Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain (Fall 2024)

We tested over 75 trail shoes across hundreds of miles of rocky singletrack, sandy paths, and muddy forests. These 14 stood out as the top performers.

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Today’s trail running shoes are more advanced than ever, incorporating cutting-edge materials, innovative designs, and clever blends of foams, plates, fabrics, outsole rubbers, and lug patterns. This combination results in shoes that excel across diverse terrain like never before.

A great pair of trail shoes provides enough comfort and grip to go unnoticed on the run. All the models that made our list have taken the best elements from the past and incorporated modern materials and components with innovative designs to enhance performance and protection while staying out of the way. So take your pick. After testing more than 100 trail shoes over the past two years, these are our top 14 choices.

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$160 at REI $160 at Saucony

Weight: 10.1 ounces (men’s), 8.7 ounces (women’s)Stack Height: 36–30 mmDrop: 6 mmSizes: 7-14 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Works for a range of runners⊕ Plush cushioning that doesn’t block trail feel⊕ Strong traction in all conditions⊗ Stretchy lacing can be difficult to cinch tight

In choosing a “Best All-Around” trail shoe, we considered function for the broadest range of runners. While the Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 might have been built with ultrarunners in mind, we found its blend of comfort, traction, and responsiveness excellent, and its performance impressive across a range of terrain and runner ability.

With highly responsive cushioning and fantastic traction that felt like it added prowess to all levels of trail running testers, we liken the Saucony Xodus 3 to a superhero cape. “On one of my runs I was feeling like a slug and then the shoes felt so good I just went after it and was able to really move with some speed,” said a tester who wore the shoe on both wet and dry trails in the Colorado foothills and high country. Other testers described the updated Xodus as “easy to run in” and “very springy, responsive” with a “bounce that helped propel me forward.” One tester described their runs as “effortless” when moving across rolling terrain in Northern California.

There’s not so much cush that we felt disconnected from the trails. Instead, the responsive foam let us react to rough ground underfoot and worked with enhanced stability from a widened platform with reinforced sidewalls to keep our balance secure, even on off-camber terrain. Underfoot, four-millimeter lugs made of Saucony’s proprietary tacky rubber added to the cape-like effect in a range of conditions. “I was able to land on wet roots and move the way I wanted to,” said one tester. “I felt strong in this shoe,” said another, while a third noted that the Xodus Ultra 3 “provided exceptional downhill cushioning without feeling unstable.”

Closed (but breathable) mesh keeps out debris, adds protection to the top of the foot, and fits “like a hug,” said one. One minor complaint was that the stretchy laces, while adding comfort on mild trails, made it hard to cinch the fit tight enough for narrow-footed runners to feel secure on highly technical terrain.

This is a great all-around trail shoe that runs smoothly on gravel while excelling on rocky, rooty, sloppy trails as well. We picked the Xodus Ultra 3 as the best all-around for its ability to turn mortals into speedsters on technical terrain for just $160—and because we can’t think of a trail we wouldn’t want to run in it, or a runner we wouldn’t recommend it for.

$220 at REI $220 at Backcountry

Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s), 8.1 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 38–30 mmDrop: 8 mmSizing: 6-13, 14 (men’s), 5-11 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Fast, smooth, and lively ride⊕ Adaptive stability⊗ Not great in really rocky terrain

Every Agravic Speed Ultra tester was in awe of how easily faster paces felt while wearing this shoe. “I consistently ran about 30 seconds per mile faster while running in these shoes than what the effort felt like,” said a masters tester. Adidas designers skillfully adapted the elements of a road super shoe to create a similar, effort-reducing, propulsive feel in a shoe that works on the uncertain terrain of the trail.

Underfoot, the main ingredients are a bouncy-but-not-too-soft gas-infused TPEE-based midsole working harmoniously with an embedded, trail-specific “plate.” Instead of a solid, rigid plate, Adidas uses semi-flexible rods that react independently to variations in the terrain. Made of PEBA in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates, the four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas’s road shoes, to enhance stability. One tester said the resulting ride “provided a lively pop without being tippy on variable surfaces or prescribing a set, rigid roll.”

Deep sculpted side walls surround a beveled heel, delivering smooth, secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered geometry from heel to toe delivers what one tester described as “a balanced ride that makes it easy to stay forward on my feet and drive backward with each stride, creating a quick, powerful push-off.”

