The best trail running shoes in 2024, tested by editors

You wouldn’t take a sedan on a 4WD-only road, right? In the same way hardier tires safeguard your car from obstacles and debris, running shoes specifically designed for trails are going to better protect your feet when you venture off paved paths.

But not all trails are the same, and different surfaces — as well as different running styles and speeds — require different features. You might need thick lugs to dig into muddy spring trails or maximal cushioning to go the distance on hard-packed dirt. Whatever type of terrain you prefer, there are more trail shoes out there than ever to support you.

To find the best trail running shoes, we hit the dirt in nine of the newest and most popular options from brands like Nike, Hoka, Brooks, Merrell, Saucony and more. We logged more than 100 miles in these shoes, tackling soft singletrack, desert sand and rocky scrambles. While everyone’s feet and preferences are different, we narrowed down our picks to four pairs we think will best serve most off-road runners.

Best trail running shoes: La Sportiva Bushido 3

La Sportiva’s Bushido 3 builds on the 10-year legacy of the original Bushido. This model features new outsoles, increased breathability and a wide option (which we opted for). These trail running shoes use a slip-on socklike construction to compress to your feet and outsole lugs that wrap around the midsoles for extra traction. La Sportiva has combined 10 years of technology and data to make these the best trail running shoes in our guide.

We loved that these shoes fit great right out of the box. The gusseted tongues and loops at the back made the shoes easy to slip on, and the wide option made this pair noticeably more comfortable. We tested these shoes in hot conditions, so the lightweight mesh uppers offered great ventilation. The snug fit paired with the lugs on the outsoles and midsoles made this pair feel super stable.

The responsive midsoles were another positive, as they gave us a controlled pace that allowed for quick pivots and downhills without losing stability. The faster we ran, the more this responsive feature kicked in. Speaking of downhills, the aggressive lugs were really showing off, allowing us to navigate quick descents with superior traction. We’d be remiss not to mention the low stack height of these shoes, which kept our feet stable for quick adjustments.

It’s worth noting that these shoes would’ve been far too tight if we hadn’t opted for the wide version. Some reviews even say that the standard version runs small and that people should size up. We also thought the shoes felt a little heavy and could be considered stiff, so people who run long distances should keep this in mind. While these factors may be a plus for stability, they do make the shoe less versatile overall. So, if you’re looking for a trail running shoe that’s adaptable to road running, a treadmill or walking, these may not be the best fit. They’re also not overly cushioned.

These shoes were designed to be stable enough to handle tricky terrain and feature extra-sticky rubber on the centers and sides of the soles to avoid slippage and to increase stability. The lug pattern on these shoes increases traction and reduces the impact of rocks and other obstacles on the trail. If you’re a seasoned trail runner who likes to get technical, this is one of the best trail running shoes you can buy.

Best trail running shoes for road-to-trail runs: Brooks Cascadia 17

The Brooks Cascadia 17 trail running shoes are as versatile a pair as you can get. While testing the other shoes in this guide, we often opted to use these as our daily walking shoes — and they worked perfectly for all of it.

These true-to-size trail running shoes fit perfectly right out of the box. The overlays around the uppers kept our feet safe and secure, and the rock shields protected our toes on rockier trails. The outsole pods kept our run smooth, even on technical stretches, and the grips kept us stable when encountering roots, mud, slippery rocks and water crossing. While on an ascent, we could feel how secure our heels were, with hardly any wiggle room or slipping.

We found that these shoes worked best at steady speeds between 5 and 20 miles. They often felt heavy and clunky over longer distances when we tried to pick up the pace. Overall, we thought there was just enough cushioning for comfort on long walks or hikes and enough protection for quick jaunts in the rocky foothills. We appreciate that these have some rubber material between the uppers and the outsoles, which gives even more protection for technical trails.

This shoe is very rigid, so if you’re used to a bouncy, energetic feel, you might not find it here. These are also quite heavier than other shoes on our list, which might make them better for walking, hiking or slow jogging. We also aren’t completely sold on the durability of the Cascadia 17. After a few months of weekly wear, we started to see slight tearing in the uppers.

