Are you trying to find trail running shoes among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling trail running shoes on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 24 hours of research and did 56 trail running shoes tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best trail running shoes you can buy today
- Rugged outsole: Grippy lugs on the outsole are made with carbon rubber for rock-solid footing.
- Versatile cushioning: A moderate stack VERSARUN cushioning packs plenty of underfoot comfort no matter the destination.
- Durable protection: The trail-specific mesh with supportive overlays locks your foot into place and protects from debris without looking or feeling bulky.
- Lighter footprint: This style contains recycled materials.
- THIS MEN'S SHOE IS FOR: Trail Runners who want to explore and feel protected on changing terrain. This shoe is made to adapt quickly so runners stay comfortable and stable. Predecessor: Cascadia 15
- SUPPORT IN ALL TERRAIN: Release grooves in the midsole allow for enhanced adaptability on rough terrain, while the Ballistic Rock Shield now includes vertical grooves to provide side-to-side adaptability. Updated construction allows the shoe to adapt, flex, and protect the foot in all terrains.
- CUSHION AND COMFORT: New DNA LOFT v2 Technology provides 10% softer and 20% lighter cushioning than previous models. New 2mm of foam in the midsole gives added comfort.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS: TrailTack rubber outsole provides wet-dry traction, drainage ports allow water to escape quickly, and gusset keeps out sand and small debris, allowing for high performance on all trails and conditions.
- Over an ounce lighter than its predecessor, the Peregrine 12 delivers more speed for an incredibly fun trail outing.
- Ditch debris with a redesigned lug pattern, while PWRTRAC rubber ensures maximum traction and grip. There’s no amount of rugged terrain you can’t tackle.
- A new and improved rock plate sheds moisture and gives you more flexibility for each and every step
- GEL Technology:
- Re-engineered outsole lugs for better off-road traction:
- Reduced amount of overlays around the forefoot without sacrificing durability:
- GEL Technology -
- FOOTSHAPE: Our signature FootShape comfort gives your feet more space to sit naturally and is designed to address biological differences in men's and women's feet.
- ALTRA EGO: Our original Altra EGO foam is designed to harmonize the balance between responsiveness and comfort.
- BALANCED CUSHIONING: Our Balanced Cushioning platform positions your heel and forefoot at an equal distance from the ground, encouraging better alignment and form.
- MAXTRAC: Our grippy MaxTrac outsole provides the perfect combination of grip, traction, and durability on all types of terrain.
- Stay Focused: With our MaxTrac outsole and multi-directional TrailClaw lug pattern for grippy traction, you can focus on the trail infront of you
- Go Further: Balanced Cushioning platform places the heel and forefoot the same distance from the ground, which encourages low-impact landings
- Stay Comfortable: Signature Altra FootShape toe boxes allow your toes to spread and encourages proper, low-impact form throughout your run
- Lock In: The wrap-around fit keeps your foot stable so all you have to do is lace up
- Removeable StoneGuard
- Men's trail running shoes made for excellent grip in wet or dry conditions
- LIGHTWEIGHT COMFORT: Synthetic upper for durability and light weight
- CONTINENTAL RUBBER OUTSOLE: Continental Rubber outsole provides extraordinary traction in wet and dry conditions; Officially licensed Continental product
- ADIDAS LIGHTSTRIKE: adidas Lightstrike is redefining the next generation of speed with a super-light midsole designed for dynamic, lightweight movement
- MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste
- Lighter. Faster. Infinitely more fun.
- Over an ounce lighter than its predecessor, the Peregrine 12 delivers more speed for an incredibly fun trail outing.
- Never skip a beat: Ditch debris with a redesigned lug pattern, while PWRTRAC rubber ensures maximum traction and grip.
- There’s no amount of rugged terrain you can’t tackle. Better protection rocks.
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Toe Protect technology helps protect feet from rocks, roots and debris
- Synthetic/mesh upper
- Aggressive lugged outsole provides superior off-road traction
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- DynaSoft midsole foam with approximately 3% bio-based content couples ultra-responsive performance with plush comfort. Bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint.
- Engineered mesh upper for breathability
- Upper features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- EVA foam insert increases comfort
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- THIS WOMEN'S SHOE IS FOR: Trail Runners who want to explore and feel protected on changing terrain. This shoe is made to adapt quickly so runners stay comfortable and stable. Predecessor: Cascadia 15
- SUPPORT IN ALL TERRAIN: Release grooves in the midsole allow for enhanced adaptability on rough terrain, while the Ballistic Rock Shield now includes vertical grooves to provide side-to-side adaptability. Updated construction allows the shoe to adapt, flex, and protect the foot in all terrains.
- CUSHION AND COMFORT: New DNA LOFT v2 Technology provides 10% softer and 20% lighter cushioning than previous models. New 2mm of foam in the midsole gives added comfort.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE IN ALL ENVIRONMENTS: TrailTack rubber outsole provides wet-dry traction, drainage ports allow water to escape quickly, and gusset keeps out sand and small debris, allowing for high performance on all trails and conditions.
- Lightweight mesh upper with 3-color digital print delivers complete breathability
- Durable leather overlays for stability & that locks in your midfoot
- EVA sockliner provides soft, step-in comfort
- Charged Cushioning midsole uses compression molded foam for ultimate responsiveness & durability
- Solid rubber outsole covers high impact zones for greater durability with less weight
- Offset: 10mm
- NEUTRAL: For runners who need a balance of flexibility & cushioning
- Lace type: Standard tie
- Men's outdoor trail running shoes with a rugged build
- BREATHABLE BUILD: Mesh and textile upper provides breathability and support
- CUSHIONED MIDSOLE: EVA midsole provides lightweight cushioning with every step
- TRAXION OUTSOLE: Traxion outsole maximizes grip in all directions with lugs designed for rugged terrain
- MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Supportive synthetic upper
- Upper features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Unique marbled outsole
- Internal Heel Counter: Improves support and stability
- Injection E;V;A; midsole cushioning foam: Creates a softer soft feel at footstrike
- Redesigned outsole pattern: Improves durability and provides excellent grip on off-road surfaces
- Injection E;V;A; midsole cushioning foam: Creates a softer soft feel at footstrike
- 8 mm drop; due to variances created during the development and manufacturing processes, all references to 8 mm drop are approximate
- Fresh Foam X midsole delivers our most cushioned Fresh Foam experience for incredible comfort
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Upper features a breathable yet protected construction
- Vibram Megagrip outsole provides superior grip. Vibram is a registered trademark of VIBRAM S.p.A All rights reserved.
- VERSARUN cushioning keeps you moving in balanced comfort all day long.
- Grippy carbon-rubber lugs provide the best traction, so no matter what kind of terrain you cross, you’ll feel unstoppable.
- Fresh design details deliver the trail protection you need with a look that goes beyond the outdoors.
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Supportive synthetic upper
- Upper features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Lace-up closure for a secure fit
- Mesh upper: Improves airflow and help keep feet cool.
- Overlays are strategically positioned in the toe, midfoot, and the heel to keep feet protected from:
- AMPLIFOAM midsole technology is a durable cushioning foam that helps create a softer feel at footst:
- GEL Technology: Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Durable outsole tread: Provides excellent grip on off-road surfaces.
How to choose a good trail running shoes
Does the idea of finding a fantastic trail running shoes make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in trail running shoes. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top trail running shoes products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top trail running shoes on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top trail running shoes brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top trail running shoes based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the trail running shoes were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good trail running shoes, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your trail running shoes.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting trail running shoes for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our trail running shoes. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what trail running shoes should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on trail running shoes.
