The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Runner in 2024
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Trail running is a popular hobby and wearing the proper shoes is critical for safety, stability and comfort. Whether you’re splitting your time between the roads and trails, need a lightweight shoe or want the best all-weather shoes to help you explore any climate, our guide has you covered.
Traditional running shoes aren’t built to handle the demands of unstable surfaces, mud and dirt, so trail running shoes are essential for any off-road running. Ahead we’ll break down what you need to look for when shopping for trail running shoes and share our top picks of 2024.
Our Picks for the Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024:
- Best Overall: adidas Agravic Flow 2 Trail
- Best Shoes for Road and Trail Running: Allbirds Trail Runners SWT
- Best All-Weather Trail Running Shoes: Kuru ATOM Trail
- Best Trail Running Shoes for Hiking: Xero Mesa Trail WP
- Best Lightweight Trail Running Shoes: Allbirds Trail Runners SWT
- Best Stability Trail Running Shoes: La Sportiva Bushido II Trail Running Shoe
- Best Budget Trail Running Shoes: Under Armour Charged Bandit TR 2
Best Overall: adidas Agravic Flow 2 Trail
adidas
Versatile enough to handle any trail, the adidas Agravic Flow 2 Trail shoes are the best overall shoes available on the market. A full-length promoderation foil and rock plate run along the midsole, helping to keep your foot secure and protected from any pointy objects you may step on. This extra support helps keep your foot from rolling inward as you run and a breathable mesh upper allows the air to flow comfortably over your foot.
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The Continental outsole is designed to provide maximum traction on any surface and the shoe still provides a bit of cushioning with Lightstrike EVA foam. These aren’t the lightest trail running shoes, but for maximum protection and stability, it’s hard to beat them.
Key features:
- Price: $140
- Weight: 11.3 ounces. (320 grams) for a US M9 / US W10.5
- Cushioning: Lightstrike EVA foam cushioning
- Available in 5 colorways:
- Wonder Steel / Magic Grey / Impact Orange
- Core Black / Core Black / Grey Six
- Core Black / Grey Four / Cloud White
- Core Black / Blue Rush / Turbo
- Pulse Lime / Turbo / Cloud White
Pros: High-traction, with a promoderation foil to stabilize your foot and provide rock protection.
Cons: The extra stability makes these shoes a little heavier than many competitors.
Best Shoes for Road and Trail Running: Allbirds Trail Runners SWT
Allbirds
While the Allbirds Trail Runners SWT is primarily a trail shoe, its lightweight design, cushioning and traction make it versatile enough for the road-to-trail transition.
Stable enough for the trails, yet light enough for the roads, this is our top choice for hybrid runners who enjoy training on multiple surfaces, from smooth sidewalks to the uneven terrain of your favorite technical trails. The Trail Runners have a durable outsole, adding grippy traction for slicker streets, and the ripstop is tear-resistant for the thorniest of trails.
Leaving a 5-star review, one purchaser spoke to the shoes’ versatility: “So far I have taken this shoe on all sorts of terrain this week and it has held up great. Volcanos, dirt trails, rocky roads,” adding that “the bottom of the shoe has really helped with gripping the rough areas.”
Key features:
- Price: $140
- Weight: 11.96 ounces
- Cushioning: EVA midsole cushioning
- Available in 5 colorways:
- Honey Rust
- Natural Black
- Natural White
- Joshua Tree (purple and black)
- Calm Taupe
Pros: Breathable mesh keeps your feet crisp while supportive foam keeps you comfy.
Cons: Removable insoles can lose grip if your feet start to sweat.
Best All-Weather Trail Running Shoes: Kuru ATOM Trail
Kuru
For those who need to run on snowy or muddy trails, the Kuru ATOM Trail is the brand’s best-selling, multi-faceted shoe. These are designed to offer the most protection and traction, helping you grip even the muddiest of trails while keeping debris out.
The bottom tread is multi-directional, designed to grip loose dirt and mud, with significantly less slip than your average shoe. This construction is designed to support your entire foot, offering a bit of extra stability when navigating unstable, slippery surfaces—the last thing you want is to stumble over wet rocks.
These shoes don’t have any waterproofing so you probably wouldn’t want to wear them in the pouring rain, but they’ll offer some protection on muddy and snowy trails, while the toe cover will protect you on rocky terrain.
Key features:
- Price: $160
- Weight: 13.4 ounces
- Drop: 8 millimeters
- Cushioning: Regular, moderate cushioning
- Available in two colorways:
- Jet Black / KURU Green
- Lead Grey / Orange Spice
Pros: High-traction, multi-directional tread designed to support you in any type of mud and snow, and a protective toe cover for rocky terrain.
Cons: No waterproofing so your feet may soak up a bit of water.
