Can i road run in trail shoes

No matter what type of traction the shoe has, trail shoes make tight turns easier to navigate and help you feel more sure-footed than you would in a pair of road running shoes. Rocks and roots can wreak havoc on your feet and ruin your shoes, so trail shoes include protective overlays in the upper to prevent pokes and reduce the likelihood of rips and tears.

Certain trail shoes also incorporate a rock plate, which is a thin piece of plastic or carbon fiber sandwiched into the midsole to block sharp rocks from penetrating the bottom of the shoe.

If your local trails are rocky, consider wearing shoes with this feature. Your trail running shoes should fit similarly to your road running shoes, meaning they should be comfortable without being sloppy.

A snug fit around the midfoot is essential for keeping your shoes in place over uneven terrain, while a wider forefoot allows your toes to splay out and grip the trail, especially when going up and down hills. If a running shoe is uncomfortable when you try it on in a store, it will be uncomfortable when you run. Modern running shoes, whether road or trail, don't need a break-in period to fit well—they should work for you right out of the box.

Your road running shoes were built to last a long time , but excess wear and tear from hitting the trails in your road shoes will drastically decrease their lifespan. Trail running shoes are made to stand up to the obstacles expected while off roading. Added skins on the heel and toe protect the mesh upper from abrasion, and improved drainage let your shoes dry out quicker after you cross streams or splash through puddles.

Article by Hunter Hall. Share this Post:. Trail Running Shoes vs. Road Running Shoes Gear Reviews. And that calls for trail-specific shoes.

Paved paths, packed gravel routes, roads and sidewalks all can be handled with standard road shoes. Trail running footwear, as its name suggests, is designed for tough, rugged, rocky and natural surfaces. This kind of shoe is made from sturdier, heavier, more durable materials than everyday running shoes to accommodate the rigorous terrain.

Running over uneven surfaces is no easy task. It requires more support and protection for the runner than what plain running shoes can provide. This is why trail running shoes are designed to provide beefed-up torsional support on the sides, since ankles and feet are actively adjusting, step-by-individual-step, as the surface undulates underfoot.

Maintaining balance is substantially more difficult in trail running, and the shoes take that into account. Trail shoes also offer additional support and protection for the underfoot, since the terrain can be either rugged or rocky. The outsoles of the two styles is another significant difference.

The outsole of trail shoes is typically heavier than road running shoes, and usually sports a deeper tread pattern. A typical trail run can take a runner over grass, through mud, up and down bare rock surfaces, in and out of stream beds, and more, so a trail shoe needs to be able to handle a variety of wet and dry conditions, not mention grippy, sloppy, rocky, and slippery surfaces one right after another.

Add to this the occasional extreme gradient, uphill or downhill, and you can understand why trail runners are willing to kick around a bit more weight in exchange for heavy-duty outsoles. Road shoes, on the other hand, generally focus on being fast, and that means minimizing friction with the ground. While road shoes are still designed with safety and grip in mind, the surface does not demand the extreme designs that off-road runners need.

Therefore, road shoes can focus on being significantly lighter and faster. Road shoes are designed for smooth surface and are lighter than their trail counterparts.

The lightness of this footwear makes it easy for runners to run across flat surfaces, which also explains why their outsoles do not have the deep traction that trail shoes have. Road shoes do not have as many reinforcements, either. The upper mesh of road running shoes is mainly made from mesh, which makes it more breathable. That comes at a cost, though: this material can also be fragile.

Many a road runner can tell you tales about taking a new pair of road shoes for just a quick off-road jaunt, misstepping on a rock, and scraping a gash into the side of their mesh-knit road upper. Those new to the world of running have many questions about the right footwear to buy particularly in the battle between trail running shoes vs running shoes.

There is no straight answer whether one can use road running shoes when running on trails. It depends on a variety of factors. You'll notice that the feel of a trail shoe is different from the fit of a road shoe. Shoe experts advise that a snug fit around the midfoot is needed to keep your shoes from slipping on uneven terrain. Additionally, a wider toe box in the forefoot allows your toes to spread out and grip the trail, especially on hills. Lastly, remember that trail socks will affect the fit, so you should wear them when shopping for shoes.

Trail running shoes should feel different on your foot from a road runner. Speak to an expert at a running store to make sure you get the right fit and features for your running style and environment.

You might find that you need more than one pair of running shoes. A good pair of trail shoes and a lightweight pair of road shoes will keep you covered in nearly all conditions. For example, you may want a pair of trail running shoes solely for trail and bad weather running, and a pair of regular running shoes for treadmill and road running.

If you can only buy one pair of shoes and you run on multiple surfaces, it may be best to get a versatile pair of hybrid shoes so you can run on a variety of surfaces. If you can afford to invest in more than one pair of shoes, consider alternating the pair that you wear from day to day. Runners who train several times a week rotate two pairs of running shoes to increase the life of each pair. Alternating shoes gives them a day or two to decompress and dry out between workouts.

If you also alternate workouts trail and road , you also train your body to become more versatile. If you run on multiple surfaces, you can buy a hybrid running shoe to accommodate your runs. But many athletes choose to have two or more pairs of shoes to keep their workouts safe and enjoyable. Trail running shoes are quite versatile and a great choice if you're interested in running through nature from time to time.

But you can also wear trail running shoes on the road under certain circumstances. The most important factor, however, is finding the best fit and features for you. No matter where you choose to run, if you're excited about your workout and you feel good, you are more likely to stay motivated and keep running. Whether you're looking to run faster, further, or just start to run in general, we have the best tips for you. Sign up and become a better runner today! J Sports Sci Med. Published Feb Setting standards for medically-based running analysis.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Road vs. Trail Running Shoes. When to Wear Trail Shoes. When to Wear Road Shoes. Trail Running Shoe Tips. The Best Mens Running Shoes. How to Find a Specialty Running Store.

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