For the outsole, Adidas uses the same trustworthy, grippy Continental rubber found on most of the brand’s running shoes. This trail-specific version features variable 2.5- to 3-millimeter lugs for surefooted, no-stress traction. As one might expect in a high-level racing shoe, the upper is kept to a minimum for weight reduction. Made with a non-stretch, breathable, quick-drying, woven material, we found it offered a secure, snug lockdown while providing a touch of abrasion protection.

Given the tall stack height, testers had to cautiously check their foot placements through technical rocky terrain. But wherever the terrain smoothed out and allowed for full strides, the Agravic Speed Ultra came alive and delivered a ride that testers said felt like flying. If you’ve been holding out for a plated trail racing shoe that gets almost everything right, the wait is over.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Honorable mention: Nike Ultrafly, Speedland GS:PDX

$275 at REI $275 at Running Warehouse

Weight: 10 oz (men’s), 7.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 40–35mm (men’s); 39–34mm (women’s)Drop: 5 mmSizes: Men’s 7-14, Women’s 5-11

Pros and Cons⊕ Gaiter keeps out trail debris⊕ Excellent balance of comfort and responsiveness⊕ Doesn’t feel tippy, despite carbon fiber plates⊗ Pricey

This third iteration of Hoka Tecton X is the best yet (and we’ve loved them all, awarding the debut model Gear of the Year in 2022). Like the first two, the Tecton X 3 features two carbon fiber plates within each shoe that sit parallel to each other, allowing them to move independently. This enables the shoe to morph over rocks and roots instead of tipping the foot, a sensation we’ve felt in some trail shoes that utilize one large plate. The two plates in the Tecton X 3 are slightly wider than those in version 2 and feature a winged shape under the heel that’s meant to add to the shoe’s stability on technical terrain.

Other updates include a softer layer of PEBA foam above the plate and directly beneath the foot which testers reported enhances the joint-comforting cushion over long, rugged runs. The bottom layer of foam remains firmly responsive for a tactile ground feel.

And then there’s the unique upper. While some testers were skeptical of having a gaiter built into the shoe, it proved not only comfortable but also highly effective. A tester who worried the material around the ankle would annoy her reported, “The gaiter is stretchy and adds to the overall comfort and techy feel.” Every tester appreciated how the built-in gaiter kept debris out of the shoes with zero irritation or awkward clips. The Matryx upper, made of high-strength synthetic yarns, was stretchy enough for easy on-and-offs and to move with the foot, while also doing a great job holding feet in place over wild terrain—while also being highly breathable. “I ran straight through a river, and the shoe dried out very quickly,” said a Boulder, Colorado-based tester.

The entire package—two layers of foam, four-millimeter Vibram Magagrip lugs, carbon-fiber plating, and a gaiter—comes in at minimal weight for such a rugged and feature-rich ride. “This thing is light, especially for a trail shoe,” marveled a female tester, adding, “It’s absolutely speed-inspiring.” The Tecton X 3 is our pick for ultra-runners and regular folks looking for a great shoe that can tackle the most mountainous terrain in comfort.

Honorable mention: Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, Hoka Speedgoat 6, Altra Mont Blanc Carbon

$140 at REI $140 at Brooks

Weight: 11.1 oz (men’s), 9.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 33–25 mmDrop: 8 mmSizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men’s); 5-12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Protective, stable ride⊕ Relatively agile for a shoe this rugged⊕ Durable midsole⊗ May feel firm for some

As trail runners, we ask a lot from our shoes. The relentless miles over dirt and rock gradually wear down the midsole, outsole, and upper. The Brooks Cascadia line has long been a versatile, stalwart workhorse of a trail shoe, built to keep performing, mile after mile.

“The Cascadia is meant for distance and rugged protection,” said one tester, citing its sturdy construction and stable platform. Underfoot, we found the EVA midsole runs on the firmer end of the spectrum, rewarding those who like a stable and protective ride with a touch of comfort. Weighing in at 11.1 ounces for men and 9.9 ounces for women, it’s “far from being a speed demon,” one tester said, calling it more of a “trail stallion built for longer, cozy runs.” Still, another tester noted, “The ride is more agile and light-footed than previous Cascadias, and surprising for a shoe this rugged.”

