Any recommendations for training shoes?

Altra for trail runners.

I use Brooks too, but at the gym on gym floors.
#legday

Salomon XA's have been my all around shoe for trail running, out and about, gym, and non-hunting hiking (I've done Whitney and San Gorgonio in XA's before switching to Altra).
 
I've been running in brooks for the longest time. Does anyone else have any other recs for shoes?
The shoes I use now are Hoka's, fit my feet right and cushion my feet, ankles, knees and hips. They seem to help my lower back when walking and standing. They are a little pricey, but worth it. I also have a pair of the Keens utility shoes.
 
Suggesting a shoe is hard to do.. cadence, foot strike, foot roll, heel-to-toe drop, need for cushion, etc. etc. all come into play. Trying to find a shoe that matches a person's barefoot foot strike is generally considered best because it works with the body, rather than causing it to conform to something that isn't natural.

All that said….I've run thousands of miles in ASICS but then they switched some minor things up in the 21XX series and I had nothing but issues. I switched to Mizuno Wave Riders and again ran thousands of miles. They worked well, but I could never get the life out of them.

Then.. I found "On". I've run thousands of miles in these shoes (On Cloudsurfer is my standard shoe, CloudFlow is for days I'm looking to go faster, and CloudVenture Peaks are my trail running/racing shoe). I LOVE them. They provide enough support, have enough cushion, solid traction, they last (occasionally exceeding 500 miles / pair pending how I rotate them and the weather they've been through), and so much more. I've trail raced in the Peaks many times in distances up to and including 100 miles. For me, ON fits like a perfect glove. Works with me, not against me.

I tried to love Altra on trails and just couldn't find the love. I dig the zero drop, but hated the toe box. I felt I was running on a slip-n-slide all the time!

I'm also saying all of this from a strictly running perspective. While I've turned quite a few friends on to ON for their day-to-day life's (hospital workers on their feet all day as an example), I know they aren't for everyone.

Other thing to ask.. what do you do in the gym? I also suggest if hiking with a pack to prep for a hunt to make sure your hunting boots are on your feet for a lot of those hikes (not necessarily all, but most!).
 
Saucony are by far the most comfortable and supportive shoe I've ever worn. They are or were 150 when I bought mine but I will buy them over and over again. I use them for every day, work, and working out and they provide amazing comfort. No foot fatigue and no breakin was needed at least for my feet and they are long flat feet which makes it difficult to shoe shop.
 
I was a marathoner and ultramarathoner before finding shooting. What you just asked is the equivalent of "what's the best cartridge" or "what stock/chassis should I buy?"

Context (and personal fit) is everything. I love Saucony Trail shoes. I hate their road shoes. Nike makes about 100 different lines - some fit like a glove and some feel like wearing 2x4s. Point is you have to try them on.
 
In my experience it really depends on your foot shape (narrow / wide, higher or lower arch etc).

I successfully completed the Leadville 100 in a pair of Altra's (Lone Peak's to be specific) and really love them. I have a wider foot though and that roomy tow box agrees with me.

Also, I highly recommend you check out Superfeet insoles. They make different heights by color so find what works best for you.

Happy to field any other questions you may have.

Best,
C
 
Nobull in the gym and Solomon speed cross 5 trail runners for rucking and running my local trail system.
 
Top