The best trail running shoes 2024: get a grip on winter's trickiest terrain

If you're planning to run through winter then the best trail running shoes are a vital piece of kit. With reinforced foot plates and sticky treads you'll be able to tackle treacherous frost, squelchy mud, and debris-strewn ground, sometimes in the space of a single outing.

Winter calls for better weather protection and aggressive, deeper lugs to provide grip on slippery trail surfaces.

With this in mind, it's worth really delving into the specs when choosing a new pair for winter and early spring runs, particularly where the outsole is concerned. If you've spent previous winters sliding around all over the place, you might be surprised at the difference deeper lugs can make to your runs.

As well as traction, the best trail running shoes provide breathability, protection and a certain amount of cushioning, which differs from shoe to shoe. More cushioning equals a bouncy ride, which some find more comfortable, while others prefer the trail feel of a more minimal pair.

All the trail shoes featured have been thoroughly put through their paces in the backcountry by our testers. The Saucony Endorphin Edge is still one of our favourites, while mountain runners with their eyes on the sky should consider the La Sportiva Bushido II.

Meet the expert

You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.

best fleece jackets: Artilect Halfmoon Bio Pullover
Pat Kinsella

Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing stories involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises. En route he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked through the Norwegian Alps, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. Follow Pat’s escapades on Strava here and instagram here.

The quick list

This is our quick list, a brief overview of the best trail running shoes available today. To find out more about each product, see our more detailed write ups further down the page in this guide.

The best trail running shoes

The best for comfort

best trail running shoes: Saucony Endorphin Edge

The Saucony Endorphin Edge is super lightweight, with great traction in wet conditions (Image credit: Future)
The best trail running shoe for outright comfort

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 255g / 9oz
Materials: textile upper, EVA foam midsole, carbon fiber plate, rubber outsole (includes some recycled materials)
Drop: 6mm
Best for: Trail running, mixed terrain routes

Reasons to buy

+
Springy full length carbon plate
+
Ideal amount of cushioning
+
Roomy toebox with a secure fit

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive compared to comparable shoes

The first thing we noticed when we pulled the Saucony Endorphin Edge out of its box was its light weight and stiff build. Both of these can be attributed to a full-length carbon plate embedded in the midsole, which is springy and fun even on difficult terrain, offering plenty of control. This is reinforced by a full-length rockplate to protect the midsole EVA foam from stones and roots.

The upper is closely woven with a thinly cushioned, gusseted tongue to prevent ingress of dirt, grit, and water. The toe is reinforced with a generously sized rubberized area, and there's a firm plastic heel counter round the back. Saucony has also built in a heel loop to make the Edge easier to pull on swiftly when it's time to hit the trails. The outsole is equipped with chevron-shaped lugs, which are quite widely spaced. We found they prevented the accumulation of excess mud.

The Saucony Endorphin Edge is built for speed on tricky terrain, and gives a fast, fun ride thanks to its full-length carbon plate. The foam midsole strikes the perfect balance, offering enough cushioning to absorb shock (particularly on downhills) without compromising stability. If your wallet can take the hit, it's easily one of the best trail running shoes you can buy today.

Read our full Saucony Endorphin Edge review

The best for slick terrain

best trail running shoes: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

The Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 is light and breathable, with a snug fit and good cushioning (Image credit: Future)
The best trail running shoe for slick terrain

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 280g / 9.9oz
Materials: 5mm Vibram MegaGrip soles, EVA foam insole with 100% recycled top sheet, FloatPro Foam midsole
Drop: 4mm
Best for: Technical trail running

Reasons to buy

+
Internal bootie for locked-in fit
+
5mm lugs handle slick terrain nicely
+
Good cushion and decent trail feel

Reasons to avoid

-
Not waterproof
-
Low drop may not work for heel strikers

These trail runners are lightweight for when we wanted to go fast and far and with an internal bootie that pulls on like a sock, we got an instant locked-in fit without having to retie our laces. Easy to pull on, the snug fit around the cuff is balanced with a roominess around the toe box which adds to the light, airy feel of these shoes.

Breathable mesh uppers with a TPU overlay manage to be durable and keep feet cool when out in hot weather, plus they’re quick drying for when we were splashing through puddles. Once we hit uneven, rocky terrain, we really appreciated the stability provided by the low 4mm drop combined with 5mm lugs on the MegaGrip soles, which hold up even in slick conditions. They’re not waterproof, but with gaiter attachments we could easily protect our feet in any deluge.

The FloatPro Foam midsole strikes a nice balance between cushioning and a decent trail feel. These aren’t big and bouncy for super long runs, nor are they barefoot and minimal – they’re great for handling technical terrain and mixed conditions with confidence.

