What is road running?

Although it’s called ‘road running’ – you’re not actually running on the road – it includes pavement and park pathways – basically concrete, flatter surfaces. When it comes to finding accessible routes to run, road running is your best bet. Convenience allows for you to be able to just step out of your door and head out on a run, plus most public walkways even include water stops and rest areas for you to take momentary breaks. You’ll also find road running to generally be a flat, even surface, (with the occasional incline), but you won’t be worried about looking out for surface based obstacles so you can focus on your run.

It's recommended to wear reflective safety gear if you’re taking part in night or dusk runs so that you can be seen by cars and other pedestrians.

Best kind of shoes for road running

When you’re looking for shoes for road running, consider looking for a sneaker that offers responsiveness and durability as you move. Think about comfort and cushioning as pounding those pavements can sometimes take its toll on feet. Look for sneakers with a bit of stretch and a roomier toe box to help mitigate all that extra movement your feet will be doing. We love the HOKA Clifton and Asics Gel Nimbus ranges for strong all round Road Runners.

        Shop Men’s Gel Nimbus 25

                                                    
   Shop Men’s HOKA Clifton 9

What is trail running?

For those runners out there with a sense of adventure – trail running is for you. Whilst you’re still running on (mostly) carved out pathways, trail running is easily found across local parks, woods and even along coastlines. Expect to find a bit more in terms of obstacles underfoot, as well as more inclines, it’s a new running skill to master but worth it for the views. You’ll definitely need to focus more on your run, and what’s happening both ahead and beneath you, so concentration is key.

One of the unexpected benefits of trail running is that less repetitive movements (compared to road running) mean you’ll sometimes end up with a full body workout as you tackle the trail ahead. It’s also a bit more all weather friendly compared to road running, as trail sneakers are designed to grip on all kinds of surfaces.

We also recommend also making sure you have a Shoe Care kit handy to give those Trail shoes a good clean at the end of a successful, muddy run!

Best kind of shoes for trail running

Grip is essential here! Make sure you are looking for sneakers that can support the versatility of the ground you’re running on, and look for not just comfort, but also lightweight responsiveness. Trail running sneakers are often kitted out with water wicking or waterproof technology when you’re out there getting messy on the trails. You might even want to look for shoes that can tackle speed on hillier parts of the trail. When it comes to trail running we are big fans of the HOKA Challenger and Merrell Bravada ranges.

Whilst trail running and road running have their differences, getting out there and running whether track or trail, organised races or just freestyling, there’s no feeling quite like it. See you out there!