Best Men's Trail Running Shoes of 2024

The midsole, made of La Sportiva’s own XFlow™ foam, is also one of the most responsive we’ve ever worn. The midsole material feels dense yet springy. Initially, it felt so dense that we thought it wouldn’t provide enough cushion, and honestly felt weird. But after wearing these shoes for a run, we were sold. The energy return as you push off is unparalleled. They don’t feel like they have as much cushion as they do, which is a good thing.

The outsole rubber is also incredibly sticky. It uses La Sportiva’s Frixion® Red (XT 2.0) outsole. This outsole uses a dual rubber compound with stickier rubber in the center and more durable, longer-lasting rubber on the sides of the sole, where most people tend to wear down their outsoles fastest. This gives you sticky rubber wear you need without sacrificing longevity since stickier rubber is softer and wears down faster.

It has a high-tenacity engineered mesh upper that’s very breathable. This upper material barely absorbs any water and makes for one of the fastest-drying shoes we’ve worn. It has a thermoform reinforced toe cap, and this laminating wraps around the sides of the shoe to increase the overall durability across most of the high-wear areas of the upper. The tongue attaches to an elastic nylon mid-foot cage, reinforcing the entire front of your foot.

Many shoes have elasticized material that wraps around the sides of your foot and attaches at the tongue, but these shoes take this approach one step further by attaching the stretch nylon material to the tongue, down around the sides of your foot, and all the way to the toe box. The result is essentially a stretch nylon bootie that wraps around your entire forefoot for a super secure and stable fit.

If you’ve never worn La Sportiva shoes, the sizing is a bit weird. We wear a full size larger in La Sportiva than we do with other trail running shoes. Many people find La Sportiva shoes are too narrow as well. But once we figured out we needed to size up, we found they weren’t too narrow anymore.

These have a toe box that is wide enough for Sam, our main tester, and he has slightly wider than-average feet. If you need an extremely wide shoe, we recommend the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3, Hoka Speedgoat 6 (which comes in wide sizes), or either of the Altra models we tested here—the Timp 5 and Lone Peak 8. However, we've seen many people who fit into the Prodigio, so they’ll probably fit your feet, too. Just remember to size up a full size.

There aren’t many shoes that offer this much cushion in such a responsive, stable, and grippy platform, and for that reason, we think the Prodigios are the best trail running shoes overall.

Best cushioned trail running shoes: Hoka Speedgoat 6

Stack: 38-33 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Weight: 9.8 oz (single)
What we liked: Lightweight, great for mixed surface runs, well-cushioned
What we didn’t like: Not the best on rough terrain

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 is the most cushioned trail runner we tested and one of our favorites for ultra-distance running and fast hiking. We’ve been wearing Speedgoats for years, and we love the generous amount of cushioning, the sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole, and the very supportive upper.

You can read our in-depth review of the Hoka Speedgoat 6 for more details.

Hoka Speedgoat 6

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We wore the Speedgoats while thru-hiking the Continental Divide Trail, where we hiked an average of about 50K daily. We’ve also put a ton of trail running miles on these shoes in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Most recently, we thru-hiked the 160-mile Collegiate Peaks Loop in Colorado wearing the newest Speedgoat model, the Speedgoat 6.

The newest version of Speedgoat has an extra millimeter of heel-to-toe drop. The stack is now 38-33 mm, whereas the Speedgoat 5 was 38-34 mm. This change isn’t noticeable, and overall, the Speedgoat 6 feels pretty much identical to the Speedgoat 5. The Speedgoat 6 is also lighter than the previous version, weighing 9.8 oz per shoe, compared to the Speedgoat 5, which weighed 10.3 oz per shoe. The Speedgoat 6 has a new breathable woven textile upper, a lighter midsole that’s also more responsive, and a dual-gusset tongue that’s exceptionally comfortable. You can read more about the Speedgoat 5 in our in-depth review.

As mentioned above, the Speedgoats have 33 millimeters of stack height. This cushion is the most of any trail runner we tested. This feature leads to a diminished trail feel but allows you to walk over sharp rocks without feeling them on the bottom of your feet. They also have a sticky Vibram Megarip outsole with deep enough lugs to grip dirt and mud. These shoes grip everything between the sticky rubber and the large v-shaped lugs. They also have an extremely stable upper. When you lace these shoes, the mesh wraps around your foot as if it were designed for your foot. This upper is one of the best-fitting ones we’ve worn, and it stays comfortable all day.

