The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2025

"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 4 continues the legacy of its predecessor with an even more refined trail performance package. Built around a FF Blast+ ECO midsole that provides plush cushioning and smooth responsiveness, this shoe delivers a comfortable, energetic ride that’s ready to conquer long miles on varied terrain. The updated GUIDESOLE™ technology and rockered geometry help create an easy forward roll, saving energy on extended trail runs. With a breathable engineered mesh upper, secure fit features like a lace garage loop, and a sticky ASICSGRIP™ outsole with aggressive lugs, the Trabuco Max 4 offers confidence‑inspiring traction on everything from smooth fire roads to rocky, technical trails.

For a versatile trail shoe option, we are fans of the On Cloudultra 3. Swiss-engineered and built for long missions, it combines Helion™ HF hyperfoam cushioning with an engineered Leno weave upper for durability and breathability, while the updated Missiongrip™ outsole delivers unmatched traction across technical trails.

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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 Salomon Aero Glide 3 GRVL combines lightweight cushioning with a responsive Energy Foam Evo midsole, a seamless 3D mesh upper that hugs your foot for a glove-like fit, and a gravel-tuned Contagrip outsole that provides confident traction on loose trails, dirt paths, and paved roads alike. Durable, comfortable, and versatile, it’s ideal for runners who want one shoe that can handle both road miles and off-road adventures.

As the best mud and soft ground trail running shoe, the The North Face Summit VECTIV Sky 2 is built for speed, agility, and precision. Featuring a full-length VECTIV 3.0 carbon fiber plate for forward propulsion, nitrogen-infused DREAM foam for lightweight, responsive cushioning, and a rockered midsole geometry for smooth, efficient steps, it excels on muddy, soft, and technical trails. The SURFACE CTRL high-traction outsole grips slippery surfaces, while the lightweight, breathable upper with integrated tongue wings and improved heel fit keeps your foot secure from start to finish.

Lightweight, fast, and more cushioned, the Kjerag 02 combines responsive EExpure+ foam, a rocker sole, and a breathable glove-like Matryx upper with Vibram Megagrip traction—perfect for agile, protected speed on sub-ultra trails.

Built for ultradistance trail dominance, this shoe combines responsive Lightstrike Pro foam, a dynamic rocker with Energy Rods, a refined mono mesh upper, and a Continental rubber outsole for unmatched speed, comfort, and traction.

Max-cushion comfort meets rugged durability. With a thick CMEVA midsole, Vibram Megagrip outsole, spacious Original FootShape fit, and reinforced breathable upper, the Olympus 6 delivers confident, all-day traction and protection for long trail runs.

The Brooks Ghost 17 GTX is your go-to daily trainer, now waterproof with GORE-TEX Invisible Fit for light, breathable protection. With DNA LOFT v3 cushioning, a balanced 10 mm offset, and an updated wet-traction outsole, it delivers soft, stable, and comfortable runs in any weather.

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.