Read our full Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 trail running shoes review

The best all rounder

inov-8 TrailFly

Tough and hardwearing, the inov-8 Trail Fly Ultra G 300 Max is the best trail running shoe you can buy today (Image credit: inov-8)
The best trail running shoes all round

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 300g / 10.6oz
Materials: Synthetic upper; G-fly mid sole; Graphene outsole
Drop: 6mm
Colors: Green and black
Compatibility: Ultra running, all-distance trail running on hard and rocky terrain, and some road running

Reasons to buy

+
Very durable outsole
+
Excellent grip on harder surfaces
+
Comfortable for mile after mile

Reasons to avoid

-
Very little trail feel
-
Relatively expensive compared to most

In April 2021, inov-8 unveiled the Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max, featuring the world’s first graphene-enhanced midsole compound (called G-fly foam). Combined with the extreme durability of the graphene-enhanced rubber outsole the brand introduced in 2018, this shoe is taking trail running footwear into a whole new realm. Graphene has been reported to be the world’s strongest material, but as a nanotechnology it is also one of the thinnest. When inov-8 included the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice carbon allotrope (say that 10 times fast while running over rocks!) into a proprietary foam compound with help of scientists at the University of Manchester, it resulted in 25% more energy return and vastly enhance durability compared to other midsole

As trail runners, we want long-haul comfort from soft cushioning, rugged durability, grippy traction and energy propulsion that puts a spring in our steps, and the TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max offers all of that and more. Also, it doesn’t have the unyieldingly firm sensation as many new trail shoes do, with carbon-fiber propulsion plates embedded in their midsoles – instead, with these there’s a soft, flexible and resilient sensation that will pay dividends deep into a long training run or a 50K or 100-mile trail running race. On the downside, if you’re a tactile runner and you like a bit of trail feel, you’re not going to get any of that with these shoes, which have a chunky, almost maximalist midsole with a rocker, which performs well in terms of transference of energy, but completely cuts out any feedback from the terrain below your feet.

Read our full inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max review

The best for heel strikers

best trail running shoes: Merrell Agility Peak 5

A high-performing, richly featured, very versatile shoe for pounding peaks or simply scampering around your local trails   (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Best trail running shoes for heel strikers

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 309g / 11oz (men's size 11)
Drop: 6mm
Materials: Mesh and TPU upper / EVA foam footbed (50% recycled) / FloatPro Foam midsole / Vibram MegaGrip rubber outsole
Colors: Men’s: Black / White / Black & tangerine / Oyster & coyote / Tahoe & cloud / High rise & High viz / Tahoe & tangerine; Women’s: Pear & burgundy / Atoll & cloud / Black / White / Black & tangerine / Oyster & coyote
Compatibility: All kinds of trail running, up to and including alpine trails and skyrunning routes

Reasons to buy

+
Protective rockplate
+
Excellent grip
+
Well-ventilated upper
+
Integrated tongue 

Reasons to avoid

-
No toe protection
-
Zero trail feedback
-
High stack (31–25mm) won’t suit all runners
-
Too rigid and over-specced for some low-level runners

For the new iteration of their popular and high-performing Agility Peak trail running shoe, Merrell have increased the roll in the rocker, shaved a few grams from the overall weight and improved the heel cup, so it supplies more support and increases runner confidence on tricky trails. 

Despite the reverse camber shape of the sole, designed to assist with forward momentum (especially for heel-strikers), there is a 6mm heel-to-toe drop in these shoes, which is modest enough to suit most trail runners. The amount of FloatPro Foam in the midsole is generous, and on test these shoes supplied us with plenty of cushioning and positive rebound, although this high, bouncy stack comes at the expense of all trail feel.

Feedback from the terrain would be limited anyway, because a protective rockpate runs along the length of the Agility 5, preventing sharp rocks and sticks from puncturing your poor feet, and supplying a decent degree of torsional rigidity that comes in handy when you’re negotiating rocky scrambly sections of a high-flying route. Lower down, in amongst the mud, the nicely spaced 5mm lugs on the excellent Vibram MegaGrip outsole provide the traction and braking control required to tackle slippery ascents and descents, without collecting too much muck. 

Find out how the shoes performed when one of our expert gear testers put them on to tackle the technical trails in the tough, rough and rocky terrain of the Alps around Chamonix.

Read our full Merrell Agility Peak 5 review

The best for foot lockdown

best trail running shoes: The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky Trail Running Shoes

With superior lockdown, breathable mesh uppers and a light, rocker sole, these shoes are designed with speed in mind (Image credit: Future)
The best rail running shoe for foot lockdown

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 200g / 7oz (women’s UK 4)
Materials: Outsole: Rubber, Midsole: Foam, Upper: Synthetic mesh
Drop: 4mm
Best for: Trail running

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and breathable
+
Rockered midsole with carbon fiber plate offer good rebound and stability
+
Secure, sock-like fit with braided laces

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
Lugs aren't deep enough for mud or highly technical terrain
-
Midfoot may be too narrow for some

These great shoes are built for people who don’t want to slow down just because they’re crossing uneven terrain. A thick, but light foam rocker sole is enhanced by the addition of a carbon plate, which ensures stability when the going gets rough and helps to propel you forward with every step. On test, we found the cushioning isn’t exactly maximalist plush, but offers plenty of protection from the ground underfoot. A sock-like fit and secure lacing system meant we could really lock our heel down, and braided laces stayed put over long runs.

The mesh uppers of these shoes are more like a plastic netting covering your forefoot, while a panel of synthetic fabric extends from your midfoot to your heel, providing breathability and quick drying technology if you hit some puddles or stream crossings. Both the heel and toes are well-reinforced to prevent painful toe stubbings when it’s rocky underfoot. The rubber outsoles are grippy on rocky paths, but with only 3.5mm lugs, these shoes aren’t great on muddy or highly technical trails. For the price, you might want a little more technical performance from these shoes, but if you have the money and want a light and fast ride over gravel and dirt paths, you’ll like the way these shoes handle.

All in all, these trail running shoes help you move quickly over rough ground and offer good protection and stability, but aren’t quite tough enough for muddy trails and steep, ultra technical terrain.

