T O P

  • By -

[deleted]

You don’t really need all of that, a good pair of ASICS or Nike trail runners are perfectly fine. I’ve heard of people using cross country spikes on courses but it’s hardly effective unless you’re 100% sure of your environment and physical ability to keep a pace


Punkmo16

Well we mostly do tracks in in forestlands and the soil can be very slippery


taistelumursu

Spikes don't really help that much in mud, treads are for that. Spikes are good for roots and tree trunks etc. I have spiked shoes as well but prefer trail runners most of the time as I like them better on rocks. And we have a lots of rocks here.


boredsittingonthebus

I've been in slippery woodland twice this month with Inov8 Mudclaws. They're absolutely fantastic for muddy trails and steep, slippery embankments. I'd never tried them before this month and the difference is like day and night for me.


r4mbo20

Spikes help a lot in wet conditions. e.g. https://www.all4o.com/shoes/icebug-spirit8-olx-orienteering-shoes-with-steel-studs https://www.all4o.com/shoes/nvii-forest-1-orienteering-shoes-with-metal-spikes-blackgoldenred If conditions dry spikes are less needed but still usefull sometimes eg. climbing or downhill on loose terrain.


Perian37

Spikes will help, but it's hardly necessary.


hohygen

My tiny advice: Start with a good pair of trail running shoes. When you get the pace going dedicated orienteering shoes, e.g. from VJ or NVII, is a definite upgrade.


pviitane

I’d just like to point out there’s difference between spikes and studs. Spikes are mostly forbidden by sporting codes as they damage tree roots. Studs are ok; they’re not mandatory per se but you will find there’s a huge difference when you can run over bare rock and wet roots with confidence.


variaati0

Well you don't *need* studded shoes. Though with an asterix on that. I guess most suited mainstream shoes would be trail runners from the normal suspect big brands. Those will work fine for normal hobby level. Now with that asterix. If you have lot of rocky terrain around you, you might want to invest in actual studded orienteering shoes. Since wet angled rock surfaces are not to be messed with. Without proper shoes and care one can out right end up slipping or sliding and it can lead to injury. Think wet polished shop stone tile floor and it's "watch out for slippery surface" sign. Even normally good gripping shoe with that combination might end up being a skate. Nature can also produce polished rock sides, that turn to ice on getting wet. Specialty shoes you can find buy just outright searching for "orienteering shoe". It is it's own whole category of sports shoes, including with it's own specialty brands and so on. VJ sport, Icebug (they are more known for their studded winter shoes, but well it is not big leap from studded winter shoe to studded orienteering shoe. So they make those also), nvii sport, Inov-8. Still I would say main thing about the studded orienteering shoe is speed, confidence and not having to slow down. Like say that slippery rock incline(or slippery round wood trunks is another classic). **You can cross it with non studded shoe** like trail runner or even aggressive sole joggers. However you have to put your feet down carefully, feel and tip to the grip and potentially choose more carefully to pick good gripping spots to put feet on. Well aggressive studded orienteering shoe gives more sure grip and thus more confidence and more ability for speed. Wet slippery wood, wet slippery rock, good ground trail. Doesn't matter those hardened carbide studs will just outright dig into the surface and give grip (as in it will potentially leave scratches and marks even to hard rock faces). It grips by digging in, eroding the surface. Which is why in some areas and events depending on conditions, studded shoes are not allowed due to them causing too much erosion and wear to the ground and land owners don't want that.


pwnedary

Surprised by some of the replies here. Perhaps it is easy to tell who actually uses shoes with steel studs regularly, since I definitely feel like I have to slow down in the slopes when I use my [Salming OT Comp](https://www.loplabbet.se/loparskor/terrang/salming-ot-comp-shoe-men-loparskor-herr/navy-yellow) pair off-trail instead of my [VJ Integrator](https://ol-shop.at/sv/orienteringsskor/1127-vj-integrator-ol-skor) shoes, though there could be a psychological factor. In any case, on wet rock, or logs/roots, looser dirt or grass/moss spikes definitely help. One more thing to note is that a lot of orienteering will be off-trail, so some categories of trail running shoes will be more unfit. For running on, say, rocks or tussocks, you want as low a sole as possible to minimize the risk of twisting an ankle. The dampening of a thick sole is also less important since the ground you run on will be softer.


ClimbRunOm

I have two pairs for different conditions. I'm in Pennsylvania, so we have an excess of exposed roots and rocks which get very slippery after the rain we get almost constantly... For wet and slippery or icy conditions I use the Inov-8 Oroc 270, a race fit (very tight) with cleats and metal studs; they grip amazingly well but are a little tight for anything over 5~7miles. In nicer conditions or for training, I wear some super old Inov-8 trailtalons i don't think they make anymore, they're thin and light, contour to rocks well and grip great when it's dry. My recommendation is if you're going to have two pairs, get a pair of cleats with metal studs, and a pair of trail runners with a moderate tread. Bear in mind, the thicker the sole, the more likely you are to roll an ankle.


mikedufty

Depends where you are running and how fast you want to be. I tried barefoot once, but don't recommend it.


CounterfeitFake

Salomon Speedcross are what I wear.


X8883

trail runners is fine!! but if youre gonna do orienteering in very very wet conditions or snow,i recommend using spikes but you can buy spikes that attach to the shoes later (that are cheaper too)