These shoes have a ton of stack. In theory, more stack means a higher center of gravity for your feet and ankles. So, in theory, the Speedgoats should be more prone to causing a rolled ankle than shoes with a low stack height. However, in all the years and miles we’ve put into these shoes, we haven’t ever rolled an ankle. That’s more than we can say about other trail runners with much less stack height.

Best minimalist trail running shoes: On Cloudvista 2

Sizes available: 7-14
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 5 mm
Stack height: Heel 29 mm; toe 24 mm
Weight: 10.75 oz / 304 g 9.9 oz / 280 g
What we liked: Lightweight, responsive midsoles, nimble, speedy
What we didn’t like: Tread doesn’t provide the most traction

The On Cloudvista 2 are some of the simplest and lightest trail runners we tested. When we first held these shoes, we thought, “This is a trail runner?!” They don't look very different from a road shoe, but we were shocked at how well they performed on the trail. We had only planned a quick four- or five-mile run to start, but after 5 miles, they felt too good to turn around – so we doubled the distance.

They have a confidence-inspiring upper that comfortably wraps around your foot. And the lightweight, minimalist feel makes hills feel almost effortless.

On Cloudvista 2

The Cloudvistas 2 feature the same lightweight midsole design as other On shoes, like the On Cloudeclipse, On Cloudsurfer, and the On Cloudmonster.

The Helion foam sole is at the heart of this design, with hollow sections that let you see through the midsole. This unique sole uses a patented combination of stiff and soft materials, resulting in a lightweight and snappy feel unique to On shoes.

The newest version has a shorter stack height (now a heel of 29 mm; toe 24 mm). The drop changed from 5 mm vs. the 9 mm in the previous version. As a result, it weighs almost an ounce less per shoe (9.9 oz vs 10.75 oz in the previous version).

The design was initially intended for road running, but On added small rubber lugs to the outsole for the Cloudvista. They also beefed up the upper with durable mesh and a reinforced toe cap. They also have a thin integrated tongue that makes for a highly comfortable shoe.

Though we loved how these shoes feel on hardpacked dirt, the minimal lugs don’t provide the best traction on loose terrain. The tread looks like it could almost be a road shoe, and we think they’re great for those runs that involve gravel, hardpacked dirt, and even some pavement. But they're not the best for traction in mud, snow, or steep and loose dirt.

However, we love how these lightweight, minimalist shoes feel on maintained trails and hardpacked dirt. On those runs with a little bit of everything, the Cloudvistas offer an excellent balance of weight and comfort with just enough protection.

Best affordable trail running shoes: Salomon Sense Ride 5

Sizes available: 7 — 14
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: Heel 29.6; toe 21.3 mm
Weight: 10.1 oz / 286 g
What we liked: Affordable, Salomon quicklace system, comfortable, stable
What we didn’t like: Narrow fit

The Salomon Sense Ride 5 are some of the least expensive trail running shoes we tested, but they perform as well as many more expensive shoes. We’ve worn many pairs of the Sense Ride over the past few years. We love the overall stable feeling of the upper and the generously cushioned yet bouncy midsole they’re built on. These shoes do everything well and come in a lightweight package that pushes you to run farther.

The Salomon Sense Rides feature Salomon’s quicklace system. This system consists of a thin cord laced as regular shoelaces, with a slider to tighten the laces. The slider and excess lace tuck into the tongue's top so they don’t bounce around while you run. The tongue wraps around your entire foot; it attaches below the insoles with soft elastic material. And the tongue is cushioned with a stiff foam, so you don’t feel the thin laces on your foot.

These are some of the most cushioned trail runners we tested, too. They have nearly 30 millimeters of stack in the heel but don’t feel too high off the ground. The tread is comprised of many small 3.5-millimeter lugs, and while they don’t dig deep in mud or snow, they’re suited for most trail conditions. While we think these shoes fit very well overall, we found them narrow. They’re narrow enough that by the end of a long run, our toes feel like they’ve been squished together for miles. If you have a narrow foot, this won’t be an issue. But if you have a wide foot, these probably aren’t the best option. Even though they run narrower than many shoes we tested, we don’t think they’re too narrow for average-width feet.

