The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024

"You should run trails," they said. "It'll be fun," they said. Well, it's true! Whether you're a long-time trail fiend, just starting to dip your toes in the scene, or anywhere in between, our guide is here to help highlight the best trail running shoes on the market. We break down the best trail running shoes by recommended terrain to help make your shopping experience easy, and our detailed list below narrows down our top picks for every type of trail run. From weekend jaunts to ultramarathon races, party pace jogs on your local trails to bagging FKTs on your favourite peaks, our bespoke list highlights the finest trail running shoes for various scenarios, trail types, and preferences.

Different trail shoes offer varying levels of cushioning, grip, and structure. From smooth paths to technical mountainous trails, each shoe is designed to perform well on specific types of off-road terrains. When choosing a trail running shoe, it's important to identify the types of trails you will run on and the amount of cushioning you prefer underfoot. Just as with all shoes, you want to match the right tool to the user and the task in mind, such as comfortable daily cruising, racing short distances, traversing ultra distances, or staying connected on tricky technical terrain. Once you've dialled in the usage of the shoe, you can identify other preferences for details like lacing systems, lace garages, ankle gaiter attachment points, and more.

In the big picture, choosing a shoe that fits your feet comfortably and works well for your purposes is most important. Not sure which ones to pick? Don't worry - we're here to help. Check out our article on how to choose a trail running shoe, and please don't hesitate to reach out by phone, live chat, or email to speak with one of our experts!

As with all shoes for running, walking, or hiking, a good fit is the most important thing to look for in a trail running shoe. There should be enough room in the forefoot to prevent crowding of your toes, and the shoe should feel comfortable based on your individual preferences, like upper snugness, heel padding, etc. We strongly recommend leaving at least half an inch of space (or conveniently, often about a thumbnail's width) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. This is especially important on trails, as you'll inevitably be kicking a few rocks, and your foot will likely shift forward while on longer or steeper descents. Overall, trail running shoes should fit securely through the mid-foot and heel so that your foot doesn't shift or slip within the shoe while allowing room for comfort around (not just in front of) your toes.

Our team of experts tests vast quantities of running shoes over a broad range of paces, distances, and terrains to determine the best options available. After putting in the miles and composing in-depth reviews, we huddle to discuss, debate, and curate our "best of" lists to help empower you to make an informed best choice for your specific needs and goals.

The ASICS Trabuco Max 3, a highly deserving favourite of more than one member of our expert team. In brief, this FF Blast+ midsole is a grin waiting to happen, delivering us a soft, bouncy, absolute monster truck experience that's ready to devour long miles on the trail. With a roomy fit, sticky ASICSGRIP outsole, and toe rocker geometry, the Trabuco Max will keep you rolling down the miles in comfort.

For a versatile trail shoe option, we are fans of the NNormal Kjerag, pronounced "sche-rak." Named after a Norwegian mountain worthy of many a photo op and created by the trail-racing GOAT, Killian Jornet, not just for his personal use defeating the world's best at iconic races but for all of us to enjoy the best of everything: technologies, materials, and planet-friendly production in one incredible package. This shoe is low to the ground and stunningly lightweight, with firm supercritical EVA foam that we found breaks in very nicely with use. We were blown away by how it's more protective from underfoot rocks than it rightfully ought to be by appearance. The Vibram Megagrip outsole defines sure-footedness, and the Matryx upper provides a locked-down fit with a comfortable room, especially in the toe box, to accommodate various foot types. In short, the NNormal Kjerag earns an award-winning chef's kiss from us as one of the strongest debut models from a brand ever.

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The Salomon Genesis is a beautiful example of a supremely capable trail shoe that we can put our trust in on sketchy terrain. It's a tested and true fan favorite for going fast, going far, and tackling any trail with confidence. If you need a shoe that can handle anything you put in front of it, you won't regret giving the Genesis a long, close look and choosing it as a reliable companion.

As the best road-to-trail shoe, the HOKA Challenger 7 wins again! Its combination of HOKA's hallmark, high-stacked foam, and smooth-rolling MetaRockered design allows us to comfortably cruise over endless miles. Together with an All-Terrain outsole, we appreciate how the Challenger is equally at home on roads as it is on the trail, making it too hard to resist as our repeat champion in this category. With more cushioning and versatility than before, we recommend THIS version of the Challenger to get on your feet for carrying you through heaps of mixed-used training miles.

