ON New Year’s Day I took myself off for a walk down the Bridgewater Canal to scope it out as a potential running route. Two miles down, though, things got muddy – very muddy.
“I won’t be able to run along this,” I muttered to myself as I skipped over puddles and slid precariously along soggy verges on the water’s edge. Thing is, the area in which I’m temporarily living is perhaps the least salubrious and unfavourable when it comes to pavement pounding, so the canal was my only real option. “I’m gonna need some trail running shoes,” I continued muttering as I hop, skipped, and jumped my way back home.
Overall, thanks to their support, I didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m inclined to agree with the numerous glowing reports I’ve read about them.
To be fair, I’ve wanted a pair of trail running shoes for some time. My old running route along the Trans Pennine Trail at Lymm (which I sorely miss) did have its muddier moments, but I could always stick to the gravelly end when it had rained. Anyway, fast forward to my current situation and someone must’ve been listening, as the next day the friendly folk at Sports Shoes offered me the opportunity to road test a pair of Adidas Kanadia TR 4 trail running shoes, which was wonderful... until I picked up a sodding injury. Then I was struck down with a nagging cold. Then winter decided it wanted a turn after all which, together with my cold, meant I was going nowhere fast.
Now we’re at the back end of February and I’m only just emerging from hibernation – not good. These sturdy buggers were well worth the wait, though. There’s something about taking off on a run kitted out in the right gear that lifts your spirits. Wanting to see what they were made of, I ran foot first into every muddy puddle and chanced my arm on the slippery grass verges alongside the canal. Marvellous fun. A bit stiff initially, like, but the traction on ‘em’s rock solid and they kept my feet stable and on track. Lightweight, too.
Adidas Kanadia
I was initially suspicious as I’m a diehard Brooks Adrenaline gal and I have to be dragged kicking and screaming over to other brands – but these impressed me. Do make sure you check the width before ordering, though, as I have a narrow foot and these were snug. I also ordered a size up as my feet tend to swell over distance (I’ve heard numerous reports of these coming up smaller than average). They didn’t keep my feet dry but, then, they don’t profess to – they’re water resistant not completely waterproof. They did dry off quickly, though, and my feet didn’t slip about whatsoever inside the shoe. I’ve yet to try them on a serious off road terrain; again, Adidas does only recommend them for ‘light trail’ terrains.
As a mild overpronator (I have a low arch and my feet roll slightly inward), the Kanadia TR 4’s support was okay. If you’re a neutral runner or mild underpronator, I reckon you’ll be fine with these. They don’t have a great deal of cushioning but that didn’t bother me as the off-road terrain more than compensates.
Overall, thanks to their support, I didn’t put a foot wrong and I’m inclined to agree with the numerous glowing reports I’ve read about them. They’re also great value for money, too, which is why I highly recommend them.
Order the Adidas Kanadia TR 4 Trail Running Shoe here
Learn more about family-owned company, Sports Shoes here
Follow Sports Shoes on Twitter @sportshoes_com and like them on Facebook.com/sportsshoes
Fancy trying trail running? Visit trailrunning.co.uk for details of upcoming events.
Visit the Urban Deva Facebook page facebook.com/urbandeva or website at urbandeva.com
You can read about Thea’s life in her book, Running into Myself, available from Amazon.
