Trail Running Shoes and Fuel Belt recs?

[InBetweenDays]

Would you purchase trail running shoes for a trail half marathon? I'm running one on June 22nd and can't decide if I should stick with my current shoes, or try out some trail shoes. I'd say I do trail runs once a week, but generally only a few miles of it are single track type trail with roots and really varied terrain. For the half marathon it will be all single track hiking trail - with 2500' of climb in the first 6 miles followed by 2600' of descent in the next 4 miles (then an out and back on flat gravel trail).

I also need to get a fuel belt since they are only able to have a few water stations. I've tried running with a handheld water bottle and despise it, so would love some recommendations on belts.

[blndsnbrdr]

Trail running shoes are great -- they have the added stability, grip and material endurance that comes in handy on trails. However, they aren't necessary. If you're comfortable training in the shoes you have you should be fine racing in them. If you want to spend some money on new trail shoes, go for it. Ask your LRS to be fitted for trail shoes...without telling them which road shoes you wear. If you give them road shoe details the often give you something comparable to the road shoe, not necessarily what's right for your feet. Just food for thought. That said, I love Mizuno Wave Riders and Saucony Triumphs for road shoes...and run in Saucony Xodus and Peregrine on the trails.

As for fuel belt -- do you want to carry just water or water + food/phone/something else? If you're going for just water the two bottle Nathan belt comes in handy. I have this one -- www.amazon.com/Nathan-Waistpack-10-Ounce-Nutrition-Flasks/dp/B000NHLHFW -- but rarely use it because the pocket is pretty useless. I have a friend who runs with this -- www.amazon.com/Nathan-Triangle-Waist-Pack-Black/dp/B009KRUA2W/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1401341834&sr=1-10&keywords=nathan+hydration+belt -- and loves it, although I think it would drive me crazy.

You could also consider a vest/pack if you're looking at more trails and longer distances. They are great to have if you're running long enough for variable weather to be a problem. I have the Ultimate Direction Jenny pack and really like it...but it's pricey .

Hope that helps...have fun on the trails!

[gumi]

What is your current shoe? A lot of shoes have a trail running version (I road race in the Kinvaras and trail race in the trail Kinvara. Likewise I often road run in a Brooks Pure Drift and trail run in a Brooks Pure Grit).

If your road shoe has a trail counterpart, I would absolutely purchase it and train with it until the race. I cannot say that the trail versions are 100% like the road versions, but they are very similar.

If your shoe does not have a trail counterpart, and you are a neutral runner, I recommend the Pure Grit. It is my favorite shoe on the planet.

[InBetweenDays]

Thanks ladies. My road shoe is the Saucony Progrid Omni. I pronate, and also have a high arch that completely collapses when I step down. So I need some stability. We have a LRS that carries more trail shoes than road shoes, so maybe I'll go talk to them.

VERY excited to get more into trail running. I've done a few 5-mile trail races but this is my first half. Hoping to run part of the course next weekend. Definitely nervous about the climb but I have no real time goals in mind.