Table of Contents
We think everyone can be a trail runner, especially if they have a good pair of Best Trail Running Shoes. This is true no matter what your tastes or beliefs are. Before buying trail running shoes, you should think about what your feet need (stiff or flexible, neutral or stable, wide or narrow, high or low heel-to-toe drop) and what the environment calls for. When it comes to the second type, try to think about whether the tracks are technical or smooth, flat or steep, with loose or firm footing, and whether you cross water or not.
Rigid shoes with deep lugs (5mm or more) are best for technical tracks with bad footing, but they will be much less forgiving and even uncomfortable on road runs. The rougher the ground, the better these shoes will work for you. They might even work for day hikes. Hybrid shoes have shorter lugs (2mm to 4mm) and a softer feel on the road than their more rugged brothers. They are good for soft singletrack and local wooded trails that don’t make you slow down to a walk because you don’t know where your feet are going.
Best Trail Running Shoes Comparison Table
| Shoe Model | Brand | Gender | Waterproofing | Weight (oz) | Drop (mm) | Cushioning | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX | Nike | Unisex | Yes | 12.3 oz | 10 mm | Responsive | Wet and rocky |
| ALTRA Women’s AL0A548C TIMP 4 Trail Running Shoe | Altra | Women | No | 8.9 oz | 0 mm | Moderate | All |
| Salomon Men’s XA PRO 3D V8 Gore | Salomon | Men | Yes | 12 oz | 10 mm | Moderate | Wet and rocky |
| Brooks Men’s Cascadia 16 Trail Running Shoe | Brooks | Men | No | 11.7 oz | 8 mm | Moderate | All |
| Saucony Men’s Peregrine 12 Trail Running Shoe | Saucony | Men | No | 10.1 oz | 4 mm | Responsive | All |
| La Sportiva Mens Bushido II GTX Trail Running Shoes | La Sportiva | Men | Yes | 11.6 oz | 6 mm | Responsive | Technical trails |
Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX
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| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Synthetic Mesh |
| Outsole Material | Rubber |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Cushioning Technology | Nike React Foam |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10mm |
Even though the “GTX” label makes it sound like the material is waterproof up to the ankles, it’s only waterproof to the top of the shoelaces. Instead, the gaiter collar is made of a stretchy material that is better for keeping out small debris and light rain. This design isn’t good for deeper creek diving, but it does make it easy to breathe. After splashing through small riverbeds and rain-filled potholes, no testers felt the soggy, wet squish they sometimes felt after sealing their feet inside GoreTex.
Runners often choose the GTX form for reasons other than the fact that it’s waterproof. The non-GTX form of the shoe’s outsole is made of a different kind of rubber. Nike finally switched to a rubber that sticks better. One tester, who put more than 120 miles on the shoe on both roads and trails, said, “The shoe did great on all surfaces, but especially on the road.”
The Good
- The shoes are waterproof, so your feet stay dry in wet weather.
- The durable rubber outsole gives you great traction on any surface.
- The responsive Nike React foam makes long runs more comfortable.
The Bad
- Some people may not like that the drop from heel to toe is 10mm.
ALTRA Women’s AL0A548C TIMP 4 Trail Running Shoe
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Breathable Mesh |
| Outsole Material | MaxTrac Rubber |
| Waterproof | No |
| Cushioning Technology | Quantic Foam |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 0mm |
The better fit of this version is meant to make it work better on any trail, any ground, or any setting. Balanced CushioningTM platforms keep your heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground. This helps with balance, form, and a soft landing. Altra EGOTM Max midsole foam gives you the same light and luxurious performance with a little more bounce and more toughness.
Signature FootShapeTM comfort gives your feet more room to sit naturally and is made to account for the fact that men’s and women’s feet are built differently. The updated collar design makes the fit softer and better. MaxTracTM outsoles have a multidirectional lug pattern that grips any track well. The American Podiatric Medical Association gives its Seal of Acceptance to shoes that they think are good for foot health.
The Good
- Zero-drop design encourages a natural foot strike and reduces stress on the body. Lightweight and breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cool and comfortable.
- Quantic foam in the midsole makes the ride comfortable and responsive.
The Bad
- Because these shoes aren’t waterproof, they might not be as good for wet or muddy trails.
Salomon Men’s XA PRO 3D V8 Gore
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Synthetic Mesh |
| Outsole Material | Contragrip MA |
| Waterproof | Yes (Gore-Tex) |
| Cushioning Technology | EnergyCell |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10mm |
Even though the Salomon XA Pro 3D is made for trail running, many people use it for climbing, and we can see why. The tongue and collar have a lot of padding that wraps around my foot, and the SensiFit system, which goes from the midsole to the mesh top, makes sure that my foot stays in place. I’m used to hiking in stiff approach shoes, so the cushioning and flexibility of the XA Pro 3D on the trail was a pleasant treat.’
My main issue about the shoe’s comfort is that, even though it fit well right out of the box, the placement of the laces across the toe box was awkward and put too much pressure on my big toe. Not everyone will have the same problem because it depends on how their feet are shaped, but this part was very uncomfortable for me (see “Salomon’s Quicklaces” below for more).
