Today I want to talk about my new trail running shoes and how to clean them. I absolutely love trail running and nothing makes me feel more alive than doing so in the Fall when the foliage is at its peak. There’s something about running through the woods when the trees have these warm tones of yellow, orange and red, and stepping on the leaves that have fallen on the ground that not only takes your breath away but fills you with all sorts of emotions. The feelings I get to experience while running through the trails are hard to put into words…it’s like you’re completely disconnecting from the world but reconnecting with your deepest self at the same time. Even if you’re not a runner, if you’re not experiencing nature in the Fall you really are missing out and I’d urge you to get out and explore.
I recently bought a pair of trail running shoes and got so many questions about them that I want to give you the full scoop! I’ll admit that I heavily rely on product reviews when I’m considering particular purchases and when it comes to running shoes I tend to read a lot about what people say before I make a decision. So, just as I find those reviews helpful, I hope you find this helpful to make your own decision.
For the last two years I’ve been wearing the same Salomon Speedcross trail running shoes but when I found out that Nike rolled out a trail version of the Pegasus I knew I had to buy them. The Pegs have been my fave running shoe (along with the Vomeros 14) for the last year so it seemed like a no-brainer to give them a try.
I’ve taken them on two trail runs already and I’ll tell you that if you love your Pegs, you’ll love these. They have better traction (much needed) without loosing the features that make of the Pegasus such a good running shoe. Hands down way better and more comfortable than my Speedcross which, even though I favour for snow runs, I find a bit stiff and definitely not as comfy.
To add to all the positive features, you won’t believe how cool all the colours they come in are. Even though I knew that getting white trail running shoes was a bit dangerous, I couldn’t resist the fun colours and the fact that they were on sale. They did get very dirty last weekend with all the mud I had no choice but to step on, but I knew what I was getting into. Plus, I have a cleaning method that doesn’t fail!
Below you’ll find six easy steps to bring your trail running shoes back to life and all cleaned up after a very muddy and dirty run (before and after photos included!)
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR TRAIL RUNNING SHOES
STEP 1: Remove the insoles and laces (optional).
STEP 2: Scrub off any dirt and mud with a sponge, mild soap and warm water.
STEP 3: Mix equal parts water, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and using a tooth brush, use the paste to scrub away all the dirt and stains.
Step 4: Repeat the process but this time mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. There’s really no scientific reason behind this, it’s just what I did and since it ended up working I’m sticking to it!
STEP 5: Using a clean sponge and warm water, remove all excess of the paste.
STEP 6: Stuff your shoes with paper towels so that it absorbs all the moisture and water and let air-dry overnight.
TIPS:
. I’d use gloves when scrubbing them as I find that the paste can really cause some damage to your hands and nails.
. Once dry, give them a good shake as the paste dries up and if there’s any excess on them you’ll get it off. Alternatively, you can clean them again with a sponge and water.
. You want to clean them as soon as possible to prevent tougher stains.