Beyond that, if you want a versatile trail running shoe, this is your best bet. The Cascadia 17s have all the stability in the outsoles for tough terrain and rock plates to protect your toes. They’ll help you navigate slippery, cold and wet trail conditions. These shoes are a bit rigid and heavy, so they may not be best for running fast, but they can be a great sidekick to your hike, slow jog, steady trail run or walk in the park.

Best trail running shoes for long trail runs: Hoka Speedgoat 5

Hoka Speedgoats have long been a choice for ultramarathoners who love the support and stability they provide. You don’t have to rack up insane mileage for these to appeal, though; any runner who spends a decent amount of time on their feet will appreciate the fifth version of these trail running staples, which have improved upon the uppers, midsoles and lugs.

Let’s work our way down from the top. The more time you spend on your feet, the more they’ll swell. To address that, Hoka reconstructed the uppers using more flexible materials (they’re now a durable double-layer jacquard mesh) to give more room in the midfoot and forefoot of the shoes. These are not quite a natural foot shape, like those from Altra or Topo Athletics, but when we decided — perhaps ill-advisedly — to conduct a testing run one afternoon when the temperature topped out at 98 degrees Fahrenheit, we were shocked that our swollen feet didn’t feel squished even at the end of an hour. (FYI: We’ve found some Hokas to run a full size too large, so you may want to order two options to see which fits best.)

Cushioning is a huge part of Hoka’s appeal, and the Speedgoats have the brand’s standard wider platform to keep your ankles from rolling when on variable terrain. But the midsoles are made from a lighter, compression-molded EVA foam, which improves the shoes’ overall responsiveness (translation: each step will feel a little bouncier). With a midsole stack height of 38 millimeters in the heels and 34 millimeters in the forefeet, they skew toward the maximal end of cushioning for comfort while still allowing you to pick up the pace.

Underfoot, Hoka included new and improved outsoles that use Vibram Megagrip and Traction Lug technology for increased grip, especially on drier, looser terrain like gravel and soil. Besides our Boulder testing, we wore these on the red dirt trails outside of Moab, Utah, and were impressed by how surefooted we felt even on sandy slickrock and ladderlike ascents.

Best trail running shoes for fast, technical runs: Merrell MTL Skyfire 2

Let’s get this out of the way right off the bat: These are not shoes for everyone, nor are they the kind of trail shoes you’re going to wear every day. But those who tackle short, steep terrain (or those who prefer a more minimalist feel on longer runs) are going to love them. The MTL Skyfire 2 are super-lightweight racing shoes, more akin to a track spike than any of the other trail shoes on this list — except, instead of spikes, you’ve got 5-millimeter lugs gripping the dirt.

The big selling point is a full-length, nylon-based plate, which not only provides underfoot protection and stability on variable terrain but also pushes you forward with every step. (A nylon plate is different from a protective rock plate in that it doesn’t mitigate impact from below quite as well; instead, it’s more like the propulsive carbon plates you’ll find in high-tech road-racing shoes.)

Each plate is sandwiched between two layers of FloatPro Foam, Merrell’s most responsive midsole cushioning. The top layer is softer for comfort, while the bottom layer is denser to help pop you off the ground. But there’s not a lot of either layer: The midsole stack height maxes out at 25 millimeters under the heel and tapers to 19 millimeters under the forefoot. You’re going to feel everything in these shoes, which — along with the Vibram MegaGrip outsole — is what helps you stay in control at higher speeds.

The minimal trend continues with the uppers, which are made of engineered mesh (a stronger and more flexible version than regular mesh) and TPU (a type of polyurethane plastic), a combo that felt very airy and quick drying on one oppressively humid run. They’re also snug enough to keep your feet secure when you’re moving fast but may run a little narrow for some people. All in all, the Skyfire minimize weight while maximizing traction so you can rip it up on the toughest rough terrain.

