O shoes

[Guest]

I am looking for a new O shoe with loads grip and loads of cushioning.
Before my injury I ran in VJ Integrators with dob spikes for O and walshes for X country and MM.
Wore the the VJs walking yesterday but feel I need something with more boing, particularly in the forefoot.!

Saw a Swedish guy on Wednesday wearing a pair of trainers which had dob spikes, but can't remember the name of the manufacturer (he said they were from the USA).

A quick web search has come up the the VJ Sarva Grip.

Anybody know of anything else

[stodge]

ooops didnt log in
Its was me

[Dids co]

The guy was probably wearing a shoe called 'Icebug'. The company has number of different models that could suit you. Check them out.

[gross2006]

Think you might be thinking of the Ice Bugs. They are actually made by Jalas nowadays. One model has the same basic upper as the Jalas O shoes. The other 2 models are more like training shoes.

VJ sarvas are the 'original' of this type of shoe. I find them a bit stiff in the sole unit & also the heels..

Will try & did out web address... don't think you can get them easily in UK.

[Dids co]

The Icebug is a US patent but designed in Sweden

[stodge]

The Ice bug looks good

[url]
http://www.icebug.se/ShowFolder.asp?id=15[/url]

anybody used them ?

[gross2006]

that's not the one I'm on about.... the model made by Jalas in Finland is kind of lime green. If Dids looks on one of the Swedish O Shop sites there might be a picture

[gross2006]

Icebug MR2 is the 'best' model. Found a picture on some Norwegian site: http://www.dinside.no/php/art.php?id=93884

http://www.tengris.lt sell them (but don't have them in stock just now)

[mharky]

you have to bear in mind that these are road/trail training with dobs for winter runner, so they won't last as long going through terrain as o'shoes, but they will be a lot more comfortable.

[ratleikur]

Bourne sports (http://www.bournesports.com) sell icebugs
mail order - seem to be various different sorts

[Carnage Head]

How about Innov8's range?

How long have they lasted in orienteering terms? I am attracted by the 'clawiness' (aka grip) of the Mudclaw, but the outer looks like robustness has been sacrificed in the quest for lightness. Perhaps better for fell running (as orig designed), rather than being ripped to funk by brambles?

[SeanC]

Having fat feet, I have problems getting O shoes to fit. I've been to a podiatrist who's advice was basically:

- dont use trail shoes with thick cushioning for orienteering. The feet need to adjust to the uneven surface, which is more difficult with a thick foam wedge under your feet. If your feet can't adjust you might get injured. Also trail shoes don't have sufficient grip for muddy conditions so you might get injured as you slip over and headbutt something.

- dont wear orienteering shoes that are too thin for your feet, this could mess up your running action and cause an injury.

All orienteering shoes are too bit thin for me except inov8's.

I've ran in mine about 10 times and they are still OK, that said they don't look like they will last as long as a pair of plastic o shoes.

[John Morris]

Another approach might be to take a shoe that suits you, and the terrain, apart from the cushioning, perhaps a half size larger than usual, and add a firm insole.

I pronate badly, so I wear orthotic insoles - the brand name is AOL - which also give a little extra shock absorbtion (which is what I suspect you want, rather than 'cushioning' as such). I'm sure that AOL and/or similar physiotherapists' suppliers would supply 'pronation neutral' insoles. AOL do 'regular' and 'sport' insoles - the sport ones are noticeably firmer. And they have outlasted several pairs of VJ Falcons!

The only problem I have is that the pronation-controlling insoles raise the heel a little too high against the heel cup, so I wear light butterfly plasters to prevent blistering. (Regular training would probably be a better solution...)

Limp on to Victory!

[FatBoy]

Seeing as Stodge is not here to answer for himself. The reason he needs cushioning is he had a bone removed from the bottom of his foot this year and understandbly it's a little tender. Just thought I'd put the record straight before more ideas come in that aren't really what he needs.

[[my username]]

the innov8 range do indeed look damn good, but i've heard bad things about how long they last (think walshes but even more flimsy!)