HOW TO BUY TRAIL SHOES

With everything from mud to mountain to contend with, your trail shoes need to be up to the job. Here’s what to look out for when buying…

UPPER

To keep feet cool in summer, look for a breathable upper. This is key year-round across all terrains but even more so on trail-specific shoes, because lightweight material also aids drainage come the muddy and wet off-season.

OUTSOLE

A distinct feature of a trail shoe’s rubber outsole are teeth-like lugs, vital for staying the right way up come field or fell. They come in varying sizes and depths, so select to suit your intended terrain types, from tow paths to ragged mountain routes.

LACES

Consider the laces themselves when buying: round ones can come undone while elastics stay put, and some models feature a tongue pocket to stow laces away. Always aim to try the shoes before you buy, and look for potential areas where rubbing may occur.

MIDSOLE

Nestled between the outsole and upper, is the mighty midsole; the bulk of your cushioning. Models vary in heel drop and stack height. Don’t go changing too fast when picking your trail shoes, your road shoe heel-to-toe ratios are a good start.