Trail running shoe for high arch ?

[Scottish_Skier]

Can anyone kindly recommend a trail running shoe for people with high foot arches ?
There are lots of 'stabilty' road running shoes for moderate to moderate to severe overpronators. But not so many manufacturers make them for trail running.
Recomendation's please....

[marshalolson]

ever try 0 or low drop minimalist style shoes?

[GeezerSteve]

I'm digging my low drop running shoes: Brooks PureGrit (trail) and Brooks PureFlow (road). I've got a pretty much neutral stride, medium arch height, not using Superfeet in either of these shoes. With Superfeet or other insole they might work well for someone with high arches.

[superdigg]

Use Inov8 X-Talon 212 my self will be buying their Bare Grip next time. Have high arches and they "just work" but very little support (the way I like it). Grippiest shoes ever

[Scottish_Skier]

ever try 0 or low drop minimalist style shoes?

^ nope.... though read a little about the various arguements for (and against) them.

FWIW been happily using 'New Balance' road running shoes - which are great and caused no problems for 10km (ish) training runs. But they dont do a trail running model with the same stability support which I need...

[roadgap]

I have high arches and love the Brooks Cascadia.

[bryanthebold]

ever try 0 or low drop minimalist style shoes?

x2

Can say enough about 're-learning' how to run barefoot/minimalist. My form and posture got better, I experience less pain, I am similar in speed, and have better endurance. I love the feeling of walking around barefoot now. Big clunky running shoes make me groan!

[GeezerSteve]

I've run something like 50 ultras in Cascadias. After a couple weeks in zero/low drop runners, they were relegated to shop shoes. Don't get caught up in the "arguments" for and against zero or low drop. The only way to know if they work for you is to get a pair and try them. At worst, you'll have a great pair of walking shoes.

FWIW, Cascadia and PureGrit seem to fit me about the same.

[Daywalker]

How do your current shoes do on trail? What's the "need" for specific trail shoes?

If it's wet ass, slippy mud trails then carry on. That's the one time my road shoes fail on trail.

[SkiBall]

I understand it is better to 'blend' minimalist into your running to let your feet adjust before going all out. Thoughts?

[Dantheman]

x2

Can say enough about 're-learning' how to run barefoot/minimalist. My form and posture got better, I experience less pain, I am similar in speed, and have better endurance. I love the feeling of walking around barefoot now. Big clunky running shoes make me groan!

I've run something like 50 ultras in Cascadias. After a couple weeks in zero/low drop runners, they were relegated to shop shoes. Don't get caught up in the "arguments" for and against zero or low drop. The only way to know if they work for you is to get a pair and try them. At worst, you'll have a great pair of walking shoes.

+1 to these guys. If you are already a New Balance guy and want to try a low/zero drop shoe check out the MT110 they released last year. It's absolutely the best shoe I've ever owned.

[Dantheman]

I understand it is better to 'blend' minimalist into your running to let your feet adjust before going all out. Thoughts?

To be clear, zero drop =/ minimalist. Minimalist is limited to stuff like VFFs, Merrell's trail glove series, Altra Adam, etc. If you can't roll it up and hold it in your fist it's not minimalist. The shoes everyone has suggested are low/zero drop but not minimalist. You do need to ease into them but not as drastically as true minimalist shoes. Cut your mileage back and slowly build it back up.

[SkiBall]

I got the Merrell trail gloves recently. Have some Mizuno Waves I really like, and first time in gloves wasn't too bad. So we shall see. Will do a little of both and see where that leads.

[Scottish_Skier]

How do your current shoes do on trail? What's the "need" for specific trail shoes?
If it's wet ass, slippy mud trails then carry on. That's the one time my road shoes fail on trail.

Most of the local loops I do are on muddy trails...
However, unlike running shoes, it seems that most trail shoes dont come with 'high arch' variant.

Cheers for all the suggestions. The 'zero/low drop' chat is interesting and not something I know much about....

[GeezerSteve]

What's the "need" for specific trail shoes?

-- a good trail shoe grips better on dirt and mud (obvious)
-- a good trail shoe sheds mud better (not so obvious, but often more important)
-- mud is less likely to clump up on a trail shoe (similar issue to the foregoing but a bit different); some road shoes have cavities in the sole in which mud and debris can collect, a royal PITA
-- many trail shoes have a lower profile, shorter vertical lever, less likely to roll ankle; not much difference on low/zero drop road vs. trail shoes, most of which are quite low profile
-- most trail shoes soak up less water, have more mesh and less foam (sponge)
-- many trail shoe soles have a narrower tread profile, e.g., omit flared soles at the heel, a feature of some road shoes

[SkiBall]

Most of the local loops I do are on muddy trails...
However, unlike running shoes, it seems that most trail shoes dont come with 'high arch' variant.

Cheers for all the suggestions. The 'zero/low drop' chat is interesting and not something I know much about....

Read 'Born To Run'. A good read.

[XXX-er]

Don't know if its high arch friendly but I like la sportiva wildcat GTX, I always had motion control shoes but this is neutral and as minimal as I am prepared to go, good for a narrow heel/wide forefoot they will handle any run/hike where I am not carrying carrying a load

http://www.sportiva.com/products/foo...ng/wildcat-gtx

with the stretch gortex tops the fit is awesume even for the skinny ankle, currently using them to run in the snow ... very water resistant with a pair of gaiters

[marshalolson]

more my point is that low drop trail shoes require less arch support and your feet are much less inclined to over pronate than a conventional high drop shoe.

i have very high arches, and have had chronic knee and ankle issues, and high pronation when running high drop shoes. the form that low drop shoes encourage, and the less support they offer lead to better developed muscles in my knees ankles and feet, so i can better support myself on trail and no issues with pain, strain or swelling the way i historically have with traditional shoes.

i am by no means a runner the way daywalker, big steve and others are... just saying that its worth a try...

merrel trail gloves and VFF are barefoot shoes
new balance mt110 and brooks pure grit are low drop shoes (4mm heel drop).
cascadia is a traditional high drop shoe (10mm+)

at least for me, the trail gloves are great once a week training shoes, and an every day hiking with my wife and baby after work program... but your foot takes a beating without cushion when running on rocky technical trail. the low drop shoes are more like every day shoes that beat you up much less.

[GeezerSteve]

more my point is that low drop trail shoes require less arch support and your feet are much less inclined to over pronate than a conventional high drop shoe.

Very true. The enhanced stability was obvious to me after only a few miles on low drop shoes.

FWIW, I didn't drop my mileage a bit when I went to a low drop shoe. To the contrary, my first week in low drops was the biggest running week I had had in several months (cuz it just happened to coincide with the end of mountaineering season, when I routinely step up my running mileage). No problems with the instant switch. I instantly liked the low drop shoes. My body prefers zero to very little ramp angle with shoes and ski boots/bindings.

ETA:

i am by no means a runner the way daywalker, big steve and others are...

I used to be a runner. Now I'm a waddler. But still having fun at it.

[Don Pedro]

No votes for Salomon? The Sense and the Fellcross are awesome shoes. 4mm drop. Light weight. Good protection. Work well for my highish arch.

[roadgap]

I've run something like 50 ultras in Cascadias. After a couple weeks in zero/low drop runners, they were relegated to shop shoes. Don't get caught up in the "arguments" for and against zero or low drop. The only way to know if they work for you is to get a pair and try them. At worst, you'll have a great pair of walking shoes.

It's also not a clear line between 'minimalist' and everything else. You can find a shoe at any point on the sort of gradual slope from big overbuilt shoes right down to five fingers. There's a shoe for everyone out there right now, it's a good time to be a trail runner.