I live in Oregon where it rains 10 months out of the year. I can only speak to non-technical trails.
I started running in Bikilas and I can tell definitively tell you that with regard to barefoot running, they will weaken your ankles and feet if you use them as your primary running shoe. They just have too much support. I cut the top, side, and toe supports of mine, and finally just ditched them all together
I run with my Lunas when the trails are too hard, in the summer (July and August). I can still feel large rocks in my arch, through those, however, but it works great on the sharp gravel.
I wear my Brancas in the winter during the super-slipper season. They might work for technical trails as they have amazing traction - way better than the Bikilas. Their tops have decent traction, but when they get muddy you do have to learn to balance on both the tops of the shoes and the muddy trails simultaneously -which ironically keeps your form in great check. You would probably never feel a rock in your arch through those!
for my Brancas - my running is strongest with sandals.
This last year I bought some Moc3s, they are thinner than my Lunas at 2mm. They work best for pavement runs when I need to keep my feet warm. They are not waterproof, but they keep the heat in really well, so if you don't mind warm wet shoes, they work great for winter pavement runs.
I started running in Bikilas and I can tell definitively tell you that with regard to barefoot running, they will weaken your ankles and feet if you use them as your primary running shoe. They just have too much support. I cut the top, side, and toe supports of mine, and finally just ditched them all together
I run with my Lunas when the trails are too hard, in the summer (July and August). I can still feel large rocks in my arch, through those, however, but it works great on the sharp gravel.
I wear my Brancas in the winter during the super-slipper season. They might work for technical trails as they have amazing traction - way better than the Bikilas. Their tops have decent traction, but when they get muddy you do have to learn to balance on both the tops of the shoes and the muddy trails simultaneously -which ironically keeps your form in great check. You would probably never feel a rock in your arch through those!
for my Brancas - my running is strongest with sandals.
This last year I bought some Moc3s, they are thinner than my Lunas at 2mm. They work best for pavement runs when I need to keep my feet warm. They are not waterproof, but they keep the heat in really well, so if you don't mind warm wet shoes, they work great for winter pavement runs.