1. Top Transitional Road Running Shoes of 2012
2. Top Barefoot-Style Road Running Shoes of 2012
3. Top Cushioned, Zero Drop Road Running Shoes of 2012

In this post I tackle trail shoes, and I’ll do so with a very open caveat: I am primarily a road runner. I do run portions of trails frequently as part of mixed terrain runs, and I have a five mile loop through the woods behind my house that I run frequently, but I am not what you would call a hard-core trail runner (my ultrarunner buddy Nate Sanel will be writing column for me starting this year to fill in this gap a bit). Trails make up probably 10-15% of my current mileage.

Given my running habits, I’m focusing this list on hybrid trail shoes, and by hybrid I’m referring to shoes that work well both on roads and mixed trail conditions. I generally do some amount of running on asphalt or cement to get to the trails that I do run, so ability to handle multiple surfaces is important to me. Given that I live in New Hampshire, I also use trail shoes a lot in winter on slush, snow, and crusty ice on roads and sidewalks, so good traction is important for 3-4 month per year (most years).

With the above made clear, what follows are my top three “hybrid” trail shoes of 2012:

3. Merrell Mix Master 2

The Mix Master 2 ticks of most of my boxes – roomy forefoot, low drop (4mm), comfortable interior, under 10oz in weight. It has a rock plate and provides solid protection on trails and crushed gravel roads, and traction is good via the lugged outsole. I’ve only run one trail ultra (a 50K), but if I had to run one tomorrow these would probably be the shoes on my feet (not sure I could handle zero drop right now over marathon+ distance). You can read my full Merrell Mix Master 2 review here.

Purchase the Merrell Mix Master 2 and Running Warehouse.

2. Inov-8 Trailroc 235

I could have easily ranked the Trailroc 235 number one here, it’s that good of a shoe. The 235 is zero drop (13mm stack height), lightweight (8.3oz in size 9), and has a very roomy fit as it’s built on Inov-8’s anatomical last (in contrast to the performance last of shoes like the X-Talon and F-Lite 195). The Trailroc 235 lacks a rock plate, but the rubber outsole is hard enough to provide adequate protection on trails and chunky, crushed gravel (I run on chunky gravel a lot). The lugged outsole provides great traction even in fresh snow, and of the three shoes here this is the one I would use if traction was my highest priority. Breathability is also good. Read my full Inov-8 Trailroc 235 review here.

Purchase the Inov-8 Trailroc 235 at Running Warehouse.

1. Altra Superior

The Altra Superior is one of the most versatile shoes that I own. It has the characteristically roomy Altra foot-shaped fit, but combines this with much greater flexibility than in a shoe like the Altra Instinct. It has a removable rock plate, and a finished foot-bed beneath the rock plate and included insole (it comes with two insole options as well). Given this, you can remove or add as much material underfoot as you’d like – with the insole and rock plate removed the shoe is incredibly spacious and I can wear thick wool socks with them without feeling constricted.

The full rubber outsole of the Superior should be very durable, and the upper is very well constructed and feels rugged (I do worry about the stretch cords on the sides though). I’ve been wearing the Superior almost daily for a few weeks since it so darned comfortable, and I’ve run in them on multiple surfaces and they have performed well. If I had one complaint about the Superior it’s that traction is not nearly as good as the other two shoes in this list, particularly on snow covered surfaces. The lugs simply don’t project enough to grab the surface, but that in part is what allows this shoe to also work so well on the road. It’s also a bit on the heavy side with both insole and rock plate installed, but I haven’t found that to be a problem for the type of running I do (could be an issue over longer distances I suppose). Finally, the Superiors are pretty reasonably priced for so versatile a shoe ($95 MSRP vs. $120 for the Inov-8 Trailroc 235). I haven’t reviewed the Superiors fully yet, but should have one soon.

Purchase the Altra Superior at Running Warehouse (if you buy the Superior, I recommend at least a half size up as they run small).

