We’re all for logging miles on foot. Run together to build friendships, run alone for reflection. Run sprints for stronger legs, run long distance for a stronger cardiovascular system. Roads create endless running paths, but you’re missing something special if you never hit the trails. Trail running provides a connection to nature that’s hard to beat. In fact, it’s arguably what the human body is built to do. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the trails (and we think you should), you should invest in a pair of trail running shoes. Look beyond the earth-tone color schemes and rugged graphics, and you’ll find some very purposeful characteristics that make you safer and faster on the trail. Protect your feet with a more sturdy shoe upper and better traction in loose surfaces. Dedicated trail running shoes are well worth the extra weight when compared to a street-bias shoe. Make a selection from our list of best trail running shoes, and we’re confident you’ll enjoy wearing them out.
Best Overall
ASICS Men's GEL Venture 5
Best Value
Merrell Men's Trail Glove 4 Runner
Honorable Mention
Balance Women's Nitrel v1 FuelCore
Best Trail Running Shoes Reviews & Recommendations
Honorable Mention
Adidas Men's Rockadia Trail Running Shoe
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Honorable Mention
New Balance Men's Minimus 10 V1 Trail Running Shoe
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Honorable Mention
TSLA Men's Trail Running Minimalist Barefoot Shoe
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Honorable Mention
La Sportiva Men's Ultra Raptor Trail Running Shoe
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Honorable Mention
ALTRA Men's Superior 4 Trail Running Shoe
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Honorable Mention
WHITIN Men's Minimalist Trail Runner
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Honorable Mention
Saucony Women's Excursion Tr11 Running-Shoes
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Best Trail Running Shoes Buying Guide & FAQs
Buying the right pair of running shoes is an extremely personal choice. We all have unique feet, fitness routines, and activity levels. You need to buy the right pair of shoes that work with your body, the environment, and your activity. This means that the right pair of shoes for one person may be completely wrong for another. Buy the wrong pair for your trail run, and you’ll be miserable the entire time. Buy the right pair, and you’ll find yourself improving your performance stats. This guide will help you enjoy your time running the trails by helping you buy the perfect pair for you and your feet.
The Advantages of Owning Trail Running Shoes
As with any fitness activity, you need to have the right equipment to be able to perform to the best of your abilities. If you enjoy running outside on the trails or anywhere in nature, you need a pair of shoes that’s meant for this activity. While nothing is stopping you from wearing your road running shoes, they aren’t designed for trails, and you could put yourself at risk for injury.
Trail running shoes will give your feet better support while also providing better traction. This can help ensure that every step you take is a sure-footed one. Now you can focus more on your overall run performance and less on each step your feet take. With time, you’ll start to notice that the right pair of high-quality trail running shoes will help improve your performance. Perhaps you’ll run longer or farther.
- Increased comfort while running
- Better traction with the terrain
- Improved running and fitness performance
The Most Common Types of Trail Running Shoes
There are three main categories when it comes to types of trail running shoes. The type you choose will depend on where you plan to run. You need to know if you expect to run on well-groomed trails, rocky and rugged terrain, or a variety of terrain that can range from smooth and neat to rocky and rugged.
Light Trail
These typically have the basic structure of a running shoe. They’re meant for running on uniform surfaces. They have a modest amount of protection from rocks and roots. They’re the most lightweight, which makes them the closest to a road running shoe. The upper is moderately stiff to help with stable foot placement. The outsoles have shallow lugs designed for packed dirt.
There are two styles within this type: minimally cushioned shoes for enjoying the feeling of the trail under your feet, and maximum cushioned shoes for enjoying several miles of cloud-like comfort.
Rugged Trail
If you aren’t sure where you’ll run, or you like to run on a variety of terrains, then these are the ideal type for you. They’re a beefed-up version of the trail shoe and come with several protective features for your feet. These shoes can have toe guards and hidden plates under your foot to protect you from rocks and tree roots. The upper material is thick and durable to protect you from the underbrush. The lug pattern is varied to give you traction on any terrain you travel.
There are two main types in this category: softer shoes with grippy outsoles that are perfect for running in wetter environments, and harder shoes with a less sticky rubber outsole that makes them more durable.
Off Trail
This is the most aggressive style of trail running shoes. They’re meant for wearing while hitting the deepest depths of nature where no human has gone before. They’re constructed with the most durable of materials, such as a polyurethane foam midsole. The structure is rigid and will not give in to twisting force. This will protect your ankles on unstable or uneven terrain. These shoes can also come with waterproofing to keep your feet dry when encountering shallow streams and bogs. Some hikers will buy these instead of hiking boots, but off-trail shoes will wear out faster than a solid pair of hiking boots.
