With temperatures and humidity reaching all time high levels throughout most of the country, it’s hard to believe that fall running is just around the corner. Maybe it’s me, but just after Labor Day when the afternoon light starts to look a little different (you know what I mean), my thoughts turn to trail running. I love the sound of the late-season crickets and that crackly sound of the wind rustling in those scorched leaves.

This season, I’m planning on doing some of my training for my fall race on the trails as a way to put some variation in my tempo runs; nothing super-technical or mountainous – just great, hard workouts off the roads as a way to boost my split times.

The last time I ran a trail, I totally turned my ankle and chewed up my road shoes, so I am thinking that this season I’ll spring for a pair of trail-running shoes. Upon starting my research I have come to find out that many of the manufacturers are making what they call cross-overs (a ‘la small SUV), which are generally lighter in weight than traditional trail runners, but which provide adequate support and protection for rocky surfaces and generally rougher terrain while still being ok to run roads in a pinch.

Upon reading scads of shoe reviews and talking to my friend who owns a running store, I’ve come up with a list of five women’s cross-over shoes that look like a great option for non-technical trail running.

Here they are:

Asics Gel-Trail Attack 6
Lightweight and flexible Neutral shoe with a dual mesh upper. Thick midsole for protection and forefoot cushioning. reflective strips, Water resistant protection. 9.6 ounces. $85.00.

Asics G-2150 Trail W’s
Offers motion control in a trail shoe. Rear and forefoot cushioning, gusseted lacing system, reflective strips, water resistant. Available in wide. 10.2 ounces $100.00 (now on sale at Roadrunner Sports for $78.00)

New Balance 876
Offers motion control and plenty of sole cushioning for underfoot protection. Seamless tongue to keep out debris. 9.5 ounces $100 (now on sale at Roadrunner Sports for $78.00)

Garmont Bolt
Lightweight and breathable with exceptional heel cushioning. Low profile with a sticky rubber sole for good traction on rocks and rougher terrain. 10.2 ounces $110.00.

Montrail Rockridge
All new offering for women, this is a neutral shoe with a low to the ground feel. “Gryptonite” rubber sole for extra tractiom with a midfoot rockplate for protection. Roomy toe box. 9.2 ounces. (90.00)

The proof will be in the trying, and all of these shoes look really cool. Wanna see? Click here for the pictures.

• Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

Tags: Asics, running shoes, trail running, cross-over shoes, montrail, gamont, new balance, gear