The outsole features Brooks’ proprietary rubber with 4.5 mm lugs, which testers praised for its grip on dirt and rocky terrain. However, one tester who wore them in Chamonix noted that the lug depth was too shallow to grip in snow and deep mud. Integrated into the midsole is a flexible rock plate that adds to the shoe’s ruggedness while adding a touch of stability.

The one knock that caused some issues for a few of our testers was the low volume and narrow toe box. “It’s not unbearable by any means, but it’s not ideal either,” noted one tester, especially if your feet are going to swell. If you’re between sizes or prefer extra room, we recommend sizing up a half size.

Honorable mention: Salomon Genesis, Adidas Terrex Agravic 3, Arc’teryx Sylan

$130 at REI $130 at Running Warehouse

Weight: 9.3 oz (men’s), 7.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 29.5–22.5 mmDrop: 7 mmSizing: 6-13, 14, 15 (men’s); 5-12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Lightweight and fast⊕ Nimble, low-profile ride⊕ Great pace versatility⊗ Upper lacks secure hold for technical terrain

Stripped of the high-tech features found in many of today’s speedy trail shoes, the Asics Fujilite 5 harkens back to the simplicity of old-school, low-profile, lightweight trail runners that feel like extensions of your feet. “It’s one of those shoes where as soon as I slide my foot into it, it feels so good. And then once laced up, it gets even better,” said one tester.

Underfoot, the EVA-blend foam feels tactile, connected, and moderately responsive, garnering speed and agility from a low weight and low profile rather than a springy foam. One tester described the ride as “fast and responsive” and “stable and secure enough to take risks and push the pace on trails.”

The one caveat is that the woven upper, which resembles that of a road shoe, didn’t offer the type of security we’d hope for through technical terrain. It did a great job of comfortably securing the foot on smooth surfaces, but once we needed to tip-toe through off-camber rock fields, we wanted more ankle stability.

Still, priced at $130, the Fujilite 5 is an incredible value with impressive versatility. Outside burly mountain running, we felt comfortable in this shoe on every trail. “It’s rare for a trail shoe to feel fast and also feel like you could run all day in them,” said one tester.

Honorable mention: Adidas Terrex Agravic 3, Brooks Divide 5

$145 at REI $145 at Running Warehouse

Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 8.6 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 28–28 mmDrop: 0 mmSizing: 8-13, 14, 15 (men’s); 6-11, 12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Well protected for mountainous terrain⊕ Great traction⊕ Balanced ride⊗ Not very fast on flats

All our zero drop enthusiasts agreed the Topo Pursuit 2 provided a well-protected, cushioned ride that still offers the natural, ground-connected experience that’s a hallmark of Topo shoes. The Pursuit 2 fared exceptionally well in mountainous terrain, particularly when going long. One tester noted, “The Pursuit 2 dances between rugged dependability and comfortable longevity.”

The modest 28 millimeters of EVA-blended foam underfoot struck a happy medium; neither too soft nor too firm. “The foam indents enough to contour around my feet, then firms up quickly and pushes back, allowing me to feel and engage with the trail and providing a stable, supportive stance and push-off platform,” said a tester who wore them on Rocky Mountain National Park and Nebraska sandhill trails. Another tester pointed out, “While they don’t feel like the speediest, springiest shoes out there, they provide amazing all-day comfort for a zero-drop shoe.”

As expected from a shoe that excels in the mountains, one of the highlights was the grip from its 4.5 mm Vibram lugs. “Topo nailed the specs on the lug height, Vibram tackiness, and sensitivity,” said one tester. The tightly woven, durable recycled mesh upper with a wide toe box provided a good amount of hold through the midfoot before tapering off around the toes.

Read our full review of the Topo Pursuit 2.

Honorable mention: Altra Timp 6

$160 at Backcountry $160 at Merrell

Weight: 8.3 oz (men’s), 6.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 23.5–19.5 mmDrop: 4 mmSizing: 7-15 (men’s), 5-11 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Lightweight, low-profile⊕ Secure foothold⊕ Nimble over rough terrain⊗ Cushioning can feel slight under toes

If you’re in need of an amazingly agile shoe to scale mountain trails like a bighorn sheep, the Long Sky 2 Matryx is here for it. The new upper, made out of Matryx—a thin, breathable, quick-drying synthetic fabric reinforced with super-durable Kevlar threads—secures the foot, with a half-booty tongue adding extra hold. Cutouts in the Vibram Megagrip outsole save weight between the tacky, grippy-rubber, five-millimeter lugs. The flexible, compression-molded EVA midsole is on the slight end, enabling confidence-inspiring proprioception and secure footplants on tricky terrain, and firm-but-adequate cushioning on hard-surface trails.