Read our full The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky Trail Running Shoes review

The best for sky racing

La Sportiva Bushido II

The La Sportiva Bushido II is built for seriously technical trails, with a big focus on stability (Image credit: La Sportiva)
The best mountain-fit trail running shoe for skyracing

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 305g / 10.75oz
Materials: TPU skeleton and synthetic mesh upper, compressed EVA midsole, Frixion Red rubber compound sole
Drop: 6mm
Best for: mountain paths and technical singletrack trails

Reasons to buy

+
Superb grip on a highly technical sole 
+
Very stable ride
+
Robust but lightweight upper

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly stiff collar
-
Not waterproof

The Bushido II means business as soon as it bounces out of the box. These shoes are intended for running technical trails on pointy shaped hills. The design and fit is aggressive, with a big emphasis on stability in the lateral way the upper connects to the sole, so we found we could really drop the hammer and go for it on technical trails, while the style and layout of the lugs helped us stay comfortably in control during descents, putting faith in the ‘impact brake system’. 

There’s a lot going on in the dual-compound ‘FriXion Red’ sole: the outer lugs rise up and wrap around the midsole, which inspires confidence when cornering and provides extra protection against sharp sticks and stones on the paths, while the studs on the central section supply extra traction and support. We found there was a reasonable amount of cushioning in the midsole, and the upper is constructed from a tough TPU skeleton combined with mesh, to keep the weight down. 

There’s a modest 6mm drop between heel and toe, which is a compromise height, so we think this shoe will be comfortable for the majority of people, regardless of whether their forefoot, midfoot or heel hits the ground first. If you’re a purist barefoot runner, however, this drop might be a tad too much for your liking.

Read our full La Sportiva Bushido II review

The best for hard packed trails

best trail running shoes: inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2

The return of a modern classic, the Trailfly G 270 V2 (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)
The best trail running shoe for hard packed trails

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 270g / 9.5oz
Drop: 0mm
Colors: (men’s) Green/Black, Blue/Nectar, Pine/Lime, Graphite/Black: (women’s) Blue/Grey, Pine/Peach
Compatibility: Medium to long distance trail runs on hard-packed surfaces

Reasons to buy

+
Durable Graphene sole
+
Fun, propulsive ride

Reasons to avoid

-
Not great for boggy ground
-
Mud can get caught in sole

We found that the return of a modern classic didn’t disappoint. Fast feeling, responsive and simply fun to run in, the Trailfly G 270 V2 is an ideal companion for trail running exploits in the warmer months. Look elsewhere if muddy terrain or the kind of softer ground you get up on the hills and moors are you bag. However, most will undoubtedly enjoy these excellent shoes, which truly excel on harder surfaces and are comfortable for mile after mile.

Those familiar with the original G 270 will immediately appreciate that this is very much a case of evolution rather than revolution. The outsole and midsole are unchanged, it’s in the upper that things have been spiced up a little. The V2 boasts a brand-new mesh material, one that’s 25% more durable than its predecessor, according to laboratory testing. Another enhancement is in the positioning of the four overlay strips on both sides of the shoe. They’ve been moved further back and we found this gave more flexibility and breathability right across the forefoot.

The tongue is also a little tastier, with a form-fitting shape and more padding that helps to lock down the midfoot, something the Trailfly series is renowned for. Fit wise, we found the V2 holds securely across the midfoot and the heel feels nicely contained, while a wide toe box gives a nice amount of wiggle room. They’re comfy straight out of the box.

Read our full inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2 review

The best for training runs

best trail running shoes: Dynafit Alpine Running Shoes

The Dynafit Alpine has superb traction, and features a seamless tongue to avoid chafing (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)
The best all-purpose trail running shoe for heel strikers

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 280g / 9.9oz
Materials: Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole
Drop: 6mm
Colors: Alloy/ blackout, Fjord lime punch, Magnet frost, Winter moss blackout
Compatibility: Hiking, trekking, backpacking, trail running

Reasons to buy

+
Light compared to most
+
Superb traction
+
Very comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as much trail feel as some
-
Doesn’t quite lock to the feet

Dynafit markets the Alpine trail running shoe as a ‘light, comfortable, all-rounder for technical terrain’ and we agree, finding it to be a jack of all trades that quietly does everything well. Cushioned enough to be comfortable yet minimalist enough to allow you to feel your way across the terrain, the Alpines are a great option for training runs, particularly if you’re a heel striking runner thanks to their 6mm drop.

Out of the box, they're good looking without being flashy. The protection around the heel and toes is immediately obvious, while its seamless tongue promises comfort without the chafing you get from pressure points. The Alpine Rocker sole design is intended to give excellent responsiveness and balanced cushioning even on rough terrain. Despite a good amount of cushioning, they manage to remain lightweight at 280g per shoe. 

The outsole contains the same Vibram Megagrip rubber found on many other leading trail running shoes and approach shoes, giving ironclad grip on rock, and there are chevron-shaped lugs for traction on muddy surfaces, though these are not as aggressive as some, so aren't in their element in a quagmire. Unlike some Dynafit running shoes, there’s no waterproof membrane but then they’re not intended for long periods of wear, so this isn’t such an issue. It seems we do indeed have a competent all-rounder on our hands – or paws, as it may be.

