Good multi-terrain trainers

Hi

I've been doing a few races where the terrain has been a mixture of mud, trails and concrete paths. But I've been struggling with finding the best shoes to wear. 

I've worn 'waffles' a couple of times, which are great for mud and trails but pretty hopeless for concrete.

I don't like most 'off-roaders' that I have tried - often too heavy and not good for racing.

Any thoughts ?

Sorry for the ignorance but what are 'waffles'??

Don't be sorry ! Its probably just a local name that a few of us use !

Waffles are the pimple-type rubber-studded trainers - made by Salomon and New Balance, among others.

Like these : http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/salomon-speedcross-3-running-shoes-p187851

lots of choice from inov-8, their website is great too at telling you what surfaces each shoe is good for, ratings out of 5 for hard/loose/soft, loads of choice in heel drop/cushion etc.

Ah i see!
i had some of those, bit 'squiggly' on tarmac.
now i have these
http://www.inov-8.com/new/global/Product-View-Trailroc-245.html

they are great all rounders. Not quite as grippy as the salomons, but not far behind enough to really notice, very good on mud, and so much better on tarmac and hard trail. I did the endurance life coastal dorset 10k in them, and they coped with mud, wet grass, hard chalk trails, tarmac with no problems.
Also comfortable, like grippy slippers!

these look like they score high in all catagories, worth a look

http://www.inov-8.com/New/Global/Product-View-Roclite-275-GTX.html?L=26

If you can find any left in your size the Adidas Adizero XT3s a fantastic mixed terrain shoe...

Thanks for those suggestions.

All look good options. And those TrailRocs are super light - 245g !

brook pure grit 2

With the Trailrocs, there are three options: 255, 245, 235. The weight, cushioning and heel-toe drop go down with the numbers. 255 and 245 have a rock plate, 235 doesn't. I have the 235 ready for Lakeland 50, but I'm used to running in minimalist shoes (VivoBarefoot Neos). If you're more used to shoes with more cushioning and mre of a heel-toe drop you'll want the 245 or 255. But they're great shoes.

I think these are brilliant but they might be too light for some size 6 230g

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/merrell-mix-master-shoes-aw12/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=Merrell-Merrell_Mix_Master_Shoes_aw12-Grey%2fScarlet

If you are looking at Inov-8 shoes it is worth checking on the rubber compund on the sole. The ones shown as sticky rubber have more grip on slippy surfaces such as bare rock, wooden boardwalks and tree roots. The trade off is they wear out quicker.

I love my Roclite 295s and they really inspire confidence, I would rather replace them more often than end up in the river like I almost did when I went head over heels in my old shoes.

Thanks for more suggestions.

HRHB (great name BTW ) thanks for pointing out about the rubber compound. Sounds like I need to visit an actual running shop and feel the grip before committing myself.
Or pester runners I meet to have a look at their soles (not souls !) ........

On the Inov-8 website all their shoes have detailed descriptions and it states the compund there. 

Another thing that splits people is whether to go for goretex type linings or not. The argument against is that water will get in over the top at some point anyway, but with goretex linings it won't drain away so you end up with a shoes full of water.

I have the trailroc's 255 and they are good, although my first trail shoe so not much background to go on. I'm also looking at getting some Brooks Cascadia or Salomon Crossmax but not which is the best for multi terrain. I suppose Scott Jurek has helped develop the Brooks Cascadia and he aint a half bad runner off round

I think he developed the Brooks Pure range.

Ahh, he was crap anyway  

Wow, brooks website says the puregrit is expected to last only 250-300 miles !!!!!!!!

Counts them right out...Anyone tried the Cascadias ?

Interesting. I usually change mine at that useage anyway, but where does it say that?

I used to wear cascadia -comfortable but heavy. I used to get blisters on back of heel but to be fair that was version 3