The upper and sole combination locks each stride to the ground. “It is such a lightweight shoe, with great traction and fit, that moving your feet over terrain is easier than in a more bulky, highly-cushioned shoe,” said Lousiville, Colorado-based tester Terri Kazanjian.

This was our go-to shoe for any fast-effort trail runs, or days we craved a highly nimble shoe that felt like an extension of our body. Kanzanjian summed up: “This shoe makes you feel nimble and peppy on technical terrain, like you can run up those hills and bomb those descents faster than normal.”

Honorable mention: Brooks Catamount 3, Dynafit Ultra Trail 100, Inov-8 TrailFly

$179 at Backcountry (Women’s) $179 at Backcountry (Men’s)

Weight: 9.5 oz (men’s), 7.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 22–18 mmDrop: 4 mmSizing: European sizing 40-48 (men’s), 36-43 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Effective, toothy grip on soft surfaces⊕ Low gaiter-link heel collar helps keep out debris⊗ Harsh ride on hard-packed trails

The “ST” in the name stands for “Soft Terrain,” which is what this shoe is best suited for. Here’s the main reason why: 7 mm(!) lugs made out of Vibram Mega Grip rubber take hold in soft dirt, mud, and snow, offering secure footing on even the sloppiest surfaces. Complementing the toothiness is an impressively secure foothold from PU overlays that encase a stretchy mesh-paneled upper and pull securely around the foot when the laces are tightened. A tester with a bunion on one foot noted the shoe’s narrow and unstretchy toe box caused some irritation but raved about the shoe’s ability to grab hold in soft dirt.

We reached for this shoe often on snowy terrain—either on trails or when snow turned neighborhood roads into trails. The high heel collar made out of a neoprene-like stretch woven textile, which keeps trail debris out of the shoe in summer, also does a good job keeping kicked-up snow from infiltrating socks. The upper isn’t Gore-Tex, however, and doesn’t try to keep water out. Instead, moisture flows both in and out, and we appreciated the breathability on all-season runs where high effort caused hot feet, and for wet conditions when we wanted drainage. A plus: a lace-locking device and hidden lace pocket both eliminates unwanted loosening and snagging on low branches and roots.

With slight EVA cushioning in the midsole (22 mm under the heel and 18 mm under the forefoot), this isn’t a shoe you’d want to wear running hard-packed trails or road sections. But for the soft terrain it was intended for, the underfoot feel was just right, making the Scarpa Spin ST excel at tearing up the trail.

Honorable mention: Inov8 Mudtalon Speed, Saucony Peregrine 13 ST, VJ Shoes XTRM 2

$145 at REI $145 at Backcountry

Weight: 10 oz (men’s), 8.7 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 32–28 mm (men’s), 30–26 (women’s)Drop: 4 mmSizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men’s); 5.5-12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Flexible sole allows natural feel⊕ Soft, comfortable upper⊕ Smooth-rolling moderate lugs grip tame trails⊗ Lacks underfoot protection

Altra and zero drop are as intertwined as peanut butter and jelly—the brand pioneered the concept. To make their signature wide toe box accessible to more runners, however, Altra has now introduced a line of low-drop shoes. Coming in at a four-millimeter differential from heel to forefoot, the all-new Altra Experience Wild is ideal for those seeking a bit more rearfoot cushioning while still enjoying the roomy fit and foot-shaped comfort Altra is known for. We found the Experience Wild delivers a smooth, flexible ride that floats over groomed trails.

The Experience Wild is soft overall, making one tester laud it as a “great all-day shoe.” The midsole and upper are both generously padded without much structure, which testers found lends itself to more mellow trail terrain and door-to-trail running. The outsole features moderate four-millimeter lugs with flex grooves between each toe, which “creates lots of flexibility for the foot to adapt naturally to the terrain,” noted one tester, who added, “However, they are also pretty lacking in protection.” This wasn’t an issue on groomed trails—if anything, it made for a smoother ride—but as soon as the terrain became more technical, we found ourselves wishing for a sturdier shoe.