Read our full Dynafit Alpine Running Shoe review

The best cushioning

best trail running shoes: Hoka Tecton X

The Hoka Tecton X is a well cushioned trail running shoe, which means you get great shock absorption but at the expense of some trail feel (Image credit: Fiona Russell)
The best cushioned trail running shoe

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 240g/8.5oz
Materials: Vibram Megagrip with Litebase outsoles, recycled polyester laces, EVA sockliner, carbon fiber plates
Drop: 5mm
Best for: Trails and tarmac

Reasons to buy

+
Very lightweight and well cushioned
+
Vegan materials

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive compared others of similar quality

Hoka Tecton X trail running shoes are designed for speed on the trails, while also offering plenty of comfort.

The upper is single-layer jacquard engineered mesh that hugs the foot. Hoka has added a non-molded EVA sockliner to aid support inside the shoe. Polyester laces with (undefined) recycled content fit into a ghillie lacing system to make it easy to lace them up to the required tension. Underfoot there is a a ProFlyX midsole, which combines a lightweight and responsive foam base with an ultra-soft foam in-sole lining.

The outsole is Hoka’s own design of Vibram Megagrip with Litebase construction. The lugs are 4mm depth and with “zonal rubber placement” to offer grip where needed. This is a shoe for running on forest tracks and lower level trails, as well as some asphalt, rather than technical, muddy and rocky hill paths and mountain slopes. 

Read our full Hoka Texton X review

The best for long runs

best trail running shoes: Nike Wildhorse 8

These shoes deliver practically unparalleled comfort during those long runs, and look good enough to wear around town (Image credit: Future)
Best for comfort for long runs

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 250g / 8.8oz
Drop: 8mm
Best for: Trail running, road running

Reasons to buy

+
Supreme out-of-the-box comfort with roomy toe box
+
React Foam midsole with rock plate
+
Secure lacing system and grippy sole

Reasons to avoid

-
Upper doesn’t protect feet against sharp rocks
-
Could be more breathable

The Nike Wildhorse 8 are built for long days on the trail, when you want to prioritize comfort. The plush feeling of these shoes is delivered by a React Foam midsole and roomy toe box, which makes them comfortable enough out-of-the-box for wearing around town, while a rock plate adds protection and responsive stability when the trail gets a little rough. With an 8mm drop, these shoes are likely to be coveted by heel strikers first and foremost, while any runner will benefit from the secure lacing system that locks your foot in place.

Not only are these shoes lightweight, they are outstandingly stylish, so you might end up keeping them for casual use instead of tearing them up on the trail (though they aren’t the most breathable when things heat up).

If you are hitting the trail in them, you’ll benefit from the grippy soles on slick terrain, but be aware that the uppers won’t provide as much protection for your feet against sharp rocks than more rugged technical trail shoes. Save these for long days on mellow trails.

These stylish, ultra comfortable shoes provide plenty of cushion underfoot, though the uppers lack protection against hard rocks, so save them for long, easy runs.

Read our full Nike Wildhorse 8 review

The best for park runs

best trail running shoes: inov-8 Parkclaw G 280

The Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280 is a versatile hybrid trail running shoe that you can wear from your front door to the trails (Image credit: Fiona Russell)
The best trail running shoe for park runs

Specifications

Weight (per shoe): 280g / 9.8oz
Drop: 8mm
Materials: Synthetic mesh upper, G-FLY foam midsole, Graphene outsole
Best for: Road and trail, up to ultra distance

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile design
+
Quick drying

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive compared to some
-
Synthetic feel

Brand new from inov-8, these multi-terrain tackling shoes are designed so you can literally run out of your front door and hit the streets, woods, beach or park, without skipping a beat. As with almost all inov-8 shoes, the soles feature Graphene – the much-lauded hard-as-diamond-headed-nails substance reckoned to be the planet’s toughest material (which is included in both the outsole and the midsole in the Parkclaw). 

The secret to the all-terrain capability of this shoe is in the design of the G-GRIP rubber outsole. There are 98 cleats per shoe, but these lugs are only 4mm in length and are so densely distributed they deliver good grip without pushing through the sole of the shoe and making it feel like you’re running in football boots when you’re on the tarmac or road (as can be the case with more aggressive treads, such as on the Mudclaw). Instead, you experience a pretty smooth ride, no matter what the conditions underfoot. There’s an 8mm drop on this model, as there is on the Parkclaw 260, but the difference with this model is in the Graphene-enhanced G-FLY foam midsole, which despite having a lower stack, provides more propulsion and energy return on each stride (inov-8 says 25% more), while supplying a comfortable and cushioned ride. 

The metaflex feature in the sole means the shoes responds well to technical terrain, the Boomerang footbed cushions footfall and supplies some bounce, and trail feedback remains pretty good when you do go off road. The mostly mesh upper allows your feet to breath easily, reduces the weight of the shoe and means the material allows water to escape after river and stream crossings, and dries quickly. The fit is wide, for extra comfort over long distances, and these shoes felt comfy straight out of the box.

Read our full Inov-8 Parkclaw G 280 review

The best value shoe

best trail running shoes: Woman wearing Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow trail running shoes

A robust, long-lasting ultra running shoe with firm cushioning that will deal well with tracks and trails rather than off-path bog-trotting (Image credit: Claire Maxted)
The best value shoe

Specifications

Weight: 566g / 20oz
Drop: 8mm
Materials: Synthetic mesh upper (50% recycled materials), EVA midsole, Continental Rubber outsole
Best for: Roads, tracks, trails, long distance running… a bit of everything apart from super deep mud

Reasons to buy

+
Secure, snug fit with a wide toe box
+
Firm midsole
+
Good grip for moderate mud

Reasons to avoid

-
A little heavy
-
Not enough grip for deep mud

The Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow is below average in only one meaningful way – and it’s a way you won’t mind. These days, I find that the average price of the best trail running shoes tends to be around $150 / £145, with some nudging the $180-190 / £160-£170 mark. That makes the Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow a very pleasing all-rounder trail and ultra running shoe at a significantly lower price.

