Great trail runner, esp. for wider feet

By mattnpaige124614 Ranked #1172 - Men's Trail Run Shoes November 2, 2009

I've been test driving trail runners for a couple months now, and have tried literally dozens. One problem I find is that most of them aren't wide enough for my feet, and very few manufacturers offer wide models. The Wolf Ridge is the exception - it fits great.

I was also interested in the pronation control aspect of the shoe. I'm of the belief that you don't need nearly as much motion control for a trail runner as a road runner - motion control road runners offset the repetitive pronation that comes from running on long, flat stretches of road, whereas trail running is much less repetitive. That said, I'm a pretty big guy (5'10", 185lbs.), and I wear a motion control running shoe (Saucony Grid Stabil) with custom orthotics, so I definitely wanted a little control. The Wolf Ridge delivered, with just enough control to make me feel supported, but not nearly as "squishy" as the the Saucony Exodus and Brooks Cascadia.

I wouldn't mind just a bit more cushioning, especially on the half mile or so of pavement between my house and the trail (something the Pearl Izumi Syncroseek or the Adidas Supernova Riot both offered), but once I'm on the trail it's a great shoe - good traction, good feel for the trail, and not too heavy.

I'd definitely recommend this shoe to a "bigger" runner who wants a good combination of control, cushioning, and width.

View Details: The North Face Wolf Ridge Trail Running Shoe - Men's

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes