How To Buy Trail Running Shoes

Dynafit Alpine Running Shoes

Best Trail Running Shoes for Technical Terrain

• Vibram Megagrip
• Great for vert
• Sizes: 6-12

The Alpine is Barringers new favorite shoe, since he tends to run in the more technical terrain of British Columbia, which features a lot of vertical gain and extremely varied, often wet, trail. This is my go-to because of the great balance between agility and traction that it offers, he says. The shoe sports a moderate six millimeter drop, with extremely deep lugs and a lightweight overall build at just under 10 ounces. The Vibram Megagrip outsole grips tight on rock, and the rocker build offers solid propulsion.

I went in for a shoe, specifically not trying to get Dynafit again , Barringer says. Before that job at Arcteryx, I was only running in Dynafit shoes. After leaving Arcteryx, I went back to look for a new shoe, and ended up right back in a Dynafit!

Note: This is a rather small running shoe, so be sure to size up at least a half size or a full size if looking for a comfort-focused fit.

What Does Drop Mean On Trail Running Shoes

The difference in stack height between the heel and toe is whats known as the drop. A 0mm drop, for example, would have the heel and the ball at the same level as you would barefoot. In recent years, barefoot running, where people run in shoes with a very low stack height, has become extremely popular. The drop can be anything between 12mm and 0mm. Anything below 5mm would be considered a low-drop trail running shoe.

High drop shoes promote a heel strike while low-mid drop promote a mid-forefoot strike

The drop of the shoe affects how your foot strikes the ground whilst running. High drop shoes promote a heel strike , while low-mid drop promote a mid-forefoot strike.

Its important to remember that stack height and drop are independent of each other. Depending on your preferred gait, you could find high stack height trail shoes that still have a zero or low heel-to-toe drop.

You May Also Like:

How Do You Know If You Are Wearing The Wrong Shoe

The wrong size running shoes can put you at risk for pain and injury. So, what are some signs that you are wearing the wrong size shoes? If you end up with sore shins and feet every time you run, you may be wearing the wrong shoes. If your shoes are too small, your toes will repeatedly hit the front of the shoe. Your poor toes will end up bruised and sore. The right shoes will give your toes room to flex and move forward with each stride. If your shoes are too narrow, this can cause painful blisters on your toes. Your toes should not rub your shoes when you run. Another sign that your shoes are too small is if you have trouble taking them off. You should be able to easily slide your shoes off when they are untied, without having to loosen every lace. Do you have pain or numbness in the top of your feet after you run? If your shoes are too tight, they can compress the blood flow to your feet causing a tingling sensation and pain.

If your shoes are too big, your heel may slip around while you are running. This can cause blisters and calluses on your heels. Shoes that are too big or too wide can also cause blisters on the bottom of your feet. When your shoes are too big, your feet slide back and forth against the shoe and the sock, rubbing and putting unnecessary pressure and friction on your skin. Shoes that are too large can also cause pain in the balls of your feet.

Don’t Miss: Design Your Own Shoes For Free

Men’s Varied Trail Running Shoes

When Do Trail Running Shoes Come In Hand

Trail shoes are built with more gripping bottoms than road running shoes to help you get off the tarmac and into the fields and fells. Theyre made to be more grippy, durable, waterproof, and cushioned to help you get through everything the trails throw at you, whether its gravel, rocks, puddles, or slick tree roots.

The soles are sometimes composed of thicker, more durable rubber that wraps around the shoes edges for increased traction. Protective measures are frequently included in the uppers to prevent tears from brambles and thorns.

They are frequently waterproof to keep your feet dry in the event of a rainfall or having to wade through a stream.

Trail shoes are for you if you ever decide to head out into nature and leave the highways behind.

Read Also: How Many Miles Can I Put On My Running Shoes

Best For Up To 50k Distances: Hoka Zinal

The design of the new Hoka Zinal is a drastic U-turn from the brand known for the most exaggerated cushioning in the game. Though ultrarunning dominates the trail running narrative, Hoka took inspiration from the sometimes overlooked short-course style of trail running for the Zinal the shoe itself is named for the 30-kilometer Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland, an iconic European trail race.

The Hoka Zinal. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

Hokas popular Torrent line gives some context for the Zinal: a roomy toebox, a locked-down heel cup, a moderately firm midsole, and a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole which works great, even on dry trails. With a shorter stack height, you can bomb down tricky descents without Hokas sometimes clumsy footwork.

Like other shoes in this guide, the Zinal certainly errs on the narrow side. There isnt a lot of wiggle room for your toes and forefoot in general. This isnt necessarily a criticism, just a word of warning. However, the narrow nature of the shoe adds to the racing style: the overall package is built for speed first.