They’re a little on the heavy side at 566g / 20oz (the average is 525g / 18.5oz) but you don’t notice this when wearing them and hopefully this leads to a more durable shoe that lasts many miles.

The fit is wide around the midfoot and toe box, and the traditional lacing and padded tongue make for a snug fit and good heel lock, so this (along with the 8mm drop) should make the Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow a shoe that suits a lot of runners.

It’s nice to see the upper being made from 50% recycled materials and the shoe feels robust enough to last plenty of miles. The 3mm lugs on the Continental Rubber outsole are nice and grippy for moderately muddy conditions, while the cushioning from the EVA midsole provides enough padding and protection for harder surfaces like roads and rocks.

It’s refreshing to find all the features you need in a trail and ultra running shoe without the astronomical price tag. The Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flows would be great for a beginner trail or ultra runner who wants a good-quality shoe that will last a long time and cope with pretty much everything training and racing can throw at it. 

I particularly liked the wide-feeling to the fit around the midfoot and toe box area, as I like to practice splaying my toes for a natural running style; I felt that I could easily do so in this shoe, while still getting a secure fit around the arch, ankle and heel using the traditional laces.

The cushioning felt firm rather than super bouncy and springy like some of the higher-priced trail running shoes. I actually like this for ultra running – I'm just plodding along there anyway and don’t want to feel prodded into running faster!

Read our full Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow review

The best lightweight shoe

Hoka Zinal 2 trail running shoes on stone wall

The Hoka Zinal 2 is great fun for fast efforts on woodland trails and mixed terrain  (Image credit: Future)
The best lightweight shoe

Specifications

Weight: 189g / 6.67oz
Drop: 5mm
Materials: Synthetic mesh upper, EVA midsole, Vibram outsole
Best for: Speed on trails and mixed terrain

Reasons to buy

+
Super light at just 189g / 6.67oz
+
Really sticky, well designed Vibram outsole
+
Keeps out water, dirt and stones particularly well

Reasons to avoid

-
A little movement in the heel
-
Quite narrow fit

The Hoka Zinal 2 is a trail shoe built specifically for tackling shorter distances, with a pared-back design and improved traction to keep things light and fun.

The whole shoe is cleverly designed to prevent ingress of dirt and water. Its most striking feature is the sock-like stretch knit collar, which takes the place of a tongue and fits snugly around your ankle. The heel tab is essential for pulling them on, but it's well designed – large enough to easily hook two fingers into, with reinforced stitching for strength.

The lacing system is smart, too. Rather than conventional eyelets, which would provide a place for water and mud to seep inside, the Zinal 2 has small hoops of cord for the laces to thread through. These are a lighter option than metal eyes, and again they're sewn firmly in place with extra zig-zag stitching to ensure they don't pull out. 

The mesh upper is super thin , but tightly woven, and should keep your feet protected from rain and splashes. It's not fully water resistant, but it does a much better job of keeping you dry than most.

The 5mm lugs of the Vibram sole are deeper than those of the original Zinal, with a chevron pattern to maximize traction. Each lug has textured rubber on three sides too; Hoka really doesn't want you slipping when things start to get technical.

Overall, this is a fun, nimble feeling shoe that feels made for speed thanks to its light weight and flexibility. It's pretty minimalist for Hoka, but still has a distinctively cushioned feel underfoot.

To me, the fit feels true to size, but perhaps erring on the narrow side. If you have wide feet then you might prefer to go up half a size.

My favorite part of the Zinal 2 is the outsole. The redesigned lugs really do feel nice and sticky, and are great for mud (which there was lots of during my testing). There's no rock plate, so this is a shoe I'd prefer for woodland trails where I'll be dodging roots and tackling slippery dirt and leaves rather than anything particularly stony.

It also feels good on roads if you're heading out for a training run from your front door, or tackling a mixed terrain 10k.

Read our full Hoka Zinal 2 review

The best for durability

Woman wearing Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra trail running shoes on a ridge

A hard-wearing, long-lasting ultra running shoe that remains bouncy for mile after mile on all surfaces, including pretty muddy ones (Image credit: Claire Maxted)
The best trail running shoe for durability

Specifications

Weight: 595g / 21oz
Drop: 8mm
Materials: Synthetic mesh upper (50% recycled content), Lightstrike and BOOST midsole, Continental Rubber outsole
Best for: Miles and miles of ultra running where durable shoes are required

Reasons to buy

+
Comfy, with a bouncy midsole
+
Reinforced lace area
+
Good grip for mud

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy
-
Black is the only color available for men

Although the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultras are definitely on the heavy side, the use of heavier materials also often equates to durability. So when it comes to ultra running, chunkiness isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The feel from the Lightstrike cushioning, Boost midsole and Pebax midsole protection plate is stiff and firm with a good rebound for miles of pounding, and it’s nice to see that the upper contains 50%+ recycled content. 

The seven-point lacing system is traditional, with flat, grippy laces, giving a secure, snug fit. 

The Continental Rubber outsole with the popular, 4mm chevron grip combination is designed for traction in all but the boggiest of conditions, while the 8mm drop should suit most runners. 