Read our in-depth review of the Salomon Sense Ride 5 for more details.

Salomon Sense Ride 5

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Best crossover shoe (for road and trail running): Hoka Challenger 7

Sizes available: 7-15
Widths available: Regular, wide
Drop: 5 mm
Stack height: Heel 31 mm; toe 26 mm
Weight: 8.9 oz / 252 g
What we liked: Lightweight, great for mixed surface runs, well-cushioned
What we didn’t like: Not the best on rough terrain

The Hoka Challenger 7 is an excellent crossover trail running shoe. We’ve been wearing the Challengers as our road running shoes for several years, and the newest iteration is lighter and has more stack height. Every trail runner needs shoes for road running because there are days when you just want to run out your front door. If you’re like us, those runs follow city streets to the closest gravel or dirt path. The Challengers are an excellent choice for this style of running. They’re not as light as many road-specific shoes, but they feel great on the gravel path that winds through your city park. We’ve put thousands of miles on the gravel trails of Denver’s parks over the years, and most of those miles have been in Hoka Challengers.

The Challenger has a similar design to the Hoka Speedgoat but with smoother tread. They have tons of cushion, which we find more critical when pounding our feet over the pavement. They also have a great-fitting upper and a stable, supportive midsole. We’ve tried “real” road running shoes over the years but have always returned to the Challengers for their supportive and protective feel. Road shoes feel flimsy compared to these shoes, and we’re not used to that feeling.

However, the Challengers aren't the best for tearing up technical trails. They do better on steep inclines over strips of dirt than a road shoe, but they don’t provide nearly as much traction as trail shoes. We lace up these shoes when we plan to run a little bit of everything—sand, dirt, gravel, and pavement—the Challengers can handle it all. We don’t see any reason to use a different shoe for all those trails closer to home.

Read our full review of the Hoka Challenger 7.

Hoka Challenger 7

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Best zero-drop trail running shoes: Altra Timp 5

Stack: 29 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Weight: 9.8 oz / 278 g
What we liked: Grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole, natural foot shape, wide toe box, stable upper
What we didn’t like: zero drop isn’t for everyone, slightly narrower than the Altra Lone Peaks (which is also good for some people)

The Altra Timp 5 is our favorite zero-drop trail running shoe. It has awesome grip, fits well, and has just the right amount of cushioning. This is our favorite version of the Timp we’ve worn. It’s even better than the beloved Timp 2, which we wore while thru-hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. This is our favorite zero-drop shoe for long days on the trail, whether that’s running, hiking, or backpacking. The Timp 5 unseated our previous zero-drop winner, the Altra Lone Peak 8. The Timp has slightly more grip and cushion than the Lone Peak, which makes it better in wet conditions and a more versatile shoe overall.

Altra Timp 5

We also love the Altra Lone Peak zero-drop running shoe and think the Lone Peak 8 is an improvement over the previous version, the Lone Peak 7. However, we like that the Timp outsole, now made with Vibram Megagrip rubber, is stickier than the Lone Peak. We also found that the Timp 5 hugs our heel better than the Lone Peak, which makes it feel more secure on technical terrain.

The Timp’s tacky Vibram Megagrip outsole grips wet rocks and practically anything else. This is some of the most sticky rubber we’ve seen on any trail running shoe, and the same rubber used on the Hoka Speedgoat and Merrell Long Sky 2. The Vibram Megagrip compound makes you feel like you’re wearing a climbing shoe, albeit one that fits like a runner. We can confidently smear on angled slick rock, rock hop across creaks, and even step on wet logs with the Timp 5 due to the Megagrip outsole.

The Timp 5 has just the right amount of cushioning, too. If you want a shoe with more cushioning that’s still zero drop, you should try the Altra Olympus, which has even more cushioning. But, we like the amount of cushioning on the Timps–it’s not too little but not too much either. The Timp 5 also has a new Altra EGO MAX compound midsole. This midsole offers excellent cushion without feeling too soft when you push off.

