Comparative review: Don't lose to distance. Don't be afraid of rough roads. Comparing trail running shoes for long distances
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
In Japan's trail running scene, there are also an increasing number of long-distance races over 100km, including UTMF. The reason I started trail running is that I want to participate in long-distance races like UTMB in France! There are probably many people who say this. I'm still practicing to complete the 100km and 100mile race! I'm sure there are many people who say this.
However, it is only natural that when it comes to a 100 mile race, it will take 20-30 hours for amateur racers. Shoes that support you for such a long time can be a very important factor in your running.
This time, we will be posting a comparison review of trail running shoes, especially long distance shoes made to run over ultra trails over 100km. I'm currently introducing recommended shoes from countless manufacturers, as a 100-mile runner. I hope this will help you purchase everything from the first pair to the best shoes.
table of contents
table of contents
- About the items we compared and tested this time
- Test results and spec comparison table
- Impressions of each model
- Detailed reviews of each item
- summary
About the long distance trail running shoes compared this time
Below are five models compared this time. I chose trail running shoes for long distances.
inov-8 Terraultra G 260
This model uses graphene, which was developed jointly with the University of Manchester, for the outsole, which greatly improves strength, durability, and rebound. Despite the thin midsole at 9mm, it is compatible with long-distance racing by using EXTEROFLOW, which has excellent rebound and shock absorption.
Hoka one one SPEED GOAT 3
The successor to Hoka one one's popular model Speed Goat 2. The max cushion, Megagrip grip and rolling allow you to move forward, while maintaining the design from the previous model, improving durability, making it a more complete shoe for long shoes.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
Italian mountain sports shoe manufacturer. Although it is heavy of the five models this time, it has high rigidity, stability and fit, making it particularly useful in mountain marathons, with lots of rocks and debris.
Columbia Montrail CALDORADO 3
This model was developed to conquer Western States 100, known as the oldest trail running race. With the current model, the upper changes have made it lighter, more durable and more comfortable to hold, and can be used all-purposely on any trail, from short to long.
MERRELL MOMENTOUS
These are the trail running shoes produced by Merrell, a well-known mountaineering boot manufacturer. Not only does it have a high grip, but the unique heel cup makes it extremely stable when landing and is resistant to thrusts on rough roads, allowing you to continue driving long distances with peace of mind. Another feature is its high design.
Test environment
The following five points were set as indicators for review of the evaluation items.
- Comfort: There is no pressure or stress on the fit of the upper, breathability, and overall flexibility, making it comfortable to wear, and it is comfortable to avoid getting injured even if you leave it on for 20 to 30 hours.
- Weight: Not only did it actually weigh, but I also valued the feeling when I ran.
- Grip: It's difficult to slip when landing on various trails, and bites when kicking. The grip strength when you get tired, especially in the second half of the race, is an important factor in preventing injuries and accidents.
- Cushion: It's difficult to receive shock when landing. When you are facing long-distance trails, high cushioning is one of the major factors that prevents fatigue in the soles of your feet.
- Stability: hold power on the heel and sole, and protection to protect your feet from external stimulation and impacts. This is an essential item for trail runs where you can deal with a variety of terrain and carry your luggage on your back.
With the above five points in mind, I tested it on the usual trails with lots of roads and ups and downs.
Each shoe has a distinctive look. Most of the trail running shoes are flashy.
