Best Everyday Trail Shoes – Shoe Guide Spring 2025

Shoes from this category are designed for every runner who prefers running outside the city. They are universal “off-roaders” that are often designed mainly for less demanding forest paths. They are perfect for gravel roads and are characterized by their versatility. Some models are also suitable for running on hard surfaces. There are also shoes that are so versatile that they can even be used for running in the mountains.

Who is it for?

These are shoes for everyone who decides to run outside the hustle and bustle of the city, in a more natural environment. They are perfect for forest paths, dirt roads, as well as more demanding, stony routes. These shoes are designed for people who:

• running off-road, away from asphalt roads,
• looking for shoes for everyday runs in the forest,
• runners looking for shoes for long, easy training sessions,
• weighing up to about 90 kilograms,
• looking for great comfort and softness underfoot,
• looking for their first trail shoes.

Technical data comparison

Trail shoe overview

Altra Lone Peak 9

We start alphabetically with the only shoe in this group with zero drop. This means that the stack of the midsole between the heel and the toes is 0 millimeters. The foot lies more naturally in the shoe (just as it lies flat without shoes), but for people who have never worn zero-drop shoes and have spent their whole lives walking and running in shoes with raised heels, this can be an obstacle to using this type of shoe. In addition, the width – above average in the front part. None of the shoes in this shoe guide makes room for the toes. Finally, the outsole – quite high, which means that although it is a shoe for rather hard and rocky trails, it will also cope well in muddy terrain.

• Stack height: 25/25 mm
• Drop: 0 mm
• Weight: 327 g men’s, 264 g women’s
• Regular price: 170 EUR

Asics Trabuco 13

The Asics Trabuco 13 is one of the brand’s most versatile trail running shoes. Over the years, it has become softer and more cushioned, and its silhouette has grown slightly. The midsole of this model is made of soft FF Blast+ foam, which translates into exceptional comfort. In addition, the AsicsGrip outsole makes for excellent traction on various surfaces. The upper is breathable for trail shoes and largely made of technical mesh. There are only a few reinforcements and they are only where they are needed (e.g. around the toes).

• Stack height: 35,5/27,5 mm
• Drop: 8 mm
• Weight: 285 g men’s, 250 g women’s
• Regular price: 160 EUR

Brooks Cascadia 18

The Cascadia is one of the most versatile mountain trail running shoes. It has good but not excessive cushioning, enabling lighter and more experienced runners to cover even the longest distances. Thanks to the high and widely spaced outsole studs, it performs well even in slightly muddy terrain, but is generally intended for running on hard, rocky trails. It is an excellent option both as a shoe for long distances in the mountains and for everyday use, when the distances are much shorter and the terrain less demanding.

• Stack height: 34/26 mm
• Drop: 8 mm
• Weight: 298 g men’s, 278 g women’s
• Regular price: 150 EUR

Hoka Challenger 7

The Challenger is a boot from the ATR series, which stands for All Terrain. This should not be taken literally because all-terrain boots do not exist. The Challenger is a shoe (like the Pegasus Trail described below) that will do the job perfectly if you are looking for a model that can handle both undemanding trails (parks, suburban forests) and asphalt roads. At the same time, it is one of the softest and best cushioned shoes in the category of universal all-terrain shoes and in this comparison.

• Stack height: 31/26 mm
• Drop: 5 mm
• Weight: 252 g men’s, 218 g women’s
• Regular price: 150 EUR

Hoka Torrent 4

The Torrent is the right choice for runners who prefer light shoes. It is the lightest shoe in this shoe guide, although the more cushioned Challenger is not far behind. It also has the lowest midsole, which means that you are closer to the ground and have a better feel for the ground. The slightly lower cushioning makes it a model for lighter runners who want to run a little faster, but not necessarily on more difficult terrain. The outsole of the Torrentas is relatively flat and may not provide sufficient grip on more difficult trails.

• Stack height: 23/18 mm
• Drop: 5 mm
• Weight: 248 g men’s, 213 g women’s
• Regular price: 140 EUR

inov-8 Trailfly

Inov-8 Trailfly are trail running shoes designed for long distances and difficult terrain as well as everyday trail running. These shoes’ greatest asset is the innovative Graphene Grip midsole with 4 mm studs, which makes for excellent traction and durability. The soft Powerflow Pro cushioning makes the shoes adapt well to the ground while maintaining their dynamic properties. This is the shoe for anyone looking for a versatile trail shoe for rocky paths and forest trails.

