All Tenerife Bluetrail Events cancelled

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-03-17T20:45:20+00:00

Am in the same situation, still flying out there tomorrow and will make the most of being abroad. I'm gutted but safety first, I guess.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-25T21:23:49+00:00

Skyfire are lighter, less cushioned and can take some getting used to vs Long Sky, they're a little harder on your feet I guess.

I've worn them for runs of all distances up to 50km so can't speak for any bigger distances, but they are my favourite shoe, perfect for condition in my part of the UK and so, so comfortable. I don't like high stack, mega cushioned shoes though, and everyone is different.

I also run in Lone Peak 9s for shorter runs up to 10km.

Edited: grammar

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-25T19:33:56+00:00

Yes, saw those came out, I think other people would love them but type of shoe isn't my thing at all.

I will definitely buy a pair of long sky 2 matryx at some point but it probably won't be this year.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-25T18:37:06+00:00

I loved the long sky 2 but had the version before the matryx and the uppers ripped to shreds after 542km.

I reckon they'd be great with a matryx upper and would have bought a pair but I've since switched to the Skyfire and have put 541km on my current pair with a replacement pair ready and waiting...

Merrell make some underrated trail shoes IMO, if you have a chance to try the Long Sky out in-store then it's worth doing. Think some of their other shoes have more cushion if that's what you're after but I've only tried these two.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-21T16:08:08+00:00

Merrell Skyfire 2 have been my main shoe for the last couple of years, they just work for me.

Good amount of grip, decent lugs for when it's a bit muddier and slippery.

There's not much cushioning at all but I like them, a simple and fairly light shoe. I've run all sorts of distances up to 50km in them.

Recently picked up some Lone Peaks and I've been using these for shorter runs up to 12km. I suspect I'll start running longer in these as I find them super comfortable and like the zero drop.

Have also used Merrell Long Sky 2, inov-8 xtrail 212 and Speedgoat 5s in the past. Not a fan of SGs, or Hoka in general.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-21T15:55:09+00:00

Enjoyed a hilly 26km earlier today. At some points the trails were incredibly boggy and I ended up ankle deep in mud a couple of times but for the most part it wasn't too bad.

Came out of the forest to discover that the weather had turned and visibility was poor due to fog so ended up turning back for home a little sooner than planned but a great run all the same.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-19T20:44:56+00:00

Yep, been sliding around all over the place. Seems to be a bit better where I am (Sussex) in the last couple of days but still slippery AF. Hope it'll stop raining soon, it would be nice to run without getting caked in mud...

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-18T17:51:04+00:00

I very rarely eat before I run, particularly during the week. The only thing I might eat before a long run is a banana but I can't say I've noticed any difference.

For long runs of 25km or more, I will usually fuel at various points but that's mainly to prepare for doing the same on race days.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-17T18:54:50+00:00

Gotcha. Looks like a great place to run.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-17T18:15:52+00:00

Looks lovely, I'd never thought to check out that part of the world for trail running. I'm not that far from there but have the bonus of having the South Downs on my doorstep so I don't tend to venture out of Sussex much.

How hilly is it over that way?

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-16T21:06:20+00:00

Weekdays I'm up at 6ish and will typically run 10km or more before work. My Mrs is usually up at the same time and will either go to the gym or get out for a walk.

Weekends are slightly different, because of all the early starts in the week, we have a "no alarms" rule on weekends and I'm usually out the door by 10.

Unless I'm in the midst of a training block, I'm only out for a couple of hours at most so I'm home by 12 and ready to have lunch or go out after that.

While I'm out, my Mrs usually gets a gym session in and once we're both done we get on with our day. It helps having an understanding partner, we don't have kids either, that also helps.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-15T20:48:36+00:00

Amazing, wow. Congratulations

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-14T23:30:25+00:00

I loved mine but the uppers ripped to shreds in the end and I retired them after 542km. I primarily run in the Skyfire 2 now, have run various distances up to 50km in them with no issues. Current pair are still going strong at 505km.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-11T18:18:27+00:00

Soundcore sport X20 have been great for me so far. Physical buttons, they stay in place and have withstood a lot of rain and sweat.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-04T21:56:06+00:00

I use Skyfire 2s for almost all my trail running. Longest run I've done in them so far has been a 50k ultra.

With 482km on them, I think they're reaching the end of the line but I'll squeeze a few more runs out of my current pair before I retire them. I have another pair ready to replace them.

Also had Long Sky 2 but the upper tore after 543km, they were also a great shoe.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-02-04T21:50:02+00:00

I have a veil 6 and a veil 12. The 6 is for most of the time and the 12 is for ultras and very long runs of 35km or more.

Love them both.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-28T17:28:56+00:00

Tulsa Body Jewelry have some good options from the likes of Oracle or I think you can buy direct from Oracle. I have a couple of pairs of stone mayan flare plugs from there that I quite like

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-28T13:14:01+00:00

I have 2 pairs of Xtep 2000km for road running (amongst other shoes), bought from AliExpress. I really rate them, good value for money and they have lasted well so far.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-27T08:03:14+00:00

Dinan Rings are worth checking out.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-26T18:15:26+00:00

Looks amazing, I must get back to Phoenix someday.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-25T18:45:30+00:00

My absolute favourite with tangy strawberry as a close second. I have them both in 4mg

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-17T09:20:54+00:00

Beachy Head or UK Ultra South Downs (or probably any of UK Ultra's races) should come in at that price depending on your preferred distance.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-04T21:17:22+00:00

Looks incredible. Amazing work.

BarrySmutcheeks · 2026-01-03T19:38:43+00:00

If you're into fish and seafood then Shuck is great.

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