you are looking to by 2 pairs and that your are a runner.

Ask them what's the best deal they can do.

We always get 10 to 25% off and some times more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaja2737

I have finally decided to buy TRAILROC 246 for fell running and TERRAFLY 277 for a combination of roads and off roads. I am looking for the cheapest price.. Is there anything cheaper than this http://www.upandrunning.co.uk (£93.50 for Trailroc and £85.00 for Terrafly)? Thanks a lot.

---

If youré looking for the cheapest price dont buy these shoes, so many good shoes out there for half that price, especially if you like trail running

Thank you, both. :)

For an all round starter shoe, you can't fault More Mile Cheviot Mk 2's. Buy 2 pairs and rotate them making sure uppers are kept clean in order to prolong life. Grip and comfort are in the over £100 bracket!

I ended up buying 2 pairs. Got Kanadias for trails, just €37 and have to say I like them. Got Walsh second hand on EBay for €30, they're in great nick but a bit tight, but should be grand on the shorter mountain runs. Haven't tested them yet.

Can't fault Walshs - Did you get the old style Kanadia 4s with the "knobbly" sole or the newer type which don't look as grippy (to my eye?)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

Have a look on Google Products there is often deals going on. I tend to buy when the price is right rather than wait until I need them. I have a new pair in a box just waiting to be used.

---

Think it is time to get those shoes out of the box!
Attachment 7880