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Dec 2015
10:05am, 1 Dec 2015
1,632 posts
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Lyns
Hello, I need some advice lovely fetchies?
I've got NB 876 "trail" shoes but really these are for running on paths and have a bit of cushioning for the pavement sections I do getting to and from the paths. Each year I do a series of off-road duathlons which are serious mud (or snow) and I am suffering.. I need more grip, desperately. In my current shoes I end up walking the steepest hilly bits and the downhills are pretty hairy.
I know nothing about cross-country shoes, but I believe they have some form of spikes - is that what I need? or are there trail shoes that are specifically good for deep mud or slushy wet snow? I don't want to spend a load for this one set of races each winter but if it improves my running experience I may do more local trail runs which may also be mud baths.
Any suggestions?? Thanks.
p.s. I am a slightly overweight back of the pack plodder so also a bit worried about going for something with absolutely no foot support...
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Dec 2015
10:09am, 1 Dec 2015
16,717 posts
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fetcheveryone
All I can say for certain is that the one time I did a cross-country race in "trail shoes", my legs were running faster than I was moving. In fact I might have been moonwalking at one point.
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Dec 2015
10:14am, 1 Dec 2015
2,097 posts
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JustDistracted (JD)
Hello Lyns
I got some Salomon Speedcross 3 for Xmas last year - they are great for serious mud, trail, leaves, gravel, grass. They are not entirely awesome on concrete or tarmac (bit slippy). They don't have spikes.
I am similar runner to you by the sounds of things, and I find the quantity of cushioning / support fine.
I've used them for XC and muddier parkruns. My local parkrun is 60% path and 40% disintegrating field so I stick to some 'trail' Nike Pegasus - they sound more like your NB 
Hope that helps!
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Dec 2015
10:14am, 1 Dec 2015
1,525 posts
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K5 Gus
You can get cross country spikes - very little ( if any ) cushioning and very minimal, also if there are any hard/stony sections then they are uncomfortable to run with.
Probably better with a pair of fell shoes - these are designed for running up and down steep muddy hills - I use them for cross country instead of spikes.
Inov8 X-Talons, or Inov8 Mudclaw are both excellent - both come in a choice of 3mm or 6mm drop, the tread is a bit more aggressive on the Mudclaw, the X-Talon is a lighter shoe.
Other makes that do fell shoes are Salomon, La Sportiva, Walsh, and I'm sure some others I can't think of.
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Dec 2015
10:21am, 1 Dec 2015
7,412 posts
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Autumnleaves
I've just got some Inov8 mudclaws for x-c, I have spikes but a few of our races have some stretches on paths and spikes aren't comfortable and if like me you're stronger running downhill then spikes may not be your friend as there's no grip in the heels. They do tend to wash & dry quickly though. Most of the serious x-c runners in the club swear by fell shoes and the mudclaws came out top - I got them a week ago from sportsshoes.com on an offer - they may still have some!
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Dec 2015
10:21am, 1 Dec 2015
1,633 posts
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Lyns
Thanks folks. I love the sound of the MudClaw - just for the name really... A mud-claw is EXACTLY what I needed on Sunday.
Gus - this 'drop' thing... it's to do with how much higher the heel is than the forefoot isn't it? Which amount of 'drop' is most similar to road shoes (ie. more lifted up at the heel). As I've only ever run in shoes with heel support I probably don't want to go too extremely different.
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Dec 2015
10:25am, 1 Dec 2015
1,634 posts
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Lyns
Oh and btw - my lower legs are soooo stiff today... from my ankle bone up to my mid-calf my legs are just dead! I'm guessing that's from mud running?
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Dec 2015
10:26am, 1 Dec 2015
1,635 posts
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Lyns
Sorry, last question (I think) - what is the sizing on innov8 like? I normally wear 4.5 in running shoes even though i'm a 3-3.5 (36 usually) in day shoes. Will innov8 be similar sizing to NB/Saucony/Nike running shoes?
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Dec 2015
10:29am, 1 Dec 2015
7,414 posts
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Autumnleaves
Hi Lyns - I bought an 8 (I'm a 6.5 normal shoe) which is my usual running shoe size - they're a good fit. In general trail/x-c shoes are a little snugger. I usually wear a more supportive shoe, my trail shoes all feel less cushioned but I don't notice when it's wet & muddy!!
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Dec 2015
10:29am, 1 Dec 2015
1,526 posts
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K5 Gus
Yes, the drop is the difference between the height your heel is at, from the height your forefoot is at.
Traditionally road shoes are about 10-12mm drop, but you can get road shoes that are 0mm drop, and everything in between, so depends what shoes you are used to. Chances are the 6mm drop Mudclaws would be best - they are called the Mudclaw 300, not the Mudclaw 265 which are the 3mm drop ones
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