A compilation of clubmates’ shoe preferences
Our shoes take a lot of hammering and play a key role in keeping us safe in the forest and on the streets, so I thought it would be good to kick off a bit of a review! Feel free to continue to email shoe choices to Sal, as we can expand this post ad infinitum. It looks so jargon-y that I was tempted to add Hemlock 12 3/4 inches and see if anyone noticed (or maybe there was a subconscious association between icebugs and chocolate frogs?)! Ah, if only there were a Diagon Ally for orienteers, other than the traders at major events!
Jane Kayley-Burgess: Innov8s and Icebugs
I’ve been loyal to Inov8 Mudclaws all my short orienteering life and have only needed to buy two pairs in 13 years. I either don’t orienteer enough or they are really well made. I think the latter.
Sal Chaffey: Salomon Speedcross and VJ Integrator
I’ve bought Size 7 Salomon Speedcrosses back-to-back for the last 13 years for urbans and training runs. For many years they were only available in black, but now I have then in a cyan/duck-egg blue combo. I find them really comfy and the kevlar toggle great for a quick loosen! I retired my last pair after walking Offa’s Dyke and christened the new pair at the Sprint Relays.
I have a pair of dobspikes for terrain events: VJ Integrators. These normally last two or three years, the Speedcrosses only one. I buy form Sportsshoesdirect but never get my act together to claim the BOF discount. The Derby Runner also gives good discounts and of course I get the Integrators from CompassPoint.
John Duckworth: Icebug Pytho 6 & Altra Escalante Racers
I have slightly wider feet and have had achilles tendanopothy in the last few of years so some non-mainstream choices here.
For the Forest I use Icebug Pytho 6 with dob spikes. I’ve always worn spikes in the forest as I like the extra grip, particularly when it’s wet, and Icebugs just fit me very well. This is my 3rd pair of Icebugs although this year I changed from Zeals to Pytho 6 as they have a bit more midsole foam and more heel to toe drop to give a more comfortable ride (it’s an age thing). Hard to get hold of Pytho 6 in the UK, got these from All4O in Latvia.
For sprints I have Altra Escalante Racers. These are out-and-out racing flats – zero drop and crazily light. I’ve used them for the last couple of years only for sprint races and whilst they’ve been great shoes I’m swapping them out for Topo Cyclone 2s which are equally light but have a small heel to toe drop (5mm) and a bit more cushioning.
Dave Chaffey: Many and varied
I’ve had a few foot injuries over the year, so this is the main reason I choose specific running shoes. From left to right :
- My Left Foot – This has a still-growing bunion which seemed to develop from too many miles wearing Speedcrosses, so can’t wear those now and there are a limited set of extra wide shoes I can use…
- Inov8 Parkclaw 260 – for Urban/MapRuns. have used these for c5 years, but now have a new foot injury ‘metatarsalgia since last year – fore-foot pain – and these are too thin and bendy. Need to get something more solid. I use Superfeet orthotics in these since it keeps Plantar Fasciitis at bay – that started around when I was 35 after the first 10,000 Km or so!
- VJ Falcon – for Orienteering. My bunion doesn’t fit in any other orienteering shoe I have tried, so hope they keep making these… Like that these are solid and spiked and I can fit my ankle strapping in too.
- Inov8 X-talon Ultra 260 v2 – for training / hill walking. Most Inov8s are too narrow for me, but these are mostly pain free so have used these for 10 years.
