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5 Best Budget Trail Running Shoes UK Reviews 2020
The sport of trail running has gained popularity over the years. The activity provides runners with a more varied and vigorous workout than road running and is great for building foot strength. However, finding the best budget trail running shoes can be a challenge if you are unfamiliar with the sport.
Trail runners need to possess a versatile pair of trail running shoes that can withstand the various surface conditions they will be exposed to.
It is often difficult to find the pair of trail running shoes that are right for you, especially considering the ample variety of trail running shoes that are available in the UK in 2020. This guide aims to familiarize trail runners with the best trail running shoes that are available today.
Why do you need it?
Most running shoes work well for running on smooth paved surfaces. However, if you intend to run on rough and uneven surfaces, you may have to purchase a pair of trail running shoes. They are for a variety of conditions and can protect your feet from objects in the surrounding environment.
Differences between trail running shoes and running shoes
Trail running shoes are usually heavier than running shoes, so they may not provide runners with as much speed. However, trail running shoes do provide better stability and support than running shoes. This makes them great for off-road running through forests, hills, and fields.
Here are some of the design features:
Stability
Trail running shoes need to provide runners with more stability, as they will be running on uneven surfaces that include rocks, roots, and inclines. Traditional running shoes are also designed to provide stability. However, trail running shoes include features that were designed specifically for stability, to take it a step further.
These shoes have firmer soles that provide better support for your feet at the expense of additional weight. Their soles are wider and closer to the ground to give wearers a better feel for the ground, and to provide stability on uneven surfaces. This stability is important for preventing ankle sprains or other foot injuries.
Certain trail running shoes feature large knob-like lugs that can aid with traction in loose and slippery terrain. Other trail running shoes come with smaller lugs for running on smoother dirt trails.
Protection
Trail runners often stub their shoes against rocks and roots while running through areas with dense bushes. Toes bumpers ensure that the runner’s feet do not get injured during collisions with these objects on the ground.
Some trail running shoes also come with a waterproof or water-resistant lining that prevents water from getting into the shoes in wet weather conditions. This feature could be useful if your running trail includes unavoidable puddles and damp vegetation.
Shape
Trail running shoes are often wider at the front and narrower near the heel. This provides runners with extra stability. This width difference is less pronounced in running shoes.
How to choose trail running shoes?
Your choice of best budget trail running shoes will vary depending on the trail conditions you will be running in, as well as the shape of your foot. Let’s look at the design features of trail running shoes and the situations they are best suited for.
Stack height
Trail running shoes come in different stack heights. This refers to the thickness of the material between your feet and the ground underneath. Both thick-stack and thinner-stack trail running shoes offer benefits for trail runners.
Thick-stack trail running shoes offer better protection and provide a more comfortable running experience, while thinner-stack trail running shoes feel more natural feel and minimalistic.
It’s difficult to say if one style is better than the other, as runners will have a preference towards the shoe that provides the right balance between providing comfort and allowing them to “feel” the ground. Runners should try on shoes in-store to find the one that offers the best stack height for them.
Lug length
Trail running shoes have feature soles for better gripping than running shoes. Many of these trail running shoe designs feature knob-like lugs under their base for added grip. Shoes with longer lugs are generally better suited for running on muddy or loose surfaces, while shoes with shorter lugs are suited for running on surfaces with stones and firmer dirt.
Rock plates vs foam plates
Some trail running shoes come with “rock plates” between their outsole and midsole. This plate is usually made of a firm plastic material and protects the runner’s foot from any sharp or jagged rocks they may step on. Rock plates provide extra protection, but foam plates tend to be more comfortable.
Shoe weight
The weight of a trail running shoe often interrelates with its protective abilities. A heavier shoe can provide better protection but may tire out the runner more easily. Conversely, a lighter shoe provides less protection but allows runners to run faster and for longer periods.
Are there trail running shoes for people with wide feet?
There are trail running shoes available for people with wide feet. However, it should be noted that trail running shoes are usually designed to be wider than ordinary running shoes. These shoes have additional width near the front to give your toes more freedom to spread out and stabilize when traversing uneven surfaces.
Here are some best budget trail running shoes for wide feet:
Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Wide Trail Running Shoes
These shoes feature a wider-than-average forefoot section for added stability. They also feature a more breathable mesh upper section that prevents sweat build-up during runs.
Salomon Speedcross 5 Wide Fit Shoes
These shoes are both wide and comfortable thanks to Salomon’s SensiFit™ technology that cradles the foot between the midsole and the laces for a custom fit that is snug and secure.
5 Best Budget Trail Running Shoes in the UK
We have looked through various shoe designs and have read many trail running shoe reviews before narrowing down our choices to these 5 shoes.