What to Look for When Buying Trail Running Shoes
Finding the right pair of shoes means you’ll need to try a few on. But there are a few features you should look for to help narrow it down. Start by knowing the shape of your foot and where you plan to run. This will help you to narrow down your options to the shoes that will most likely work for you.
Pronation
Pronation is the natural inward movement of your foot. This is how the impact of your stride is distributed throughout the foot. Your foot naturally moves in the way that is most comfortable for your body, so a shoe that changes this will cause you to have aches and pains. Look for a shoe that fits both your pronation and arch height. This will give you the most support without changing your stride and pronation.
There are three main categories of pronation to know: normal, overpronation, and supination. Normal pronators have a standard arch and should look for a natural shoe. Overpronators are flat-footed people who roll their feet inward too much. Motion-control shoes with a firm midsole are best. Supination is when the foot barely rotates, or doesn’t at all. The entire impact is on the outside of the foot because of the high arch. Lighter-weight shoes with flexible soles are best.
Outsole
Consider the type of terrain you plan to run on in your shoes. This will help you choose the right outsole—the material on the outer bottom of the shoe. If you run on soft or muddy terrain, you should look for a running shoe with deep lugs and a durable rubber. Runners who hit the hard-packed dirt trails will feel more comfortable with short lugs and durable rubber outsoles. If the terrain you run on is rocky, you’ll want short lugs and a sticky rubber outsole.
The right outsole ensures you have the right amount of traction to keep you stable without negatively affecting your run.
Cushion
There are three levels of cushioning to consider when comparing shoes: minimal, regular, and maximum. You can determine the level of cushioning a shoe has by looking at its profile. The thickness of the midsole will indicate the amount of cushioning that’s present.
Minimally cushioned shoes, sometimes called barefoot shoes, have the least amount. You will feel every step and be super close to the ground. A regularly cushioned shoe is a traditional design that most people think of when they picture a running shoe. A shoe with the maximum amount of cushioning is immediately noticeable. The midsole is thick, and you’ll feel like you’re walking on a thick layer of foam. Your feet will either love or hate it.
Tips for Buying and Using Trail Running Shoes
Before you slip your new trail running shoes on and head out, you need to break them in. Your new shoes are stiff and don’t have the flexibility that your feet need. Start by walking around in them to get them creased in the places that you need. Then head out for short runs. This will break in the shoes and help your feet acclimate to them. Skip these crucial steps, and you could end up with sore muscles and blistered feet.
Once you start wearing your shoes for runs, don’t plan on wearing them every day. This isn’t good for your shoes or your feet. The shoes need a chance to air out and dry out. Otherwise, the bacteria from your feet when you sweat will build up and create foot problems.
Finally, make sure you clean your shoes after each run. No one wants to put dirty and gross shoes on. Plus, leaving that dirt and grime will only break down the materials faster. This will shorten the shoe’s useful life.
- Don’t wear them every day.
- Break them in.
- Keep them clean.
Best Trail Running Shoes FAQs
While you know that trail running shoes are the ideal fitness shoes for trail running, what about other types of exercise? Should you only wear trail shoes on the trail, or can you wear them for other activities? It helps to know your intended use to make sure you buy the right size. You also need to break them in correctly to ensure you get the most comfortable wear out of them.
Q. Should trail running shoes be a size bigger?
A: Your feet swell when you run. Shoes that fit you at rest may be too tight for proper circulation when running. Sizing up can help with this.
Q. Can you use trail running shoes for walking?
A: You can use trail shoes for walking because they tend to be substantially sturdier than standard lightweight running shoes.
Q. How do you break in trail running shoes?
A: Start by walking around in them to get them flexible in the right places. Then slowly start running in them until they fit perfectly and feel comfortable.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick for the best trail running shoe is the ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5. It comes in a wide range of sizes and colors, so you’re sure to find the perfect pair that both fits and appeals to you. The construction of the shoe is also adaptable with the removable sockliner and cushioning gel rearfoot insert. This helps to make it comfortable for your individual needs.
Final Thoughts
The ASICS Men’s GEL Venture 5 is a high-quality, customizable trail shoe that’s worth the investment. For a more affordable option, the Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 4 Runner is lightweight, comfortable, and protective for the trails.