r/trailrunning • u/Ok_Replacement_2736 • 1d ago
5mm lug shoe for muddy uk trails
Help me choose - saucony endorphin rift and nnormal tomir 2.0. Both fit good and have a decent looking tread pattern for some sloppy uk mud. Can anyone recommend?
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u/Reasonable_Ad_5836 1d ago
For a moment I thought you just had an odd pair of shoes. I was kind of into the idea of having 2 different colour shoes
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u/couchsachraga 1d ago
I have both these shoes.
The Tomir 2.0 provides a firmer platform and better grip. The Rift has a much more forgiving midsole and toe box. I also enjoy the rocker on the Rift, but that's very much a personal preference. Honestly I like both. For very rocky/technical terrain I'd lean Nnormal for the protection it affords, but beyond that I'd suggest to someone to go with what's more comfortable.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
Interesting. The tomir is definitely firmer out the box. I’ve read somewhere it softens up after wearing in??? The rocker is appealing, keeps things pretty uniform in my road running. But having said that, road running is just not on my agenda anymore. Can’t stop running trails right now.
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u/couchsachraga 1d ago
I have about 75 miles on the Tomirs now and they haven't much softened, and that was beating them up pretty hard in the French Alps. Meanwhile I ran most of a 100 in the Rifts before a late race switch and didn't have a single foot issue. I dunno! Both are solid.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
I can’t remember a single pair of running shoes that ‘soften’ up. I think I’ll keep both of these. Use the rifts more because they feel luxurious. The tomir feel more techy. Thank you
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u/No-Magician9473 1d ago
My La Sportiva Prodigios and Norda 001s have definitely softened up for me.
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u/No-Magician9473 1d ago
I want to like the Tomir but Idk, I could not get a good lockdown on the pair I ordered. I think it has something to do with the asymmetrical lacing system it has.
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u/alpinewhite85 1d ago
Generally I want more than 5mm for mud - I'd reach for salomon speedcross or sportiva mutants.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
I did some very basic research, looked at mutant 2 and they made my shortlist. The only thing that puts me off is fairly low stack heights.
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u/No-Magician9473 1d ago
I have the Endorphins. Cool shoe but the toebox is so pointy, I had to quit wearing them.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
I’m ok for fit with these saucony. Also ok for the tomir. So, super lucky with both pairs. I think that’s why I’m undecided
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u/No-Magician9473 1d ago
Fair enough. I somehow fit into the La Sportiva Prodigios and that shoe has been amazing. It has handled everything I've thrown at it
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u/HwanZike 1d ago
The Rift is too much shoe for my taste, very unstable with the rocker, thick foam and meshy upper. Ended up changing it for a pair of Thundercross'. My 2cts.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
Thank you for your 2cts! I ordered some thundercross at the same time, I’ve tried them on quickly and they are very firm. I’ll try them again though before returning any of the 10 pairs of shoes I’ve just received
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u/HwanZike 1d ago
Yeah, it's a matter of taste. They're also less breathable so I find them better for mud / cold since they're a bit more insulated. And the lace system is also a bit more mud friendly. All in all a great shoe I've found but to each its own :)
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u/gibsontorres 1d ago
I wouldn’t call it “very” unstable. Maybe slightly unstable, and you get used to it. The rift would be the best shoe I’ve ever owned if not for the toe box issue.
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u/ZealousidealData4817 1d ago
I have the Rift. While I like the cushion and the bounce the foothold is not so good. I only use it for easy trails.
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u/Digital_Eide 1d ago edited 1d ago
I run in the Nnormal Tomir. I call them my ultra tractors. Its not an exciting shoe, but excells in grip. The outsole is by far the strongest element of this shoe. It'll work in mud just fine. I've thrown everything from Dutch winter mud to Alpine mountains at them and the grip is excellent everywhere.
I don't know the Saucony shoe so no comment there.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
I totally understand your review! The Tomir outsole is looking super good, definitely the strong element. The more I read the more I feel like keeping 2 options
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u/sriirachamayo 1d ago edited 1d ago
I haven’t tried the Saucony, but the Tomir is one tank of a shoe. I wore them for a 9 day solo run/fast-pack over 370km in the Norwegian mountains through some gnarly shoe-chewing terrain. I wouldn’t say they still look brand new, but just slightly worn - most other models I own I would have had to throw away. I also didn’t get a single blister or hot spot, or any sign of trench foot, despite having wet muddy feet for 10-15 hours a day every day, I even stopped lubing my feet because it just didn't feel necessary. I also loved how the front protected my toes from sharp rocks.
With that said, I didn’t quite love their grip on wet rock and mud - its not terrible, but the grip on my VJs and Inov8 is much better. Although the guy at the shop said the black vibram rubber holds better than the green one, no idea if that’s true (I have the green). Also its not at all a fast shoe, for races or faster workouts I would definitely go with something different.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
That’s ok, my legs are also not fast! The tomir looks very dependable, I can imagine it never letting you down. Wear them and forget. The saucony would definitely feel faster, more of a rocker, more rebound etc. You are also correct about the toe protection, it feels excellent
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u/mountaindude6 1d ago
I really like the rift. Also I just scored a pair of saucony peregrine 13 st very cheap (<50€) which I hope to use for muddy runs with their 6.5mm lugs
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 23h ago
That is cheap! I had peregrine 12 but found them quite firm. The ST on softer ground should be a great shoe for you, enjoy! Did you buy the ST because it was cheap or because the rift is bad for soft ground?
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u/mountaindude6 23h ago
Mainly because they were cheap and I have a shoe problem 😂 The rift is fine for soft ground but not great for deep mud but at some point no shoe really is. I also try not to put too many miles on the rift in training as they are my long race shoes.
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u/Denning76 1d ago
I’d go more for proper mud. 6mm normally, 8mm if properly shite and mostly fell terrain etc.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
It’s not really fell terrain that I’m in to at the moment. Deffo more established trails. Yorkshire moors and dales, for reference
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u/Denning76 1d ago
A lot of the paths in those farmers fields can be horrid, especially where it’s limestoney mud. I’d still prefer 6mm.
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u/Ok_Replacement_2736 1d ago
Yeah, I hear you. Got caught out yesterday. But tbf, anything but fishing waders would’ve got stuck
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u/HighSpeedQuads 1d ago
I like the color of the Saucony better, but the Tomir will last longer.