The 11 Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026 (Complete Guide)

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Trail running is a wonderful way to combine a passion for running with time in nature. Shoes are the most important piece of gear for a good experience out there. But whether you are a seasoned trail runner or getting ready for your first outing on a trail, choosing the best trail running shoes for you is more complicated than it looks.

If you thought finding a good pair of road running shoes was hard, the number of options in trail shoes will surprise you!

No need to worry: we are here to guide you through the selection.

So we have put together our ranking of the best trail models of 2026 (so far), with a variety of designs that runners love.

If you are new to trail running, take a look at our tips for choosing your first pair. More experienced runners can head to our reviews page, which offers handy filters to find the right model (terrain, stack height, drop, distance, and so on). And our comparison tool lets you compare two models side by side when you cannot decide.

Our Method

Since 2017, the Runner’s Lab team has been testing trail running shoes meticulously and analyzing the opinions of experts and amateurs to reach a consensus and assign an overall score. A single trail runner’s review already tells you a lot about a shoe’s strengths and weaknesses. But only a systematic review lets us draw conclusions that hold for most runners.

One runner might complain about a shoe’s lack of cushioning while another finds it comfortable enough. Some get blisters, others feel nothing. Our job is to work out whether a problem (or a strength) is an isolated case or a widespread one.

We also check the claims made by brands and testers against scientific evidence, to clarify the points where opinions differ (and where feelings run high), such as the effect of body weight, drop and stack height on injury risk.

Our 2026 Selection

Comparison Chart

1. Hoka Speedgoat 7: The Absolute Reference

Hoka’s best-seller has dominated the trail running scene since 2019. Its capable yet comfortable design immediately won over runners worldwide, starting with Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer, the famous ultra runner the shoe is named after. The Hoka has become an icon of trail culture, and if you ever line up at the start of a race, you will be amused by how many athletes are wearing it.

Version 7 is lighter, more comfortable and more responsive thanks to a new supercritical foam (which brings more bounce), without giving up anything on the technical side.

The Vibram Megagrip outsole with its 5 mm lugs offers the very best in traction and durability, while the excellent midsole cushioning makes it a pleasure to run long on every type of terrain.

And while it wraps the foot for perfect balance on tricky descents, the Speedgoat still suits runners who need room for their toes, thanks to its roomier fit.

Read the full review

2. Asics Gel Trabuco 14: The Most Versatile

Asics has recently revived its trail range with new models, including the Trabuco Max, very popular with runners who like a lot of cushioning. The Gel Trabuco, for its part, is a very versatile trail shoe that suits every kind of running.

With its thick midsole, it delivers balanced, responsive cushioning for a comfortable run on a variety of terrain. The ASICS Grip outsole and its fairly deep lugs (4 mm) give reliable traction in all conditions.

Its biggest advantage is its sturdy build. It shows Asics’ know-how, with a well-designed model made of quality materials built to last. The rock plate also takes the sting out of sharp impacts on rough ground.

The only thing to watch is the fit: the shoe can run a bit big for narrow feet. Otherwise, faultless!

Read the Asics Gel Trabuco 14 review

3. Salomon Genesis: Racing Performance at an Accessible Price

Where the Trabuco is about comfort, the Genesis is about performance. It is the accessible version of the S/Lab Genesis, the shoe that won over the trail world among elites and amateurs alike. It keeps the S/Lab Genesis’ racing DNA at a much more reasonable price.

Its calling card: grip. The All Terrain Contagrip outsole and its 4.5 mm lugs deliver fierce traction on every terrain, mud included. Underfoot, the Energy Foam gives firm support: the platform and rocker combine for responsive transitions and total confidence on descents.

For lockdown, the Matryx upper, the Active Chassis and the Quicklace system hold the foot with the precision of a racing shoe. Sturdy and durable, it handles everything from daily runs to ultras and is one of the best values in this selection. The only downside: it feels a little stiff, and the fit can be tight for wide feet.

Salomon Genesis: no English review yet.

4. Saucony Peregrine 16: The Best Balance

The Peregrine is an iconic model known for its superb grip in all conditions, even mud. Its new outsole uses Vibram Megagrip, whose reputation is well established. Even with shallower lugs (4 mm), it holds on the most technical climbs and descents.

