Trail shoes, Trainers or Hiking Boots?

Gone are the days where the trusty trainers served multiple roles. Today we are swamped with branding, marketing and endless choice when it comes to buying footwear for our preferred sports and hobbies. It can be completely overwhelming! I hike and run. In years gone by I would probably have made do with a sturdy pair of trainers that vaguely served all purposes. Not anymore. I do think it’s important to look after your feet and invest in footwear that’s not only going to make you more comfortable but will also hopefully reduce the risk of injury.

For this article I’m going to look at the different features that trail shoes, trainers and walking boots all offer. I hope it will offer some useful guidance to those, who like me, feel lost in the world of sports marketing at times.

Trail Shoes

Trail shoes are specifically designed for running off-road. They are designed to allow the wearer the freedom to run whilst offering greater protection against more challenging terrain such as uneven surfaces and wet conditions. They usually offer improved traction, cushioning and durability. They are also likely to be heavier than a traditional running shoe.

When to buy a trail shoe? If you generally run off road. If you run off road more than hike. If you are looking for a more versatile hiking shoe eg. I want a shoe I can hike and run off road in.

Trainers

A trainer is designed to support the wearer in a range of physical activities such as running, gym workouts and high intensity training. Running shoes are designed to provide shock absorption whilst offering support around your ankles. They are lightweight to allow greater freedom of movement and speed. They are less durable in extreme weather than trail shoes and hiking boots. They are designed for road running or indoor workouts.

When to buy trainers? If you’re looking for footwear to use in the gym or to support road running. Trainers are not advised for off-road running or hiking.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are specialised footwear designed for walking, especially for more challenging terrain. They will often sit higher than a trail shoe or trainer supporting the ankle as well as the feet. They are likely to be heavier and more heavy duty than other foot wear but this allows the shoes to offer significantly greater durability and protection whilst withstanding challenging conditions.

When to buy hiking boots? You should invest in hiking boots if you are planning on walking off-road (rather than running) and are seeking greater protection again uneven terrain and conditions.

This is a very simplistic guide. There are trail shoes that are light weight enough to occasionally use on the road, just like there are trainers durable enough to use off-road at times. It’s important to really understand what you need from your sports shoe and how you wish to use them to get the most out of your purchase. For more inspiration take a look at the adidas collection of waterproof trainers and hiking boots.