Hoka intended for the mesh upper with its gusseted tongue to keep rocks out but I found it too streamlined and not very effective. Rocks and dirt still make their way into the shoe and on top of that, the lacing system offers two options: tight or super tight. I would have preferred a more novel design to help this very narrow shoe accommodate a wider foot shape.

Hoka One One Evo Mafate 2

Specifications

Hoka One One is synonymous with chunky midsoles, and if you’re after a comfortable, cushioned ride, the Evo Mafate 2 is your best bet. Despite this tall stack height, they have a slightly wider footprint thereby still offering a stable feel although if you’re prone to rolling your ankles, perhaps think twice about choosing Hoka at all. The upper is made from a really durable kevlar-infused material, and there is some good room in the stretchy toe box too.

Even on technical trails, the durable and grippy Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole and 5mm lugs give them awesome grip in both wet and dry conditions. Given they’re not the lightest or most responsive, they’re really well suited to long trail arduous trail runs think marathon distance and upwards where that extra cushioning comes in handy. Equally for regular training sessions too if you don’t want to hammer your body too much. These are the most forgiving on your joints and will help to keep you in good shape.

The latest Peregrine release, first debuted in 2011, will have you very sure footed on nearly every off road surface. The outsole is made from a soft rubber which makes it really really grippy, and when paired with the 5mm lugs you’ll be all set.

Recommended Reading: Are Valentino Sneakers True To Size

The Best Trail Running Shoes To Buy In 2022

The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is the best trail running shoe to buy if youre running from your door to the trails. Its got all the comfort of the classic Pegasus road shoe, but with a grippier outsole to cope with muddy terrains. It looks great too, not that youll care once its covered in mud.

Unlike its road cousin, the Pegasus Trail 3 doesnt have a forefoot Zoom Air unit, although it does have the same React foam midsole for a responsive, cushioned underfoot feel. Forget everything youve ever heard about trail running shoes this totally replaces that old-school stiff midsole with something far plusher. You wont feel the stones or the tree roots underfoot, youll bounce over them. The main difference between this and the road version is the outsole, which has a pattern designed to mimic mountain bike tires for a good grip on slippy terrains.

The main drawback with this shoe is the outsole, which some runners find just isnt grippy enough on wet and muddy terrain. If youre running on lighter trails, you should be fine in the Pegasus Trail 3, but if youre off on a more technical adventure, you might be disappointed.

While the outsole is great on loose gravel paths and light mud, on really technical terrain, the Catamount can get a little slippery, so hard-core trail runners might want to keep browsing. That said, for road-to-trail runs or races, the Catamount is fantastic.

Read more about the best Nike running shoes.

How To Measure Your Shoe Size

Stand on a big sheet of paper and use a marker to trace the outline of your foot. Measure your feet before purchasing any trail shoe. Just because you know your street shoe size doesnt mean it will be the same in a trail running shoe.

REI keeps a chart of lengths and widths for mens and womens trail running shoes. Compare your foot tracing outline measurements with that chart for each model or each brand of shoe youre considering. Each brand does their measurements differently. Sizing may even differ across the same brand from model-to-model.

Keep in mind that some brands, like Salomon, offer trail running shoes in wide sizes. Depending on the width of your foot, that may be a better option.

Also Check: Usps Priority Shoe Box Rate

Why Should I Start Trail Running

If youre considering running on trails more often, its important to understand the benefits:

First, you have an incredible advantage over people running on flat surfaces. Just think about it: you are running on an incline, especially if youre running up a mountain. Just take a look at the image below that compares a person running 30m run on the Knee Knacker trail versus someone running in the Boston Marathon:

People often highlight how difficult the Boston Marathon is, but what they should really consider is trail running on the Knee Knacker. Both the run uphill and downhill can be a great way to both burn calories and increase your cardiovascular endurance quickly.

Second, the cost to start is slim to none. If you really wanted to, you could just grab your beat-up running shoes and take them for a run on the nearest trails. Let the records show that we do not recommend this and that the best way to stay committed is to invest in yourself and grab yourself a new pair.

Lastly, just think about the views that youll see when running on trails. Theres nothing like being able to discover new places just from going on a nicely paced run.

Buying Trail Running Shoes

Trail running shoes are used for running on unpaved surfaces found in forests, on beaches or in fields. Good trail shoes have a structured profile on the outsole which ensures the right amount of traction during trail runs on dirt paths. Many trail running shoes feature a tight-fitting upper, which helps to keep dirt out. If thats not enough, and youd rather not have any dirt or moisture entering your trail shoes at all, youre best off buying waterproof trail shoes with a GORE-TEX upper. Most trail running shoes are neutral shoes. Because of the sturdy outsole, trail trainers provide more stability during landing phase. Therefore a stability block is not necessarily required. Saucony is one of the few brands that does offer trail running shoes specially made for overpronating runners.

