Best Trail Running Shoes Reviewed

The Speedcross 4 is made of 100 percent synthetic materials which are lightweight and durable. The rubber sole has an aggressive grip which will give you a stable and penetrating traction on technical or soft ground. The precise foothold is close to your foot and has a feel of comfort and security. The sole has a contra grip with a midsole height of 30mm/20mm and the shoe weighs about 310 grams. The midsole is made of strong EVA which gives you great ankle stability and foot cushioning. There is also a strong, minimal lacing system and strong laces which you can pull together with one tug. They are easy to take on and off.

Altra has created the Lone Peak 4 is an enhanced version of their original trail shoe only this one has significant updates. It has an integrated tongue like the previous version but this upper has static webbing so it will cinch better. There is a flexible strap overlay that gives your forefoot a more roomy fit. There is also a toe cap which is sandpaper textured. This shoe features highly improved breathability with draining mesh in the forefoot and heel and the TrailClaw if decoupled. There are also carved lugs designed to improve traction. The StoneGuard is also completed updated. It is shaped to match your foot’s skeletal structure to give you ideal performance and flexibility.

The Lone Peak running shoes were designed specifically to handle gnarly mountain trails at any time of the day, at any pace, in any weather, or whatever workout you choose. With this shoe, you will get the perfect combination of an aggressive outsole and a tough upper. This is one of the hardest working and toughest shoes you will ever have in your closet.

The outsole is made with MaxTrac rubber that is designed to give you maximum traction. The toe box is shaped like your foot which lets your toes relax and spread out more naturally in your shoe. This gives you better balance and more comfort during sharp uphills or downhills. There are zero drops in these shoes so your heel and forefoot are the same distance from the surface of the ground. This will give you a good low-impact form during your run. They also have A-Bound cushioning, an energy-return compound that will sit under your foot and help take away from of the ground impact. You will get a little more spring in every step.

The tabs on these shoes give you a strapless gaiter attachment so you can wear gaiters and keep debris out. These shoes are fitted with Trailclaw which is canted lugs that are strategically positioned under the metatarsals which give you extra traction at your toe-off. There is also MaxTrac which is a perfect mix of traction, grip, and durability which will chew up some rough terrain. In between the A-Bound and the EVA midsole is the StoneGuard which gives your feet flexible protection when you are running on rugged terrain. It deflects the rocks into the midsole so you can have a smoother run.

The Speedgoat 3 is engineered with breathable mesh construction and support. The TPU midfoot overlays are inforced to make sure you have a secure fit. The midfoot cage is designed for stability with lockdown and foot capture. The EVA midsole is oversized to give you a lightweight cushioning. It has a wider platform to give you a more stable base when you are running on uneven ground. Runner’s World named these shoes the “Gear of the Year” winner in 2019. It is a stable and durable shoe that is very comfortable across any trail.

This shoe also has enhanced support for your heel. The midfoot has a lockdown in the upper. There is also a “seatbelt” support on each side of the shoe. The CMEVA foam in the midsole will help to protect the impact points and will give you a more stable footing. The Vibram Megagrip outsole has great traction with 5mm lugs. These lugs are multidirectional to give you a solid grip even on varied terrain.

The Terrex Tracerocker is the perfect shoe for running trails at the lower elevations. They are made with a durable, lightweight design. They are constructed of breathable mesh and has panels that are synthetic for some added support. The outsole is rugged and offers stability and a good grip. This shoe has a regular fit and lace closure. The upper is synthetic mesh and a Traxion outsole which is the perfect mix of good grip and stability. The midsole is made of lightweight EVA which lets your feet enjoy long term cushioning.

The Tracerocker is a durable and lightweight trail running shoe that is designed to be used for light trails. They are outdoor shoes that have the breathable mesh upper and rugged outsole. The lug height is 5mm with a drop of 8mm. Each shoe weighs about 9.5 ounces.

The Peregrine 7 will give you the confidence to set your pace on any trail. It offers off-road versatility thanks to the PWRTRC outsole that will give you the grip you need. As for the upper, a TPU exoskeleton keeps your foot secure and gives it some added protection. An Everun top sole runs the length of the shoe and cushions every time your stride hits the ground to give you an energized and resilient run.
Saucony is one of the most admired names in the shoe industry. They offer a wide variety of shoes for running and walking. Each design has the Saucony trademark performance, fit, and feel. They have studied the biomechanics of some top athletes to develop systems that are creatively engineered to maximize performance in your run and lets you focus on the run instead of your equipment.

