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The Grip On Trail Running Shoes
With trail running shoes grip and tread is one of the distinguishing features that you’ll find. The technical term for the grip and tread is lugs. The soles of trail running shoes use deeper lugs and sticky rubbers for greater traction on the varied terrain found on trail runs. In contrast, road shoes are often made of flatter foam with shallow lugs for running on smooth trails. Shorter lugs are better on hard-packed terrain trails whilst longer ones offer grip on slippery mud.
How Much Grip Is Needed
Not all trails are made equal and you will really need to look at the weather conditions together with the terrain where you’re going to be doing the majority of your running. Nearly all trail shoes will have an outer sole that fits into 1 of 2 classifications, with the exception to this rule being ‘all-terrain’ shoes which are meant to offer the best of both worlds.
Micro Grip On Trail Running Shoes
A shallow tread pattern that has small grooves is ideal for gripping smooth surfaces like rocks. Search for a sole which includes a micro grip pattern if you’re running on rocky, hard-packed terrain. Micro grip footwear can also be classed as light trail running shoes where runners will be targeting a faster pace over the route.
Macro Grip On Trail Running Shoes
Large lugs dig into muddy terrain and ample spaces within the tread pattern get rid of dirt while you run. Consider a sole with a macro grip pattern for confidence-inspiring stability in wet weather where slippery mud is anticipated. Inov8 trail running shoes tend to come with bigger lugs for tougher, muddier terrain, another brand which focuses.
If you’re planning to run over a a wide range of gravel or rocky trails, look for the phrase “sticky rubber” in your outsole description of the footwear you are looking at. This specialised rubber enhances grips on rock.
Lug Size, Directional Pattern & Material
Tread and lug depth enhance traction. A number of trail running shoes feature big, knobby lugs for grip in loose, slick terrain, and some have smaller lugs that are closer together and are more appropriate for smooth dirt trails. As mentioned earlier, not all trails are made equal, some a pretty flat and meant for speedier running, others are tougher with varied elevation where speed is not the focus.
The directional pattern on the trail shoe improves stability and grip underfoot. Trail conditions will affect the effectiveness of the directional patter – so, make sure you select one that reflects the ground you’re running on.
Some trail footwear is equipped with more adhering types of rubber to enhance better traction for running on slick or rocky terrain. Some of the best know are Vibram, Michelin and Dunlop.
