Its new shoes time again and I would appreciate any advise. My local hills are mainly grassy, muddy, pathless, godforesaken, bleak, steep, slippery and ankle-twisting, so I need something really grippy that can deal with most of the above.

I usually use Salomen XA pros, but need something a bit more grippy and winterproof. My feet are narrow high (and fragrant), so any recommendations please?

Are Walshes any good or a bit dated?, or mudclaws comfy or torture?

Thanks 

Icebugs for me, no question. I'm just waiting on mine arriving from Sweden )

http://www.icebug.se/ShowFolder.asp?id=16

Inov8s will do of course, I wear them as well. Icebugs are better made though.

Love Adidas Swoops. I'm on my third pair in as many years. Mebee not as grippy as (bows head) Walshes, but comfy from the box, don't rub or fall to bits. Good all rounder. Sounds right up your trail, bazza.

I've always been advised that you have to try and figure out whether you want to prioritise grip or cushioning.  Obviously, trial and fell shoes have less cushioning than road shoes but they still vary in the cushioning they offer. 

I mostly run on similar terrain to what you describe Bazza and I have been almost totally happy with two successive pairs of Puma Trailfox shoes.  The second pair I had I have a minor gripe; which is that when I get onto more rocky stuff they are not so sticky.  Very good on mud, grass and bog though (which is more the norm locally).  I recently needed to replace my latest pair so I went to Pete  Bland's in Kendal, as I thought they would have a good selection of offroad shoes - which they did.  The guy that served me said that he would probably recommend another pair of Trailfoxes because, in his opion, they were about the best in terms of offering a relatively high level of cushioning while still giving a good grip.  The latest model has a new improved sole which at least looked as though it would probably give better grip on rock than the ones I've just worn out.  Anyway, the didn't have the newer ones in my size but they did have one the same as the pair I've just worn out that were in my size and dirt cheap - so I bought them as they are good for the stuff I do most often and they were a real bargain.  I also bought a pair of Inov8 flyrocs because I thought they would be better for when I'm in the Lakes and N Wales - i.e., rockier, rougher stuff.  The guy in the shop said they have less cushioning than the Trailfox so I might find them not so brilliant if I wore them all the time (I have a dicky knee so have to be quite careful on that front).

I think the most important thing for what you describe is a shoe that suits your foot and one that drains well.  You'll get wet feet and it's a drag if your shoes end up with water sloshing about inside them and then don't dry fast between runs because they don't drain well.  Go to a shop where you know you'll find a big range of off-road shoes and try on as many as you can to see what seems to suit you.

if only you could buy Bland legs to go with them.

LOL, aint that the truth!?

Aye, Cath, what a family! What legs! I went into his shop once and asked to buy a pair.

ptc*,

have you tried these icebugs out? And which model? I use New Balance 87x for trail running, but would like to try some other options - perhaps Mizuno Wave Arashi, Inov8 or Montrail. Your passion for all things Scando has unearthed another option, so was wondering what you make of them?

John

John, used the Bugrip extreme, the one with the gaiter. It's called something else now I think? I've tried on most of the range and the fit is quite consistent, good heel cups.

Worth a look, it's always nice to have an alternative.

I've used walshes and new balance rx terrains. Both similar grip I reckon - the main difference was the new balance seem a bit 'softer' in their upper so I don't get blisters after 2 days wear like i did with the walshes. Both good on went grass / mud but not so good on wet rock.

Think the rx terrain has now been discontinued and I haven't tried the new model yet.

I've got a pair of nike trail shoes which are pretty good as well (let water out well), but aren't quite as grippy and have a bit more cushioning.

Thanks for all the advise and links. Superb as always

Ive got a nice list now that I can take to the shops, and try on some (if not all) of the suggestions.

Bazza, the new running shop in Bridge of Allan has a reasonable range of Inov8s in it.

Any of them would do you for the Ochils, which is where I think you are talking about, although personally I think they are lovely grassy hills to run in!

You might also get away with a trail shoe, I bought a pair of Saucony Grizzly Approaches for one particular run I do from my place in Stirling - out Causewayhead and up Dumyat and back so needed a shoe ok for a bit of road and hill and these are doing ok. Sunday night I went up from the Blairlogie car park in them and they did the job although wouldnt have fancied coming down that way in them - definitly need proper hill shoes for that.

Hope you can get along to one of our OHR outings some time - last nights run up Kings Seat from Dollar was a bit wilder than most - and well skity underfoot with all the rain we been having!

Hi John,

Thanks for the link, I will try and get along to Bridge of Allan tomorrow.

You're right, the Ochils are great for running, a bit slippery this time of year on some of the steeper descents. I love the run up Dumyat, but my usual runs are up Ben Cleuch from Alva or Tilli.

I will definately try to get along to an OHR run in the next few weeks once I get a decent headtorch (I never had to time to over the summer because of Uni Work). Hope to see you there.