Best Trail Running Shoes for Hiking: Xero Mesa Trail WP
Xero
Runners who love to go chasing waterfalls might especially find their match with these hiking shoes from Xero. The Mesa Trail WP shoe is a stylish and comfortable hiking shoe made waterproof via sealed seams in the inner boot, a gusseted tongue and waterproof lining.
The shoes are the waterproof counterpart to the Mesa Trail II, the second iteration of the Mesa Trail shoes, and can help you conquer the slippery river rocks that usually run in tandem with a creek-side hike. The shoes have a rugged toe cap and sides to protect your feet from the elements, and a 3.5 millimeter foam layer for cushioned comfort. Runners who are comfortable with slightly less cushioning to feel their speed should enjoy these shoes.
Users noted that the waterproofing holds up in online reviews: “[The] sole provides outstanding traction when the trail gets slick. I tested the waterproofness by standing on the edge of a small lake with the toe box completely submerged. As to be expected my feet stayed perfectly dry,” wrote one verified buyer.
Key features:
- Price: $139.99
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Drop: None
- Cushioning: Minimal
- Available in two colorways:
- Trekking Green / Pine
- Black
Pros: Wide toe box provides comfort, and high-traction shoe is excellent for long hikes
Cons: Not all runners like a zero drop shoe.
Best Lightweight Trail Running Shoes: Allbirds Trail Runners SWT
Allbirds
Trail shoes are sometimes bulkier to add durability against the elements, which can make them a no-go for running. However at just under 1 pound (11.96 ounces), the Allbirds Trail Runners SWT are lighter than some of the other trail running shoes on our list, so they won’t weigh you down when you’re trying to stay lithe on the trail.
For those who find a heavy shoe a bit clunky and uncomfortable to run in, this shoe is designed to allow you to stay mobile and agile on the trails thanks to its design. In addition to being lightweight, the shoes have a not too steep, not too low 7 millimeter heel-to-toe drop and an accommodating toe box without being too roomy, reviewers say.
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The only trade-off is durability: a lighter design means less protection and traction. Allbirds recommends these shoes for mixed surfaces, such as roads and trains with light debris. They don’t have the deep lugs required for running in heavier backcountry elements like thick mud or inches of snow.
If you’re running on hard, highly technical terrain like rocky surfaces or running through mud, snow or ice, you’ll want a sturdier shoe. But for those light summer trail runs, this is our pick for the best shoe on the market.
Key features:
- Price: $140
- Weight: 11.96 ounces
- Cushioning: EVA midsole cushioning
- Available in 5 colorways:
- Honey Rust
- Natural Black
- Natural White
- Joshua Tree (purple and black)
- Calm Taupe
Pros: The wide base and maximum cushioning provide a comfortable, high-traction shoe, perfect for long hikes.
Cons: Runners may not like this level of cushioning and prefer a more natural feel.
Best Stability Trail Running Shoes: La Sportiva Bushido II Trail Running Shoe
La Sportiva
Anyone who’s concerned with stability and safety on the trails will love the La Sportiva Bushido II trail running shoe. La Sportiva includes a sticky, high traction grip on the bottom and sides of the rubber outsole, providing an extra layer of stability in nearly any weather condition. Users say these shoes have kept them extremely safe, eliminating slipping even while climbing mountains in the pouring rain.
All of the shoes on our list provide more traction than running shoes, but the Bushido II trail running shoes offer the highest level of stability and support.
Key features:
- Price: $145
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
- Drop: 6 millimeters
- Cushioning: Moderate midsole cushioning
- Available in 2 colorways:
- Carbon/tangerine
- Olive/neon
Pros: Extra-sticky outsole to provide the maximum amount of traction while hiking
Cons: At $145, these are among the pricier options on our list.
Best Budget Trail Running Shoes: Under Armour Charged Bandit TR 2
Under Armour
If you’re just getting started with trail running and aren’t sure if you like it, you’ll likely want to avoid spending excessive amounts of money on trail shoes. The Under Armour Charged Bandit TR 2 is a perfect option that features a sleek, minimalist design.
For only $90, you’ll receive a sleek, high-traction shoe designed for running up and down any trail you come across. A molded sock liner conforms to your foot, minimizing slipping and sliding inside of your shoe.
Under Armour’s Charged cushioning supports the midsole, keeping your foot comfortable during your runs. There’s no waterproofing, but these shoes will keep you safe and comfortable as long as you’re not running in heavy rain.
Key features:
- Price: $90
- Weight: 11 ounces
- Drop: 8 millimeters
- Cushioning: Midsole cushioning
- Available in 3 colorways:
- Black/Jet Gray
- Jet Gray/Orange Ice
- Fresco Green/Black
Pros: Low-cost, high-traction shoes are perfect for those just getting started with trail running.
