Trail Running Shoes : Why should you invest in one?

Trails always have & always will fascinate me - they keep you engaged on a cerebral level with a variety of challenges thrown at you; and every so often it is just fun to head out to the trails to break the monotony of the regular road-running routes that you have gotten habituated to over a period of time. As much comfort there is in terms of routine, there is just as much excitement when you take a break and try something new. The last 3 weeks have taken me back to my backyard trek multiple times and I have just fallen back in love with trails and hills in this process. Since I am in this space mentally, I thought it poignant to pen down thoughts about why one must invest in a good pair of trail running shoes and what to keep in mind when you do so.

Now to begin with, when you start investing in good equipment; for a runner this equipment is shoes and apparel; it is exactly that - an investment. A decent pair of running shoes is quite an investment and usually people who already have a good pair of road-running shoes stop and wonder if it really is necessary to invest in a trail running shoe - let me break it down for you - if you do one or more trail running sessions in a week or you plan to go and explore different terrain- go on, don't give it a second thought - invest in one. Also, it is important to understand the terrain that you will be running on - whether it is rock, snow, sand, shallow mud or deep mud - there are specific changes which are made to the sole and the upper for each of these as well as accommodation made for accessories to be incorporated into the shoe for the varying terrains eg. gators or microspikes etc.

Trust you me, a good shoe changes the feel of the run - and a regular runner will echo the sentiments that I express in the aforementioned line.

So, what really is so different in trail running shoes which changes the feel of the ride. Let me break it down for you and try to keep it as simple as possible:

1. Grip/ Traction: The most glaring difference in a trail running shoe is the sole. When you turn the shoe around and have a look at it - you will notice the knobs on the sole - the technical term for this is lugs - trail running shoes come incorporated with deeper lugs to improve your grip on the terrain that you are running on. These lugs are usually found in a macro ( for muddy terrain with ample spaces to keep getting rid of the dirt so think stability in wet weather with slippery mud) or micro pattern ( think rocky, hard packed terrain for grip & off course to be faster on the route). In addition to this, they use sticky rubber for the most obvious reason of better grip and control on the terrain.

2. Protection: Now when you run on a trail, there are obstacles which keep cropping up - I know you may argue that with the bazillion potholes, and cow dung cakes on our roads, our Indian Road running experience may be just as exciting as a trail but certain obstacles are sacred only to the trails - this can be roots ( I know how they hurt), loose rocks, a pointy stone , off course you have the occasional stream.. and nature gets really creative in terms of the obstacles it sends our way. Trail shoes are designed specifically for this. The shoes fit really snug & keeps the foot secure- this reduces the bumping of toes to the inner of the shoe especially when coming downhill. The upper is made of a tighter weave - and this tighter weave is fantastic at keeping out the small pebbles ( pain), sand ( blisters), gravel and other trail debris out of the shoe - so that you can focus on your run and not the irritation being caused by these tiny culprits. The chunky caps you find near the toes of the trail running shoe, are known as toe-bumpers and they are instrumental in protecting your toes from the stabbing pain in case you end up kicking a root or stone. And finally, the mid-sole will usually have a plate which is instrumental in protecting the foot from pain due to pointy rocks, roots, sticks etc.

3. Support: Like I already mentioned, it holds the foot securely in place avoiding unnecessary movement - providing stability and unnecessary pain. In addition to this, for rocky terrain, it is imperative to get a well cushioned shoe - this is to alleviate comfort levels while running on the hard surface. In comparison, you can always get a shoe with less cushion if you are planning to run on a soft, muddy trail or on sand - the terrain, in itself will provide the cushion in that case. It is also fit really tight in the heel keeping the foot securely in place and usually provides a wide space for the toes, which allows the toes to spread and utilise the smaller stabiliser muscles for a more stable and comfortable ride.

4. Hotness Quotient: And off course - trail shoes always stand out - they are so colorful and look so aesthetically pleasing - gorgeous to look at and comfortable on the trail while providing stability. Its a no-go - trail shoes just amp up your outfit to the next level.

Finally, contrary to what most people believe, Trail Running shoes are not ridiculously expensive - in fact they are quite affordable and are good value-for-money. To break it down into a simple metaphor - trail shoes are like an ATV and road-running shoes are like a sedan - you wouldn't take a sedan off-roading - its just a bad idea for both the vehicle and the driver. So if you want to explore trails, and you want to improve your experience while at it - go with the right gear. It will make or break your experience. Choose Wisely - because you yourself will bear the consequences of the choices you make.