There are a lot of great options in this category, and a number of solid choices that didn’t make my list. For example, the New Balance Minimus Road MR00 is really nice, but the sole lacks pop and it’s a bit narrow through the midfoot (it also has an odd bump along the outside of side of the sole in this region). The Saucony Hattori LC is another nice shoe, and probably would have made this list but for the fact that I get a hot spot under my big toe when I run more than a few miles in them. I’d consider both of these to be honorable mentions.

Let’s get down to the business at hand – here are my top 3 cushioned, zero drop road shoes for 2012:

3. Altra Instinct 1.5

When I think of the Altra Instinct 1.5, the two words that come to mind are flat and wide. Shaped like a Croc or Birkenstock, the Instinct is one of the most spacious shoes that I own. Version 1.5 sports a far more attractive upper than the original, and the full rubber outsole should provide ample durability. My only complaints about the Instinct are that it is a tad heavy and a bit inflexible, but for a flat shoe with a bit of cushion it’s a great option. View my full Altra Instinct 1.5 review here.

You can purchase the Altra Instinct 1.5 at Running Warehouse.

2. Merrell Bare Access 2

I give the Merrell Bare Access 2 a slight edge over the Altra Instinct 1.5 due to the fact that the Merrell Barefoot last fits me so perfectly. Roomy forefoot, glove like fit through the midfoot and heel, and very little excess material (resulting in a considerably lighter shoe than the Altras). Like the Instinct, the Bare Access 2 has a full rubber outsole which should provide excellent durability. Great shoe – you can read my full Merrell Bare Access 2 review here.

Purchase the Merrell Bare Access 2 at Zappos.

1. Skechers GoBionic

I need to provide full disclosure on this one – I helped with the development of the Skechers GoBionic by wear testing and providing direct feedback to the designers of the shoe. Thus, much like the Skechers GoRun 2, this is a shoe that I wore a lot and some of the suggestions I offered were incorporated into the final design. There’s a lot that I like about the GoBionic – it’s extremely flexible, semi-firm yet quiet, and fits me perfectly. I love the removable insole with finished footbed beneath, and the shoe is incredibly comfy both on the run and for all-day wear (it’s another shoe that I often wear to work). You can read my full Skechers GoBionic review here.

Purchase the Skechers GoBionic at Zappos.

—>Next up, my top 3 “hybrid” trail shoes of 2012.

Barefoot-style shoes are my preferred choice for all-day casual wear (I wear them regularly at work), and I also use them for the occasional run (they are great for form work). Running in this type of shoe requires a very gradual buildup to avoid transition injury, and you can expect to feel every pebble underfoot (so not the best choice for gravel or trails).

Here are my top 3 for 2012:

3. Altra Samson

The Samson is by far the roomiest of the barefoot-style shoes that I have worn this year. The toebox is squared off (Birkenstock-shaped), and if you remove the insole your foot is separated from the ground by only a thin layer of flexible rubber. Some might balk at the squarish shape of the toebox, and the interior finish is a tad on the scratchy side, but if ultraminimal is your desire the Samson is an excellent choice. I have not yet written a full review of the Samson.

Purchase the Altra Samson at Running Warehouse.

2. Inov-8 Bare-X 180

The Inov-8 Bare-X 180 is probably my top choice if your goal is to get as close to the ground as possible (thought the soon-to-be-released Merrell Vapor Glove my take that spot if my early experience with it continues). The 180s have a more traditional shape and aren’t quite as roomy as the Altra Samson, but compared to most shoes on the market the 180s are plenty spacious. Ground feel is excellent. I wear the 180s frequently at work, and they are fantastic as an all-day casual shoe. You can read my full Inov-8 Bare-X 180 review here.

Purchase the Inov-8 Bare-X 180 at Running Warehouse.

1. Merrell Flux Glove Sport

I haven’t written a formal review of the Merrell Flux Glove because it’s essentially a fusion of the best aspects of the Merrell Trail Glove and Merrell Road Glove. The sole is ported directly from the Road Glove, and the upper is essentially a modified version of the Trail Glove upper. The Merrell Barefoot last is nearly a perfect match for my foot shape, and I like the snug, glove-like fit through the midfoot and heel (some may not like the support under the arch though). The Flux Glove has more cushion than the Altra Samson or Inov-8 180, so it gives up a bit of ground feel, but the harder rubber sole makes the Flux Glove a bit more versatile. Like the Inov-8 180, this is a shoe that I use frequently for all-day wear.

