Trail Running Shoes – To Buy or Not to Buy, That is the Question

The big chill is out of the air and it’s time to start kicking it and getting back into stellar condition. Maybe you’re planning on a marathon or a half and you have some serious training to do. Or perhaps you just want to take your running to the next level, and you are planning on some trail running. Have you taken inventory of your equipment? What about the shoes? Of course, shoe manufacturers are going to have you believe that you need to go out and invest another $100-$150 into a pair of trail running shoes, but is that really necessary? Well, that depends on whether or not you have the $150 to invest and how often you trail run.

It’s always good to have multiple pairs of shoes, because you know how quickly they need replacing. If you are trail running every other day or so, go ahead. You can purchase the trail shoe that is sturdier, has greater support and fits a bit higher on the foot to offer greater protection to the ankle. With a trail shoe it has more of a toe roll to prevent injury if you should kick a rock or root. This will take the stress off of your road running shoes, and allow you to use them for a longer period of time. That’s not to say you’ll get more mileage out of them. You still need to look at replacing shoes every 300-500 miles.

Trail shoes offer better traction from a deeper groove, are a little stiffer and a little higher fit to give more ankle support should you turn an ankle slightly. If you are running a technically difficult course with very rocky terrain, lots of limbs or mud, the trail shoe could benefit you here. You know the kind of running you do.

Check with Dr. Vargas and advise him of the kind of running you are going to be doing. Dr. Vargas will be able to offer you suggestions for the best kind of shoes for your running program and what you need to protect your feet. Call him at (281) 313-0090 Sugarland or (281) 342-8700 in Richmond/Rosenberg. Then strap on your camel back pack and hit the trail. Don’t forget to take a cell phone, and on trails, you’re always better off running with a couple of buddies, just in case of a mishap. Have a good run!