Trail shoes for Black Friday

Studs: height and spacing depending on the ground

Studs are the hallmark of a trail shoe. Short, around three to four millimetres, and close together, they roll well on dry paths and hard-packed earth, while remaining comfortable on tarmac sections. Long, over five millimetres, and spaced out, they grip the mud and let it clear between the lugs instead of forming a smooth sole. The rubber is as important as the tread pattern: the adidas Terrex features a Continental rubber outsole, known for its grip on wet rock, while La Sportiva develops its own blends for the mountains.

The trail textile

The trail on Black Friday also comes in:

• Textiles, jackets, leggings and technical t-shirts.

All things trail can be found on the trail page.

Ultra and long distances: Mafate and Xodus Ultra

During an ultra-trail, your legs endure hours of downhill: cushioning takes precedence over lightness. The Hoka Mafate, the first model from the brand founded in 2009 by two Frenchmen, is named after the Mafate circus in La Réunion, a playground for trail runners; its thick and wide sole protects against impacts on long distances. The Saucony Xodus Ultra combines generous PWRRUN foam with a versatile lugged sole. The Asics Trabuco, sturdy, also handles long outings on varied trails. Over time, your feet swell: it’s wise to allow for half a size larger compared to your road shoe.

Technical mountain: La Sportiva and Rossignol

On steep and stony paths, foot precision takes priority over cushioning. La Sportiva, born in 1928 in Tesero, in the Val di Fiemme, at the heart of the Dolomites, where Narciso Delladio made shoes for loggers and farmers, designs models close to the ground. The Helios, light and flexible, glides along the ridges; the Mutant, with a sock-like fit, keeps the foot secure on slopes. The Rossignol Vezor comes from the French brand founded in 1907 in Voiron, famous for its skis. The adidas Terrex Agravic SL and Lite, lightweight, target fast trail runners on rolling paths.

Gore-Tex, fast hiking and wide feet

The Gore-Tex membrane, inserted in the upper of the adidas Terrex Freehiker, keeps feet dry in dew, snow, and puddles: a plus for winter and fast hiking, less so in full summer when it can feel warmer. The Freehiker, taller, is aimed at those who alternate between walking and running. The Topo Athletic Pursuit and Connect feature a wide forefoot that allows toes to splay, convenient on descents when the foot slides forward. The adidas Terrex Tracefinder, entry-level, suits runners new to trails, and the women's models follow a slimmer form at the heel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you run on roads with trail shoes?

For short stretches, yes, to reach a trail. On long distances, the studs wear quickly on asphalt, and the firmer sole transmits more shocks: a road shoe is still preferable.

How to clean your trail shoes after a muddy outing?

Let the mud dry, then brush it off, or rinse the sole with a soft spray. Remove the insole and laces, stuff the inside with paper, and let it dry in the air, never near a heat source.

Which trail shoe should a beginner choose?

A versatile, moderately cushioned shoe with medium-height studs is suitable for first trails on varied paths, like the adidas Terrex Tracefinder or the Asics Trabuco. Highly technical or very lightweight models can wait.

How to lace trail shoes for descents?

Pull tighter in the midfoot and use the last eyelet for a locked lacing that holds the heel in place. The foot won’t slide forward in descents, which prevents black toenails and blisters on toes.

What drop to choose for a trail shoe?

A drop of four to eight millimetres is suitable for most trail runners, a good compromise between protecting the Achilles tendon and precise footing. Models with a very low drop require an adaptation period, especially on ascents where the calf works a lot.