Best trail running shoes for speed: Hoka Tecton X 2

These Hokas were noticeably lighter than other shoes we’ve tested. They’re designed to propel you forward and make energy transfer super efficient by using internal carbon plates. A plate is nestled between each shoe’s midsole cushioning, forcing the foam to expand and contract quickly for better energy transfer. We found these to work best while running fast over gravel and roads. In our experience, lightweight shoes tend to get uncomfortable with speed; however, this pair still felt comfortable and cushy. The maximal stack height made these Hokas comfortable on long-distance runs too.

Running uphill was significantly easier in this pair versus other lightweight trail running shoes we’ve tried, as the propelling factor was very noticeable. After testing these shoes for over a month, we didn’t notice any wear and tear on the hard rubber soles and lugs. These parts of the shoes are made with lightweight rubber, so we were surprised at how durable they were. We like these shoes for everyday, nontechnical runs that don’t require much concentration. They’re comfortable but have a lot of layers that can obscure the ground feel. This wasn’t a deal breaker for us, though.

However, these aren’t the best for technical terrain. The high stack height and carbon plates can make it difficult to feel the ground. With less connection to the ground, it can be easy to miss rocks or underestimate adjustments due to changes in the trail terrain. We experienced a couple of ankle rolls while testing these, which we surmised was because of the cushioning and stack height. The lugs are short, firm and uniform, which helps keep the shoes lightweight but doesn’t do them any favors in wet or technical conditions.

The Hoka Tecton X 2 are lightweight trail running shoes built to propel you forward and make energy transfers more efficient. They feature lightweight rubber, short lugs and a breathable mesh upper that makes them easy to maneuver on nontechnical terrain. The stack height may be high for some, and the carbon plate is not always a favorite for many trail runners. Overall, if you want to increase your speed without getting too technical, this pair could be a fit.

How we tested

We chose nine of the latest trail shoes designed for all types of terrains. In narrowing down our selection, we considered not just what terrain the shoes were designed for, but also what kind of traction they provided, what protective features they offered, the weight of the shoes, their lacing systems, the amount of midsole cushioning, their breathability and, of course, price.

Terrain

Materials

Design

How to shop for for trail running shoes

Consider the terrain run on

The number one deciding factor in buying trail shoes is terrain. Trails are, by their very nature, variable — some are smooth dirt or gravel, while others require traversing mud, rocks, roots or sand (or maybe some combo of the above). Most trail shoes can handle multiple types of terrain, but there’s a big difference between cruising along dirt singletrack and scrambling across a boulder-strewn route. As a result, trail shoes are generally designed for specific surfaces and types of running, so you want to opt for shoes that best serves the terrain you hit most often.

Trail shoes range from road-to-trail, like the Hoka Tecton X 2 or the North Face Vectiv Enduris 3, to surface-specific, like the Saucony Peregrine 13 ST, which are designed for soft, muddy surfaces, or the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2, which are best suited for highly technical vertical routes. Light trail shoes are a good entry point because they have a lightweight construction like road shoes but a little more stiffness for stability on uneven terrain, while providing a little protection from rocks and roots and shallow lugs for traction on dirt or gravel. More-rugged trail shoes will be made of sturdier materials, provide more protection with features like toe guards and hidden plates underfoot and have a grippier rubber outsole with thicker, multidirectional lugs that help you maintain your footing on all kinds of surfaces.

Certain shoes will perform differently

While road shoes are all about supporting top-end speeds or maximal comfort, trail shoes have to do a lot more work to help keep you upright.

Traction is a biggie. The outsoles of trail shoes have different sized lugs to make sure you don’t lose your footing. For packed dirt or gravel, you generally want smaller lugs, while bigger lugs are more helpful on soft dirt and mud. The type of rubber used will help the shoes grip slicker surfaces, like rock.

With uneven terrain and gnarly obstacles in your path, another important feature for trail shoes is foot protection. That can be as simple as durable upper materials that can withstand abrasion and tears or extra rubber at the front of the shoe to protect your toes from rocks and debris. More technical shoes may have plates that protect the bottom of your foot from sharp rocks or roots. The amount of cushioning underfoot can also protect your feet to some extent.