The toe box is regular but feels roomy, and although the shoe is cushioned you can still feel enough of the terrain beneath your feet to respond quickly to uneven ground as you run, hike or stagger to the end of that ultra. 

There’s nothing specifically unique about these shoes; they’re above average in price but they’re good all-round ultra running shoes that will eat up any terrain you throw at them, both in training and racing, and they’ll hopefully last you a long time.

Once I had the fit dialled in, I felt I could run for miles and miles in these grippy and robust ultra running shoes, which provided plenty of bounce and support. They may not be the lightest running shoes around, but they sure can take a pounding.

Read our full Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra review

The best road to trail shoe

best trail shoes: Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure shoes

A road-to-trail shoe that leans more towards off-road adventures (Image credit: Future)
The best road to trail shoe

Specifications

Weight: 258g / 9.1oz
Drop: 8mm
Materials: Cordura re/cor upper, Floatride Energy TPU foam midsole, carbon rubber outsole
Best for: Indoor and outdoor HIIT workouts, non-technical trail runs and short hikes

Reasons to buy

+
Great support around midfoot
+
Robust toe protection
+
Well engineered outsole lugs

Reasons to avoid

-
Relatively narrow fit
-
Requires heel lock to prevent slight slipping

The Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure is  a road-to-trail shoe that leans towards the off-road side with a Cordura re/cor upper, respectable multi-directional lugs underfoot, and better toe protection than many dedicated trail running shoes. 

The Floatride Energy 5 Adventure has a similarly rugged design to the Reebok Nano X3 Adventure, but with a more cushioned midsole packed with a thicker layer of Reebok's light and bouncy Floatride foam, and a rockered profile for propulsion.

As the name implies, the re/cor fabric also contains a proportion of recycled material. Normally that would make it weaker than fabric made from virgin nylon, but re/cor is specially engineered for extra strength. It's finished with a water-resistant coating, making it a good option for fall and winter.

The tongue isn't gusseted, which I would have expected, but is very wide, which serves a similar function in preventing ingress of dirt and stones. It's generously padded.

The Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure is my favorite road-to-trail shoe of 2023. It's versatile, comfortable, and more protective than some dedicated trail shoes. It felt true to size and instantly comfortable. In fact, if you have particularly wide feet, you might find the fit a little too snug. I did initially feel some slipping at the heel, which was eliminated by creating a heel lock with the extra eyelets.

It's definitely water-resistant rather than waterproof, but will keep your feet dry in all but the heaviest rain. I'd usually question the use of any light colors for an off-road shoe, but the Cordura is impressively stain-resistant. There's not much cushioning in the collar, but the shoe is cut low enough at the ankle that this wasn't a problem. 

The multi-directional lugs provide good grip on moderately muddy and loose surfaces, without feeling strange when you head onto asphalt or brick.

If you're going to hit the trails this winter, but you're not sure whether you'll be going off-road enough to justify a dedicated pair of shoes, the Floatride Energy 5 Adventure will fit the bill perfectly. Like most Reebok shoes it's significantly cheaper in the UK than the US, with a list price of $130/£90, though you can find it for less if you shop around. 

Read our full Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure review

The best for technical trails

best trail shoes: Man wearing Salomon Genesis trail running shoes on the trail

A robustly built mountain-running shoe that excels on rugged trails and provides a comfortable ride on a range of terrain (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)

16. Salomon Genesis

The best trail shoe for technical trails

Specifications

Weight: 269g / 9.5oz
Drop: 8mm
Materials: Synthetic ‘Matryx’ woven upper with Quicklace; Energy Foam midsole; Contragrip outsole
Best for: Off-road running on various types of terrain, but especially rough and rocky trails

Reasons to buy

+
Tough upper
+
Comfortable and breathable
+
Good grip

Reasons to avoid

-
Little to no trail feel
-
No rockplate

Unlike many of Salomon’s more high-end performance-focused shoes – such as the more elite S-lab Genesis shoes, which these are based on – the new Genesis trail runners have a much more comfortable fit and feel, with more space around the ball of the foot, which make them a whole lot more comfortable for a lot of people. 

Despite this, the hard-wearing woven Matryx upper still supplies excellent foot support, and the Quicklace system enables you to fasten the shoes as tight as you could possibly want them. The Energy Foam in the midsole brings some bounce to the party, and absorbs plenty of impact too. 

When all this is combined with an Active Chassis system (which cradles your heel), these shoes really inspire confidence on technical trails, a feeling enhanced by the grip, traction and braking control provided by the Contragrip outsole, with its smartly positioned 4.5mm lugs, arranged in a two-part pattern.

The Genesis have a large stack and a heel-to-toe drop of 8mm, which we find perfect for trail running on a wide range of terrain, offering the ideal balance between supplying protection and maintaining a low centre of gravity on more technical trails. Salomon say the Genesis have been designed to excel on rough and rocky terrain, but there doesn’t appear to be a rockplate in these shoes to protect feet from bruising and potential puncture wounds from sharp stones and sticks. 