Test results and spec comparison table
If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here
| comprehensive evaluation | AAA | AAA | AA | AA | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| item | ![[Inovate] TERRAULTRA G 260 Unisex UNI](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/818e9oEAIBL._SS300_.jpg) inov-8 Terraultra G 260 |  Hoka one one speed goat 3 | ![[Sportiva] Ultra Raptor Ultra Raptor 16U Black](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71QB-isRXIL._SS300_.jpg) La Sportiva Ultra Raptor | ![[Montrail] Caldorado III Caldorado 3 Men's](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81o0iqfThsL._SS300_.jpg) Columbia Montrail Cardrado III | ![[Merrell] Momentus Trail Running Shoes Men's](https://images-fe.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81BRLnJLDlL._SS300_.jpg) Merrell Momentus |
| Reference price (excluding tax) | ¥19,500 | ¥19,000 | ¥17,500 | ¥14,500 | ¥14,000 |
| This is ◎ |
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| This is △ |
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| Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| grip | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| cushion | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Specs | |||||
| Official weight | 260g | 292g (27.occm) | Approximately 350g | 296g | 283g |
| Actual measured weight | 258g (27.0cm) | 285g (27.0cm) | 388g (approx. 28cm) | 298g (27.0cm) | 339g (27.0cm) |
| drop | 0mm (9mm/9mm) | 4mm (28mm/32mm) | 8mm (21mm/29mm) | 8mm (11mm/19mm) | 4mm (25mm/29mm) |
| Midsole | EXTEROFLOW | – | INJECTED | Fluid form | – |
| Outsole | GRAPHENE GRIP | Vibram® Mega Grip | FriXion White | Trail Shield | Vibram® Mega Grip |
Impressions of each model
Inov-8 Terraultra G 260
This is ◎
- Combining grip and durability
- A supple midsole
This is △
- Low protection
The Terraultra G 260 is a model that can be used for long distances, out of the three Inov-8 flagship G-series. The G Series is a model that uses graphene, the strongest material developed in collaboration with the university, and Kevlar, which is used for bulletproof vests, for the upper, to achieve both high grip and high durability.
inov-8: terraultra G 260
Without a doubt, its grip is extremely high for long shoes, and you can step on wet rocks with great force. While outer soles with high grip are often traded off for durability, they are also extremely durable, and although I tried many situations where the sole was easily shaved, such as rocks, scuffs, and roads, there was no significant shaking.
The midsole uses "EXTEROFLOW" to improve rebound and cushioning. The cushioning is modest compared to other models, but it has a very high rebound when stepped on, allowing you to move your feet forward and forward. In addition, it has a zero drop and the sole is extremely flexible, allowing you to increase your speed without your knowledge, making it very comfortable to ride.
The upper is made of breathable mesh and has a high fit, but compared to other models, it has less protection and stability. Trails with lots of rocks, scuffs and protruding areas can be stressful. Although it is for long distances, there is no excessive protection and is for runners who have run to a certain extent. These shoes are intuitively captured on the road, not hindered by shoes, and allow the runners to demonstrate their true strength.
Hoka one one speed goat 3
This is ◎
- Cushion Max!
- Rolling forward propulsion
This is △
- Large volume of shoes
Hoka one one now boasts a high share rate for both trail running and ultra marathons. Hoka one one's Speed Goat also won the Western States 100, the oldest trail running race in America, in June.
Looking from the back, the midsole is quite voluminous.
The source of its popularity is its high cushioning properties. The Speed Goat3's sole height is overwhelmingly thick, with a fore height of 28mm and a heel of 32mm. If the cushion is just soft, it will sink in and release power, or become unstable when landing, but the Speed Goat3 cushion also has moderate resilience and is free of waste. In addition to cushioning, the outer sole uses Vibram mega grip, which also has an excellent grip. The lack of durability is a concern for the Hoka one one outer sole, but the Speed Goat 3 didn't give that bad impression.
Although the sole height is high, the contact surface is trapezoidal, making it highly stable when landing, preventing unnecessary loss of force. However, because it has a lot of volume, I was not good at technical trails that require detailed footwork. I felt that I would likely trip more often as I was getting tired in the second half and my legs started to no longer be able to lift up.