These shoes also fit our feet really well. If you prefer a zero-drop shoe with a wide toe box but have never found Altra Lone Peaks to fit your foot snuggly, you should try the Timps. The Timps are ever-so-slightly narrower, which we found works with our wide but not the widest feet.

The Timp 5 is also available as a high-top hiker version for people who prefer a lightweight hiking boot.

We recommend them to anyone looking for a zero-drop trail runner with stellar grip, plenty of cushion, and a wide but not too wide fit.

Read our in-depth review of the Timp 5 here.

Best for long distance trail running: La Sportiva Wildcat

Sizes available: 6 - 13.5
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 12 mm
Stack height: Heel 29; toe 17 mm
Weight: 12.37 oz / 328 g
What we liked: Super durable, breathable, sticky rubber outsole
What we didn’t like: Runs narrow, La Sportiva sizing runs small, better for fast hiking than trail running

The La Sportiva Wildcat is our favorite trail running shoe for light and fast hiking, and often “running” long distances means "fast hiking" as much as it does running. The Wildcat is relatively heavy compared with other trail running shoes we tested, but it’s also one of the most durable and protective shoes. It's a very popular shoe with long-distance thru-hikers, and we’ve seen multiple pairs of these shoes last for nearly 1000 miles. While we wouldn’t recommend relying on a single pair of these shoes for that long, we can confirm it has been done.

The Wildcat is “overbuilt” by modern trail running shoe standards, but we think that's a good thing for the right uses. It has a burly toe cap, and stiffer soles than many trail runners. With a unique lug pattern made of long, thin rubber cleats that run lengthwise, they do well in rough terrain and feel more akin to the tread of a hiking shoe than a runner. The outsole rubber is quite sticky, and the shorter lugs allow for a solid platform to grab onto smooth rock. The upper is a comfortable and airy mesh with synthetic leather overlays for durability. They breathe well and kept our feet comfortable in hot conditions.

Though the Wildcat is excellent for long distances, it doesn’t have as much cushioning as some trail runners. They have a firmer midsole that doesn’t compress quickly, so they don’t have that cloud-like cushion feeling. While this isn't a dealbreaker for us, it might not be best if you prefer that soft, cushioned feeling of modern trail running shoes. The Wildcat is an excellent option for light and fast hiking. And let’s be honest, not all “trail runs” have to be 100% running because most of us can’t run over everything.

La Sportiva Wildcat

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Best for traction: Salomon Speedcross 6

Sizes available: 7-14
Widths available: Standard, Wide
Drop: 10 mm
Stack height: Heel 32 mm; toe 22 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz / 298 g
What we liked: Great traction, quicklace system, very protective, comes in standard and wide sizes
What we didn’t like: Feels like overkill on flatter terrain

The Salomon Speedcross 6 is a stellar trail running shoe for muddy, steep, or technical conditions. These shoes give you some of the best traction of any trail shoe available. Their massive 5 mm lugs bite into soft dirt and mud, and the sticky rubber grips onto slickrock and loose hardpacked dirt as well.

This shoe is designed for rough trails and has a stable, protective upper. The updated Speedcross 6 has a revamped upper material that feels more like a knit sock than previous versions. This revamped upper is more comfortable than previous versions, which were already quite comfortable. Other than the updated upper, the Speedcross 6 is largely the same as the Speedcross 5. They still lace up with the Salomon quicklace system, which tightens in one motion and never comes untied. The quicklace system paired with this new knit sock-like upper feels great even when you really tighten the laces.

Salomon Speedcross 6

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These shoes feel at home on steep terrain, pushing off in loose dirt and making sharp cuts while speeding down a muddy trail. They have a super grippy tread with deep lugs made of Salomon’s sticky Contragrip TA rubber, which keeps your feet firmly planted as you move down the trail. The midsole is firm and responsive but also provides plenty of cushion underfoot.

They have a very high heel-to-toe drop of 10 mm, which is some of the most drop we’ve seen on a trail runner. This feels specifically designed for going uphill, but they also work pretty well on flatter surfaces. We were pleasantly surprised with how these shoes felt on smoother terrain, but they’re not the ideal choice for long miles with little elevation gain. The deep lugs are probably overkill on hard-packed dirt, too. But they also don’t feel like they negatively affect the traction, and the grippy rubber outsole helps grip even when the lugs don’t.