Testers found the Experience Wild a refreshing addition to Altra’s trail lineup, opening the brand to more runners and making the ride more comfortable for runners not fully adapted to zero-drop. One remarked, “This is the first time I’ve been genuinely excited about a pair of Altras in a long time.”

Read our full review of the Altra Experience Wild.

Honorable mention: Nike Pegasus Trail 5, Craft Nordlite Ultra

$140 at REI (Women’s) $140 at REI (Men’s)

Weight: 10.6 oz (men’s), 8.6 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 37–27.5 mmDrop: 9.5 mmSizes: 6-15 (men’s) 5-12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Transitions well from asphalt to dirt⊕ Secure fit for off-road confidence⊕ Good-looking enough for casual wear⊗ Not as cushioned as some other road-to-trail shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is for runners who value a shoe that can take them from home to the trail and back, running smoothly on pavement while offering traction and foothold on even the most technical off-road terrain. What puts this shoe above other road-to-trail options is its superior performance on uneven, rooty, and rocky terrain. Flywire technology (super-strong, thin, and lightweight thread) in the upper kept our feet from sloshing around inside the shoe and helped us maintain quick, secure foot plants. “I felt confident in both the traction and how my feet remained in control on a burly trail with lots of rocks and ups and downs,” said a Boulder, Colorado, tester.

The cushioning is updated in this version to Nike’s smoothly responsive ReactX foam, and while the stack might not be as abundant as that found in last season’s pick, the Craft Nordlite Ultra, it is soft and thick enough to soften pavement impact, especially under the forefoot. The shoe runs smoothly on roads with its flexible forefoot and 3.5 mm lugs that are hardly noticeable. But when you reach dirt those lugs kick into action and deliver solid traction.

Tightly woven mesh around the toe box adds durability, while strategically placed holes around the midfoot allow breathability. The addition of a looped cord at the heel makes this shoe easy to pull on—a simple feature we appreciated every time we used it.

This shoe also looks fashionable enough to crossover to casual wear, adding to its versatility. “It’s a great shoe for travel that might include hiking, running, walking, and general adventuring,” said our lead tester who put it through the paces in Colorado and Costa Rica.

Honorable mention: Craft Nordlite Ultra, ON Running Cloudsurfer Trail

$150 at REI $150 at Brooks

Weight: 10.6 oz (men’s), 9.4 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 38.5–32.5 mmDrop: 6 mmSizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men’s), 5-11, 12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Well cushioned while still stable⊕ Great fitting, protective upper⊕ Smooth-rolling ride⊗ Unsuited for really rocky terrain

For those who believe big and bold are better traits for trail shoes, look no further than the maximum cushioned Brooks Caldera 7. This monster of a shoe is best suited for ultra-long outings, shorter recovery runs, or road-to-trail jaunts when underfoot comfort and protection are a priority.

“Brooks nailed the sweet spot for cushioning,” said Michael Heimes of West Reading, Pennsylvania, noting that while comfortably soft, the midsole was not so squishy that instability and energy loss became a factor. To complement the smooth cushioning, Brooks extends the nitrogen-injected EVA-rubber blend midsole up into sidewalls that raise high around the heel, creating a cupping effect to secure it in place, then dip lower along the forefoot to improve flexibility and deliver a smooth ride. The sidewalls, coupled with an extra-wide footprint, make the Caldera 7 one of the more stable rides we tested.

One might think this highly-cushioned, wide platform would make it challenging to tackle undulating terrain, yet testers found the opposite. “Despite the maximal protection and high stack height, the ride still has plenty of ground feel,” tester Louis Brenner of Montana found. Short of extremely rocky, sloped, technical trails, the wide, oversized profile rolls over rough terrain like an offroad 4×4, comfortably absorbing every little bump and groove. Beneath the thick midsole is a full-coverage outsole, thickly studded with four-millimeter lugs, that instills a grip and rip-it confidence on most terrain, including roads.

