Source
r/trailrunning•
Adde3333

Tips on flexible trail shoes

Does anybody have any tips on lower stack flexible trail running shoes with a secure fit? My favorite road shoes for longer runs is the saucony kinvara 11 because of how flexible it is and it allows my foot to strike more naturally while still being fairly cushioned, so something with a similar feel would be optimal. I've been eyeing some Salomon offerings like the sense 4 pro and ultra pro, what would you guys suggest?

I'm in an area where there's a lot of roots on the trails and they can be pretty wet if that helps narrow it down.

Posted Apr 2, 2021, 5:36 AM UTC

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NRF89•

The Sense Pro 4 is a great shout, I wish they fit my foot!

Worth looking at Inov 8, which are known for their super grippy minimal shoes, particularly the X Talon G 235 but there are many others.

Also maybe the Altra Superior, if you’re into zero drop.

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Denning76•

Worth looking at Inov 8, which are known for their super grippy minimal shoes, particularly the X Talon G 235 but there are many others.

I'd take the 212s over the 235s any day. Don't have the fancy rubber but they are the better shoe.

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Adde3333OP•

Thanks for the tip! What makes it better in your opinion?

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Denning76•

It's probably rather subjective but I like the lightness of them compared to the 235s and the upper feels better - the 235 one is quite tough and the tongue is thin for my liking. With that said, I use them for racing on soft ground, and there is a touch less cushioning in the 212s so that's something to bear in mind (not that either of them have much cushion).

Obviously the 235 has the fancy graphene rubber, which I do like, but it's not especially stickier than their normal rubber and both have excellent, if not quite Mudclaw level, grip. It is however much more durable. With that said, Inov-8 uppers tend to die before the outsole wears down too far anyways (though they sometimes can take a repair well), so this may not be as big of a benefit as it first sounds. The 235 upper seems more durable but I've yet to kill a pair so it's hard to tell.

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Adde3333OP•

A very thorough answer, thank you!

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Adde3333OP•

Cool I'll look into those! Never tried zero drop, but i like lower drops for long runs.

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skyrunner00•

I highly recommend La Sportiva Helios 3. Lightweight, only 4 mm drop, flexible, with a good minimal feel, but cushioned enough for me for up to 20 miles. I've done several trail 50k races in Helios series in the past, but that may be pushing it.

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CluelessWanderer15•

I have 150 miles in my Sense 4 Pros and recommend it. They were great for me out of the box. They weigh and breathe like low-stack speedy leaning shoes, albeit heavier than Salomon's current flagship fast shoes, but have the cushioning and underfoot protection for longer runs. I did a rocky 50 miler in them, and I typically wear Hoka Speedgoats.

Traction is good on soft or wet surfaces; far better than the Altra Superior or Nike Kiger but likely less than specific shoes a well-fitting King MT or something.

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converter-bot•

150 miles is 241.4 km

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Individual_Poem_2365•

I agree with the sense pro. I've enjoyed running them, although I wouldn't necessarily describe them as flexible (at least in the first 70 miles, maybe they will break in more). I also run topo terra ventures. After about 100 miles they become very flexible. I'd call the salmon sense more secure though!

I found the ultra pro to have a very uncomfortable fit

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converter-bot•

100 miles is 160.93 km

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