The Speedcross fit pretty narrow. We tested the standard width in these shoes; they were just wide enough to feel comfortable over 6-8 miles. However, they weren’t quite wide enough for our liking on longer runs. However, they also come in wide sizing. We think these are some of the best shoes for dependable traction in rugged terrain.

For more info, read about our in-depth testing in our full Salomon Speedcross 6 Review.

Best waterproof trail running shoes: La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX

Sizes available: 6-13.5
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: 28 mm
Weight: 12.5 oz / 355 g
What we liked: Integrated waterproof gator, excellent traction, BOA dial lacing
What we didn’t like: Very expensive, La Sportiva sizing runs small

The La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX are the best waterproof trail running shoes we’ve worn. Many trail runners come in a waterproof version, but few others feature a full-coverage integrated waterproof gaiter like these. Thanks to the Cyklons, we could trail run five or more days a week during a very snowy January in Colorado. We ran hundreds of miles on trails, climbed 14ers, and snowshoed in these fully waterproof shoes. The waterproof gaiters kept our feet dry and warm even in temperatures near zero degrees Fahrenheit. You don’t have to worry about puddles splashing into the top of your trail shoe and soaking your feet when wearing the Cyklons. They have transformed our winter and wet-weather trail running.

The Cyklons feature a full-coverage waterproof gaiter that extends above your ankle. The gaiter zips shut over a BOA lacing system. The BOA dial is outside the waterproof gaiter and is easy to operate with gloves or waterproof mittens. This feature lets you easily tighten or loosen the shoes as trail conditions change. They also have deep 6.5-millimeter lugs with La Sportiva’s stickiest rubber. The lugs bite into snow and mud very well. We rarely felt the tread wasn’t enough on its own, and we only needed to add microspikes when running on smooth ice. The shoe that sits inside the integrated gaiter is very comfortable, too. Over many full days on rough trails, they remained comfortable.

However, the Cyklons are expensive. If you’re a hardcore foul-weather runner, they’re worth it. We’ve already convinced a few of our trail-running friends they’re worth the price this winter, and no one who’s tried them has been disappointed. But if you only plan to run trails a handful of times when it’s cold and wet, they might not be worth it.

La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX

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Best Wide Trail Running Shoes: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3

Sizes available: 7.5-13
Widths available: Standard, wide
Drop: 5 mm
Stack height: Heel 35 mm; toe 30 mm
Weight: 10.2 oz / 345 g
What we liked: Wide toe box, comfortable, well-cushioned, stable feel
What we didn’t like: Not the best on technical terrain

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is our favorite shoe for people who want a roomy toe box in a trail running shoe. This could mean people who have wide feet, but it could also mean thru hikers or long-distance runners who find their feet swell after hours or days on their feet. They also work for shorter runs while you're building to longer distances. We tested them in Colorado, doing everything from marathon-distance runs and summiting 14ers to quick jaunts on local trails. They're so comfortable you might not take them off when you’re done with your run. We’ve had many long days in these shoes and never felt that I-can’t-wait-to-get-out-of-these-shoes feeling. And the wide laces don’t create hotspots on the tops of your feet.

Like the Altra Lone Peaks, the Ultradventures have a roomy toe box so your toes won’t rub and cause blisters. While many of us love the Lone Peaks, not everyone likes how they fit. The upper on the Ultradventure feels more secure than the Lone Peak, and it has significantly more cushioning as well. The heel cup securely holds your foot in place and feels more planted on the ground – even with the higher stack height.

The Ulraventures have a proprietary midsole foam that feels bouncy but doesn’t feel too heavy. Even with 35-30 millimeters of stack height, they still provide a surprising amount of trail feel. However, these aren’t the shoes we’d choose for steep, technical trails. The outsole grips well, but the less aggressive, 3-millimeter square lugs aren’t designed to grip loose dirt or mud. They're better for thru-hiking or ultrarunning, where you’ll be on a variety of surfaces and wearing them for long days. They're also a great road-to-trail crossover shoe.