Once a bit heavy, it is now a more agile shoe at 275 g / 9.7 oz for the men’s version. Saucony has also reworked the cushioning to make it softer and better suited to long distances. It is still at its best on mid distances, but it can take you further depending on your preferences.

Beyond grip, its main strength is comfort. The Peregrine combines a precise, comfortable fit with plenty of room for the toes at the front.

In short, Saucony has revamped the Peregrine into a more durable trail shoe that remains affordable: excellent value for money.

For a similar model with more cushioning, look at the Saucony Xodus Ultra.

Read the full analysis

5. Hoka Mafate 5: The Most Cushioning

Hoka pushes maximalism even further with the Mafate 5. An impressive stack (45 mm at the heel), dual-density CMEVA plus supercritical foam cushioning, and a drop raised to 8 mm: everything is built for ultra distance, from runnable trails to technical sections.

The Vibram Megagrip outsole with Traction Lug delivers flawless grip, even on wet rock, while the new wraparound upper brings comfort and protection over hours of running, at the cost of some breathability.

More stable than you would expect for its size, it also picks up speed well thanks to its Meta-Rocker geometry.

Granted, its weight and high stack will not appeal to runners who want ground feel or who love short, explosive race formats. But to cover long distances without worrying about the impacts, the Mafate 5 is a formidable ally, ready to take you on your most ambitious ultras.

Read the Hoka Mafate 5 review

6. Brooks Cascadia 19: The Reference for Ultras

For its 19th edition, Brooks keeps the DNA of this iconic model and adds welcome updates: a new DNA Loft v3 foam that is lighter and more responsive, and a drop lowered to 6 mm.

The result: more comfort and rock-solid stability, even on rough terrain.

The TrailTack Green outsole (25% recycled) and the TrailAdapt system provide dependable grip and a smooth ride over uneven ground. The upper, more flexible and breathable, gives a secure lockdown while leaving room in the forefoot.

A little heavy for fast workouts, the Cascadia 19 really shines on long runs, run-hikes and adventures where reliability matters more than speed. A true do-it-all trail shoe, designed by Brooks and endorsed by ultra legend Scott Jurek.

Read the Brooks Cascadia review

7. La Sportiva Bushido III: Powerful Grip for the Mountains

The Italian brand is well known to mountain lovers for the quality and performance of its premium mountaineering and climbing boots. It brings the same know-how to its trail shoes, and the result is impressive. La Sportiva also works with Anton Krupicka, the famous bearded ultra runner and two-time winner of the brutal Leadville Trail 100.

For this third edition, La Sportiva has added cushioning for more protection while keeping a firm feel. With its rock plate, the shoe excels on rocky mountain trails, even if the 3.5 mm lugs can struggle in mud.

The lockdown is excellent, for a planted, secure feel, and the build is sturdy.

We recommend it to trail runners used to mountain routes that are fairly dry, over mid distances.

La Sportiva Bushido III: no English review yet.

8. Nike Terra Kiger 9: The Most Stylish

Nike has worked hard in recent years to catch up with the other brands in trail running. Known for road running, the brand is not the first that comes to mind for mountain trails with serious elevation.

So the Terra Kiger had a reputation for comfort and good ground feel, but its grip struggled on demanding trails. Until now. 2021 opened a new era for the line. The Kiger 9, released in 2023, continues that momentum with a more specialized design. The rubber outsole carries more lugs, and deeper ones (4.4 mm), so it is better equipped for the toughest trails.

With more cushioning (without losing proprioception), more protection and better grip, the Terra Kiger performs at a higher level and is clearly designed with ultras in mind. Watch out for the low drop (only 3 mm), which can be a surprise.

One more thing: Nike trail shoes are becoming fashion icons. Do not be surprised if you turn heads on the trails!

Read the Terra Kiger 9 review

9. Altra Olympus 6: Zero Drop

Despite its strong reputation and the loyal following it has among seasoned trail runners, the Altra range is uneven, with some models proving downright disappointing from one year to the next. The Lone Peak 5 is one example.

Not the Altra Olympus 6! This is a really good trail shoe offering ultimate comfort thanks to its maximalist stack (33 mm) and its roomy toe box, which lets the toes splay (or almost).

