The best trail running shoes 2024: get a grip on winter's trickiest terrain
We've picked out the best trail running shoes to keep you on course through the toughest conditions this season
- Quick list
- Best for comfort
- Best for slick terrain
- Best all rounder
- Best for heel strikers
- Best for foot lockdown
- Best for sky racing
- Best for hard packed trails
- Best for training runs
- Best for cushioning
- Best for long runs
- Best for park runs
- Best value shoe
- Best lightweight shoe
- Best for durability
- Best road to trail shoe
- Best for technical trails
- Comparison table
- How we test
- How to choose
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best for comfort
3. Best for slick terrain
4. Best all rounder
5. Best for heel strikers
6. Best for foot lockdown
7. Best for sky racing
8. Best for hard packed trails
9. Best for training runs
10. Best cushioning
11. Best for long runs
12. Best for park runs
13. Best value shoe
14. Best lightweight shoe
15. Best for durability
16. Best road to trail shoe
17. Best for technical trails
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
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 for outright comfort
The Saucony Endorphin Edge is built for speed on tricky terrain. We love the fast, fun ride it gives, thanks to its full-length carbon plate
The best for slick terrain
This shoe strikes a nice balance between cushioning and a decent trail feel. We'd choose them for handling technical terrain and mixed conditions with confidence
The best all rounder
We're here for the long-haul comfort from soft cushioning, rugged durability, grippy traction and energy propulsion. It also doesn’t have the unyieldingly firm sensation many new trail shoes do
The best for heel strikers
We appreciated the generous amount of FloatPro Foam in the midsole. On test these had plenty of cushioning and positive rebound, although the high, bouncy stack came at the expense of all trail feel
The best for foot lockdown
These shoes help you move quickly over rough ground and offer good protection and stability, but we think they aren’t quite tough enough for muddy trails and steep, ultra technical terrain
See more trail running shoes ↴
The best for hard packed trails
We think these excellent shoes truly shine on harder surfaces and are comfortable for mile after mile. Look elsewhere though if muddy terrain is more your bag.
The best for training runs
Well-cushioned, yet minimalist enough to allow you to feel your way across the terrain, we reckon the Alpines are a great option for training runs, particularly if you’re a heel striker
The best cushioning
We'd recommend this 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
The best for long runs
The lack of protection against hard rocks on the uppers mean that, while there's plenty of cushion underfoot, we'd save these for long, easy runs, rather than rugged technical trails
The best for park runs
We love the versatility of these multi-terrain shoes, which are designed so that you can run out of your front door and hit the streets, woods, beach or park
The best for wide feet
We reckon this a great value all-round trail and ultra shoe will suit many runners. They're a little on the heavy side, but that adds to the feeling that they'll last for many miles
The best lightweight shoe
We enjoyed this fun, nimble feeling shoe that feels made for speed thanks to its light weight and flexibility. It's pretty minimalist, but still has a distinctively cushioned feel
The best for durability
While there may not be anything specifically unique about these shoes, we think they'll be a good all-rounder for ultra running and will eat up any terrain you throw at them
The best road to trail shoe
We were impressed by the build of this shoe, with its Cordura re/cor upper, respectable multi-directional lugs underfoot, and better toe protection than many dedicated trail running shoes
The best trail running shoes
The best for comfort
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
16. Salomon Genesis
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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
Trail running shoe | RRP | Weight | Drop | Best use |
Saucony Endorphin Edge | $200 (US) / £200 (UK) | 255g / 9oz | 6mm | Trail running, mixed terrain routes |
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 | $140 (US) / £115 (UK) | 280g / 9.9oz | 4mm | Technical trail running |
inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max | $190 (US) / £170 (UK) | 300g / 10.6oz | 6mm | Ultra 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 / 11oz | 6mm | All 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) | 4mm | Trail running |
La Sportiva Bushido II | $130 (US) / £130 (UK) / €170.50 (EU) | 305g / 10.75oz | 6mm | mountain paths and technical singletrack trails |
inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2 | $170 (US) / £150 (UK) | 270g / 9.5oz | 0mm | Running on hard-packed trails and rocky surfaces |
Dynafit Alpine Running Shoe | $139.95 (US) / £116 (UK) | 280g / 9.9oz | 6mm | An all-rounder for technical terrain, great for training runs |
Hoka Texton X | $200 / £175 | 240g/8.5oz | 5mm | Trails and tarmac |
Nike Wildhorse 8 | $130 / £114.95 | 250g / 8.8oz | 8mm | Trail running, road running |
inov-8 Parkclaw G 280 | $180 (US) / £160 (UK) | 280g / 9.8oz | 8mm | Road and trail, up to ultra distance |
Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow | $120 (US) / £120 (UK) | 566g / 20oz | 8mm | Roads, tracks, trails, long distance running… a bit of everything apart from super deep mud |
Hoka Zinal 2 | $160 (US) / £160) (UK) | 189g / 6.67oz | 5mm | Speed on trails and mixed terrain |
Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra | $160 (US) / £160) (UK) | 595g / 21oz | 8mm | Ultra running where durable shoes are required |
Reebok Floatride Energy 5 Adventure | $130 (US) / £90 (UK) | 258g / 9.1oz | 8mm | Indoor and outdoor HIIT workouts, non-technical trail runs and short hikes |
Salomon Genesis | $150 (US) / £140 (UK) | 269g / 9.5oz | 8mm | Off-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
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 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).
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- Best road running shoes: lace up and hit the streets
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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.