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3

Other Trail Running Shoes We Tested

Saucony Peregrine 14

Sizes available: 7-14
Widths available: Standard, wide
Drop: 4 mm
Stack height: Heel 28 mm; toe 24 mm
Weight: 9.4 oz / 266 g
What we liked: Lightweight, aggressive lug pattern, more cushioning than previous versions, wrap-around tongue
What we didn’t like: Narrower fit

Saucony has been making the Peregrine trail running shoe for over 16 years. The latest version, the Saucony Peregrine 14, maintains the lightweight design we loved in previous versions but with an even more cushioned midsole. We love how responsive this updated midsole feels while still cushioning our feet for long days. Saucony added more cushion with the 13 version, but they stepped it up with their PWRRUN cushioning and PWRRUN+ sock liner on the 14s.

The Peregrine has a very comfortable upper and generous cushioning around the heel and ankles. You can hike or run in these shoes without lacing them very tight because the tongue attaches to the footbed, so it wraps around your entire foot like a bootie. When you tightly lace them, it creates a cozy, glove-like fit. The well-fitting upper creates a super stable feel, and we love how these shoes feel on technical descents.

The outsole features 5-millimeter multi-directional lugs that work well in most conditions. Their PWRTRAC rubber is tacky enough to grip on slick rock surfaces, though it isn’t quite as sticky as the Vibram Megagrip rubber on the Hoka Speedgoat 5 and Merrell Long Sky 2 or the Frixion® XT 2.0 rubber on the La Sportiva Jackal II. While we like most things about these shoes, they run on the narrower side and don’t have quite enough room in the toe box to be our go-tos for long runs. But if you have narrower feet or prefer a tighter fit for technical running, these shoes are an excellent option.

Read the full review of the Saucony Peregrine 14 for more details.

Saucony Peregrine 14

Brooks Catamount 3

Sizes available: 7-15
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 6 mm
Stack height: Heel 22 mm; toe 16 mm
Weight: 9.4 oz / 266 g
What we liked: Extremely comfortable, lightweight, nimble, grippy rubber outsole
What we didn’t like: Price

The Brooks Catamount 3 is one of our new favorite trail running shoes for almost everything, but it’s especially good at tackling hills. We took this on several 10+ mile runs to the top of peaks in southern Arizona and were impressed with how they feel as you push off the ground on inclines. They’re lightweight and springy, making long runs to the top of a mountain feel fun. They’re also super stable on the downhills. These are all-around great trail runners.

The Catamounts have a sticky outsole, with 4-millimeter lugs deep enough to grip loose dirt or mud. They have a built-in plate that stiffens the sole and propels you forward as you push off with your toes. Though this isn’t a “rock plate,” per se, it also protects the bottoms of your feet as a rock plate would. The tongue connects to the shoe's insole area, giving these shoes a bootie-like feel and keeping your foot secure inside the shoe.

We love how this upper fits around our feet and immediately felt confident on the downhills with these shoes. The upper mesh is super breathable, too. These are some of our new favorite shoes for hot weather runs. However, these are some of the more expensive trail running shoes we tested. There are less expensive shoes out there that perform almost as well, and if you’re just starting, we would steer you in that direction instead. The Catamounts are a great option if you’re looking for a high-performing, speedy trail runner capable of technical terrain.

Brooks Catamount 3

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Sizes available: 7-16
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 4 mm
Stack height: Heel 23.5 mm; toe 19.5 mm
Weight: 9.45 oz / 267 g
What we liked: Very stable, comfortable, Vibram MegaGrip outsole
What we didn’t like: Not the most cushion

The Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 are some of our favorite trail running shoes for scrambly mountain runs. We logged tons of miles in these shoes last summer on everything from high routes in the San Juan mountains in Colorado to 50k runs in Colorado’s Maroon Bells and Moab, Utah. These shoes are fast and grippy, and inspire confidence underfoot no matter where you take them.

They have a tongue that wraps around the top of your foot to create a super stable fit even when they aren’t laced tightly. And, they have a Vibram MegGrip outsole, which is some of the grippiest rubber we’ve worn on any shoe in both wet and dry conditions. Merrell isn’t known for their trail runners. But don’t write them off just because they’re known for their hiking boots, Merrell also makes great trail running shoes.

