Trail shoes: take control of your stride and put a stop to injuries

Running doesn't just wear out your shoes!!

Vere's a fact we can all agree on. And yes, as enjoyable as it is, running is one of the most physically demanding sports on the body, which absorbs impacts very (TOO) significant. They say a runner who plants their foot on the ground absorbs an impact 2 to 3 times their own body weight... no wonder we're all chasing the holy grail every season, on the lookout for the latest innovations, THE pair we'll buy in 4 copies, the companion that will never leave our pack. And at the start of the 2019 season, it's the CIMALP 864 trail shoe that's been generating a lot of buzz in the bubbling world of trail. WHY? Because it moves in the right direction by tackling one of the major problems identified by sports professionals, the infamous heel strike, responsible for unbalanced running postures, joint pain and recurring injuries. The brand takes into account the mechanical and muscular constraints linked to running, drawing on the scientific, clinical and physiological knowledge of the discipline. WHAT'S SPECIAL? 1 shoe with progressive drop (with 3 insoles of 8, 6 and 4mm) and drop reduction management programmes over time. PROMISE? Gradually guiding us towards a natural stride (forefoot-oriented), high-performing and less punishing over time. So naturally, like any trail runner dreaming of keeping their joints and knees intact into their sixties, I took a close look at the new toy!:)

Improving your stride: gradually but surely

  Airst and foremost, as a sports coach, it's the concept of progressive transition in the drop adjustment that caught my attention, because many runners get injured from making a drop change too abruptly (not my words — my physio's), due to insufficient muscular, joint and proprioceptive adaptation. Slowly Gradually but surely... that's a bit what trail is all about, isn't it? So I took the plunge, and if it can help some of you who haven't yet found the perfect fit, don't stop now — the 864 feedback from CIMALP is coming!

CIMALP?

Por those who don't know it, it's a French outdoor textile brand dedicated to mountain sports. Hiking, high-altitude mountaineering, trekking, skiing...: outdoor sport in all shapes and sizes! And from the few products I've been able to test since buying the shoes, we're talking reliable, technical gear at fair prices! For those who want more info> The Cimalp brand Back to the subject at hand! CIMALP has ventured into the world of trail running a few years ago, with reference products like the STORM waterproof-breathable trail jacket, but had never yet taken the leap into shoe design and manufacturing. That's now done! And it brings us to the heart of the matter: my experience and review of the 864 Drop Control! If I had to describe it in 3 words: adaptable, versatile and mountain-ready !

Adaptable

Ain order to best test the concept of progressive drop that is the essence of this shoe, I played along and followed the support programme that comes with it, developed in collaboration with Arthur Molique, sports physician and specialist in the longitudinal monitoring of elite athletes. As a regular runner, 2 months was enough for me to move from an 8mm drop to a 4mm one. If you're a more occasional runner, you'll need a little more patience for a transition of around 6 months to give your body time to adapt to these changes. This transition to a lower drop was beneficial on several levels: - A change in my running posture with a more dynamic stride: increase in my stride cadence (steps per minute), balanced forward posture. - Moving from a heel-strike pattern, which is particularly traumatic (repeated and amplified shocks to the ankles/knees/hips), to a midfoot/forefoot strike. I also think you can play around with this adjustable drop during long competitions. Let me explain: I enter a long trail or ultra and start with a 4mm drop as my stride is efficient. Then, as fatigue sets in, my stride becomes less efficient and I can play with the insoles to gain muscular comfort and cushioning by moving back towards 6 or 8mm drops.

Versatile

Por me, that's the other main strength of this shoe! An extremely high-performing sole with the quality Vibram for grip that holds and reassures! Effective cushioning on roads, paths or steep trails. Stability on cambers and descents, even when slightly over-speed. On the inside, comfort is immediate. The toe box is generous and you'll find what is becoming a classic: seamless construction and a comfortable bootie that wraps around the foot and connects the tongue to the upper. No shifting tongue, and a pleasantly supportive fit. In short, the 864 will be an ideal running companion for your trails from 10 to 100km, in competition and in training alike.

Mountain-ready

Aith its understated yet effective design, the 864 perfectly matches the mountain DNA of the brand. A fully lugged sole built to handle high-altitude trails and a wide rock plate at the front of the shoe make it well suited for mountain races, but it will also appeal to fast hikers looking for a lightweight yet built-to-last shoe for their adventures.

VERDICT?

Frankly, for a first shoe, CIMALP has made a real statement in the world of trail running! Without reinventing the design, the dynamism, the weight or everything else that defines a great trail shoe, it ticks every box with flying colours. After more than 200km wearing these shoes across different terrains and outing durations, I'm fully convinced! I've made the 864 my Swiss Army knife shoe : mostly on a 4mm drop, particularly on shorter trails to maintain a dynamic stride, I play around more with the insoles on longer outings. I recently did an outing fast-hiking on drop 6 with friends in the Vercors, and I really appreciated the grip of the sole on descents and the good cushioning of the shoe. I appreciate the fact that it's not just another trail shoe. Por a first shoe, it's quite a bold risk, and if you ask me, it should pay off, because the innovative concept of adjustable drop what it brings to the (already very crowded) trail shoe segment moves in line with many medical recommendations to avoid injuries caused by heel striking and high drops. And that's a genuinely good thing! To conclude, the versatility of the 864 model will allow novices and seasoned trail runners alike to line up for short trails (10km–15km) all the way to fairly long distances (80 to 100km). Bonus: its lugged VIBRAM sole also makes it perfectly compatible for light hiking and fast-hiking.

I recommend it to any runner who wants to improve their stride and gradually reduce their drop, and to any athlete keen to minimise the risk of injury over time.

Price: £129.90 on cimalp.com

A more than competitive value for money when you see the usual prices (they quickly climb to £180–£200 a pair) And for regular runners getting through a few pairs a season, it all adds up fast! Just ask my wife!!! The 864 — tested and approved! Thank you CIMALP! To discover the 864 trail shoe, click here. Now it's your turn to take control of your stride!

Patrick, Sports Coach in Lyon