Best Trail Running Shoes 2019 | Best Off-Road Running Shoes – Runner’s World

What trail running means to runners is as varied and unique as the off-road terrain that we cover. To some, trail running is a spiritual, transformative experience that may help develop understanding about the environment and mortality previously unknown to us. But you don’t have to experience a transcendentalist mindset or nirvana to qualify as a trail runner. To lots of us, running a short trail adjacent to a local park is simply an easy way to add extra miles onto a regular neighborhood loop. These benefits are equally bona fide, and they’re what inspire ultrarunners and weekend warriors alike to spend more time outside.

Whatever your preference or personal ideology, we think every runner can be a trail runner, especially with the help of a good pair of shoes. The two main things to consider before purchasing a trail running shoe are what type of shoes your feet need (think stiff or pliable, neutral or stable, wide or narrow, high or low heel-to-toe drop) and what type of shoes the terrain you run demands. With the latter, try to think about whether the trails you encounter are technical or smooth, flat or steep, have loose or firm footing, and whether or not you cross water.

Rigid shoes with deep lugs (5mm+) are best on technical trails with poor footing, but they’ll also be far less forgiving, even uncomfortable, on road runs. These shoes will serve you better the more unforgiving the terrain and may work for day hiking as well.

Hybrid shoes have shorter lugs (2 to 4mm) and a softer on-road feel than their burly siblings, and are well-suited for soft singletrack and local wooded trails that don’t make you slow to a walk due to unsure footing.

The following are trail shoes that we think deserve special recognition because they are worthy of our readers’ feet. These 13 shoes were tested by us, and at least one will likely offer the fit and function you need.

The Peregrine has always had a place in our hearts for its deep lugs and maximum traction, coupled with an uncanny ability to transition to the road. The latest iteration is no different, but adds an ISOFit upper—Saucony’s winged midfoot system for lacing, which easily adapts to any foot. The shoe’s Everun midsole strikes a nice balance between just enough cushion and a connected ground feel.

Altra’s lightest trail shoe yet (we weighed it at 8.7 ounces for a men’s size 9 and 8.3 ounces for a women’s size 7), the zero-drop Superior 4 has a softer, cushier feel than the 3.5 but the same highly responsive ride. The shoe’s clawlike lugs give it solid grip, even on slick surfaces. Removable stone guards are included for tackling more technical trails. A wide toe-box gives your feet plenty of room to move, breathe, and even swell after a long day.

The OG Terraventure won us over for its versatility on and off the trail. We were wary of changes with the second iteration, but the two biggest updates—a sticky Vibram sole and grippier lug pattern—only solidified the shoe’s placement among our favorites. The shoe is also slightly heavier and firmer than its predecessor, but remains lightweight and nimble-feeling overall. An anatomical toe-box lets your toes naturally splay, while a tighter-fitting midfoot keeps the shoe in place while you’re hopping around rocks.

You won’t find a lot of protection here from choppy gravel—the Roclite 290 doesn’t have much in the way of pillowy-soft cushioning, though it’s far from a minimalist shoe. Our testers found it to be fast and flexible on hard-packed dirt and grass, with a firm, connected ground feel that makes it easy to go into that mindless-but-joyful flow state on technical trail. The woven mesh upper with rubber overlays is comfortable and breathable, but slightly narrow at the forefoot. Stellar traction helps you grip to the walls of curved trail berms like Spiderman.

Salomon’s S/Lab line is the brand’s crème de la crème of shoes, featuring premium materials and geared toward competitive runners and its stable of professionals. Designed for ultrarunners, the shoe features an internal sleeve that snuggly wraps the foot, keeping you firmly in place while allowing the shoe to respond when your feet swell over hours on the trail. This version of the Ultra also features a set of detached “wings” on the upper that provide adaptability over the arch and midfoot. The S/Lab Ultra is sold only in men’s sizes.

The latest version of Brooks’s popular Caldera trail shoe has a higher heel and forefoot height for more soft padding on technical trails. That said, it doesn’t sacrifice stiffness or weigh down your foot, providing maximum comfort at a light weight. The breathable mesh upper lets in water but drains and dries out quickly. And a new front gaiter attachment loop and lace keeper stop your laces from dragging or untying midrun.

The Mazama 2 is Brooks’s lightest trail shoe, geared for runners who aren’t afraid to take their speed workouts off-road. Testers said that the responsive feel made navigating even the most technical trails a breeze. Add in the fact that the outsole packs enough grip for tough terrain but also has the versatility for road running. A great feature of the Mazama 2 is the shoe’s lace garage, which allows wearers to tuck their laces within a small flap on the tongue.

The Hierro can easily transition to pavement when necessary, thanks to its soft cushioning. A stretchy film wraps the upper to provide structure and protection while still allowing the foot to flex freely. A favorite feature among our testers was the knit around the ankle, which successfully keeps trail debris out. The sole is softer than that of the V2, but the shoe is a bit less flexible and heavier. Though our wear-testers noticed, they still gave it a high overall mark.

An off-road take on the Hoka One One Clifton, the Challenger 5 ATR starts with the same thick mattress of lightweight foam and adds 4mm lugs added for grabbing hold of dirt and mud. This iteration of the shoe better spreads out the lugs for enhanced grip at the forefoot—and crowds them together at the heel in an effort to improve the shoe’s ride. A wide toebox and breathable mesh upper ensure max comfort on any terrain—even on the road, this shoe feels comfortable and lightweight.

The TrailMaker is a good choice for runners who want to take on a variety of terrain, for long hours, without losing confidence in their traction. Deep, 4 to 5mm lugs help grip a range of technical challenges, from rocks to gravel; the tread pattern and durable Continental rubber outsole help you stick your landing, even in slick conditions; and the reinforced, seamless upper holds your foot in place.

Much like its ultra-running namesake, Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, the Speedgoat 3 doesn’t mess around. Light and fast despite its mass cushion, the shoe provides the ultimate platform for soft landings when darting downhill on a technical trail. This iteration of the shoe has a wider toe-box and snug-yet-nonconstricting fit through the heel and midfoot. Sticky 5mm lugs practically stick to the walls when you’re running up a rocky incline.

2017’s “Best Debut” award winner returns with some minor tweaks to the midsole and outsole but retains its high-performing ride and wallet-friendly price. Big diamond-shaped lugs are spaced out enough to bite into soft ground yet roll smoothly on hard trails and dirt roads. Based on the company’s Fresh Foam Zante road shoe, the Gobi gives trail runners a fast-feeling option for training or races.

This burly trail crusher brings plenty of structure and support to a responsive platform. But the outsole is where it won us over—sticky, aggressive lugs line the perimeter and bottom of the shoe, making it easy to grab hold of uneven terrain. We also appreciated the heavy-duty toe cap, which protects the foot from kicking into rock. A breathable mesh upper and just the right amount of cushion in the midsole make this stand-out shoe versatile enough to manage long, slow mileage and speed workouts. $130