(Image credit: Future)
Gravel running is nothing new — runners have been seeking out gravel tracks for as long as the sport has existed, because they offer a quieter, calmer experience than busy roads without the perils of truly technical trail running.Gravel running shoes, however, are a relatively new phenomenon. Their rise is no doubt partly inspired by the huge success of gravel bikes, and the principles underpinning the rise of gravel shoes are similar to those behind the bikes, which are built to handle a little bit of everything.That’s why I value gravel shoes myself as a runner. They might seem like a niche product, but they’re actually among the most versatile running shoes on the market, capable of handling a wide variety of terrain and different types of training runs.They’re perfect for trips when you’re not sure what terrain you’re going to run on, and even if you mostly run on the road and only occasionally hit the trails, they’re worth considering because they work so well on pure road runs too, in my experience.I’ve picked out the best gravel running shoes I’ve tested below, and I also spoke to Erin Cooper, director and marketing for Performance & SportStyle at Salomon, about what to look for if you’re buying some.What are the key features of a gravel running shoe?
