Discussion: Trail shoes

Check out this pair of New Balance trail shoes. They come with removable spikes. I've never run on them, so I don't know just how good they are, or how durable the removable spikes can be, especially for orienteering purposes. I've seen them at a local running store and may give them a try the next time I need to purchase trail shoes.

I bought a pair of icebugs last fall, and had been using them for orienteering. They have better cushioning than regular o-shoes while also providing traction with those special spikes. The only problem is that I've already lost several of those spikes. It's unfortunate they aren't more durable because it's been great wearing them.

Hope your ankle heels quickly!

Thanks for the link!

That's an interesting design. I like that there are no spikes in the heel area. I'd like to see one of these in person, and compare the heel width to my Montrails.

Yeah, I've read about the Icebugs' problem with losing spikes. Have you ever tried any of the Innov-8 shoes, like the Mudclaw?

The design theory of orienteering shoes is that your heel, which you should always plant first, is much lower and closer to the ground than in the typical padded and cushioned running shoe. A low foot means less twisting-moment forces when you step on uneven ground...think of a lever arm.

In addition, without padding, O shoes don't soak up the water from puddles and stream crossings. I think they're the ideal shoe for the sport...and most experienced orienteers do too.

Once I learned how to run properly on uneven ground by planting my heel first, ankle sprains became a thing of the past.

No I haven't try the Innov-8 shoes yet, but I've heard good things about them. Perhaps they could be a potential purchase down the road.

Thanks for the feedback, Clark. I definitely understand and agree with the design theories at work here. And I do try to plant the heel first when jogging.

Most of my trouble with the VJs occurs on hard ground, which makes some sense to me. I think the "low heel" idea presumes that the cleats sink into the ground, letting the sole touch the plane of the ground. If the cleats don't sink, my VJ's are not much lower than other shoes I own.

Plus, if the cleats don't sink, then the weight at the heel is not supported by the entire width of the shoe - only by the width of the outermost cleats (which are not at the edge of the sole on the VJ's).

I'm definitely not arguing the suitability of the shoe for "experienced orienteers" - but I suspect most of those folks are at a healthier body weight and have stronger lower leg muscles than I do. :-)