Buy the Merrell Flux Glove Sport at Zappos.

—->Next up, my top 3 cushioned, zero drop road shoes of 2012.

1. Top Transitional Road Running Shoes of 2012
2. Top Barefoot-Style Road Running Shoes of 2012
2. Top Cushioned, Zero Drop Road Running Shoes of 2012
3. Top Hybrid Trail Running Shoes of 2012

As indicated by the title of this post, I’m going to tackle the transitional road shoes first. I use transitional as a catch-all category to describe shoes that range from about 1-8mm heel-forefoot drop. These are the shoes that I run in most, and this list is going to be the longest of the four (5 shoes vs. 3 for the others) since I’ve run in so darn many good shoes that fit here. Here goes:

5. New Balance RC1600

The RC1600 is a really solid racing/speed shoe even though it nears the upper end of my preference for heel-forefoot drop (8mm). It’s light, firm, and fits snugly without being constricting. I wish the sole had just a bit more pop, but I’ve enjoyed running in it and would consider it a top choice among higher drop racing flats.

Read my full New Balance RC1600 review here.

4. Saucony Kinvara 3

The Kinvara winds up on my list almost by default – it’s a shoe that has worked well for me for a long time, and the most recent update seemed to provide just a tad more volume in the forefoot, which was a nice addition. I don’t run in the Kinvara as much as I used to (in part because I haven’t trained for or run a marathon since Boston 2011), but this is still probably my most frequently suggested shoe when I’m asked for recommendations. 

Read my Saucony Kinvara 3 review here.

3. Skechers GoRun 2

Full disclosure here – I was involved in the wear testing process for the GoRun 2 and provided feedback that led to some direct changes to the design. Most everything that I didn’t like about initial iterations was changed, and thus this shoe is one that I’ve spent a lot of time with and it was tweaked to the point where I couldn’t think of any other negative thing to say (additional disclosure – aside from the shoes I receive, I do not get paid by Skechers or any other shoe company to provide feedback on footwear – it’s something I do because it’s incredibly fun to take part in the development process).

The original Skechers GoRun was a funny shoe in that it felt awful to stand in it due to the midsole being thickest under the arch, but once you got moving it felt pretty darned good. The GoRun 2 is updated with a less pronounced midfoot bump (it’s still there, but I can walk around in them all day now without discomfort), an even better upper (and I loved the original GoRun upper), and an optional insole. The fit and softness of the sole are very reminiscent of the Kinvara, and this is a shoe that I would very seriously consider for my next marathon (I like a softer sole for long distances). All around great shoe!

I haven’t published my Skechers GoRun 2 review yet as the shoe just came out, but you can read more about it on the Skechers website.

2. adidas Gazelle

The Gazelle is the “intermediate” shoe in the adidas adipure natural running line. At 6mm drop (it feels less) and 6oz the Gazelle is near my sweet spot in its key specs, and the shoe is insanely comfortable. I love the roomy forefoot as well as the stretchy, non-constrictive upper material (the forefoot of the Skechers GoRun 2 is made of a similar material). The sole has a slight softness on the run that is a good match for me. My only complaint is that the stitching attaching the adidas stripes to the upper rubs a bit, but other than that the Gazelle is near perfection in a running shoe.

Read my full adidas adipure Gazelle review here.

1. Saucony Grid Type A5

This one will come as no surprise to people who have followed this blog in 2012. The Grid Type A5 is a phenomenal shoe, and it carried me through hard training this summer and a half marathon PR in October. What I love about the A5 is its simplicity – lightweight, low drop (4mm), simple upper – nothing excessive in this shoe. It disappears on my feet and does everything I need a shoe to do. Simply fantastic. What’s more, in a market where racing flats seem to be more often priced in excess of $100, the A5 is a true bargain. The A6 is coming soon, hope they don’t change it too much!

Read my full Saucony Grid Type A5 review here.

Next up: Top 3 Barefoot-Style Running Shoes of 2012