Trail running shoes

I also really like the 2160. I have looked at the trail version but I don't believe that it has a rock plate in the forefoot. Also the sole does not look very grippy. It looks like an aggressive street sole. Not sure how this would work with a load on your back on a loose rocky trail. However every time I run in the street version it is so comfortable it keeps drawing me back to want to try the trail version. Not much help sorry.

according to the rei website specs, it lists under support: Medial posts/nylon plate

this makes me think it has a rock plate. now that im looking at it more though, the tread doesn't look like it would hold very well.

i guess that shoe is probably out then. any other recommendations? i tend to over-pronate a bit, and the Gt-21xx fixs this perfectly.

I tried out a pair of these not too long ago. Similarly, the previous 21xx versions have fit me well with my orthotics and I have had good luck with them as a running shoe. Unfortunately, I managed to trash the trail 2150's in less than a month. Granted I put some serious miles on them, but I believe there are some durability issues with the model. I also agree that the tread was fairly mediocre. It seems they are more of suited towards fireroad, trampled type trails than the terrain that a lot of us here seek out. I'd be interested to hear what you find as I'm still looking.

I run in that Gel-1160s and looked for a trail shoe that matched their fit/support.

You might want to look at the Trabuco-13. It is a support shoe like the the 2160 but it has a more aggressive tread, toe bumper, rock plate etc.. etc…

I just ordered a set for myself so no feedback on longevity nor suitability at this point. I'm hoping a pair last me the season.

Running Warehouse is great. Enter CP15 on the Team Discounts page and they are $61.16/pr shipped.

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-AT13MBR.html

+1 for Trabucos for this Asics lover

I've been wearing these for a few seasons. I switched from the Brooks Cascadia as the Trabucos have a better fit for me. I'm currently wearing the Trabuco 12 I thinke, they have several features I like: gusseted tongue to help manage trail debris, aggressive tread that wears pretty well, and a forefoot rock guard. I generally retire trail runners after 350 miles of use. The trabucos last me longer than my 350 trail miles and so I just wear them in town after retiring them. They're a lot more rugged than the 21XX-series trail runners

The trabucos are not a road/trail hybrid so don't expect the kind of cushioning that you see on road shoes. All and all I've been pretty happy with them.

those asics look like they might just be what im looking for. now hopefully they stock them at the boulder running company.

Im still up for any other suggestions.

For me I ignore what others say about shoes because it is so dependent upon what fits your foot and walking style. I've tried other running shoes or hiking boots that were well-reviewed over the years and always regret it because for whatever reason the Asics just fit me well. I really wish even Asics would freeze their product changes because once I find something I like I don't want to change. ;-)

No matter what wiz-bang feature the manufacture brags about at the end of the day how it fits your foot is what matters and once you have went through a couple bad examples you don't feel like experimenting any longer. At least I don't.

I'm an avid trail and street runner, and Kevin H is absolutely right — feet are more diverse than body types, but each shoe model is designed only one way. Take product reviews with a huge grain of salt and go by how they feel. The only reviews one may want to pay attention to are those that talk about craftsmanship, or the lack thereof. Isolating a manufacturer defect is good to know before you buy them and then have the stitching fail after a hundred miles. Also, if you can, try to buy from a dealer that has a return or exchange policy for shoes that just don't fit right after a trial run or hike. About 5 years ago, I bought a pair of Salomon trail runners that were highly recommended by a friend, fit great in the store, but left a half-dollar size blister on the bottom of each foot after a fairly short outing. Exchanged them for another brand that I've been wearing ever since — I've noticed slight differences from year to year in the same model shoe, but still not one blister worth fussing over.

thats why i use a local store like the boulder running company and i try not to order shoes online. they have a tredmill in their store with a video camera that records how your foot strikes at different gaits, and i've found that is the best way for me to find a shoe that will keep my feet comfy and supported (minimalist shoes don't really work for me). the footbeds that asic uses tends to also fit my feet (low volume, high arches) better than any other shoe i've used.

im really just looking for positive experiences with different types of shoes so i might have an idea about what might work. if someone who finds the GT-21xx shoe works well for them as a road shoe, and says that XXX shoe works well for them as a trail shoe, then thats a shoe i would like to consider.

Feet are so different. I have 3 pair of shoes I really like.

3rd place: LaSportiva Wildcat.
2nd place: Asics Trail Attack 7
1st place: Inov8 Terroc 330

I probate a touch, nothing bad, and have a mid to low arch, so I've been using a Superfeet 'blue' insole. Feet haven't been tired, but my left knee took a few weeks to come on board. After that, awesome.

Terrocs are airy, light, feel sturdy, great on all types of terrain so far. The Asics I mentioned have a less aggressive tread for being labeled a 'trail' shoe, but haven't tested it in rougher landscape so I'm not sure how it'll respond, but it's ridiculously well made & comfy as heck.

Dug
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