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2

Brooks Cascadia 17

Sizes available: 7-14
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 8 mm
Stack height: Heel 20 mm; toe 12 mm
Weight per shoe: 11 oz / 312 g
What we liked: Extremely stable, durable, supportive midsole
What we didn’t like: Heavy, not the most comfortable

The Brooks Cascadia 17 is a legendary trail running shoe that’s been around for 17 iterations. We think the latest iteration is a great shoe, but we think the Brooks Catamount 3 is a better all-around trail shoe for its lightweight design and higher level of comfort. The Brooks Cascadia is a great shoe, though, and plenty of trail runners and hikers swear by it.

Brooks Cascadia 17

Salomon XA Pro 3D V9

Sizes available: 7-14
Widths available: Standard
Drop: 11 mm
Stack height: Heel 28.7; toe 17.3 mm
Weight per shoe: 11.4 oz / 323 g
What we liked: Extremely protective, stiff midsole
What we didn’t like: Feel more like a hiking shoe than a runner

The Salomon XA Pro 3D have been around for nine iterations. They’re a very popular shoe for hiking and backpacking, even though Salomon lists these as a trail runner. These shoes have a very firm midsole that feels great when picking your way through rough, rocky trails. They have a grippy outsole that works in wet conditions.

With the most recent version, Salomon has made these shoes lighter and more responsive than previous versions, but they still don’t feel as nimble as many of the other trail runners we tested here. However, if you’re looking for a durable shoe to transition away from hiking boots or even lightweight hiking boots, this is a great option.

Salomon XA Pro 3D V9

Hoka Speedgoat 5

Sizes available: 7-15
Widths available: Standard, Wide
Drop: 4 mm
Stack height: Heel 33 mm heel; toe 29 mm
Weight: 10.3 oz / 292 g
What we liked: Very cushioned, great fit, comes in standard and wide sizing, fantastic grip
What we didn’t like: High stack height can feel unstable, exposed midsole foam on tread

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 was our former winner for best cushioned trail running shoe until Hoka came out with the Speedgoat 5.

Overall, the Speedgoat 6 is pretty similar to the Speedgoat 5, with 1 mm more heel-to-toe drop, an added heel pull loop, updated upper and midsole materials, and a redesigned outsole compared to the Speedgoat 5. Version 6 is a half-ounce lighter per shoe than the Speedgoat 5. Also, the Speedgoat 6 is available in a bunch of earth-tone and subdued colors, which is notable for Hoka since they historically have only used bright colors for their shoes.

To compare the Speedgoat 6 and the Speedgoat 5, read our full review of the Hoka Speedgoat 5 or full review of the Hoka Speedgoat 6.

Hoka Speedgoat 5

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Altra Lone Peak 8

Sizes available: 7-16
Widths available: Regular, wide
Drop: 0 mm
Stack height: 25 mm
Weight: 10.7 oz / 303 g
What we liked: Zero drop, wide toe box, great trail feel, minimalist shoe, available in many sizes
What we didn’t like: Not great on technical terrain, minimalist trail shoe feel isn’t for everyone

The Altra Lone Peak 8 are some of the most popular zero-drop trail running shoes. Altra has a massive following among trail runners, thru-hikers, and ultralight backpackers who want a shoe that allows your foot to move naturally with room to accommodate foot swelling in extreme conditions. The Lone Peak was our previous top pick for a zero-drop shoe, but this year was unseated by the Altra Timp 5. We think the Lone Peak is a great shoe, but the Timp is grippier, has better cushioning, and is overall more capable on technical terrain. If you need the absolute widest zero-drop shoe, or simply love the Lone Peak, don’t let this deter you from getting them because they’re still a great shoe.

We first wore Lone Peaks while thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and we also tested the Lone Peak 8 trails in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. These shoes excel on smoother trails – they’re great for running over sand and packed dirt in desert environments. The minimalist design is quite popular outside desert regions, too.

Altra Lone Peak 8

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These are zero-drop shoes, meaning your heel is at the same level as your forefoot – how it would be when you’re barefoot. The toe box is very wide, so your toes don’t rub each other as you move. The result is an incredibly comfortable trail shoe that is less prone to causing blisters or chafing.

