GET-FIT KIT

With one session of outdoor exercise allowed every day during the COVID-19 lockdown*, running remains one of the best ways to keep fit and get some fresh air. Here’s our pick of great kit to keep you comfortable on your local trails

We trial the best trail-running shoes and look at the latest exercise gear.

THREE OF THE BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

Outstanding runners for men and women in search of off-road adventures

Challenger ATR 5 GTX,

hokaoneone.eu/en/gb/

Hoka One One, £125

These excellent all-terrain running shoes are just as comfortable on the road as off it. Well-cushioned and super-supportive, they look chunky, but once you’re wearing them, they feel low-profile and not at all bulky. They are light, too, at only 297g.

On the trail, they are remarkably stable, with a slightly splayed stance that gives you a sense of sure-footed security on stony ground. The deep lugs are extremely grippy.

There’s plenty of cushioning in the midsole to keep your feet comfortable as you pound along on hard surfaces, such as roads or pavements, but not too much; they still feel responsive, and not the least bouncy or sluggish.

The mesh uppers are more durable than previous versions of this shoe (this is the fifth update), and are breathable, allowing air in to cool your feet on hot days. This new version of the Challenger has added Gore-Tex waterproofing to keep your feet dry, which means they’re superb for walking, too. The only drawback is that the all-black colour scheme is a little dull. JP

Verdict: Stable, supportive and highly versatile shoe that is extremely comfortable on and off-road, walking or running.

Trailtalon 290 V2, Inov-8, £130, inov-8.com

These shoes have a distinctly lower profile compared to the Challenger ATR. With a bit less cushioning underfoot, you feel closer to the trail. What you lose – marginally – in stability, you gain in responsiveness. The soles are more flexible than the Challenger, so you’ll find the arch of your foot flexing naturally, making you feel springier as you move.

There’s still plenty of support to protect your feet from beneath, though I wouldn’t choose these shoes to run for long distances on hard surfaces. Nevertheless, off-road, the Trailtalon excels in all kinds of conditions, from wet rock to mud, where grip is excellent thanks to 4mm lugs that shed debris with ease.

The Trailtalon’s uppers are made of a tough but lightweight fabric, beefed up a little with some rubber to protect your toes, and a more substantial ‘heel cage’ that grips and protects beneath your ankle. I was very happy with the overall protection, but some runners might prefer more.

My only issue was that despite lacing tightly, I found the right insole slipped – something easily solved by replacing with a thicker one. JP

Verdict: Responsive, grippy and pleasantly low-profile.

Peregrine 10, Saucony, £110, saucony.com

These shoes are designed to cope with anything the outdoors will throw at them, whether it is steep, muddy forest paths, rocky hilltops or scrubby heathland tracks.

They are well-cushioned on the heel, around the ankle and on the tongue, and the laces pull tightly across the top of the foot – this makes the shoes feel secure and comfortable, which is a real asset on particularly demanding trails.

The forgiving inner also minimises friction and irritation, which, along with the well-ventilated meshed upper, reduces the chance of getting blisters. The outsole, lined with defined chevron-shaped cleats, gives the Peregrines excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions, and the thick midsole protects feet against sharp stones and sticks.

For those who like their running shoes waterproof – a useful option if you plan to use them for walking, too – the GTX version is lined with a waterproof membrane, and costs £135. DG

Verdict: Comfortable, supportive and hardy, performing well in all weather and on any terrain.