If you’re going to be running in wet or muddy conditions regularly, pay attention to the drainage, water-resistance or waterproof features trail shoes offer. Fully waterproof shoes might be great if you’re regularly crossing streams and fully submerging your feet, but those kinds of shoes can also hold a lot of heat. Shoes with drainage ports or slits, on the other hand, will dump water and let your feet dry without sacrificing breathability.

Comfort is key

With any type of athletic shoes, comfort is king. Compared to road-running shoes, trail shoes tend to be a little heavier, thanks to all those additional features, and a little stiffer, which helps prevent your foot from excessively rolling on uneven terrain. That said, trail shoes should fit snugly to the feet, securing your heels while allowing for some wiggle room around the toes and front of the feet, and you shouldn’t feel any rubbing or extra pressure around the laces or tongue.

But the main feature to consider in terms of comfort is midsole cushioning. The midsole is the part of the shoes that connects the top, which wraps around your foot, to the outsole, which is the part that hits the ground. A larger amount of midsole cushioning generally supports longer times on your feet and may reduce the impact of running on your joints. More minimalist trail shoes like the Nike Ultrafly allow you to better “feel” the terrain beneath you, which could help you run faster and be more nimble on technical terrain. In most cases, this is a personal preference. Different shoes work for different runners, so try on a few pairs to see what feels most comfortable on your feet.

Other trail running shoes we tested

The traction of the Brooks Catamount 2 trail running shoes is super grippy, especially on the uphills, and the internal plate helped propel us forward with ease. There’s a rock shield to protect the toes, and the traction helped us feel stable, even on tricky terrain.

However, we couldn’t get past the fit on these ones. The shoes looked and felt incredibly narrow, especially for our wide feet. We had to force our feet into the shoes and felt extreme foot fatigue after walking in them for just 20 minutes. The pressure the shoes put on our arches was almost too much to handle while trail running. If you have wide feet, we suggest sizing up or choosing another shoe altogether.

Nike calls the Pegasus the “workhorse” of its shoe stable and the trail version takes this style’s do-it-all nature to the next level. We loved previous iterations because they were great shoes to travel with; the Pegasus Trail is streamlined enough to feel good on pavement, yet sturdy enough to stand up to dirt. We specifically tested the Gore-Tex version as a recommendation for wet conditions, but these shoes perform across the board (there’s a?regular version?too).

It’s worth noting that the waterproof Gore-Tex layer only reaches the top of the laces, which keeps your feet dry when splashing through water but won’t help if you completely submerge your foot in a stream. That said, the fact these shoes?aren’t?completely waterproof is a plus in our books. That’s because it allows for more breathability, which is exactly what you want on hot, sweaty, summer trail runs. The quasi-gaiter also helps keep debris from getting kicked up into your shoes.

What makes these shoes such a great road-to-trail option is the full-length React midsole. It’s the same lightweight, responsive foam you’ll find in road shoes like the?Pegasus 40?and?React Infinity 3, except here it’s protected by a rubber outsole that wraps around the front of the shoe for extra durability. (There’s no plate underfoot, though, and we did feel more pronounced rocks or roots poking up through the moderate stack of cushioning, which measures about 32 millimeters at the heel and 24 at the forefoot.)

Speaking of the outsole, Nike used?less?rubber in these shoes than in previous versions, but the brand improved the quality of that rubber. It’s softer and stickier in the forefoot than in the heel, which allows for better overall grip without sacrificing trail dexterity. We found the rubber combined with the shallower, 4-millimeter lugs to grip effectively on everything from wet asphalt to hard-packed dirt and dry or slick rocks. Considering the Pegasus 4’s crossover appeal and all-weather capabilities, they’re a great choice for runners who split their time between the roads and the trails.

When a pair of shoes has more than a dozen iterations, you know they’re good. Brooks has fully dialed in the Cascadia’s stability and durability, which is why they’re often recommended as beginner-friendly trail shoes. The 16th release has a new midsole and outsole construction and is 20% lighter than its predecessor, making them the kind of shoes you can run comfortably in for hours, no matter the terrain. Fair warning: The wide base does make them feel a little bit like a boat when you first put them on but that roominess is much appreciated when your feet swell.

