Fall Trail Shoe Review

FALL TRAIL SHOE REVIEW

By Robb Finegan

When the weather turns damp, it doesn’t mean you have to stay away from the trails. The proper footwear can make all of your trail walks more enjoyable.

If the phrase “trail shoe” brings to mind footwear with a stiff, boot-like feel that never seems to break in properly, then you haven’t tried the latest shoes on the market. Additionally, as the shoe industry has recognized the benefits of lower midsoles, they have begun to incorporate similar features in trail shoes, lowering their profile in order to allow the foot to make better contact with the ground. Many of the new trail shoes on the market have all the comfort of a road shoe in the upper, but enough protection in the midsole to let you scurry over rocks and hills throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Brooks Cascadia $95 www.brooksrunning.com Brooks is stepping up to produce what is easily becoming one of the best trail shoes on the market. Lots of people love the fit and feel of the Cascadia, with its lower profile midsole and unique “Pivot” system for support. The latest version incorporates the same midsole and well-ventilated upper with a quick-drying material to keep you more comfortable on the trail. The tongue is now gusseted to keep out rocks and dirt. The new HPR Green™ midsole material is environmentally friendly and uses fewer steps during the manufacturing process.
Inov-8 Flyroc $90 www.inov-8.com The Flyroc is a very low profile, lightweight trail shoe from Inov-8, a shoe manufacturer based in the United Kingdom. All of the Inov-8 trail shoes are built to accommodate the natural biomechanical function and motion of the foot. The upper works well for a wide variety of foot types. The outersole provides great traction on any trail surface. The Flyroc comes in unisex sizing.
Puma Trailfox $100 www.pumarunning.com The Trailfox has a water-repellant, ripstop, softshell upper that envelops your foot like a glove. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) rockshield protects the forefoot while still allowing for proper flexing. In addition to being lightweight and lower profile, the Trailfox is durable enough to hold up through many long trail hikes.
Saucony Grid Labyrinth $85 www.saucony.com The Grid Labyrinth is a new trail shoe from Saucony. It sports a low profile, and the midfoot tether system wraps the foot to give a nice fit in the arch. Multi-directional lugs provide traction no matter the surface. The overlays are a little heavier than some of the other trail shoes, but the material in the upper doesn’t crease.
Keen Humboldt $99 www.keenfootwear.com The Keen Humboldt is ready for all terrain, whether you are hitting the trails in Forest Park or walking around Green Lake. The stretch mesh bootie helps keep out debris; secure-fit lacing allows for a quick on and off, and the non-marking outsole won’t leave tracks. The Humboldt has great traction, stability, and an upper designed for wet and dry conditions.
Montrail Hardrock $90 www.montrail.com The Hardrock is versatile enough for a quick walk around the park or a long hike, thanks to its platform design. Aggresive lugs let you plow through dirt and mud with traction. With a wider midsole and molded protection plate, it protects your foot from bruising. The Hardrock provides you with all the traction and stability you want for rough, instable terrain without turning your shoe into a boot.
New Balance 790 $75 www.newbalance.com Although this shoe won’t make it out to the trails until January 2007, it is definitely one to watch out for. If you are walking in racing flats but need a more substantial shoe to tackle the trails, the 790 is low profile and extremely flexible. It allows the foot to move naturally while still offering some protection from the elements. The roomy toe box and secure fit in the heel will accommodate a variety of different foot types.

Robb Finegan is a manager and buyer for Fit Right Northwest, Portland, OR a competitive runner, and an Olympic marathon qualifier with a sub 2:16 time.