Recommended Reading: How Many Miles Change Running Shoes

What Shoes To Wear

Please note: It is highly recommended to get some new shoes for running on trails, but its not always necessary.However, research has shown the most important aspect of a shoe is comfortability.

If you want to get into trail running, we highly recommend getting new shoes. If you want to save money and run in some old shoes you have near your doorstep, be our guest. However, you must know that this can come with serious consequences.

Without trail running shoes, you are vulnerable to serious injuries. You want to have maximum support to prevent slipping. The last thing you want is to twist your ankle 3 miles into your run.

Therefore, it is our recommendation to purchase new trail running shoes. The durability of these shoes can decrease the probability of injuries. However, if you need further convincing, find our more elaborate explanation in the section below.

Hoka One One Speedgoat 2

No products found.

A great purchase for folks who fancy rugged trails, the Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 features one of the best outsoles out there. The outer platform couldn’t be stronger and is comparatively thicker than competitors. When it comes to traction, this footwear is also great — you’ll love the outstanding lug system.

Users are in love with the shoe’s excellent performance on rugged trails. Some runners, however, particularly those with wider feet, aren’t on good terms with the shoe’s slim build.

Amazon buyers gave this footwear 4.1 out of 5 stars.

Also Check: How To Win Hibbett Raffle

Frequently Asked Questions About Trail Racing Shoes

What kinds of races can you run in these shoes?

The shoes in this guide are best for shorter trail races, such as vertical kilometer races, half marathons, marathons, 50-kilometer races, and most skyrunning style races. These types of races are more prevalent in Europe and elsewhere outside the United States, but I did my best to replicate these race distances and styles on my local trails, trying to attain some new PRs on classic climbs around Boulder, Colorado, where I live.

For some of these shoes, a relative lack of comfort and cushion limits them to very particular course lengths and types of terrain. Know your shoes characteristics and the race course terrain, and choose accordingly.

Should we use these shoes only on race day?

No! For those of us whose daily run doesnt often exceed 10 miles, you should and can run in these shoes all the time. Even if you are not a frequent racer, consider the shoes in this guide to be perfect for daily training runs, and for when you might prefer faster feeling shoes and a more streamlined design.

On the other hand, if you frequently run longer, then you should consider other shoes from ultrarunnning stalwart brands like Hoka, Altra, and others. If youre looking for more information on trail running shoes that are not race-oriented, check out our Best Trail Running Shoes guide.

Does a lightweight shoe mean it is considered to be a minimalist shoe?

What Makes Trail Running Shoes Different From Running Shoes

Buying Guide

When you take your training off-road, the different terrain requires a specialized type of shoe. Heres how trail runners are different from running shoes.

The challenging new terrain youll encounter when you run off-road will take your training to the next level. As you weave in and out of trees, hop over rocks, and dash uphill, youll burn more calories and build your strength more quickly than you would on a treadmill.But as you make your way through natures obstacle course, youll require footwear that protects your feet, supports your movement, and grips the ground underfoot.If you already have a pair of good-fitting road running shoes, you might be wondering if you also need a pair of trail runners. While road shoes may work on milder terrain, there are key differences between these shoe types that make road running shoes less than ideal for trail runs.

Road Running Shoes

• Smooth rubber outsoles designed for pavement
• Cushy midsoles for better shock absorption
• Lightweight, breathable uppers for comfort

Trail Running Shoes

• Sticky rubber outsoles or deep lugs for better traction
• Stiffer midsoles for support and protective rock plates
• Durable uppers that keep out debris

Trail Runners Provide More Traction

Road Running Shoes Are More Lightweight

Trail Running Shoes Offer More Stability

Road Runners Provide More Cushioning

Trail Running Shoes Protect You From the Elements

Road Running Shoes Are More Breathable

Trail Runners Are More Durable

Also Check: Where Are Sperry Boots Made

Knowing What Size To Buy

Did you know that running shoes arent supposed to fit the same way your casual shoes do? When you run and your feet hit the ground, your toes move close to the end of the shoe. Running shoes often need to be a half size to one size larger than your casual shoe to fit correctly. Wait! This doesnt mean that you just need to order the next size up. Your feet can also change sizes during your lifetime. So, the size you wore in high school, might not be the size you need now. Thats why it is a good idea to measure your feet. You can have your feet measured at a store, or you can measure them at home.