We continue the 2020 Spine Race footwear survey with a focus on the full distance race.
My sincere thanks to all respondents.
If you haven't read Part 1, I recommend a brief look, so that there's no need to repeat the introductory notes and overall survey aims again.
STATISTICAL SAMPLE
- 42 respondents from the Full Spine
CONTEXT
- Spine 2020 conditions included heavy rain, saturated muddy trails, wind chill. In summary typical January fayre, with a few days and nights of wild weather thrown in.
I'll hand over to Alan Cormack at this point, to share his boots-on-the-ground Spiner's perspective from CP2 to Kirk Yetholm in 2020.
After leaving CP2, it was raining a bit, but as I climbed higher up Great Shunner, quite a bit of snow was lying about, especially on the north side and the decent was horrible, water flowing down the path, sunken slab, very unpleasant.
Slow going to Thwaite, we pushed on but decided to get a rest at Keld in the Village hall, got a few minutes sleep and a brew, warmed up beside the fire before pushing on towards Tan Hill, don't remember or think that there was any snow, the path was very wet in places, got an hour at the pub and left. Immediately leaving Tan Hill, it's all bog and rough grass, very wet, some snow lying, cold but it wasn't raining or snowing.
Wasn't too bad getting to Middleton, sun came up and was quite a nice day. Left Middleton and had to use the road diversion until we reached the original path, cold but the path here is quite good underfoot.
Made it to Cauldron although it was very cold. On to High cup Nick, no snow, cold but no rain, down into Dufton. Leaving the CP it was sunny, no rain but as we climbed up to Great Dun fell and Cross fell, snow and very, very, high winds, bloody horrible.
A stop at Gregs Hut, no snow but heavy rain, on reaching Garrigill I was socked through and got very cold. We pushed on. Very wet fields and rain. Stopped at Alston, leaving muddy fields, very wet and rain. Made a coffee in a barn at Slaggyford, mist and rain, very wet underfoot until we reached Greenhead, wasn't raining at this point.
Pushed on to the wall, no bad weather, went through the forest before Horneystead, not too bad at all until Bellingham. Left very early morning, cold. I remember putting on another layer a few miles north, very cold and the path became covered in ice, I put on my spikes well before I took the wrong path missing Padon hill. It was sunny as I came into Bryness.
Hard going getting up the hill leaving Bryness, could hardly get up the hill because of the mud, but once on to the plateau it was quite nice, fairly dry and sunny, got to Hut 1 but getting to Hut 2 the wheels fell off. Again very cold, thick ice, no rain or snow, remember another runner falling through ice, difficult to move, I fell a few times and broke a pole, slipped and slide all the way to KY.
I'm sure you'll agree Alan's experience certainly paints a picture of the epic nature of The Spine. He also superbly illustrates the day-on-day challenges every racer must meet and overcome. Many thanks Alan and proper well done on a thoroughly well earned Spine finish.
FULL SPINE SURVEY RESULTS
1) What are the most common shoe types used in January 2020?
Note 1: The number of shoe variants here will not tally with the number of respondents as some respondents changed shoe model and type during the race.
Note 2: It is possible that the numbers of GTX and Mid variants are underreported. The questionnaire asks for Make and Model. However some models are available in GTX/non GTX and/or Low/Mid types. Where a manufacturer is advertising these variants for a specific model online, but the respondent has not stated GTX or Mid, then their shoe type has been counted as non-GTX and Low.
7 Inov-8 low sided variants: 275, 315, 350, X-Talon, unspecified
5 Inov-8 mid sided variants: 320GTX, 335, 345GTX
4 Hoka low sided variants: Speedgoat 3, Torrent, Mafate
6 Hoka mind/high sided variants: Speedgoat, Tor Speed, Tor Ultra
2 Altra low sided variants: Olympus, MT King
7 Altra mid sided variant: Lone Peak
2 Salomon low sided variants: X-Ultra GTX, Speedcross
3 Salomon mid sided variants: S-Lab Alpine, 4d GTX, GTX
2 La Sportiva low sided variants: Mutant, Ultra Raptor GTX
2 La Sportiva mid sided variants: Blade GTX, Crossover GTX
3 VJ Sports low variant: Maxx
2 Merrell mid variant: Thermo Rogue
1 Merrell low variant: Other
2 Scott low variant: Kinablau Supertrak, Ultra RC
2 Columbia low variant: Custom, Mountain Mutant
1 Decathlon low variant: Kalenji MT2
1 New Balance low variant: KOM
1 Altberg high variant: Sneeker Aqua
Analysis: As with the Challenger results, compared to 2014, the 2020 Full Spine respondents uptake on wide variations of footwear is remarkable. There's little to separate the top 3 manufacturers in terms of numbers. Inov-8 claims the top spot, Hoka a close second and Altra third. Having held the top spot in 2014 when 50% of respondents wore Salomon, the brand now slips to a definite fourth place.
Generally there is also a greater uptake in Mid/High sided models across nearly all brands. This is also associated with respondents selecting GTX mid-higher sided footwear. Manufactures have certainly reacted to increased demand for lightweight all weather footwear driven by market growth in ultra-expedition, winter trail and fast-packing activities.
