Higher State Soil Shaker 2 Trail Running Shoes

Product Information

It’s a well put together shoe and feels strong and durable yet at the same time comfortable for long days on the trails.

They come in a multitude of colours which always baffles me with fell running shoes because the minute you hit the fells the shoes all adopt the same mud colour anyway. So a grey/brown colour ought to be sufficient, although that’s probably why I never got a job in marketing!!! Puma’s Nitro range of shoes offers good value in general and another option to look out for in sales is the Puma Velocity Nitro, since the second version of that shoe is about to launch. The Velocity has more cushioning than the Liberate and is a great cheap option for marathon training. What kind of running shoes should you wear for a cross-country race? The answer can change with every cross-country race you do, and even in the days leading up to a race depending on the vagaries of the weather. There are three main options: normal trail shoes with relatively small lugs that are good for a variety of surfaces; deep-lugged or studded trail shoes designed for muddy conditions and fell running; or lightweight racing shoes with spikes in for gripping in the mud. Their first big test was the Pendle Way in a Day race at the start of February. I’ve already written two posts about the race and the aftermath, but didn’t want to lose the shoe review in the midst of any of that. The terrain is a mixture of everything from a bit of tarmac through to mud Glastonbury would be proud to host. How to choose the best cheap running shoes for you Should I buy cheap running shoes or just look for a good deal?The upper has a slightly broader fit than many trail options so those with ultra-distance events in mind should find the shoe accommodating even as the feet swell a little. The multi-directional stud pattern of the Vibram rubber sole does a good job both ascending and descending and with the build quality feeling top-notch the shoe should be able to handle the worst conditions with ease and comfort. Fartlektraining is great for cross-country. The speed-play nature of it mimics the ups and downs and the variations in intensity of a race. Plus a weekly long run will give you the strength required for longer races. Cross-Country Running Shoe Guide

Built on the same platform as the brands purely trail running shoe, the Yushan 2, the Camino features a slightly higher cut ankle collar and to provide protection and keep the weather at bay for longer! The midsole cushioning is good for mixed terrain use; soft enough to be comfortable but stable enough to provide support. Whilst the 4mm outsole lugs aren’t ultra-deep, they do work well on both the wet and dry on various surfaces, again adding to the versatile nature of the shoe.

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Due to their relatively heavy weight and slow drainage I wouldn’t use the Soil Shaker 2 as a shoe for fell or trail racing, however I feel they would make a good winter training shoe for muddy conditions. Think of them as more of a workhorse than a racehorse! The pricing of the shoes means they are much more affordable than some of the bigger and more established brands on the market. They would be an ideal shoe for someone who wanted to try muddy trail or fell running but didn’t want to spend lots of money on a pair of shoes they might rarely use. The upper has a strong, durable feel to it, but it’s soft and supportive around the foot, with stitched reinforcements to help keep its shape and durability.

Let’s start with comfort. Despite looking a little boxy and rigid compared to other trail running shoes, the Soiler Shaker 2 is actually quite comfortable and has a lot more flexibility than you may first think. It has good cushioning and low, firm support around the ankle. Weighing in at just under 300g – that’s about average for a trail running shoe – it strikes a good balance between weight and support. It’s a fairly narrow fit, so if you have wide feet, this may not be the shoe for you. At first glance, the Higher State Soiler Shaker 2 Running Shoes conjure two clear thoughts: they are extremely colourful – practically luminous, in fact – and they are very affordable. On the face of things, they are a cheap and cheerful trail running shoe. A good start for those on a budget, but the real question is, how do they perform in the great outdoors? I took them on a series of runs on muddy paths, wet pavements and grassy fields to find out. I did my first walk in the Soil Shakers yesterday - 12+ miles on mostly damp tarmac, which I usually find to be the slipperiest of all surfaces - especially when coated in a thin layer of oily clay! I was really pleased with the grip, which was far better than my Merrells - my usual favourite road shoes. And despite walking a fair distance in brand new shoes, my feet felt fine. Either will be fine on most courses, especially earlier in the season when it’s not so wet and muddy. But on particularly muddy courses, and as you start to seek out more performance gains, spikes are your best bet. Is there any other kit you need aside from appropriate shoes?Perfect for fell running and those cross-country courses where you encounter lots of mud as well as gravel paths, the Soil Shaker 2 is a great solution. This great value shoe has a deep, rugged outsole that offers excellent grip and thanks to the flexible nature of the midsole and outsole it doesn’t clog up as you run. The Vibram outsole has 3mm deep lugs, ok on most trails except for muddier routes, but being Vibram it copes very well in the wet and dry. The cushioning is relatively deep for a trail shoe at 29mm in the heel (10mm drop) and that’s what helps give it that very cushioned feel. The outsole uses Continental rubber and is inspired from the patterns found on off-road bike, so traction is great weather descending or climbing rugged terrain.

During January it’s hard to avoid the fact that there are sales on everywhere in the UK. I’m not much of a shopper generally as I tend to replace stuff once it’s worn out, but there’s no harm in looking, right? At this price, the Escape Pursuit has to be one of the best value trail shoes available this winter!The ripstop upper offers a durable and comfortable fit and the rubberised bonded overlays around the heel and toe give the shoe little protection. The gusseted tongue helps keep the worse of the conditions outside the shoe whilst it’s generous padding means you can pull the shoe on securely with comfort. Key specs – Terrain: Road; Arch support: Neutral; Best used for: Training and racing; Weight: 193g (UK 9 ); Heel-to-toe offset: 10mm It’s a great update to an already popular model and could be considered one of the best all-round trail shoes around. READ NEXT: Run further and faster with the best running shoes The best cheap running shoes to buy 1. Reebok Floatride Energy 4: Best cheap all-rounder running shoes