Best trail running shoes comparison table

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Trail running shoeRRPWeightDropBest use
Saucony Endorphin Edge$200 (US) / £200 (UK)255g / 9oz6mmTrail running, mixed terrain routes
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2$140 (US) / £115 (UK)280g / 9.9oz4mmTechnical trail running
inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max$190 (US) / £170 (UK)300g / 10.6oz6mmUltra running, all-distance trail running on hard and rocky terrain, and some road running
Merrell Agility Peak 5$140 (US) / £140 (UK) / €160 (EU)309g / 11oz6mmAll kinds of trail running, up to and including alpine trails and skyrunning routes
The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky Trail Running Shoes$199 (US) / £180 (UK)200g / 7oz (women’s UK 4)4mmTrail running
La Sportiva Bushido II$130 (US) / £130 (UK) / €170.50 (EU)305g / 10.75oz6mmmountain paths and technical singletrack trails
inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2$170 (US) / £150 (UK)270g / 9.5oz0mmRunning on hard-packed trails and rocky surfaces
Dynafit Alpine Running Shoe$139.95 (US) / £116 (UK)280g / 9.9oz6mmAn all-rounder for technical terrain, great for training runs
Hoka Texton X$200 / £175240g/8.5oz5mmTrails and tarmac
Nike Wildhorse 8$130 / £114.95250g / 8.8oz8mmTrail running, road running
inov-8 Parkclaw G 280$180 (US) / £160 (UK)280g / 9.8oz8mmRoad and trail, up to ultra distance
Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow$120 (US) / £120 (UK)566g / 20oz8mmRoads, tracks, trails, long distance running… a bit of everything apart from super deep mud
Hoka Zinal 2$160 (US) / £160) (UK) 189g / 6.67oz5mmSpeed on trails and mixed terrain
Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra$160 (US) / £160) (UK)595g / 21oz8mmUltra running where durable shoes are required
Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure$130 (US) / £90 (UK)258g / 9.1oz8mmIndoor and outdoor HIIT workouts, non-technical trail runs and short hikes
Salomon Genesis$150 (US) / £140 (UK)269g / 9.5oz8mmOff-road running on various types of terrain, but especially rough and rocky trails

How we test trail running shoes

Our reviewers test trail-running shoes on varied terrain, including technical singletrack and mud, in a range of conditions, on training outings and during competitive events. Specific features (including grip, foot support, toe and heel protection, cushioning, waterproofing, breathability, materials used and general comfort) are tested against claims made by the brand, and we assess factors such as durability, environmental impact and value for money.

Meet the testers

inov-8 Elite Base Layer running T
Pat Kinsella

Writer, editor and enthusiast of anything involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing adventure stories. En route he’s climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He can often be found pounding Devon's coastal trails in the south of England.

Cat Ellis
Cat Ellis

Cat is the editor of Advnture, She’s been a journalist for 13 years, and was fitness and wellbeing editor on TechRadar before joining the Advnture team in 2022. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better). 

Staff writer Julia Clarke
Julia Clarke

Julia is an author, trail enthusiast and yoga teacher who loves heading uphill on foot, ski, bike and belay. She recently returned to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland after 20 years living in the USA, 11 of which were spent in the rocky mountains of Vail, Colorado where she owned a boutique yoga studio and explored the west's famous peaks and rivers on foot. These days, she explores the majestic Scottish countryside with her running escapades. In her previous lives, she has also been a radio presenter, music promoter, university teacher and winemaker.

Alpine Running Shoes: running in Henbury Gorge
Alex Foxfield

Alex is a mountain leader, trail running enthusiast and writer with an insatiable passion for trails and the mountains. A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. When he can't get to the mountains, he gets as much vert in as he can on his local Bristol trails. His trail running CV includes the iconic Ring of Steall Skyrace and a marathon over Pen y Fan, South Wales' highest peak.

best trail running shoes: Fiona Russell
Fiona Russell

Fiona Russell is a widely published adventure journalist and blogger, who is better known as Fiona Outdoors. She is based in Scotland and is an all-round outdoors enthusiast with favourite activities including trail running, mountain walking, mountain biking, road cycling, triathlon and skiing. Aside from being outdoors, Fiona's biggest aim is to inspire others to enjoy the great outdoors, especially through her writing. She is also rarely seen without a running skort! Find out more at Fiona Outdoors.

How to choose trail running shoes

Working out which of the best trail running shoes are right for you is a fairly involved process, but only because the range is so rich. Of course, it all depends on when and where you intend to run, and your personal preferences in terms of how much or little you like to ‘feel’ the trail.

If you're just working out how to start trail running, it's important to invest in quality footwear, first and foremost. From there, all you need to do is start to find good trails to run, kit yourself out with things like running gloves and trail running sunglasses, and you're good to go. 

The only thing that will stop you now is a trail running injury. You can significantly reduce the risk by matching your ambitions with the best trail running shoe for you. If your local trails are steep, rocky and often wet, then prioritise a shoe with good lugs offering great grip. If you’re going to be doing a bit of road running en route to your nearest trails, perhaps choose a shoe with a less aggressive outsole that can cope well with both sealed and unsealed surfaces.

So, before you buy, consider the following...

best trail running shoes: Trailfly G 270 V2s in the woods

It’s important to get your shoe as tightly cinched to your foot as possible (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

Comfort and fit

Striking a balance between weight and comfort is always an important consideration when choosing the best trail running shoes. You need footwear that will remain comfortable (and light, ideally) when wet, because trail running often involves legging it through mud, puddles, bogs, wet undergrowth and foliage, and tackling stream crossings. Try before you buy – make sure you have enough room in the toe box, and that the collar, tongue and lacing system won’t rub or cause you discomfort or hotspots.

