Trail running, let’s find out with specialist shops!

The number of trail runners has grown significantly in recent years, how do you explain this phenomenon? 

Bshop: The curiosity to explore is part of human nature, and the easiest way to satisfy it is to put a good pair of shoes on your feet and set off in search of new places. Running combines exploratory fascination with optimal aerobic training in a fairly short space of time. These aspects make it compatible with the hectic pace of today’s work, making it possible to balance the stress accumulated during the day and the need for contact with nature.

Nuovi Orizzonti Bologna: I believe that the trail approach can appeal to many people other than the ‘usual’ mountain climbers. It represents an alternative vision to the more classic and perhaps somewhat old-fashioned one of the mountaineer who faces objectively high difficulties. It is certainly a more fun, lighter and modern way of approaching the outdoors; it is undoubtedly very attractive. It is also clear that in this pandemic situation the desire to get out of the house motivates even those who lock themselves in the gym or who simply train in the street, looking for less crowded places.

Gialdini Outdoor Equipment: In our opinion, the increase in the number of practitioners is due to various factors, for example the rediscovery of sport in nature or perhaps the desire of those who have always run on the road to find something ‘new’, perhaps more stimulating for the mind.

What kind of profile does the user have who practices trails or approaches them for the first time?

Mud and Snow: It’s difficult to draw up a typical profile, given the large increase in the number of trail runners, and recently the range of users interested in this type of activity has opened up considerably. Certainly the common trait is the desire to stay outdoors and practice sport in an environment that is as natural as possible.

Peirano Sport: Definitely a more technical sportsman. We notice that he is often a runner who comes from the road but who is “fed up” with the usual monotonous routes, always too close to cars and the dangers of the road. They are often runners who already run on alternative routes, in the countryside or in the hills, but who want to take their training further. They are people who are looking for something more and who also want to put themselves to the test and the mountains, in general, are a very tough ally.

3Passi Pro Shop Morbegno: From my experience I can say that there are various profiles: many users also practice trail running simply as a hobby and because they are passionate about the mountains, but it would be difficult to give tangible examples.

Are there any new products or technologies from the trail world that have impressed you?

Mountain Shop Tubris: And how! Both in clothing and accessories: an ultra-light waterproof jacket that can be zipped up in the back in case of rain and allows you to hide your rucksack; trail shoes with snow gaiters; thin and ultra-light folding snowshoes; smart outdoor watches; and these are just a few of the new products.

Bshop: In the shop we have insoles and footbeds that absorb and disperse up to 92 % of the negative energy produced by shocks and vibrations, avoiding the negative effects on the skeletal system. The name of the brand that produces them is Noene, short for ‘NO negative energy’. We were particularly impressed by this type of technology, which is useful in preventing ailments such as chronic inflammation of the heels, plantar fascia, tendons, as well as back and joint pain. In addition, this technology shortens recovery times and is particularly useful in long and frequent training sessions.

Gialdini Outdoor Equipment: There has certainly been an acceleration in footwear technology, with so many “new” brands entering the Trail world, bringing new investments and new technologies that have led to a variety of choices for the end user that were unthinkable just a few years ago.

Is the consumer really paying attention if a brand is trying to produce a more sustainable product with less impact on the environment?

Mud and Snow: Although the idea of making the production and disposal cycle of a product as environmentally friendly as possible has become fundamental, I don’t see any particular attention being paid to this when choosing and buying products. It is certainly up to the companies and us retailers to communicate these Green choices as much as possible to the end customer.

Nuovi Orizzonti Bologna: Even today, the end user’s attention to the issues of sustainable production and environmental impact is unfortunately only paid to words. There is a lot of talk about it, and companies are coming up with more and more innovative solutions, but the concept that sustainable production costs more and that we will therefore have to get used to spending more to have a product with less impact on the environment has not yet been understood and accepted. Let’s hope that the situation will improve in the future, something in people is moving, but we must insist.

3Passi Pro Shop Morbegno: Yes, this is one of the characteristics that many consumers pay attention to, and they often ask and want to know the history of a product and its characteristics. Especially in recent years they know and look for sustainable brands.

What more can a physical shop offer than an e-commerce?

Bshop: In a physical shop you have the opportunity to try on different types of footwear, to have a professional evaluation and to have a human exchange. This factor is not to be underestimated, as it allows you to turn a simple purchase into an opportunity to acquire new knowledge and exchange opinions in the field. Finally, touching the products, feeling their weight and watching them live can also be useful in making a choice.

3Passi Pro Shop Morbegno: Immediate assistance and personalised advice to the user, which is not always possible with online sales. Consumers are looking for advice on buying products that best suit their needs.

Peirano Sport: Certainly the physical shop has the expertise to advise and follow the choice of the right product based on the needs of the sportsman, something that an e-commerce can never offer and this is what our shops must focus on. After-sales service is also important and there will never be an online customer service that can replace this aspect. In our opinion, this is not just a matter for the neophyte, but also for the more ‘historic’ sportsman. The discovery of novelties and innovations often amazes even those of us in the sector who often hear about these things long before.

Many consumers are starting to use trail shoes for hiking outings, is this a good use or a bad habit?

Mountain Shop Tubris: I would say that the search for the lightest and most attractive shoe leads customers to the trail-running line, because they have precisely these qualities. The comfort and safety side is often overlooked. It has to be said that, especially in suburban/mountainous areas, the trail shoe has recently become a multipurpose shoe and replaces the various models of trainers.

Gialdini Outdoor Equipment: The use today can also be correct as this type of shoe is appropriately structured for the trails that most people use, for example to reach the various mountain huts. It is certainly necessary to make the “hiker” understand that the trail shoe used as a boot has a much more limited life span and limited use. Many people move around in the mountains doing things that up until a few years ago they would have done with boots that could even be used as crampons and then they go back to the shop (or complain on social networks) that the shoes are destroyed and last too little. This is a problem.

Nuovi Orizzonti Sport Bologna: It all depends on the terrain you’re tackling, who you’re tackling and how you’re tackling it. It’s a justified approach if you’re hiking in not too difficult terrain, without heavy loads. Certainly the trail shoe has an easier and immediate approach to hiking, but when things get more difficult I recommend them only to experienced users who know what they’re getting into. The biggest problem is when people confuse trail clothing with hiking clothing and dress inappropriately; so you see people in shorts on glaciers without even a serious jacket in their rucksack or something warm. Pictures of athletes running at 4,000m in shorts are very dangerous, and people who are not aware of the environment are very much influenced by them. Information needs to be provided and explained properly, which is why a physical shop of enthusiasts and knowledgeable people can make all the difference.