Do I need trail running shoes?

[jsmoke]

I ask because the little running I do is mainly on the road, the parkrun is on grass and small sections of mud/gravel. Occasionally I'll go off-road up a forest track or so.

Can I use trail running shoes on the road?

I've had cross trainers for general wear before, are trail running shoes much different to these?

But you can pick up a pair for not to much so thought if nothing else I could wear them for general use.

 

[Skillmister]

I use my trail runners on the road but only because I don't do much road so haven't bought a separate pair. They are definitely less cushioned than road shoes and I'd imagine the tread would wear down quickly using them on the road.

 

[jsmoke]

Any opinions on these shoes, for road that is?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brooks-Lau...1586605661&sprefix=runing+&sr=8-23&th=1&psc=1

 

[Spacedeck]

I can't say anything about them Brooks Launch 6 but my first running shoes was Brooks Launch 4 and I got around 400 miles from them. I've now moved from them to Brooks Ghost 12 and these feel amazing so far.

 

[neoboy]

As above, trail shoes tend to have less cushioning in them and soles will wear out quicker if you use them on hard surfaces, not to mention grip may be compromised on surfaces that aren't muddy trails (depending on type you get). My local forest trek is actually getting so dry right now with no rain that I could easily do it in regular road trainers.

First thing is to figure out your foot type and then I tend to use something like RunRepeat to get a general idea on the shoe, plus the price comparison is handy.

 

[COYS]

A pair of flexible trail shoes that are also OK on the road is a good idea to have. I use Salomon Sense Ride, which are great on trails but also good for those sections on tarmac, such as to and from the trail.