Trail Running Shoes (agility people!)

Beanie

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#1
So my old PureFlows, which were retired from actual running and became my agility/gym shoes, are really just about done for anything but weight lifting. My current PureFlows still have plenty of miles left on them so I'm not ready to claim those as my agility shoes... and in fact have recently been thinking about getting ACTUAL agility shoes rather than using old retired running shoes as my agility shoes.

The majority of trials are on astroturf these days, ranging from crappy turf to pretty good. I also do at least one show a year on packed dirt (Louisville is packed dirt, a nearby one is on packed dirt, and there are a few more I don't currently go to but might if I start actual campaigning P.) My training is 99% outside on grass, and there is still the local trial outside (two trials a year.)

My thinking was to get some trail shoes. I couldn't make up my mind about what to get, so I went to the local running store for advice. I told the guy my story and said I was looking at the Brooks Pure trail shoe. He said he really doesn't like their trail shoe and they don't even carry it. I didn't think to ask WHY he doesn't like it at the time. Instead he showed me a Mizuno Kazan and also a Nike. The Nikes I didn't like at all.
The Kazans I liked, they felt good, and even though there was no real turf or anything to run and test on, they seemed mobile enough for me. They felt lightweight and neutral enough for my tastes.

I asked him to write the name down so I could come home and look at reviews. Looking at pictures now instead of it on my feet, I'm a bit unhappy about how much padding there is on the bottom of the shoe. I'd just like something a little lower to the ground. Mizuno does make a lower-profile version of the shoe (Hayate) so I'm now looking at that one instead, even though I didn't get to try it on.

BUT the reviews... the first review I found said they're not good in wet conditions. I found other reviews where people were plenty happy (after their first test run...) and some people who ran in them for longer and said the traction was great, even in mud. So it's a bit of judging the quality of reviews here. I did go to the running store because generally I trust their advice, but I HAVE been placed in the wrong shoe by them once, and the result was my feet got torn to hell with blisters that then ripped open. This guy was really nice (and he had shelties when he was a kid, and wanted to come say hi to P who was out in the car) but not somebody who has put me in shoes before.


The Brooks PureGrit is rated higher.
My other option is a Saucony Kinvara TR2 which is also rated higher.

Also, I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I don't really like the pattern/color on the Mizunos. =P The Kinvara TR2 appeals to me visually the best. It's also the cheapest.

None of these have I actually been able to try on except the original Kazan. I can get all of them except the PureGrit shipped free with free return shipping, so I can order them, try them on, then send them back if I don't like them.

My final option is to buy another pair of PureFlows, and simply have those be my dedicated agility shoes. I haven't really had any trouble in my PureFlows until recently when I'm started feeling some slight mobility problems which I THINK are just related to the shoes being worn to hell but cannot be 100% sure of.


HELP ME. I asked my mom's advice and all she said was "well it would be nice to try them on." When I told her I CAN'T try them on she was like "well then I wouldn't get any." That's not acceptable, I just flat out need a new pair. What do you other agility people wear? THOUGHTS? ADVICE? TALK RUNNING SHOES WITH ME.
 

elegy

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#2
this month's runners' world magazine actually has trail shoe reviews in it.

the brooks puregrit 3 was their top pick and is pretty appealing to me.

i'm running in merrells most of the time. mine aren't trail shoes, but that's probably what i'd look at if i were looking for a trail-specific shoe. which i would be if i were not broke :p
 

MandyPug

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#3
I run in my Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes. Same ones i do my mud races in. Love them to bits and now i'm seeing they have a version that's made with goretex for all weather! Woo! Mine have kept my feet warm and dry during torrential rain during regionals weekend and gotten me through a couple mud races as well as being super stable for barn dirt and grass.
 

Beanie

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#4
I run in my Salomon Speedcross 3 shoes. Same ones i do my mud races in. Love them to bits and now i'm seeing they have a version that's made with goretex for all weather! Woo! Mine have kept my feet warm and dry during torrential rain during regionals weekend and gotten me through a couple mud races as well as being super stable for barn dirt and grass.
Yeah, the problem with something like that is, when I'm indoors - and most of the trials I go to are indoors - my feet will be hot. I looked at some New Balance Minimus with Vibram soles and the consensus was that the waterproofing was awesome for being outside but terrible if you weren't because your feet were pretty much in a sauna.
 

MandyPug

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#5
Yeah, the problem with something like that is, when I'm indoors - and most of the trials I go to are indoors - my feet will be hot. I looked at some New Balance Minimus with Vibram soles and the consensus was that the waterproofing was awesome for being outside but terrible if you weren't because your feet were pretty much in a sauna.
Yeah true. All of our indoor trials are in pretty chilly riding arenas with semi packed dirt. You 'mericans and your astroturf ;) lol
 

FG167

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#6
I looked really seriously at Merrell trail running shoes (I need shoes for IPO protection, to hold back my husband's dog while working, so cleat-like, but not clunky etc), but I couldn't decide 100%. I also LOVE my Altra's and may get their trail shoes instead. I have Vivobarefoots now that are awesome, but I find when the terrain is rougher, my soles actually bruise. I like minimalist, but I am not into pain LOL
 

Oko

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#7
I have salomon xr mission shoes and really like them. They're quite light, I've used them for all weather outdoor running, I really like the grip. Definitely will not overheat your feet, they have a fair amount of mesh on the top.
 

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