• Stack height: 29/23 mm
• Drop: 6 mm
• Weight: 280 g
• Regular price: 150 EUR

Mizuno Wave Daichi 8

Daichi is a well-balanced all-terrain vehicle in terms of cushioning. It is quite rigid, but very stable. Not necessarily dynamic and unfortunately the heaviest of this shoe guide, which is noticeable on the foot. The upper is noteworthy, as it protects the foot well against external conditions. The outsole made of Michelin rubber with an aggressive texture offers good traction on various types of surfaces.

• Stack height: 33/25 mm
• Drop: 8 mm
• Weight: 308 g men’s, 255 g women’s
• Regular price: 150 EUR

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

The Pegasus Trail may look like a trail version of the Pegasus road shoe, but these are two completely different models. However, these two models have one thing in common: versatility. The classic Pegasus is a universal shoe for everyday running on paved surfaces, while the Pegasus Trail is perfect for less demanding terrain. It is the perfect choice for people who run in the forest as well as on hard surfaces, reaching trails. Its moderately aggressive outsole does not make it particularly suitable for difficult trails (I would not recommend it for mountain routes), but for runners who divide their routes half and half between hard surfaces and terrain, it will be one of the best options.

• Drop: 9,5 mm
• Weight: 300 g
• Regular price: 140 EUR

Nike Wildhorse 8

The Wildhorse is the second Nike model that can be used as a universal trail shoe. In principle, it is a shoe for even long distances in the mountains, but it is also perfect for everyday use. The React foam cushioning is of a very good level. The outsole, made of two types of rubber and with large teeth, offers good traction. The upper is made mostly of technical mesh, which makes it breathable and soft to wear, but also makes it look delicate compared to other models. If you are looking for a shoe for rocky trails rather than muddy ones, it will be the optimal choice. But I would not choose it for more hardcore adventures.

• Stack height: 35/27 mm
• Drop: 8 mm
• Weight: 300 g
• Regular price: 130 EUR

On Cloudsurfer Trail

The Cloudsurfer Trail is the equivalent of the asphalt model of the same name, but it is distinguished by a stronger and more durable upper construction and an outsole with slightly higher knobs. Although it is classified as a trail shoe, it is perfect for both the city and light trails, such as parks or main forest roads. On streets and pavements, it makes for a comfortable shoe with good cushioning, while off-road, it offers good traction. It is the ideal choice for runners who divide their routes roughly equally between urban and off-road routes.

• Stack height: 37/30 mm
• Drop: 7 mm
• Regular price: 170 EUR

On Cloudvista 2

It is a shoe that combines trail running with the characteristic cloud-like midsole of the On brand. It is a shoe designed for moderate-difficulty trail running on gravel or in forests. It also works well as a “door to trail” shoe when you need to run to the forest. This shoe also has a rather moderate level of cushioning and cannot be expected to be overly soft. It will be especially appreciated by those looking for good ground feel and the associated stability.

• Stack height: 33/24 mm
• Drop: 7 mm
• Weight: 280 g men’s, 235 g women’s
• Regular price: 160 EUR

Salomon Genesis

Salomon Genesis are versatile trail shoes designed primarily for forests and less demanding trails. Thanks to the All Terrain Contagrip outsole, it makes for excellent traction on various surfaces, but it is primarily a shoe for dirt roads. It can be used as a shoe in which you can comfortably reach the forest via an asphalt road, run on it and return. The classic upper is a characteristic element – in the front part, it is made of thin but durable Matryx material. The shoe is suitable for a variety of terrains – from forest paths, through mountain trails, to demanding off-road.

• Stack height: 30/22 mm
• Drop: 8 mm
• Weight: 269 g men’s, 242 g women’s
• Regular price: 160 EUR

Saucony Peregrine 14

The Saucony Peregrine is a well-cushioned running shoe for difficult terrain: trails, gravel roads, mountains. Its aggressive outsole is also suitable for running on soft, unstable surfaces such as sand or mud. The upper is made of a more durable material than its predecessor and will provide adequate protection for the foot against external conditions, even wet ones. A good but moderate level of cushioning and protection makes it suitable for moderate-length trail runs, making it a very good choice for everyday trail running.

• Stack height: 28/24 mm
• Drop: 4 mm
• Weight: 261 g men’s, 235 g women’s
• Regular price: 155 EUR