For my BGR I used a pair of nearly new (one recce run old) Roclite 295's. I added a Neone insole under a Orthaheel orthotic insole so no problems with support or cushioning.
The grip level was fantastic and meant no slowing down on rocky sections as I had complete confidence in the shoes.
Which Roclites have you got? The 315 (?orange and grey ones) do have more cushioning in them than the lighter variants. However, cushioning is an illusory friend at best (and an ankle brutus at worst) - I think it's the lowest item on the characteristics priority list; (blister free> foot support/imobilisation > Grip rock > Grip wet grass > foot protection > cushioning ~ water drainage)
I wouldn't do it in a new shoe unless it was a new shoe of a type i'd used before... Mark's point about new shoes feeling a lot more cushiony is good. I think, as spooney attests, that Roclites are a really good choice of sole for the BG if not worn down too much. You do need grip at times on the descents - but you never need 'racing' grip - and the broad flat studs are great on the rock (there is a lot of rock) and the rubber seems to have a good level of stickiness.
I have 315's which im going to try with a differant insole in which should make the slight difference i want. I do like them in respect of the amount of grip they offer but i wouldn't say they offer that much in the way of foot /ankle support or even foot protection for that matter the number of times i have caught the side of my foot on a rock with only the thin mesh for protection (they are the shoe type not the boot type). Was talking to a friend who uses a pair of la Spotiva's i think they are the pair that was featured in Trail Runner and he swears by them - although most of his runs are on gentle trails not the rocky stuff you encounter on some of the tops.
Roclite 315 are pretty damn burly as fell/trail shoes go - they have a massive rand all the way round! They also have as much cushioning as you'll find in any sensible shoe. Anything with much more protection is going to seriously compromise other more important shoe characteristics, surely?...Originally Posted by Rockhopper
I used a pair for all my mountain running, and geological fieldwork for 3 months in New Zealand in 2010 (The fine tough mesh is excellent btw for resisting influx of volcanic ash). I've even put crampons on them and climbed scottish grade III. The only way you're going to get more foot protection is with a boot - and you don't want to run the BG wearing boots. You don't want ankle support either, ankles are plenty good enough at supporting themselves! I don't want to sound like an arse, but if repeated bashing of the side of your foot is a problem you should address foot placement first! If you can't tread precisely, the broad crag block fields 13 hours in are going to suck in any shoes.
If the shoes fit - don't give you blisters, and grip well I'd stick with what you know before you end up in a grass-is-greener-multiple-new-shoe-buying chain of despair!
Agreed. I wear my 315s for the extra protection. I actually bought them after doing leg 4 in a pair of Talon X 195s and battering my feet on rocks all the way round. If I could only wear one shoe it would be Mudclaws (272s) but would like to change into Roclites at Wasdale although not necessary.
For me it was 272s to Honister and then in to 315s to Keswick. Whatever you choose, make sure you get training done in them so you know they work for you.
Snap! Do I win the shoes?
Did my round in Adidas swoop - yest it was 10 years ago. I do my longer runs and BGR and PBR supporting in X talons. They are not as cushioned as some shoes by they do give you a good feel of the ground. I think having 2-3 pairs of sheos for the round works well even if they are the same pair as that feeling of dry shoes is a lift en route.
this was my philosophy
I had 4 different pairs (4 different models) lined up (plus a pair of road shoes for the run-in)
this was partly for the dry shoes/socks effect
and partly cos I figured that the different shoes wouldn't all rub in the same place, so blister probs would be even further minimised
if backed into a corner and told I had to use only one pair for the whole round, I'd pick Roclite 315's (best combo of comfort/protection/cushioning/grip)
when it comes down to it though, surely it's just a case of your BG attempt shoes being whatever you got on best with in BG training...?
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