Designed for the trails and the changeable conditions that they can present, this shoe offers stable, durable cushioning and comfort with versatile all-terrain traction and a great fitting upper at a great value price point. One of the best things about running is that it’s relatively inexpensive. A pair of running shoes and some sporty clothes is all you need to start pounding the pavement in earnest. Even if you pay to enter the odd event and join a club, it’s still much cheaper than most other sports. READ NEXT: Run further and faster with the best running shoes The best cheap running shoes to buy 1. Reebok Floatride Energy 4: Best cheap all-rounder running shoes The soft yet durable mesh upper provides a good fit which is enhanced by the brands ‘Navic Fit System’, midfoot bands incorporated into the laces that keep the midfoot held securely in place. This works very well and with a neatly padded heel collar and a heel tab that turns away from the Achilles, it’s a very nice place in which to place your feet. Rubberised prints on the toe and the side walls of the shoe help keep some of the weather out as well as making the shoe more protective and durable. At first it’s probably best to opt for a set of trail shoes designed for the mud, because all runners will be able to get on with them and they can handle all kinds of cross-country conditions well. However, when you really feel the need for speed, spikes may well become the more attractive option, especially if you’re a runner used to wearing racing flats on the road.

Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best used for: Training and racing; Weight: 193g (UK 9 ); Heel-to-toe offset: 10mmGrass and parkland, in varying degrees of muddiness as the season progresses, are the most common surfaces you’ll encounter in British cross-country, but you’ll still get a fair amount of variety from course to course. Don’t be surprised to encounter trails, clay or an out-and-out bog. Do you need to be a member of a running club to attend races? And what do they cost? The upper is made up of 50% recycled materials and uses an open mesh knit which thankful lets any water out as easily as it gets in. Rubberised welded sections provide protection in key areas of friction and add to the overall durability of the shoe. The lacing is standard, with a traditional lace-up closure and padded, gusseted tongue that sits snug to the front of your ankle. This close fit ensures debris doesn’t enter the shoe. Fartlektraining is great for cross-country. The speed-play nature of it mimics the ups and downs and the variations in intensity of a race. Plus a weekly long run will give you the strength required for longer races. Cross-Country Running Shoe Guide If you’re someone who wants the best of everything the minute it comes out, there’s no getting around it—you’ll need to splurge to get the running shoes you want, especially if you’re after a set of the best carbon plate running shoes. Thankfully a good pair will usually last for more than 500 miles and the materials used in some of the top-line shoes offer some impressive benefits.

You can expect most running shoes to last you around 500 miles – unless you’re taking on especially rough terrain constantly. Some racing shoes will last a lot less, as will many budget options, and that’s why it can be smarter in the long term to find a deal on a premium shoe over saving the money in the short-term with a budget shoe. Pop into any specialist running shop and you’ll likely be able to get gait analysis, where an expert observes your running form for free. Primarily, the specialist will look at how much your foot rolls inward when it hits the ground. “Overpronation”, where the foot rolls excessively inwards, can increase your risk of injury, so runners that overpronate are generally advised to buy stability shoes that gently guide your foot into a neutral position when they land. If your foot already lands in a neutral position when running, you should generally go for a neutral shoe, although heavy runners might welcome the extra support of a stability shoe.Their first big test was the Pendle Way in a Day race at the start of February. I’ve already written two posts about the race and the aftermath, but didn’t want to lose the shoe review in the midst of any of that. The terrain is a mixture of everything from a bit of tarmac through to mud Glastonbury would be proud to host. Lots of the components of the shoe use recycled materials and the shoe is also Vegan friendly, adding to its environmental conscious appeal.

The shoes are available in a range of vivid colours, from bright green and yellow, to blue and red. The women's version of the shoe is currently unavailable due to supply issues. Higher State Soil Shaker 2 trail running shoes specifications Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world. The midsole cushioning is good for mixed terrain use; soft enough to be comfortable but stable enough to provide support. Whilst the 4mm outsole lugs aren’t ultra-deep, they do work well on both the wet and dry on various surfaces, again adding to the versatile nature of the shoe.

The Trail Hub

It’s particularly good for short, sharp interval sessions, but really can handle almost any kind of running, with the one caveat that you might want more support than it offers on long runs. It’s certainly got the speed for racing as well as training, and the durable outsole grips fantastically well in all conditions.