While not designed to be speedy, testers found the improved flex grooves made the toe roll smoother and the shoe feel faster and more agile than previous versions. For the upper, Brooks used a new TPEE air mesh with a firm-toe bumper guard and an external cage to further beef up protection and hold your foot firmly. We welcomed the protective armor the upper provided, but some of our narrow-footed testers found it fit a little too wide and roomy for their liking.

Honorable mention: Hoka Challenger ATR 7, Nike Zegama 2

$130 at Running Warehouse $130 at Topo Athletic

Weight: 9.3 oz (men’s), 7.7 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 28–23mmDrop: 5 mmSizing: 8-13, 14, 15 (men’s), 6-11, 12 (women’s)

Pros and Cons⊕ Comfortable anatomical fit⊕ Improved, soft-and-bouncy cushioning⊕ Supreme traction⊗ Can lack agility for narrow-footed testers

The MT-5 is a significant evolution from the MT-4, with a higher stack height (three millimeters more foam under the heel, one millimeter more in the forefoot), a different foam (softer and bouncier), and an updated Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole (grippier when wet). The comfortable fit remains distinctly Topo—with a secure-fitting heel and arch giving way to a roomy, rounded toebox. The updates nudge the shoe from a borderline minimal model to a more mainstream, lightly cushioned, nimble daily trainer. We dig it.

A tester who runs trails in Louisville and Boulder, Colorado, said, “This is a perfect choice for a trail sneaker that offers cushion in the heel, but allows you to feel the earth under the toes.” And, although she often runs in zero-drop shoes, she said of the MT-5’s five-millimeter offset: “You don’t notice the drop as it feels very proportionate.”

Topo positions the shoe as a beginner’s trail shoe, or a road-to-trail shoe, but we found it won high marks on a variety of terrain even from our more seasoned trail runners. Because of the Vibram outsole, it seems much more at home on the dirt—even in “deep-ass, Belgium-style mud,” said a tester who runs in Boulder and Winter Park, Colorado—than on concrete or pavement, but can work as a one-quiver shoe. “I’ll add this shoe to my Goldilocks pile,” she added.

Honorable mention: Altra Lone Peak 8

$150 at REI (Women’s) $150 at REI (Men’s)

Weight: 11.2 oz (men’s), 8.9 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 37.9–29.9 mmDrop: 6 mmSizing: 7-17 (men’s), 5-12 (women’s) in three widths

Pros and Cons⊕ Soft, comfortable upper⊕ Balance of cushion and ground sensitivity⊕ All-terrain adaptability⊗ Poor underfoot rock protection

The Fresh Foam Hierro v8 earns its place among our favorites thanks to its lightweight feel, cushy underfoot comfort, and tactile agility. Whether navigating singletrack or pounding pavement to get to the trails, it effortlessly transitions across a variety of terrain, making it an excellent all-around light trail choice for beginners and intermediate trail runners.

Out of the box, the Hierro v8 is as comfortable of a shoe as you’ll find. Like the Hierro v7 it features the lighter and softer version of New Balance’s proprietary Fresh Foam EVA blended midsole, now made from approximately 40 percent bio-based materials. Shelby Katz of Boulder, Colorado, described the midsole cushioning as “super supple,” while fellow Boulderite Molly Bockmann noted it felt soft enough to be comfy and protective but not so much that it was unresponsive or marshmallowy.

Despite its ample cushioning, the Hierro v8 offers a remarkably sensitive ride, almost akin to a minimalist shoe, allowing runners to feel every bump and contour of the trail. While this ground feedback appealed to some, the soft midsole, lacking an embedded rock plate, permits runners to feel even the smallest rocks underfoot, for better or worse. One pleased tester noted, “The proprioceptive connection to the trail, along with raised sidewalls surrounding the heel and a flared forefoot under the big toe, make the ride much more stable and nimble than expected for a shoe this soft and cushioned.”

Apart from one thick muddy run where a tester experienced severe clumping, testers all agreed the Vibram outsole with 4.5 mm lugs offered exceptional traction and grip without feeling bumpy or harsh on hardpack or road. All enjoyed how the engineered mesh upper—made of 100 percent recycled materials and print died for less pollution—felt airy while providing a superb foothold from the smooth-syncing lacing system. The protective, extra-firm, reinforced toe bumper was also a welcome addition for durability and safety.