- Total low sided: 27 (51%)
- Total mid/high sided: 26 (49%)
(MONTY PYTHON AND) THE HOLY GRAIL OF TRAIL
Greater choice means more shoe types to fit a wider range of foot shape. However, having personally tested several promising Mid type trail shoes, I'm still seeking the perfect Holy Grail (a lengthy and financially challenging process for participants who are not sponsored):
- Salomon Sky Ultra Mid (no longer available): Nice wide fit and comfortable out of the box. Ideal last width to allow foot expansion over prolonged trail days. But, the lack of grip was like wearing slicks in anything other than dry conditions.
- Salomon X-Ultra Mid (normal and wide fittings): Not as comfortable as the Sky Ultra. The wide fitting is certainly more comfortable for multi-day use. Rubbish grip in the wet.
- Hoka Tor Speed Mid: First impressions were comfortable and noticeably (visually and by feel) cushioned underfoot. All was well with these until around 30 miles when they showed their major design fault. Now I've hardly got Hobbit feet, but the toe box is so narrow on the Tor Speed that they might have well been designed for a ballerina. I suspect that the last used in manufacture was one set up for the far-east market, where sizing specification tends to be smaller that western markets. When a GTX liner is added, with no upsizing of the last to account for the extra layer in the structure, then the shoe ends up being an even tighter fit.
- Altra Lone Peak Mid: I'm encouraged by the wide fit to box, but discouraged by the zero drop.
In summary: Personally, I'd like to see a Mid-GTX with decent grip, generous toe box and not-zero drop, offered by manufactures.
2) Shoe type worn at Start vs Finish / Point of DNF
52% of respondents finished in the same shoe which they started (without changing).
Of the respondents which went up in size;
- 6 went up a 1/2 size
- 6 went up one full size
The most common point at which respondents chose to change their shoe was CP2.
However, many also changed at CP1
Significantly fewer respondents changed shoe after CP2
This is perhaps because the weather conditions were so poor (very wet and cold) in the early stages of the race. Hence, a change up in size was necessary due to oedema (swelling) combined with taping required for early environmental foot attrition.
3) Point of DNF:
Of the 42 respondents: 21 (50%) DNF and 21 (50%) Finished
Most DNFs occurred by CP1. In 2020 the early rough weather certainly contributed to this figure.
With a steady base rate of attrition up to CP4
However, as we normally see in each edition of the Spine. With the odd very unfortunate exception, most participants that make it out of CP4 go on to finish the race.
4) DNF reasons given by respondents
- Fatigue (5)
- Head not in the game (3)
- Sleep deprivation (2)
- Foot problems (5)
- Sickness (3)
- Injury (6)
- Hypothermia (1)
5) What respondents would do differently next time
- Better grip shoes (3)
- Larger shoe size at start / or sooner (3)
- More supportive shoes (1)
- Use a Mid/High shoe (1)
- Different shoes (1)
- Less running in walking boots (1)
- Tape feet at start / sooner (3)
- Better type / use earlier, waterproof socks (3)
- Spare straps for gaiters (1)
- More sleep (3)
- More efficient in CP (1)
- Go slower to CP1 (1)
- Go solo, not buddying up (1)
- Worry less about nutrition (1)
- Better food on the move (1)
- Better wet kit (1)
- Longer / more conditioning for race build up (3)
As with the Challenger, the fine details of why participant's race ended are varied. Several elements can be attributed to conditioning. Several racers allude to requiring more time on the trail in the build up period. Time becoming accustomed to self-management, efficient journeying, good bivvy craft and personal admin, is essential preparation for good execution of strategy.
Written here in plain text, this seems intuitive, logical and perfectly sensible. But even now, 10 years into The Spine, with the huge range of blogs and shared experience in the public domain, as well as the excellent Spine Training event resource: It is astonishing how many participants arrive at the start line with minimal preparation.
The optimum time to start preparing for your Spine Race is 12 months in advance.
6) Respondents next Spine Race
- Return to Winter Spine (26) - It's addictive. Of which 17 respondents would like to return and put the race to bed after DNF. We look forward to helping you on the road to the finish at the Spine Training events.
- Summer Spine (2) - You get to see where you're going, saving a small fortune on batteries and the sun always shines (!)
- MRT Challenger (1) - Short course fun, running for a great cause.
- Maybe (8) - We look forward to welcoming you again in the future.
- No (4)
7) Yes (23) Interest in future Official Spine Training Events
SELECTED PALMARES APPLIED TO THE SPINE FOOTWEAR SURVEY
Stu Westfield BEng (Hons) FRGS
- 10 years progression as in the field team member, team leader, control room manager of the Spine Safety Team. Spine Training events Coordinator. https://thespinerace.com/
- 10 year Ranger Expeditions guided treks and hill skills training. https://rangerexped.co.uk/
- 6 years Ranger Ultras trail running event organiser. http://rangerultras.co.uk/
- Creator of the 'Complete Racer' training course format.
- Former holder Peak District Boundary FKT
- Spine Race Flare finisher
- GS Stella cycling team
RANGER ULTRAS
Ranger Ultras' trail running series offers an ideal preparation pathway for both aspirant and returning Spiners and Challengers. Many of the courses are in Pennine Way country and include mini-recce sections on the Pennine Way itself. As well as being excellent race days in their own right,
Including the new Ranger Ultras'
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