OMM Trail Shoes
OMM have branched out and have now added a trail shoe to their range of equipment for hill runners. Their shoe is aimed at runners who want ‘a fast, versatile trail running shoe built to move across mixed terrain, providing confidence to keep pushing the pace wherever the trail leads’. The sole of the shoe features a Vibram sole with large lugs and wave technology which aims to increase the surface in contact with the ground at any one time. The mid-sole has a light polyurethane foam construction, and features a rock plate to protect against sharp rocks. The upper is made of ripstop nylon, reinforced with a thermo-plastic polyurethane across the toe-box, along the sides of the shoe and around the heel. The lacing includes an X-lock fit system which aims to maintain a secure foot hold and improve stability on rough ground.
I received my pair in mid-March, and tried them on immediately. They were comfortable right out of the box, and felt supportive in all the right places, light on the feet and providing good traction on firm surfaces.
Features
- Fabric: Ripstop Nylon
- Lug Depth: 4mm
- Stack Height: 27mm
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 246g (Regular, Size 8)
- Vibram Megagrip
- Vibram Litebase
- Vibram Traction Lug
- X-Lock fit system
- Rock plate protection
- Breathable
- Wave Technology
- RRP £150 from OMM
Since then I have worn the shoes on mid-length runs in Cotswold mud as well as on hard packed trails, full-day runs across the wet boggy peat and heathery moorland on Dartmoor, the Preselli Beast (a Pembrokeshire-based coast-path and mountain race), as well as a multi-day fast(ish)-packing trip across mid-Wales, on minor metalled roads, stony tracks and grassy paths, yet more wet boggy moorland, as well as on some steep and rocky ground. They have been worn on warm runs on dry ground as well as on some cold, sodden wet outings.
With a 6mm drop, the shoes are comfortable to run and walk in for long periods. The sizing seemed accurate, corresponding well to my usual shoe size (with enough space for waterproof socks) and there were no sore spots even after long days out on the hill. The lacing is very positive, and there was little foot movement inside the shoes.
The soles of the shoes have stood up well to the rough ground, and the lugs show little sign of wear after about 450 km of hard use. The shoes have been grippy on most surfaces including wet rock and wet grass – the only time they felt at all slippy was on a steep wet Welsh hillside where even a pair of crampons would have struggled to find any kind of purchase. They felt very positive and comfortable running and hiking on most surfaces including (dare I say it!) on long road sections, though there was some slippage when traversing steep ground. As trail shoes these weren’t really designed for such situations, though, where fell shoes might have been a more appropriate choice!
The uppers also show little sign of wear, and seem resistant to abrasion and scuffing from brambles, heather, mud and rock, though the lining around the top of the shoe is getting a little tatty. The fabric is fast-drying (when it gets the chance!) and holds very little moisture so the shoes don’t get ridiculously heavy when wet. The insoles provided with the shoes don’t soak up too much water either. I’m not sure about the high heel tab, but the fabric loop attached to it is very useful for tugging the shoes on over wet socks!
On all the runs in these shoes, they were comfortable to wear, and I would be very happy to continue with these as my go-to shoe for longer runs and hikes on mixed terrain. They seem to stand up well to the punishment of long use on tough ground, so early indications suggest they are good value for the £150 price tag.
About the author: Tim Laney is a long-time mountaineer, and some-time fell- and ultra-runner. He runs regularly with Bath Bats and has run one or two mountain marathons (Editor; he’s an OMM Legend!!). He guides runs over the British (and other) mountains, and is always looking for a new challenge!
Check out Tim’s review of the OMM Kamleika Smock
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