The trail is the perfect activity to do sport while enjoying the outdoor scenery. A winning combination between running and nature! Like all sports disciplines, trail running allows you to go beyond your limits, to feel free and to discover new places. In order to get the most out of good sensations, it is essential to choose trail equipment adapted to your sport.

Trail - Hoka one one


The different trail races

First of all, the trail is a pedestrian race with or without classification, in a natural environment (in the mountains, on the beach, in the countryside, etc...) with little distance on tar.
This practice offers a wide choice of terrain allowing you to escape while running wherever you want!


Trails for all levels 


A desire to excel? For the more sporty, there are races called ultra trails, some are (re)known as the UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) (171km and 10300m D+) or the Diagonale des Fous (166km and 9611m D+) in Reunion Island.
Whether you practice trail in competition or for leisure, on a short or long distance, practice according to your level and your desire. You should find the right shoes for you on Alpinstore!


What are the elements to take into account when choosing your trail shoes? 


We find the notions of breathability, grip, waterproofness and protection which are elements to consider when choosing your trail shoes according to your level and your desire: 

  • How often?
  • What distance during my outings?
  • On what type of terrain?


In addition to considering these three criteria, it is important to know how a trail shoe is made:

How is constituted a pair of trail shoes? 

trail hoka one one

The sole 

In a shoe, there are 3 soles, the first one, the insole that provides comfort while evacuating sweat, a midsole for cushioning and stability and the last sole, the one in contact with the ground which has the role of adhering and hanging the ground on different terrains.


For running on asphalt or in nature, it is advisable to opt for a shoe with an EVA midsole, i.e. with a foam for stability, comfort and cushioning. As for the outsole, it must be adapted to the terrain of your sport:

  • On wet and/or greasy ground: It must grip, and have fairly deep studs. If the terrain is rather rocky, spaced lugs are preferable.
  • On dry ground: The sole needs more flexibility.


The drop


Another essential element of the trail shoe is the drop. This can strongly influence your stride to improve your performance. The drop is the difference in height between the front and back of the shoe and therefore corresponds to the inclination of the foot in the trail shoe. It is measured in millimetres and is usually found from 0 to 12 mm. It is important to pay special attention to the drop of the trail shoe, indeed, it can cause injury if it is not adapted to your practice, the more important it is and the more it pushes you to put the heel first, which increases the impact and tends to traumatize your joints and your body. The universal drop is 8 mm. The more you run, the more you know your stride and the more you can choose shoes with a drop adapted to your use. With a smaller drop, you run more on the front of the foot, limiting impacts but putting more strain on the calves. 


Protection  


Thereafter, lightness is also a criterion to think about when choosing your pair of trail shoes. Again, it will depend on the type of terrain where you run. If you run on rocky terrain, it is preferable to opt for a shoe with stone shields to ensure the protection of your feet, however this tends to make the shoe heavier. On the other hand, on softer paths, the ideal is to have shoes that are lighter and less rigid than those with stone guards.


Comfort


Also, comfort is one of the most important criteria when practicing a sport, feeling good in your sneakers. To begin when you try on shoes, you must feel good in them immediately, if you perceive the slightest discomfort, let it go, it may become more pronounced when you go out on the trails. The best if you can is to walk, then run to test them. As for the size of the shoe, it is best to choose half a size, or even according to some brands, a size above your daily shoe size. The aim is to avoid rubbing your feet, which swell with effort and heat, while keeping your foot precise and steady.


With these little tricks, don't drag your feet and find your pair of trail shoes at Alpinstore!

Picture : Hoka One One - Speedgoat 4