Cons: There’s no waterproofing and the traction isn’t quite as aggressive as other options on our list.
Why Buy Trail Running Shoes
As anyone who’s ever tried trail running can tell you, the right shoes are essential to your safety. Trails are unstable surfaces, with loose rocks, dirt and all sorts of debris in your path and it’s very easy to misstep and lose your footing.
With road running, the type of shoe doesn’t matter too much, but with trails, you need to be wearing shoes with the proper traction to keep you from slipping around. The last thing anyone wants is a sprained ankle when you’re two miles deep into a run.
Trail running shoes will provide cushioning and support, similar to normal running shoes, but with extra traction and durability. And even if you’re not a runner and simply enjoy weekend hikes in nature, trail running shoes will make every step more comfortable and secure.
Trail Running Shoe Features
Trail running shoes are designed for unstable pavement. As such, you’ll notice the bottoms typically have much more tread than standard running shoes, to prevent your foot from slipping and sliding as you run.
While many shoes are designed to be lightweight, to keep you nimble and avoid unnecessary leg fatigue, you can also find heavier-duty options. If you find yourself running through mud, snow or other wet elements, the extra durability and protection may be worth the heavier weight.
How to Choose the Best Trail Running Shoe for You
When shopping for trail running shoes, the main consideration is where you’ll be doing the bulk of your running.
A hybrid shoe is a great option if you regularly mix in road or track running or your runs include both. It won’t provide the most traction, but enough to get the job done and allow you to change between surfaces.
For those who purely run on the trails, you’ll want a pure trail running shoe to maximize your safety.
Once you’ve figured out where you’ll be running, the rest is your personal preference. Do you like a heel drop or a level sole? Do you prefer lighter shoes or heavier shoes?
These are some of the factors that vary between shoes and should be chosen based on your preferences.
FAQs
Are Nike shoes good for trail running?
If you’re using Nike trail running shoes, then yes they are! Nike offers several models designed specifically for outdoor trail running. However, your standard Nike running shoes won’t have enough traction to run on the trails safely.
Is trail running more difficult than road running?
Yes and no. With trail running, you’re on an unstable surface, so you need to be careful where you’re stepping. Trail runners often move slightly slower and need to be very agile–a slightly different approach than pure road running.
If you’re training on a road, you shouldn’t need to worry much about your footing and can put all of your focus into building your cardiovascular endurance. So a trail run may challenge your stability a bit more, while road running may challenge your endurance and top run speeds a bit more intensely.
What's the difference between a trailer running shoe and a running shoe?
The shapes and designs are often very similar, but road running shoes don’t need to consider loose pebbles, dirt and other debris that may cause your foot to slip around. Because of this, trail running shoes often have more tread on the bottom, similar to hiking boots.
Can trail running shoes be used on a treadmill?
Yes, you can absolutely wear your trail running shoes on a treadmill. However, keep in mind that many trail running shoes are slightly heavier than regular shoes, so you may experience more lower-body fatigue.
Do trail running shoes have less cushioning?
Most of the time, yes. Because your foot often lands on uneven surfaces, the bottoms of trail running shoes are usually stiffer, often with special plates to protect your feet in case you accidentally step on a pointy object.
You don’t need this sort of protection with road running, so road shoes usually provide much more cushioning with each step.
Do you need different shoes for trail running?
You don’t need different running shoes to hit the trails, but we strongly recommend them, the same way you should wear basketball shoes for basketball or training shoes for weightlifting. Road running shoes simply aren’t built to stabilize your foot in the mud and dirt and you’ll likely find yourself slipping around a lot more.
If it’s the occasional run or hike, you may be able to get away with normal running shoes, but if you’re going to be trail running on a regular basis, a good pair of shoes is one of the best investments you can make.
Can I wear trail running shoes for walking?
Absolutely! Walking on trails requires just as much stability and traction as running, so wearing your trail running shoes on regular walks is a great idea.
Can you wear trail running shoes every day?
If you’re running the trails every day, then you’ll definitely want to wear your trail running shoes daily. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wearing them around during your daily errands, but they are going to be heavier and wearing them when you’re not on the trails may cause the traction to wear out quicker.
How long do trail running shoes last?
This is highly individual and depends on both the frequency of use and the terrain. For someone wearing trail running shoes once a month to go on a light run, they can last for years.
However, if you’re wearing them several times a week and putting lots of miles on your shoes, they’ll likely need to be replaced several times a year, just like running shoes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to be running up and down rocky, potentially muddy trails, you need proper shoes to keep your feet safe and dry, while minimizing the risk of slipping and falling.
Whether you’re looking for hybrid shoes that work on both the roads and trails or heavy-duty shoes that can handle any inclement weather, you’re sure to find the perfect pair for your needs in our guide!
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
