- Find your arch type by following steps from this video. MEASURED WEIGHT PER PAIR (SIZE 12.5): 1 lb. Running shoes with 0mm heel-to-toe drop. Comparing Tread Patterns On the Hoka One One Speedgoat 4, Salomon Speedcross 5, Altra Lone Peak 6 & Merrell Trail Glove 5. Knowing that your footwear will keep you from slipping is crucial, especially over washed out or exposed sections of trail. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This level of support will not appeal to everyone, but its a welcome innovation for those whove wanted to try the barefoot running style but prefer some extra molding in the footbed. They also collect less blister-causing debris than non-waterproof mesh shoes. I felt as though the shoe wrapped my foot softly and securely, rather than restrict my motion as the Speedgoat 4 did, one tester said. Comfort and fit usually trump cost in our books, but we recommend quality options at a variety of price points in our top picks below. SIZING - Feet can swell during long days on the trail, so its good to buy running footwear at least a half size larger than your normal shoes. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Overall, the Terraultras strike a near-perfect balance of weight, durability, and comfort, and we highly recommend them for seasoned runners who need a reliable shoe for covering long distances. Its firm, durable cushioning handles daily jogs and long runs comfortably, and the moderate heel-toe offset feels accessible to low-drop and high-drop runners alike. WATERPROOF VS NON-WATERPROOF - Waterproof shoes can be a real lifesaver if you often run in wet, muddy areas. We own and use all of the trail running shoes we recommend. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. (Made from tiny compressed TPU beads, its more responsive than a regular foam or gel insole.) The midsole itself still uses less responsive Pwrrun foam, but embedded in it is a new rock plate tuned to be slightly more flexible. Best for runners with flat feet. But the outsole is what we like moststicky, aggressive lugs line the perimeter and bottom of the shoe, making it easy to virtually grab hold of uneven terrain. The horizontal lugs on the sole are perfect for biting into trails with a lot of incline, but they tend to slip a bit on wet rock and concrete. Overall, we find the low stack height and solid traction to be particularly confidence inspiring in the mountains. MINIMALIST TRAIL RUNNERS WITH A SOCK-LIKE FIT & SOLID ARCH SUPPORT. If youre new to trail running or want to try a lower-drop shoe without fully committing to zero millimeters, the MT-4 is your entry point. Best trail runners overall for traction, low weight & comfort: Saucony Peregrine 12, Best lightweight trail runners with ample cushioning: HOKA Speedgoat 5, Trail runners with the best balance of weight, support & breathability: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2, Lightweight trail running shoes with a natural shape: Altra Lone Peak 6, Best minimalist trail runners: Altra Superior 5, Best long distance trail running shoe: Inov-8 Terraultra G270, Versatile running shoes for road & trail: Salomon Sense Ride 4, Durable trail runners for rugged mountain trails: La Sportiva Bushido II, All-around solid trail running shoes with a classic design: Brooks Cascadia 16, Supportive trail runners that excel on muddy terrain: Salomon Speedcross 5, Minimalist trail runners with a sock-like fit & solid arch support: Merrell Trail Glove 6, The Altra Lone Peak are lightweight and feature a wide toe box for a natural gait. DURABLE TRAIL RUNNERS FOR RUGGED MOUNTAIN TRAILS, MEASURED WEIGHT PER PAIR(SIZE 13): 1 lb. IF YOU PLAN TO ADD AFTERMARKET INSOLES TO YOUR SHOES, MAKE SURE THE SIZE YOU CHOOSE CAN ACCOMMODATE THEM, GAITERS - Gaiters are great for keeping sand and small pebbles from getting into your shoes, which helps prevent blisters and other pains underfoot. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. TRAIL RUNNERS WITH THE BEST BALANCE OF WEIGHT, SUPPORT & BREATHABILITY. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use. To some, its a spiritual, transformative experience. It still does all of those things well, though underwent a big change: Saucony shaved over an ounce compared to last years Peregrine. The newest iteration of the Peregrines features the same sock-like comfort and durability as the previous model, but its an ounce lighter. Check out our list of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men to see which trail runners are our favorites for hiking. We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends. Footwear with few offers from online retailers and sold out in most sizes. A more durable, sleek mesh keeps the same level of protection without the need for more layered overlays. Both shoes work well for many different foot shapes, but we give the slight edge to the Ultraventures because theyre more cushioned and flexible. The