It weighs just under 300g, but the sole shape with the toes arched is a metalocker geometry that naturally moves you in front of you, making it extremely lighter than shoes of the same weight. It's not just shoes with high cushioning, but it's packed with a variety of ways to make it faster.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor
This is ◎
- High defense
- Excellent stability
This is △
- weight
The moment you stand on your shoes, the weight is in between, giving you a sense of security you don't have with other shoes. A voluminous sole, air mesh upper for a high fit, and plastic heel cup hold. These are the factors that give us this sense of security. The toes are thick rock guards, and the upper sides are reinforced with polyurethane reinforced fabric, making it extremely rugged overall. The appeal of these shoes is that they provide a high sense of security and durability when worn on rocky trails. If you don't feel stable after wearing these shoes, you're at a loss.
As Sportiva grew up in the Alps, it has excellent protection.
Compared to other shoes, it is heavier in weight, but as soon as I start running, I don't feel that heavy, perhaps thanks to the resilience of the midsole. The cushion is thick enough. It's not as fluffy as Speed Goat 3, but it gives a firm and firm impression. You can keep your speed stable on the descent.
I felt a little worried about the grip compared to the others. It's not a problem as long as it's dry, but on wet roads it tends to slip a little, which makes it a little worried. Due to its sticky grip, it is slightly less durable. This is a shame because the upper is highly durable. These shoes have high defensive power, so they will show off your true potential on unstable trails with many rocks and scuffs rather than beautiful trails that are easy to run on.
Columbia Montrail Caldo III
This is ◎
- Overall good balance
- Highly versatile
This is △
- Midsole durability
I've now started wearing a variety of shoes, but when I first participated in a trail running race, the shoe I bought was the Columbia Montrail. I remember wearing it until it was sorely worn that it peeled off. This Cardrado III can also be used all-around, making it a recommended model for beginners.
Montrail: Caldorado III
First, the upper is made of highly breathable mesh fabric, giving it a high fit. There is no excessive protection, but the heel part has double support, with a plate on the outside and a heel cup on the inside. In addition, thick cushions are used, so the heel holds excellently and provides excellent stability when contacting the ground. On the other hand, there is almost no support on the fore side, so there is a high degree of freedom and you can kick it out flexibly.
The midsole uses flaky foam with moderate cushioning and rebound properties. It is thin yet firm, and has a resilience that allows you to move forward lightly, making it less likely to cause fatigue even on long distances. However, after driving about 100km in test, I found wrinkles caused by sags that are not found in the midsoles of other models. It seems like the midsole is a bit early.
The outer sole is stiff. Thanks to this, it is extremely durable, but the grip is good! I can't say for sure. It's easy to get rid of mud, so trails with less exposed rocks and tree roots will likely be suitable. It contains a hard EVA part called a trail shield, so it can handle some degree of thrusts, but I feel like I'm not good at trails with pointy rocks, including grip.
Merrel Momentus
This is ◎
- Upper hold
- design
This is △
- Comfort for running (flexibility and cushioning of shoes)
- The sole is hard and difficult to bend
The distinctive features are the voluminous heel cups and the enveloping upper system called a burritotan. The heel is a large heel cup called a Hyperlock TPU heel counter and a cushion that reaches the Achilles tendon, making it hardly any shaking in the heel, making it very stable when installed. The upper is also made of a seamless, thick mesh material, and TPU film is crimped over it to improve the hold and support.
A distinctive shoe tongue called a burritotan. It holds it in a way that is wrapped around like a Mexican burrito.
However, despite the thick midsole, the cushioning is not very high, and the plate inside is as hard as a trekking shoe and is less likely to bend. Furthermore, the forefoot has trail protection pads that protect the soles of the feet from thrusts, preventing rocks from thrusts, but I'm a bit worried when it comes to comfort when it comes to running. The drop is surprisingly low, at 4mm.
The grip uses a Vibram Mega grip, so it grips well, but perhaps due to the shape of the lug, it felt a bit skid.
One thing that bothers me is that although it's a small detail, the shoelaces will likely go bad quickly. Please consider this as a replacement premise. Conversely, if you choose a sturdy one, it may give you a better fit. The size is also large, so it would be better to choose a size smaller than normal 0.5cm.