The Good
- Gore-Tex membrane is great at keeping water out and letting air in.
- Contragrip MA outsole gives better grip on both wet and dry surfaces
- EnergyCell cushioning technology provides support that is both comfortable and quick to respond.
The Bad
- Some people may not like that the drop from heel to toe is 10mm.
Brooks Men’s Cascadia 16 Trail Running Shoe
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Engineered Mesh |
| Outsole Material | TrailTack Rubber |
| Waterproof | No |
| Cushioning Technology | BioMoGo DNA |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8mm |
Athletic shoe companies need to make money, so they don’t spend a lot of money on selling trail running shoes like they do with road running shoes. Trail running shoes are made specifically for use off-road, while road shoes can be used for both speed and leisure. If you make them too soft, they won’t work well on the road.
And trail shoes that are too light usually have something missing, like a rock plate or a tough base. This means that most casual buyers are out of the question, which makes trail running shoes much less likely to make money. There are some exceptions, like the Nike Pegasus Trail or the Salomon XT4, which are popular with people who live in cities.
The Good
- The upper is made of engineered mesh, which is light and breathable. This keeps your feet cool and comfortable.
- The TrailTack rubber outsole gives great grip on both wet and dry ground.
- BioMoGo DNA cushioning technology gives a responsive and supportive ride.
The Bad
- Because these shoes aren’t waterproof, they might not be as good for wet or muddy trails.
Saucony Men’s Peregrine 12 Trail Running Shoe
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | FORMFIT Performance Mesh |
| Outsole Material | PWRTRAC Rubber |
| Waterproof | No |
| Cushioning Technology | PWRRUN |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4mm |
The Saucony Peregrine line has long been known as a fast trail shoe that works well for many different types of runners in many different situations. It works just as well for beginners’ first steps on a muddy trail as it does for vert-chasers’ toe protection on rocky paths. Our team has given it multiple awards because it can be used on different surfaces, with different types of feet, and for different lengths. It also doesn’t cost too much. It still does all of those things well, but it has changed a lot. Compared to last year’s Peregrine, Saucony took off more than an ounce.
The upper and topsole are responsible for most of that weight loss. The same level of protection can be kept with fewer layers of security if the mesh is more durable and smooth. Under the foot, Saucony took the TPU bead-based topsole off and made the sockliner out of it. The midsole is still made of Pwrrun foam, which is less sensitive, but it now has a new rock plate that is slightly more flexible. On foot, it works well for the most part. Even though the shoe has a thin stack height—the heel and forefoot lengths are only down half a millimetre each—the more flexible rock plate keeps the shoe running smoothly while still protecting the foot.
The Good
- The low heel-to-toe drop of 4mm encourages a natural foot strike and makes the shoe more agile.
- The FORMFIT Performance Mesh upper makes for a secure and comfortable fit.
- The PWRRUN cushioning technology makes the ride responsive and lively.
The Bad
- Because these shoes aren’t waterproof, they might not be as good for wet or muddy trails.
La Sportiva Mens Bushido II GTX Trail Running Shoes
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Upper Material | Gore-Tex Extended Comfort |
| Outsole Material | FriXion XT V-Groove2 |
| Waterproof | Yes (Gore-Tex) |
| Cushioning Technology | EVA and TPU |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6mm |
The Bushido and Bushido II have been popular for a long time as capable, protected, all-mountain, above treeline, off-trail, any-conditions rippers. Even though the Bushido isn’t always the smallest or fastest shoe, it’s one of my favourites when things get rough because it’s one of the most protective, reliable, and stable shoes.
Adding a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit layer doesn’t change the shoe’s ability to work on all types of terrain or in all kinds of weather, but it does make it a little bit heavier. Excellent grip in a variety of situations, especially on rock, slab, and wet surfaces. Upper that is locked in and precise for 100% trust in any situation, stability, protection, durability, and resistance to water.
The Good
- Gore-Tex membrane is great at keeping water out and letting air in.
- The FriXion XT V-Groove2 outsole gives you better grip on any surface.
- With EVA and TPU cushioning technology, the ride is supportive and quick.
- The low heel-to-toe drop of 6mm encourages a natural foot strike and makes the shoe more agile.
The Bad
- Some people may not like that the drop from heel to toe is only 6mm.
- During warmer weather, the Gore-Tex membrane may make it harder to breathe.
FAQs
Trail running shoes are special shoes made for running on uneven and unpredictable terrain, like dirt roads, rocky trails, and muddy ground. They are designed to give your feet better grip, support, and safety than regular running shoes.
The most important things to look for in trail running shoes are good traction on different types of terrain, sturdy and durable materials, waterproofing or water-resistant properties, a secure fit, and enough cushioning and support for your feet.
This varies on where you run and what the weather is like. If you run in places that are often wet or muddy, shoes that are waterproof or resistant to water can help keep your feet dry and comfy. But if you run mostly in dry weather, shoes that let air in and aren’t too heavy might be better.