THIS MONTH, OUR HAND-PICKED RUNNERS HAVE TAKEN TO THE TRAILS TESTING SHOES, BACKPACKS AND ACCESSORIES, SO YOU CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS WHEN YOU’RE BUYING YOUR SUMMER TRAIL KIT!

COMPILED BY TINA CHANTREY

BEST IN TEST

THIS MONTH TRAIL SPECIAL SHOES, BACKPACKS AND ACCESSORIES

OUR TEAM

GERALDINE PERRIER

Wife and mum. Travels the world for work. Back from injury. Loves off-road running and discovering new trails. Just mad about running.

TINA CHANTREY

Writer and mum of three, loves all distances and terrains; coaches running group, Shewhodaresruns (join on Strava!).

PAULA WILLIAMS

Mum of four and PE teacher. Mud finding, trail adoring adrenaline junkie who loves the pain of a beasting hill climb.

LOUISE BRECKON RICHARDS

Actress, writer and mum of two boys. Runs three times a week in north London.¦

SUSAN BONNAR

Promotions and marketing manager, mum of three, who discovered running in her mid 40s and recently became a marathoner.

SHOES

PRODUCT SCARPA SPIN RS8

TESTER GERALDINE PERRIER

MARKS OUT OF 10 COMFORT AND FIT: 10

STABILITY AND PROTECTION: 10 GRIP ON THE OUTSOLE: 10

This was the first time I’ve worn this brand. I loved how the shoe fitted my foot perfectly and it has a great lace system. I ran the Ox Frolic (27.8 miles) wearing the Scarpa which had great traction, making me more confident going downhill. You get a firm ride, and they’re also a good-looking shoe. £135, scarpa.co.uk

Editor’s comment “It’s so refreshing to see a new brand in the UK market being a joint winner in our trail shoe Best on Test! Geri, the tester of both, is a native of the Mauritian mountains and an experienced trail runner, so she knows her trail shoes. Well done Scarpa and Saucony!”

PRODUCT SAUCONY PEREGRINE 8

TESTER GERALDINE PERRIER

MARKS OUT OF 10 COMFORT AND FIT: 10 STABILITY AND PROTECTION: 10 GRIP ON THE OUTSOLE: 10

I’ve always been a big Saucony fan and was looking forward to trying the Peregrine 8. When I unpacked them, they looked super cool and the fit was just perfect. I tried the Peregrine on grass/chalky trails and they felt very stable, comfortable, with good support when you lace up. It’s a brilliant lightweight pair of trail shoes and I can’t wait to explore more trails in them. £110, runnersneed.com