The Lone Peaks have a relatively low stack height, so you’re close to the ground and can feel the trail beneath your feet, further adding to the natural barefoot feel. They're constructed with a seamless and stitchless upper, making them even less prone to discomfort from chafing or rubbing. The upper is almost entirely mesh, making these some of the most breathable shoes we tested. The wide platform creates a very stable feel. The tread is grippy, and the deep directional lugs help grip loose dirt and sand.

However, some people don’t love how the minimalist design makes them feel less stable. If you’re used to a more rigid trail shoe, they'll feel flimsy, especially at first. We noticed this on rocky trails where the shoes didn’t feel as protective. However, if you’re looking for a zero-drop trail runner, you probably know the benefits of this design.

Note that the sizing of the 8s is slightly larger than the 7s. When testing the Lone Peak 8, we went with a half-size smaller than usual, which greatly improved how they felt on our feet. If you want the widest zero-drop shoe, we recommend the Lone Peak 8. If you want a slightly narrower zero-drop trail shoe, we also love the Altra Timp 5.

Related: read our review of the durable, zero-drop Topo Athletic Pursuit 2 for another good comparison.

La Sportiva Jackal II

Sizes available: US Men’s 6-14.5 / EU 38 - 48.5
Widths available: Standard (D)
Drop: 7 mm
Stack height: Heel 29 mm; toe 22 mm
Weight: 9.7 oz / 275 g
What we liked: Lightweight, great fit, comfortable tongue, grippy tread, wider than most La Sportiva shoes
What we didn’t like: La Sportiva sizing runs small

The La Sportiva Jackal II trail running shoes are lightweight trail runners that balance foot protection, grip, and all-day comfort very well. These shoes have a wide toe box that makes them great for long, ultra-distance trail adventures, but their all-day comfort also translates well to any length run.

We’ve worn the Jackals since the original version for everything – from backpacking the Arizona Trail across the Grand Canyon to running trails in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. We even use the Jackals for “road to trail” type runs, where we start on pavement and eventually end up on dirt or gravel surfaces.

La Sportiva Jackal II

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The Jackal II has a wider last than most other La Sportiva shoes, which have a reputation for running relatively narrow (see our shoe diagram for an explanation about lasts). We loved the original Jackals but had some issues with the heel fit and comfort. The Jackal II has a much-improved heel that fits better, especially with this heel lock lacing technique. They have plenty of room in the toe box for long days on the trail. However, unlike some trail runners with wider toe boxes, these shoes are super stable on rocky, technical terrain.

The Jackal II tread is some of the grippiest we’ve used. They feel secure while hopping from rock to rock or making sharp cuts around a downhill switchback. They also have a highly breathable upper, which helps on those long, hot days. The biggest drawback of these shoes is the fit. With all La Sportiva shoes, we have to get a full size bigger than we usually wear with other brands’ shoes. Once we figured out sizing, they fit really well and are wide enough for our wider-than-average feet.

There aren’t many shoes that work this well for anything the trail throws at you, and we love the Jackal II for that reason. They used to be our favorite trail runner overall, but they’ve since been usurped by the La Sportiva Prodigio. If you want the La Sportiva model with the widest toe box, this is still the shoe for you.

La Sportiva Bushido III

Stack: 25-19 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Weight: 10.5 oz
What we liked: Grippy, stable, low to the ground, comes in wide sizing
What we didn’t like: Not very much cushion, heavier, La Sportiva sizing is weird

The La Sportiva Bushido III is a low-stack trail runner for technical terrain. This is one of the most stable-feeling shoes we’ve tested. It doesn’t have the most cushioning and wouldn’t be our top choice for ultra-distance endeavors. But it has enough cushioning, and this shoe shines in its traction and stability, not cushioning. Now that the Bushido III comes in wide, which is new for this year, we recommend it to anyone looking for a stable shoe with excellent traction that’s low to the ground.

We’ve been a fan of the Bushido for years but never found they fit our feet well. Older Bushido models are probably one of the biggest culprits for La Sportiva’s reputation of having narrow-fitting shoes. We wanted to love these shoes for techy, rocky terrain, but they felt too much like a ballerina slipper for longer runs.

La Sportiva Bushido III