Running Trail
2 November 2023
Running Shoes: Notes from a Novice
When I need to buy running shoes, I google ‘best running shoes’. I compare prices and then see who stocks my size (my feet are tiny so that’s a real problem). I then make a quick call, pay online and hope for the best! I don’t understand all the jargon and my philosophy has always been, “Well if they’re not right this time, I’ll change brand next time!”
This has worked fine in the past. But my mileage has increased this year and I’ve started to get a little wiser. My discoveries are making me feel exceptionally knowledgeable. I’ll share what I’ve learned – because if you’re anything like I was a few months back – this is new information!
HOKA SPEEDGOAT 5
I bought myself a pair in January this year (as per the method described above: just a slight edit to ‘best trail shoes’). I liked the fact that they were ‘lighter’ and had more ‘traction’. Words I could understand. And yes, they were popular. These shoes carried me through most of my training for the Gobi March ( a self-supporting 250km footrace which I did in June this year). But, CONFESSION: I never had road shoes at the time and ran with these shoes constantly on the road. (My training was both road and trail.) By the time May came around, the shoes had zero traction. They were totally flat underneath and I invested in a second pair to carry me through the Gobi. The Gobi went well (in that I finished) but my biggest problem was blisters. Not blisters from rubbing, but blisters from pressure. Horrendous blisters. Too much sand entered these shoes. There was no space left for my feet. At the time, I thought it was just terrain related, but I now believe otherwise (more on this later).
SAUCONY PEREGRINE 13
I had started to develop a few niggles before the Gobi. My achilles was bothering me. Somebody mentioned ‘heel drop’. Another new term. And in a desperate attempt to stop this problem in its tracks, I bought a pair of Saucony Peregrine 13. Only 4mm heel-to-toe offset. At the time, I thought this was less than my Hoka and would provide some heel relief. But on looking now, the heel drop specifications read the same. Not sure what I was smoking at the time. Regardless, the Saucony have definitely placed less pressure on my achilles and they just seem to fit my feet better. I do miss the ‘boatiness’ and cushioning of Hoka at times, but I think this more petite shoe fits me better. I feel more in control on the trails. There has, however, been one major discovery: On my recent trip to Namibia, over the three days 100km, I decided to wear a different pair of shoes each day: Hoka, Saucony and Asics. I also wore gaiters with each pair as the terrain was very sandy. Even with the gaiters, sand continued to pour into my Hokas. The entry point seemed to be near the front end of the laces. I just couldn’t stop it. The lacing together with the floppy tongue of the Hoka shoe did nothing to keep the sand out. As a slow runner, I can least afford the time taken to constantly empty my shoes. I will never wear Hoka again in very sandy terrain. In this regard, Saucony are definitely victorious.
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 25
And lastly, my beautiful Asics Gel-Nimbus. I finally invested in a pair of road shoes last month. Yip - I’ve done over 9 months of road running this year in trail shoes. Not good. Why I waited so long I have no idea. I feel like I am running on air. The lower leg niggles have reduced. And to top it all - they too kept the sand out in Namibia!
2 FURTHER CONFESSIONS
- I wash my shoes in the washing machine
- Who thought running was cheap?