midsole is DNA Flash, a compound created by infusing the brands ultra-lightweight DNA foam with nitrogen. The Speedgoat 5 builds on its predecessors legacy as a fast and furious trail monster known for sticky lugs and soft landings. For the 270s midsole, Inov-8 switched to a new iteration of its Powerflow foam that incorporates more TPU in the mix, which both returns more energy and feels more forgiving. Best ultralight trail runners: Altra Superior 5 & Merrell Trail Glove 6, Best lightweight trail runners: HOKA Speedgoat 5, Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2, Saucony Peregrine 12, Altra Lone Peak 6 & Inov-8 Terraultra G270, The Altra Lone Peak 6 are incredibly lightweight on the feet to minimize fatigue. Insoles can also help take up a little extra space in footwear for a customized fit if youre between sizes. The Peregrine 12s are our top pick for demanding hikes where reliable traction is key. If you suffer from plantar fasciitis or you just need more cushioning and support in an otherwise rigid shoe, swapping insoles may be your solution. Low drop shoes usually have a heel-to-toe drop of 1mm - 4mm. Overall, we think the Ultraventures are great for runners who need a lightweight shoe with a little extra wiggle room in the toe box and a build that will keep you stable over all sorts of terrain. Testers said the Pulsar feels slightly softer and more responsive than the Sense Ride, and praised its reliable traction and secure inner fit sleeve. The material feels lighter and softer, and relies on its thickness rather than a rock plate to add protection underfoot. PROS: Lightweight, breathable, flexible, versatile, excellent traction, comfy, roomy toe box. Its much better for footwear to be a little big than too small. From the moment these are on your feet, youll want to drop into race pace and surge uphill, thanks to the smooth and nimble ride. SIZING: Runs large, we recommend sizing down size if youre on the edge, PROS: Very cushy soles, excellent traction on soft terrain, supportive, durable, CONS: High heel-to-toe drop, can feel a little over-built for groomed trails. They feel very flat to most runners and ideal for midfoot strikers. Sitting on top of that new midsole is a fresh footbed to match. The lugs provide excellent traction in all conditions, and the decent spacing between them prevents mud from getting caked on and pebbles from getting stuck. Best budget trail runners: Altra Superior 5 & Merrell Trail Glove 6, Best value trail runners: HOKA Speedgoat 5, Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2, Altra Lone Peak 6, Saucony Peregrine 12 & Salomon Sense Ride 4, Best high-end trail runners: Inov-8 Terraultra G270, The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 2 have a great balance of weight, support, and breathability. 5 products - No deals in Brazil - you can only use the site for reviews, No deals in Brazil - you can only use the site for reviews. SIZING: True to size, runs slightly narrow, CONS: Aggressive arch support isnt for everyone, narrow fit isnt for everyone. Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks. The Ultra Glide is among Salomons most cushioned trail shoes, but dont be fooledits not a super squishy-soft ride. Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. BOTTOM LINE: The Topo Ultraventure 2 trail runners are some of our favorites for long days on the trail, because theyre lightweight, breathable, and flexible. See the best trail shoes. Our testers loved the Lone Peak 5 for its perfect positioning on a spectrum between minimalism and ultra-cush comfort. Runners World has the most comprehensive shoe testing process in the industry. The midsole provides many happy miles of running on technical trails, said one, but its not over-cushioned where it adds unnecessary bulk, making the shoe feel heavy or clumsy underfoot. Altra removed overlays from the quick-drying mesh upper to increase flexibility, and reconfigured the lacing, which gives the 6 a more secure fit. We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm. HEEL-TO-TOE DROP - Its common for shoes to have a noticeable decrease in height from the heel to the toe. MEASURED WEIGHT PER PAIR (SIZE 12.5): 1 lb. We like the Cascadias for runs when having a ton of support is key, but we find the tight weave on the upper to be a little more stuffy than some others for warm conditions. This above-average cushioning makes the Speedgoats great for pretty much any type of terrain, but theyre especially effective at reducing stress on your joints on hard-packed surfaces. If you think weve missed a product or got something wrong, wed love to hear your feedback. The new Ultra model remedies the issue with a cushioning overhaulthe core of the midsole and entire sockliner are now Sauconys premium Pwrrun PB foam. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Montrail Makes a Comeback With the Trinity AG, The Best Collapsible Water Bottles for Runners, Altras Lone Peak 6 Is the Comfiest Version Yet, The Best Hiking Shoes for Adventures Near and Far, How to Plan a Hut-to-Hut Running Adventure, Nike Pegasus Trail 3: A Smooth Road-Trail Hybrid. The most standout feature of these shoes is the ultra-cushy midsole that absorbs impact well and keeps your feet comfortable all day. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us: Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience. Were lifelong learners and were always open to constructive criticism. While our wear-testers are putting miles on their shoes, the same models undergo a battery of mechanical tests in our RW Shoe Lab, to objectively measure the cushioning, flexibility, sole thickness, and weight of each. TRACTION - Your shoes will take you over narrow and rocky ridgelines, through slippery water crossings, and across loose scree fields. A good way to test sizing on your shoes is to loosen all the laces, situate your foot so that your toes touch the front of the toe box, and then make sure you can put your index finger between your heel and the back of the shoe. They are fast but they offer less cushioning and support. See the best motion control shoes. The minimal cushioning offers flexibility and greater ground contact. PROS: Durable, lightweight, cushy soles, excellent traction, secure fit, breathable. Though the lugs arent quite as long as earlier Xodus versions, the outsole retains a solid grip on both wet and dry terrain with durability that impressed us over 100 miles of testing. Running shoes with some degree of water protection, usually they dry quickly. Casey Handley is an avid outdoor adventurer and self-described gear nerd. Rigid shoes with deep lugs (5mm+) are best on technical trails with poor footing, but theyll also be far less forgiving, even uncomfortable, on road runs. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. The Topo Ultraventure 2 trail runners are lightweight, breathable, and flexible. Instead of a rock plate, this denser foam acts as a buffer against hard ground. Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. We recommend the minimalist Trail Gloves for runners who like to feel really connected to the terrain as they run. See the best stability shoes. On the other hand, waterproof shoes arent very breathable, and they can be heavy and slow to dry when they get wet. While theyre great for so many occasions, we prefer the Sense Rides for longer mountain runs since the cushioning and stout uppers provide a good balance of support and durability for rough trails. We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations. Trail runners are our first choice for almost all of our 3-season backpacking trips, and theyre also the most common choice for thru-hikers tackling long distance trails like the AT, PCT, and CDT. See some of our top-rated trail options below, or scroll down for full reviews of these trail shoes and more of our test teams favoritesplus buying info on how to choose your next pair. One of Brookss speediest trail shoes, the Catamount borrows some road-racing technology introduced in the Tempo and Hyperion Elite 2. 9.9 oz, SIZING: Runs slightly small, we recommend sizing up size if youre on the edge, PROS: Excellent traction, durable, protective, rock plate (increased protection and durability in sole), CONS: Stiff soles, feels a little overbuilt. COMFORT AND FIT - Fit is very personal, so what works for some people may not be the best option for others. The Xodus Ultra has a wider platform that also adds stability.. PROS: Ultralight, affordable, comes with removable rock plate (increased protection and durability in sole), roomy toe box, flexible, secure fit, built-in gaiter attachment, CONS: Traction isnt great in wet conditions, not as supportive as some others, not as durable as some others. Each of us at Cleverhiker have hiked thousands of miles in trail runners over some of the toughest terrain on the planet, in places like the Himalayas, Andes, and the Rockies. Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. Traditionally, this was believed to increase your running and walking efficiency. They have some of the most aggressive arch support of any trail runners we used, which is rare in an ultralight shoe. MEASURED WEIGHT PER PAIR (SIZE 12.5): 1 lb. Lightweight shoes with lots of flexibility and comfort. As a runner who mostly sticks to the groomed path, I found the MT-4 had nice ground feel with protection from stray rocks and roots over shorter distances, said gear editor Amanda Furrer. The two main things to consider before purchasing trail running shoes are what type your feet need (think stiff or pliable, neutral or stable, wide or narrow, high or low heel-to-toe drop) and what type of shoes the terrain demands. offer the option of extra protection underfoot, or they can be used to make the soles feel a bit more firm. Best for runners with a low arch. I ran these