The Hierro v8 is an excellent choice if you only want to buy one trail shoe, or if you’re going on a trip and only want to pack one pair. This is a perfect explorer shoe, said one tester. “You could go out without a plan and not regret wearing these.”

Honorable mention: Brooks Divide 5, Hoka Challenger ATR 7

$150 at Amazon (Women’s) $150 at Amazon (Men’s)

Weight: 12 oz (men’s), 10.1 oz (women’s)Stack Height: 25–22 mmDrop: 3 mmSizing: Men’s 7–15, Women’s 6–12

Pros and Cons⊕ Rugged and durable⊕ Excellent waterproofing⊕ Grippy traction⊗ Stiff, lacks bounciness

Big mountain running can be relentless. Between the shifty, unpredictable weather and rocky, technical footing, you need a shoe as tough as the mountain itself, but not so rugged it grinds up your feet. Enter the Topo Terraventure 4 WP. One tester described the shoe as a “burly mountain machine,” citing its aggressive outsole, highly durable construction, and secure foothold. Those seeking a high-cushioned, bouncy trail running shoe should look elsewhere— this protective, waterproof running or hiking shoe keeps you stable and connected to the ground with its firm, low-profile sole that delivers just a hint of responsive cushioning.

What the shoe lacks in softness, however, it makes up for in fit. Designed with Topo’s signature wide, anatomical toe box to allow for natural toe splay, combined with a tailored trim through the midfoot and heel, the hold is secure without compromising mobility. “This shoe fit my foot like a glove,” gushed one tester. Underfoot, a full-coverage, large-lugged Vibram Megagrip outsole tackles any trail surface with aplomb, and a flexible forefoot rock plate adds phenomenal poke-through protection, increasing its big mountain prowess. Testers enjoyed the eVent upper’s ability to prevent water from seeping in but warned it severely lacked breathability, making it best suited for fall and wet wintery conditions. The Terraventure 4 WP is a bargain, too. You’d be hard-pressed to find any other waterproof trail/mountain running shoe for anything near the $150 price point.

Honorable mention: The North Face Vectiv Infinite 2 Futurelight, Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX, Nike Pegasus Trail 5 Gore-Tex

If you’re in the market for a trail shoe, first consider the type of trails you run on regularly: do you tackle rugged, mountainous terrain, or stick to mellow dirt paths? Some trail shoes can handle both adequately, while others are specialized and excel in one or the other. Shoes with smaller lugs are generally better on smoother, firmer terrain, whereas shoes with deeper, more aggressive outsoles are optimized for steep, muddy, or rocky trails. If you like to feel the trail and dance around rocks and roots, you’ll likely prefer a light, more minimal shoe, but if you’d rather let the shoe roll over trail variations, cushioning and protecting while you zone out, you should look for a shoe with a thicker midsole.

Once you’ve narrowed the search to a certain type of trail shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner’s body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each trail shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of trail running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you’re running. To determine fit and feel, there’s no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn’t slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

If the shoe fits, it’s time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who proposed this method of shoe selection, calls it the “comfort filter,” but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your “preferred movement path.” In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you’ll know that you’ve found your pair.

It’s likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between “A” or “B,” “1” or “2.” You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few proven ways to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is little scientific evidence correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties—like cushioning or pronation control—with running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don’t consistently reduce injuries.

Don’t assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you’re a heavier runner, or if you’re a beginner—evidence doesn’t support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on improving your mechanics).

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand’s new offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (32 trail running shoes this season) that are most promising—and distribute them to 26 testers who range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in shoes from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every trail running shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. We then weigh this season’s bests against the heros from previous seasons that are still available and choose winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Freelance journalist, editor, and author Lisa Jhung has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for Outside. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa’s written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the shoes & gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner’s World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running—really running—after walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She’s happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt…but is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn’t Suck: How to Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory’s passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he’s determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master’s circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he’s tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for Outside, Runner’s World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of Run Your Personal Best, an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners’ to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

One of Cory Smith’s go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner’s World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at Outside. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century—and a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the ’70s—he’s given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume by about half and slowed his easy training pace to around nine-minute miles—but he says he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book Your Best Stride which explores how each individual’s gait—and thus shoe preference—is unique. He enjoys getting scientists’ take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe’s ride.

One of Jonathan Beverly’s go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

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