Another defending champ retains its crown, and honestly, it wasn't even close — the Salomon Speedcross 6 is simply too good for us to dethrone. For successfully tearing through sodden, boggy, muddy slop, our conversation begins and ends with the Speedcross. With its dominating upper security, a medium stack of firm foam, and aggressive lugs, it's no surprise that the Speedcross gets the job done! Don't just drool over them; put them to good use and go, play in the mud!

The Merrell MTL Skyfire was crafted for to elevate your trail racing experience. Featuring a healthy portion of float pro foam for long distance comfort and an engineered flex plate inbedded in the midsole for enhanced performance and protection. This shoe is designed to feel ultra light and responsive for even the steepest climbs.

Likely the hottest and most-anticipated trail shoe drop over the last few years, the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra wasted no time taking top honors at prestigious ultra races and on our very own humble list. The Lightstrike Pro foam is arguably the best in the game. When shaped into a superbly smooth full rocker, then paired with TPE Energy Rods (tested over and over again to perform better on trails than carbon rods), this super shoe is a light-speed rocket of propulsion, which we love. Connecting us to the trail, the excellent Continental rubber lugs range from 2 mm depth in the center for smooth rolling speed to 4 mm depth at the edges for aggressive traction. Buckle up (see what we did there?) and smash your PRs.

At least one member of our expert team had the Altra Timp 5 seriously considered on the Best Overall and Most Versatile shortlists. We believe the new addition of Vibram Megagrip in the outsole ensures this is the best Timp ever. As another option that hits our do-everything sweet spot of stack height and foam temperament, the Timp can comfortably handle daily training, long runs, and even technical trails with ease, all coupled with a zero-drop, locked-down fit, and spacious toe box. Overall, the Timp is a beautifully simple, comfortable, and capable multitool. Give it a try and meet your new favourite.

The Saucony Peregrine 14 GTX stands out as a reliable daily companion for trail runners that offers a nimble and versatile experience on all terrains in any weather. Engineered with Saucony's advanced PWRRUN cushioning in the midsole paired with a PWRRUN+ sock liner, this trail running shoe delivers a perfect balance of responsiveness and protection, ensuring comfort during trail runs and hikes of any distance. Whether you're embarking on a trail run or a challenging hike in the rain, the Peregrine 14 GTX is equipped to handle the demands, offering the perfect blend of comfort, protection, and traction for any adventure.

With so many great trail shoes on the market, it's hard to dial in just one. We enjoyed sharing our top picks with you and hope that this comprehensive list helps you find your next trail running shoe. As always, our experts are happy to help answer any questions by phone, live chat, or email. That's it for now — thanks for reading and happy trails!

Q & A

• What are trail running shoes?

Trail running shoes are designed to handle the ruggedness of the trails and protect your feet from obstacles like rocks, roots, and fallen branches. They feature uppers with strategic overlays around the toes, heels, and sides for added protection. The midsoles in trail shoes are generally stiffer to provide more support on rocky or uneven surfaces, and some may include rock plates for additional underfoot protection. Learn more about the features of trail running shoes in our guide How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe.

• How are they different from road running shoes?

Road running shoes, on the other hand, have uppers with less reinforcement and more mesh for a lighter, more breathable design since they encounter less rugged terrain. The midsoles in road shoes focus on cushioning to protect the feet from the impact of running on pavement. Some road shoes include stability posts to control excessive inward motion known as pronation. Additionally, the outsoles of trail shoes typically have deeper, more pronounced lugs, providing better traction on uneven surfaces, while road shoes have smoother outsoles for a more comfortable, smoother grip on paved roads.

• Are trail running shoes suitable for hiking?

The short answer is yes! In most cases, trail running shoes are a great option for hikers. Compared to hiking boots, trail running shoes are going to be lighter in weight and more breathable, and they offer a range of traction options. On the other hand, hiking shoes and boots are going to provide more stability, durability, foot and ankle protection, and all-around good traction. The choice between trail running shoes or hiking shoes is a tricky one, as no one option will work for everyone. The best thing to do is look at the pros and cons and see what fits best for your personal needs.

• How should trail running shoes fit?

A trail running shoe should be comfortable without feeling sloppy or loose in the heel or midfoot. A perfect trail shoe fits perfectly—from width and length to the arch height and shape and your overall foot volume. Check out our article How to Find Your Running Shoe Size and Fit for a more in-depth look.