The Gel-Venture 7 lets you run your favorite rough trails with confidence. They feature the special GEL technology and a strong midsole made of EVA. This is a shoe made for fitness enthusiasts who enjoy running in the fresh air outdoors. The GEL system they have applied to the area around your heel gives you strong shock absorption right where you need it the most to help your feet survive the constant and ongoing impact on uneven ground.

The ORTHOLITE sock liner gives you an extra layer of cushion under your feet. It molds to your foot shape so each time you run, it is even more comfortable than the last. Your feet get more support from the upper which is sturdy, made that way from synthetic leather. This shoe also has an internal heel counter which helps your feet stay in their natural line of motion. It gently gives you a more efficient stride. The EVA midsole also helps to protect your feet from becoming fatigued by the constant impact and helps to increase your rebound which will keep you energized to run.

The Trail Glove 5 has a comfortable and breathable mesh lining with an insole that is integrated. It has a nice barefoot type of construction which gives you excellent stability and proprioception during the varied steps of your run. There is also a trademarked TrailProtect rock plate which is perfect to protect your feet from sharp rocks or other debris. They are even vegan-friendly.

The trademarked M Select FRESH is an antimicrobial that will help fight against foot odor. The barefoot construction gives these shoes an anatomical shape so your foot will be comfortable inside and a breathable mesh lining so your feet can get some airflow. The insole is integrated to give you effective support and stability under your feet. The Hyperlock TPU film heel counter is there for security and the rock plate protects you from debris. These shoes feature a trademarked outsole which gives the shoe unmatched stability, durability, and slip-resistance. These shoes will allow you to feel sure-footed and agile on your favorite trails regardless of the difficulty. The fit is secured with a traditional lace-up and enhanced with a tongue and collar that is lightly padded.

The New Balance Hierro V4 are men's trail running shoes that are going to deliver time and distance. It features a fresh foam platform that is plush and comfortable as well as an upper that has been specifically designed for the best breathability. New Balance is determined to help you achieve your goals. They spend their money on development and researching improvements instead of celebrity endorsements. Their products are not designed to fit an image. They are designed to fit your feet.

These shoes take the limits of distance and time. The plush platform and Vibram MegaGrip outsole keeps your feet comfortable and going where you want to go. These shoes have a foot-hugging construction. The upper protects your toes and makes these shoes the perfect equipment for wherever you want to go. This shoe has a Fresh Foam midsole which is made from a single piece of foam. That gives your feet a more plush and natural ride. They have a material application which is no-sew and a synthetic and mesh upper. The trademarked Vibram outsole is designed to give your foot a maximum surface contact during your stride as well as multi-directional traction. Vibram is a registered trademark of Vibram S.p.A. All rights reserved.

The Brooks Caldera 3 is meant for climbing mountains, crossing streams, and taking you wherever you want to run. They are designed with a sticky TrailTack outsole which works well for uphill or downhill traction. The construction is innovative and repels or drains out the water so you never have to stop. The lightweight BioMoGo midsole offers responsive cushioning and is stacked high to give you a steady stride for long distances. It will also protect your feet from trail hazards.

This shoe features a TrailTack sticky outsole along with lugs that have a high surface-area to give you outstanding traction even on wet surfaces. If you cross a stream, the innovative upper and the construction on the underside of your foot will quickly repel and drain the water to keep you able to carry on. The BioMoGo DNA midsole is dynamically cushioned so it has the ability to adapt to your stride. There is a trademarked Ariaprene upper mesh to give your feet drainage and ventilation.
The mudguard gives the shoe a strategic stretch so you get a fantastic fit to help with foot protection and shoe durability in the zones of high abrasion. There is a gaiter tab at the heel as well as a new attachment point at the front. They also have an updated lace garage to keep your laces out of the way and secure at the same time.

The Bushido II shoe is designed to excel in rough terrain with outstanding traction and responsive and lightweight experience. They also give you the same level of protection making them best trail running shoes for hiking on our list. They upgraded the original shoe for better control and comfort. Every part of this shoe has received improvements to meet the needs of every time of runner. They rewrite the rules of the game.

These shoes are perfect for mountain running since they are close-fitting, lightweight, and responsive. It has internal slip-on construction to fit you like a sock, an updated heel, and an ergonomic tongue for excellent comfort and fit. There is more cushioning in the midsole and has better impact absorption. The upper is an AirMesh with a thermoplastic film. The midsole is made of compressed EVA and features a stability control system. The sole has a superb rubber grip for any terrain and the footbed is cushioned with ergonomic open-cell foam that also helps with moisture control.