trail race barefoot

I put this question to the fitness page but was hijacked by barefoot philosophers ...

There is a mega trail race I'm interested in doing. Training is in hand, but I'm wondering about footwear. Specifically, my Vibrams aren't up to it for various terrain reasons (they work but I'm having to slow down for the shoes rather than for being tired). These are the shoes I want: [url=http://www.inov-8.com/New/UK/Product-View-BareGrip-200.html?L=26]Inov-8 Footwear BareGrip 200[/url] Please notice the VERY HEAVY (about 4mm) rubber lugs they have.

So I want something that is as grippy as the inov8 shoe on steep (50 degree) grass and mud slopes (my Vibrams aren't, but the inov8's are; my friends and I tried the two head to head last weekend) but that is wide enough (the inov8's aren't) to accommodate female size 39 4E feet like mine (or H width according to my brannock!) and still falls into the "barefoot" market.

Please don't reply if you think I should just slow down for actual barefooting - I've done that already, it's great, now I want to up the speed without having to wear conventional (and injurious!) footwear. Thanks.

(final terrain notes: steep rocky trail of mixed size stone, steep grass, steep mud, often no trail, sometimes snow.)

Have you seen the new VFF Spyridons? They are specifically made for trail running and practically have a mountain bike tread on them.

ooh, no i hadn't - thanks Bork! I suspect they won't be QUITE lugged enough, though they are a nice barefoot stride in the right direction. safe bet they'll be my next purchase VFF wise.

.... but i still need something that will hold up to underfoot rock choss (i.e. barefoot but a shade more structure). i wish i'd taken pictures of this trail to show you guys - it's just about the least barefoot-friendly place short of a briar patch you could ask for.

sorry to repost, just reading their blurb on spyridons again... 99% there and god dammit i want a pair now! cheers again bork.

ONE MORE repost -- sorry sorry sorry -- i just read a review of the Spyridon's rock plate etc -- anyone want to weigh in? how rock plate +/- are we talking here?

Glad I could be of assistance. I sort of wish I was wearing a pear when I banged up my Achilles during a night race over trail gravel/rocks
safe for horses, not so much for barefoot runners!

I've got nothing to contribute, but what is the name of the race?

Merrel has just come out with a bare access shoe that may do the trick. It is touted as a transition to barefoot running shoe but may offer a bit more protection.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCQXDlzG3j8&feature=youtu.be]Merrell Barefoot Bare Access Arc - YouTube[/url]

I have a pair of Altra Instincts, run seriously rocky/cactusy trails, love 'em. The Altra shoes offer the only toebox that has ever made me happy- I can splay my toes and not touch shoe. I too am a 4E- at least. They offer free shipping/return, so why not?

For more tread, maybe this:

[url=http://www.altrazerodrop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_-1_15151_18952_69007_176914]Lone Peak™ | Altra Zero Drop Footwear[/url]

Thanks Dirlot & Cavedog - I'm definitely investigating both of those! Yaish - it's the Lairig Ghru trail race from Braemar to Aviemore in the Cairngorms.