It is also a very durable shoe with a more responsive stride than its weight suggests.

So it is a good option if you want to try zero drop (a midsole with no slope from heel to toe). That also makes it a specialized shoe, which we recommend to people who already have some trail experience.

Read the Altra Olympus review

10. New Balance Hierro v8: Style and Comfort

Is it a sneaker or a trail shoe? Do not be fooled by its stylish design: under the hood, the NB Fresh Foam Hierro hides a setup that is comfortable and reliable for long distances.

With its Vibram Megagrip outsole, the Hierro grips well in most conditions. The lugs on this v8 are not that deep, which limits grip in mud, but overall it copes very well.

This new version is more accessible and more agile thanks to a lighter build, more comfortable cushioning and a higher drop. The Fresh Foam X midsole gives a soft feel for long, comfortable runs.

And the bootie construction feels great, with excellent lockdown.

In short, it is not the most technical option in our selection, but it is without doubt one of the most comfortable and versatile, ideal for trail runners who put comfort first on moderately difficult surfaces.

Read the NB Hierro review

11. Brooks Catamount 4: Hybrid and Fast

The Brooks Catamount is one of the best new trail lines of recent years. The first version was already very good, and Brooks has outdone itself every year since to improve a model pitched as the more responsive alternative to the Cascadia for shorter distances.

Not planning a brutal ultra (UTMB, maybe?) and thinking instead of workouts or short and mid-distance races on trails? Then the Brooks Catamount 4 could be the comfort-and-speed answer you need.

It is a shoe that can flex its muscles when needed, with a SkyVault plate that protects the foot while improving propulsion. Its fairly light build and flexible, precise upper also let you go fast confidently on moderately technical terrain.

Firm as it is, the Catamount 4 stays very comfortable and stands out with a responsive cushioning that is a delight underfoot.

Finally, its 3.5 mm lugs make it suitable for road running too. In short, an impressively versatile model that every trail runner should have in the rotation.

Read the Brooks Catamount review

What About the Other Models?

Yes, a top 11 means making choices, and some shoes inevitably miss the cut. The following models are safe bets you can trust. We update our rankings regularly and may add them later:

• The North Face Flight Vectiv
• Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 v2 (read the review)
• Hoka Zinal 2 (read the review)
• Hoka Tecton X 3, a carbon-plate trail shoe (read the review)

How to Choose Your Trail Running Shoes

A trail shoe is a shoe that lets you run off road, on natural trails in the mountains and forests, uphill (elevation gain) and downhill (elevation loss). Trail simply means path.

To cope with the most demanding conditions, trail shoes differ from road running shoes. The main differences:

• The outsole lugs provide grip on rough ground.
• The upper and the overall build are more protective, to avoid painful knocks, in particular thanks to the toe bumper at the front.
• Many models come in a waterproof version (Gore-Tex or similar) to run in the rain and cross shallow streams while keeping your feet dry.

Trail shoes usually come in men’s and women’s versions, but some are unisex. See also our best trail running shoes for women.

With the rise of trail running in recent years, the number of models on the market has grown considerably. That makes the choice harder, since there are countless configurations to suit every situation and every type of runner. Several criteria therefore matter.

The Criteria That Matter

To choose well, think about the following:

• The terrain: will you run on open, mostly dry trails? Or do you expect slippery mud, even snow? The more technical the terrain, the deeper the lugs and the tighter the foot lockdown you need.
• The distance: as a rule, the more miles you pile up, the more you will appreciate generous cushioning to absorb the impacts.
• The climate: do you need a waterproof trail shoe (a Gore-Tex lining, for instance), or on the contrary a well-ventilated one so the foot can breathe in the heat?
• Your use: are you looking for trail shoes for racing and fast workouts, or for easy weekend outings? In the first case, precise lockdown and good energy return are a must for speed. In the second, you can favor a more forgiving lockdown with taller, softer cushioning.
• The drop: there are several configurations, and the 2026 models mostly have a low drop (4-5 mm) or a moderate one (6 to 8 mm). Above all, it is a matter of personal preference.

For more in-depth advice, see our complete guide to choosing trail running shoes.

Where to Buy

We trust the following partner store: REI.