Trail running is the perfect activity to exercise while enjoying outdoor landscapes. A winning combination of running and nature! Like any sport, trail allows you to push your limits, feel free, and discover new places. To maximize good sensations, it is essential to choose trail equipment suited to your sport: find trail equipment at the best price in our store.

Trail - Hoka one one


The different types of trail races

First of all, trail running is a foot race with or without ranking, in a natural environment (in the mountains, at the beach, in the countryside, etc…) with little distance on pavement.
This practice offers a wide variety of terrain allowing you to escape while running wherever you want! If you are looking for everything for trail, Alpinstore offers a wide selection of accessories and clothing suited for it.


Trail for all levels


Want to push your limits? For the more athletic, there are races known as ultra trails, some are (re)famous like the l’UTMB (Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc) (171km and 10300m D+) or the Diagonale des Fous (166km and 9611m D+) on the island of Réunion.
Whether it’s trail running for competition or leisure, on short or long distances, practice according to your level and desire. And to be ready for your outdoor outings, remember to buy a trail headlamp to evolve safely. You should find the right shoes for you on Alpinstore !


What elements should be considered when choosing trail shoes?


We find the notions of breathability, grip, waterproofing, and protection which are elements to consider when choosing your trail shoe based on: If you prefer technicality, check out high-performance trail gear to optimize your practice.


• What frequency?
• What distance during my outings?
• What type of terrain?


In addition to considering these three criteria, it is important to know how a trail shoe is constructed: for that, discover our selection of trail shoes suitable for all types of trail runners.

How is a pair of trail shoes constructed?

trail hoka one one


The sole


In a shoe, there are 3 soles, the first is the insole providing comfort while evacuating sweat, a midsole for cushioning and stability, and the last sole, the one in contact with the ground, which à pour serves to adhere and grip the ground on different terrains.


For running on pavement or in nature, it is advisable to choose a shoe with an EVA midsole, which means with foam providing stability, comfort, and cushioning. Regarding the outsole, it should be adapted to the terrain of your sport practice:
• On wet and/or muddy terrain: It should grip and have deep lugs. If the terrain is rather rocky, spaced lugs should be preferred.
• On dry terrain: The sole needs to be more flexible.


The drop


Another essential element of trail shoes is the drop. This can greatly influence your stride, improving your performance. The drop is the difference in height between the front and back of the shoe and thus corresponds to the foot's inclination in the trail shoe. It is measured in millimeters, generally ranging from 0 to 12 mm. It is important to pay particular attention to the drop of the trail shoe, as it can lead to injuries if not suited to your practice; the higher it is, the more it encourages you to land on your heel first, which increases impacts and tends to traumatize your joints and 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 suited to your use. With a smaller drop, you run more on the front of your foot, thus limiting impacts but putting more strain on your calves.


The protection


Furthermore, lightness is also a criterion to consider when choosing your pair of trail shoes. Again, this will depend on the type of terrain you run on. If you run on rocky terrain,it is preferable to opt for a shoe with toe protection to ensure the protection of your feet, however, this tends to weigh down the shoe. Conversely, on softer paths, the ideal is to have lighter and less rigid shoes than those with toe protection. For complementary activities, you can also buy climbing and après-ski shoes available on Alpinstore.


The comfort


Also, comfort is one of the most important criteria when practicing a sport, feeling good in your shoes. To start, when trying on shoes, you should feel good in them immediately; if you feel the slightest discomfort, let it go, as it may worsen during your trail outings. The best, if you can, is to walk, then run to test them. As for the shoe size, it is preferable to choose a half size, or according to some brands, one size up from your everyday shoe size. The goal is to avoid friction from feet that swell with effort and heat while maintaining precision and foot support. Find tips and buy trail shoes directly on Alpinstore to ensure your comfort and performance.

With these little tips, don’t drag your feet and find your pair of trail shoes on Alpinstore!

Photo: Hoka One One - Speedgoat 4