shoes through everything from bone-dry trails to monsoon summer rainstorms and was blown awaydefinitely the most grip Ive had on a trail shoe, hands down. CleverHiker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. - Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries. It adds considerably more cushioning underfoot, which feels lightweight yet ample for spending hours to days on the trail. We pick the top kicks for tackling off-road terrain. Much like the Hyperion Elite 2, the Catamount feels super-fast and firm. It is, however, plush and forgiving enough to impress the Hoka fanatics on our wear-test team, thanks to a lightweight midsole made from a blend of EVA and Olefin. Ive always found the Endorphin line slightly too narrow for my foot. Her favorite things include the crinkle of a new Dyneema tent, the smell of Doug fir trees, and shaving an ounce off her pack weight. MEASURED WEIGHT PER PAIR (SIZE 13): 1 lb. Of course theyre the best choice for running on trails, but theyre also great for hiking and lightweight backpacking. Shoes that just came out and have not received sufficient feedback from the buyers. Shoes designed for competition, weigh less than 250g. Extremely lightweight shoes with minimal to no arch support. The redesigned tongue in the Speedgoat 5 is very forgiving, unlike the 4s tongue, which dug into my ankle.. SIZING: True to size, wide sizes available, PROS: Roomy toe box, excellent traction, lightweight, comfortable, built-in gaiter attachment, breathable, rock plate (increased protection and durability in sole). This burly trail crusher brings plenty of structure and support to a responsive platform. What makes these shoes unique is their minimal, yet supportive design. That said, if you often run on pretty gnarly trails, shoes that are a bit heavier can have the advantage in durability. Shoes for runners who need mild to moderate arch support (Around 45% of runners). Testers only felt stones poking through the softer midsole on more rugged technical trails. Even on the steepest, slickest trails, they held their own, one tester who races a couple 50Ks per year said. The uppers are reinforced and well ventilated, so they feel more durable than previous Lone Peak models and should last for quite a few more miles. Its just as suited for newbies first footprints on a muddy trail as it is for shielding vert-chasers toes on rock-strewn singletrack. BOTTOM LINE: The ultralight Altra Superior 5s are some of the most comfortable running shoes weve ever worn thanks to the sock-like knit upper and the roomy toe box. Ready to hit the trails for your runs this summer? Overpronators can also benefit from a maximalist running shoe because they also offer enhanced support or stability. Their impressions were in line with our mechanical tests at the RW Shoe Lab, where the 260 scored very hard in both the heel and forefoot cushioning and ranked in the lowest percentile for energy return. BOTTOM LINE: The La Sportiva Bushido II is a burly shoe with awesome traction for tackling technical mountain trails. BOTTOM LINE: HOKAs are known for their exceptional comfort and support, and the Speedgoat 5 is the best trail shoe in the lineup. A taller drop and stout build preserve some of that fast hiker feel, but also make the Flight more accessible to runners coming from high-offset road trainers like Brookss Ghost or Asicss Kayano. We constantly update our guides when new products launch. BOTTOM LINE: The Brooks Cascadias have been a go-to for runners for many years due to their cushy feel and solid all-around performance. Shes hiked thousands of miles on trails across America, including the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, and the Long Trail. PROS: Cushy soles, rock plate (increased protection and durability in sole), tried-and-true design, durable, CONS: Not a standout in any one category, not as breathable as some others. What impressed me the most, though, was the overall comfort and fit. While the uppers are a bit stiffer than many other trail runners on our list, the secure fit they provide and the zero-drop design make the Terraultras very stable for running over uneven terrain. The previous version of this shoe (originally called the TerraUltra G 260) had a firmer ride that our wear-testers liked for short runs. HIKING - We love trail runners because theyre so versatile. After a month of running more than 100 miles, our testers report their findings on features like fit, comfort, performance, and ride. We found the shoe held firm on runnable ground and while climbing over boulders, but the traction didnt inspire confidence on slick, flat slabs of rock. Shoes that have been taken out of production but are still sold by most online shops. This shoe has deep lugs that provide awesome traction in mud, sand, snow, and other soft surfaces. For this reason, we mostly use these shoes for runs on well worn trails without too many obstacles.