One of the main reasons newer trail runners may like the Cascadia is their midsole. Brooks added DNA Loft foam, a super-plush combo of EVA foam, rubber and air that you’ll also find in the brand’s bestselling?Ghost shoes, and an additional 2 millimeters of cushioning underfoot. That might not sound like a lot, but outside of run testing, we also wore these for a four-hour hike with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and our feet felt incredible at the end.

All that cushioning means you’re hardly going to feel anything underfoot. Even though the stack height is 29 millimeters in the heel and 21 millimeters in the forefoot, these shoes felt?more?cushioned and less responsive to us than the Nike Pegasus. That’s not a bad thing, as long as your priority is stability over speed. To counter that lack of sensitivity, the updated midsole design includes more grooves on the sides, which allows for better adaptability on rougher terrain. While we never really “felt” the ground in these, we definitely felt more stable as the shoe molded around trickier rocks and roots in our path.

Besides the comfort level, there are a few features that make the Cascadia such versatile trail shoes: For one, the TrailTack rubber outsole provides wet and dry traction, a Ballistic Rock Shield protects against pebbles and debris, and drainage ports allow water to escape quickly so you’re not squelching your way forward. We found these to work particularly well on moderate trails and dirt or grassy paths but would call these classic, do-everything trail shoes.

The Vibram outsole on the Ultraflys — a first for Nike — performed extremely well, easily gripping the terrain on any rocky descent we tested them on. But for all the Nike Ultrafly do right, they aren’t perfect. The shoes’ biggest downfall is their insecure upper, which leads to ankle instability. Taking on rock-strewn hills felt particularly precarious; we even rolled our ankles a few times.

Nike also miscalculated when it released trail runners in white. Yes, they looked gorgeous out of the box but after running 50 or so miles, your shoes will be mud-brown.

Altra’s zero-drop designs — which means the heel and forefront are all on the same level, no matter how much cushioning is underfoot — won’t work for everyone. But that kind of “barefoot” feel, combined with the natural foot shape of the shoes, can encourage more natural motion when you’re running. If that works for you, Altra’s Lone Peak 7, a longtime bestseller from the brand, is a great option for longer days on gravel or dirt.

The midsole has 25 millimeters of responsive cushioning and the MaxTrac outsole is good for more technical terrain, but without a protective plate, you’re going to feel rocks and roots digging into your soft underfoot. We preferred the lightweight, breathable upper on these, which is made from a quick-drying, less porous fabric, to that of the Mont Blanc Boa, which trapped some heat, although we’d love to see the micro-adjustable Boa dials on more trail shoes.

We didn’t get to put these Sauconys to the test in seriously muddy conditions, but we loved how comfortable they felt on softer dirt (ST stands for “soft trail”). The outsole’s 6.5-millimeter lugs really dig into the ground, and we thought we’d be uncomfortable moving those onto harder-packed dirt (and we might have been if we had been wearing these for several hours), but, maybe thanks to the embedded rock plate, they weren’t that noticeable.

The shoes’ gaiter-like construction, made from closed mesh, provides added protection from mud and debris, with a lightweight film in high-abrasion areas. Two things we didn’t like: The “speed laces” are supposedly for quick adjustments, but it always takes us a few tries to get them fitted correctly, and the upper isn’t breathable or waterproof, which seems necessary for muddy runs.

Because they allow your toes to spread naturally, which will give you more stability on uneven surfaces, these shoes from Topo Athletic have the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance and Seal of Approval. Topo increased the stack height — to 35 millimeters at the heel and 30 at the forefoot — on this iteration to offer more protection and comfort, and their ZipFoam compound is lighter, softer and more responsive now. The Vibram outsole is nice and sticky, but with broader, shallower lugs, we didn’t feel comfortable sending it on loose soil or swampier parts of the trail.