Our top picks for budget trail shoes are:
- Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX S/Race LTD Running Shoes
- Asics Gel-Fujitrabuco 7 Gore-Tex Running Shoes
- Inov-8 X-Talon 212 Classic Shoes
- Saucony Excursion Tr13 GTX
- Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes
Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX S/Race LTD Running Shoes
Salomon’s Speedcross 4 GTX S running shoes are one of the trending shoes in the market. They come with anti-debris mesh uppers that stop dirt and pebbles from entering the shoe while also providing your foot with ventilation.
These shoes represent Salomon’s CONTRAGRIP technology that provides runners with superior grip in wet and slippery conditions.
Asics Gel-Fujitrabuco 7 Gore-Tex Running Shoes
These stylish trail running shoes from Asics are great for long-distance trail running. One of the features is cushioning FlyteFoam Lyte midsole, to propel runners forward with ease and comfort.
Inov-8 X-Talon 212 Classic Shoes
The Inov-8 X-Talon 212 are among the lightest and fastest trail running shoes available in 2020. Their design offers good protection and flexibility through the most challenging soft and loose terrain.
It has 8mm rubber studs that can grip a variety of surfaces ranging from soft mud to hard asphalt. They come with an EVA midsole that offers great cushioning and comfort for runners through off-road trails
Saucony Excursion Tr13 GTX
The Saucony Excursion Tr13 GTX stands out due to its rugged and durable design that looks stylish and provides great comfort and stability. Their rubber outsole provides great grip on various surfaces, and their waterproof GORE-TEX upper makes them great for use in all weather conditions.
It has a Pwrfoam midsole to give your feet an extra layer of comfort and stability while traversing rocky terrain.
Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes
The Hoka One One Speedgoat is part of Hoka’s award-winning collection of trail running shoes that are excellent for trudging through challenging terrain. These shoes feature a mesh upper that provides great breathability.
The shoe also comes with breathable 3D-printed overlays that provide improved midfoot support. The toe box on these shoes is also wider than earlier versions to accommodate wider feet comfortably.
Each of the aforementioned shoes is great for trail running through different conditions. However, we recommend that you try these styles in person to judge their feel for yourself.
Frequently asked questions about trail running shoes
Here are some common questions:
Are trail running shoes good for road running?
Trail running shoes are specifically for surfaces that are wet, soft, and/or uneven. They are ideal for running on harsher terrain and nature trails, but they can also be used to run on roads and pavement.
They feature rubber lugs that provide a good grip on normal surfaces and aren’t likely to cause any more harm than regular running shoes.
How should I clean trail shoes?
Trail running shoes can get caked in dirt and grit over time. You can separate the laces and inner soles from the rest of the shoe to clean it. You can use a soft toothbrush and mild soap to wash each of these. However, you should use special cleaning products like GORE-TEX membranes to avoid any damage.
You can scrub the sole of the shoe with a firm brush to get bits of dirt and debris out of the grooves and lugs. Avoid washing your trail running shoes in a washing machine as they could get damaged.
When should I replace my trail running shoes?
Most trail running shoes will last between 500 and 800 kilometres of use. Certain running styles are prone to damaging shoes more than others, so your results may vary. The foam in these shoes tends to break down over time, even if they aren’t being used. This foam will last around 18 months.
Shoes that have lost their support will be easy to twist and should be replaced before they cause injuries.
Where to buy trail running shoes?
You can purchase all types of trail running from online fitness stores such as Wiggle or sportsshoes.com. You can also find it in most fitness and sports stores that sell shoes. However, outlets and stores may have smaller selections compared to online stores.
Summary
Trail running shoes provide better grip and support on rugged and uneven surfaces compared to road running shoes. These shoes come in a variety of styles, each of which is suited for a particular kind of surface.
If you plan to run on soft and loose surfaces, you should go for a trail running shoe design with longer lugs. If you intend to run on firmer off-road surfaces, your shoe should have shorter lugs.
Certain trail running shoes feature mesh uppers to provide breathability, while others feature a more closed upper that provides superior waterproofing. Some designs such as Asics Gel-Fujitrabuco 7 Gore-Tex Running Shoes feature special mesh uppers that are both breathable and waterproof.
Off-road surfaces that feature lots of rocks are difficult and uncomfortable to traverse using regular shoes. Trail running shoes that feature rock plates are suitable for running through these environments.
Salomon, Asics, Inov-8, Saucony, and Hoka all offer great budget trail running shoes in 2020. Check them out at your local fitness store today, or order them online from Wiggle UK.
Wow, I didn’t know there was much of a difference! This post was great. I’m not much of a runner but I bet it feels great to run a marathon!
You have explained things in this blog very well, and it is something that would be useful for many runners out there!
I’ve got back into running again recently, and off road quite a bit near to my house. Will have to look out for a pair of trail shoes next I think.