If you’re doing any technical running at all, especially on tight twisty singletrack, it’s important to get your shoe as tightly cinched to your foot as possible, to avoid internal slippage. People’s feet vary enormously – if you have a wide foot or suffer from bunions, some brands (Salomon, for example) might be a bit tight. Other brands allow too much room in the toe box for runners with narrow feet. Often people have subtle differences between their left and right feet – try both shoes on (with running socks on) to make sure they’re comfortable and don’t have immediate rubbing concerns.

Protection

Unlike names, sticks and stones definitely can hurt you, and you will encounter plenty of both while trail running – and lots more besides. The wilderness is ungroomed – that’s why we love it. Inevitably, a trail running shoe won’t offer you as much protection from trippy roots, knobbly rocks and other natural obstacles as the best hiking boot, best hiking shoe, or even the best budget hiking boots, but look carefully at how substantial the outersole is, and check to see is there is a rockplate in the midsole, which will prevent the worst foot injuries (punctures) should you run over something seriously sharp. An integrated tongue will help keep grit out. 

best trail running shoes: Lake District run

Running in the wilderness calls for more protection than you get on road running shoes (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

Grip

Arguably the most important job the best trail running shoes need to perform is to keep you the right way up. Check out the configuration of the lugs on the outersole of the shoe you’re looking at, to see how aggressive they are. Think about it like the tread on the tyre of your car or mountain bike – simplistically put, the chunkier the tread the better grip and traction you will have on rough terrain, but the slower you’ll be in smoother conditions. 

Very aggressive lugs can make it feel like you’re walking around in football boots when you’re on sealed surfaces or rock hard ground. Rear-facing lugs on the heel can help you stay in control during steep descents. Materials are important too, softer rubbers provide a better, more bitey grip, but they’re not as hardwearing and will rub away relatively quickly.

Waterproofing and breathability

There is a tendency for outdoorsy types to automatically gravitate towards footwear with Gore-Tex (or equivalent) membranes in the uppers, but often this is overkill in a trail running shoe, making them run unnecessarily hot and pushing the price up. Trail running shoes tend to have a low cut cuff, well below the ankle, so it doesn’t take much for water to get in over the top – and if that happens then no amount of waterproofing will keep your socks dry. It’s often better to go with a shoe that incorporates lightweight mesh or materials that will drain and dry quicker, and allow your foot to breathe much better.

best trail running shoes: outsole

The chunkier the tread the better grip and traction you'll have on rough terrain, but the slower you’ll be in smoother conditions (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

Durability

While you can’t expect to get the same lifespan out of a pair of trail running shoes as you would hiking boots or walking shoes (because they’re made from lighter materials and get subjected to more sustained and intense treatment), a degree of robustness should be sought. Check out materials, stitching and seam sealing, and look carefully at lacing systems for any signs that they might be vulnerable to failure. Harder outsoles are more longlasting, but softer rubbers supply better grip. Inov8’s graphene outersoles claim – with a fair amount of justification – to offer both.

Performance

While we often spend a lot of time inspecting the design of the upper or analyzing how well an outersole will perform, much of the magic in the best trail running shoes happens in the typically hidden midsole. Do your research or inspect the shoe to see how much cushioning it offers, and what the rebound is like. Pick a pair of shoes with a high lace eyelet – most do have at least one on either side of the shoe, higher up than the standard  lacing system goes – which is useful for preventing shoe loss during bog crossings.

best trail running shoes: running in the woods

The best trail running shoes should last you long enough to justify the price tag (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

Drop, cushioning and rockers

Traditionally, running shoes were typically made with a ‘drop’ (which refers to the difference between the height of the heel and the toe) of around 12mm. In more recent years, the best trail running shoes have trended towards reducing that drop to 8mm or less, to better tune into the human bodies inherent, natural running style and because trails are much more forgiving on joints than roads are.

General guidance is runners who naturally heel strike (land on their heel first) should opt for shoe with a higher drop, whereas mid and forefoot strikers should go for a smaller drop. Debate continues about which form is the best, with some claiming that heel striking is bad for you, while others arguing that it's only when you actively try to change your form too quickly that injury is likely to occur. With this in mind, it's good to match your current form with the correct amount of drop.

Minimalist shoes have a very small drop, and true ‘barefoot’ shoes have none at all – taking a very tactile approach to the trail, where you fully engage with and can feel the terrain you’re running over, and have to think carefully about foot placement. Confusingly, you can get shoes with loads of cushioning in the sole, often called ‘maximalist’, that also claim to be minimalist because of their small drop. It’s better to think about the two things separately: how much drop do you prefer, and how much cushioning do you like? 

Some maximalist shoes have a ‘rocker’, which means instead of being flat to the floor, the bottom of the sole curves like the legs of a rocking chair, helping (it’s claimed) with forward propulsion from foot strike to lift off. Whether you love or hate these options is very subjective, and often comes down to your running style (whether you’re a heel, midfoot of forefoot striker). Try them on the trails and see what suits you best. 

best trail running shoes: running above the gorge

With a variety of terrain in store, you want trail running shoes that will perform no matter what's beneath them (Image credit: Alex Foxfield)

Value

We’ve all got budgets limits we need to stay within, and trail running shoes aren’t cheap, but if you find a hardwearing trail running shoe that’s suitable for all your off-road running needs, then it’s worth shelling out a bit more for it. Better to buy a shoe made with robust materials, than to go cheap and end up needing to replace more often. 

Pat Kinsella

Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing stories involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises. En route he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked through the Norwegian Alps, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He’s authored walking guides to Devon and Dorset, and once wrote a whole book about Toilets for Lonely Planet. Follow Pat’s escapades on Strava here and Instagram here.