What shoes for trail running?

Shoes in this category are designed for running on technically difficult terrain. They tend to be less cushioned, stiffer, and more “armored” than shoes designed for running on streets and roads. These shoes are suitable for running on rocky mountain trails, difficult cross-country terrain, and mud. They are also suitable for less demanding terrain such as suburban woods and dirt roads.

Overview of running shoes

Trail running shoes can be categorized according to their function and the surface they are used on. When running on rough terrain and in the mountains on a daily basis, stability, traction and long-distance comfort are key. Versatility is key for light trail running or mixed (trail/street) surfaces. Fast running shoes prioritize low weight, dynamic and responsiveness, sometimes at the expense of other parameters.

	SPEED TRAIL	COMFORT TRAIL	MIXED TERRAIN
maximum cushioning	Asics Metafuji Trail NB Fuelcell SC Trail	Altra Olympus 6 Asics Trabuco Max 4 Brooks Caldera 8 Diadora Sestriere XT 2 Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Hoka Speedgoat 6 NB More Trail v3 Nike Zegama 2 Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide Salomon Ultra Glide 3 Saucony Xodus Ultra 3	Hoka Stinson 7
very high cushioning	Asics Fujispeed 3 Brooks Catamount 4 Hoka Tecton X 3 Nike Ultrafly On Cloudventure	Altra Timp 5 Asics Gel-Trabuco 13 Brooks Cascadia 18 Mizuno Wave Mujin 10 NB Hierro v7 Nike Wildhorse 8 Salomon Genesis Saucony Peregrine 14	Hoka Challenger 7 Nike Pegasus Trail 5 On Cloudsurfer Trail Salomon Ultra Flow
high and mid cushioning	Asics Fuji Lite 5 Nike Terra Kiger 9 Hoka Zinal 2 On Cloudventure Peak Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3 Salomon Speedcross 6	Altra Lone Peak 9 Altra Superior 6 Asics Gel-Sonoma 8 Mizuno Wave Daichi 8 Saucony Excursion TR16	Brooks Divide 4 Hoka Torrent 4 On Cloudvista 2 Salomon Sense Ride 5

Trail shoes with maximum cushioning

Who can use it?

• Ultra runners
• Long-distance runners
• Heaviest runners, weighing over 90 kg
• Looking for maximum comfort

Comparison of sample models

MODEL	STACK HEIGHT (mm)	DROP (mm)	WEIGHT MEN’S (grams)	WEIGHT WOMEN’S (grams)	REGULAR PRICE (€)
Altra Olympus 6	33/33	0	345	310	180
Asics Trabuco Max 4	40/35	5	312	265	180
Brooks Caldera 8	39/33	6	300	263	150
Diadora Sestriere XT 2	38/33	5	340	275	160
Dynafit Ultra PRO 2	35/27	8	310	270	180
Hoka Speedgoat 6	40/35	5	278	232	160
Hoka Mafate 5	45/37	8	332	286	180
inov-8 Trailfly Max	24/18	6	260	260	160
New Balance Hierro v7	28/20	8	301	235	160
Nike ZoomX Zegama 2	37/33	5	328	280	180
Salomon S/Lab Genesis	30/22	8	269	243	200
Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide	37/35	6	280	280	250

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Daily trail

Who can use it?

• trail runners
• weighing up to about 90 kg
• looking for comfort in the terrain
• looking for one universal trail shoe

Comparison of sample models

MODEL	STACK HEIGHT (mm)	DROP (mm)	WEIGHT MEN’S (grams)	WEIGHT WOMEN’S (grams)	REGULAR PRICE (€)
Altra Lone Peak 8	25/25	0	327	264	170
Asics Trabuco 13	35.5/27.5	8	285	250	160
Brooks Cascadia 18	34/26	8	298	278	150
Hoka Challenger 7	31/26	5	252	218	150
Hoka Torrent 4	23/18	5	248	213	140
inov-8 Trailfly	29/23	6	280	280	150
Mizuno Wave Daichi 8	33/25	8	308	255	150
Nike Pegasus Trail 5	n/a	9.5	300	n/a	140
Nike Wildhorse 10	38/27.5	9.5	295	n/a	130
On Cloudsurfer Trail	37/30	7	n/a	n/a	170
On Cloudvista 2	33/27	7	280	235	160
Salomon Genesis	30/22	8	269	242	160
Saucony Peregrine 14	28/24	4	261	235	155

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Speed trail

Who can use it?

• running on terrain
• weighing up to about 90 kg
• looking for dynamics on terrain
• looking for more ground feel

Comparison of sample models

MODEL	STACK HEIGHT (mm)	DROP (mm)	WEIGHT MEN’S (grams)	WEIGHT WOMEN’S (grams)	REGULAR PRICE (€)
Asics Metafuji Trail	45/40	5	260	260	250
Asics Fujispeed 2	36/31	5	242	212	180
Brooks Catamount 4	34/28	6	275	244	170
Hoka Tecton X 3	40/35	5	286	223	250
New Balance Supercomp Trail	36.5/26.5	10	270	214	220
Nike Terra Kiger 9	32/28	4	286	235	150
Nike Ultrafly	38/30	8	n/a	n/a	250
Salomon Speedcross 6	32/22	10	298	262	150
Salomon S/Lab Pulsar 3	24.5/18.5	6	205	205	200