Trail running shoes come with many variations in grip and weight to suit different types of conditions and objectives. Here's what to look for and the best options out there
For trail running, particularly in the mountains, it’s essential to have something on your feet that will help you feel confident enough to take that muddy corner quickly, to skip down a wet, rocky path, climb scree and jump logs. There are a lot of different options out there, however, and finding the right pair that can handle such a variety of conditions can be quite tricky. For this reason, we’ve compiled our selection of the best trail running shoes for 2024 along with a buyer’s guide to help you make the right shoe choice for your needs.
The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024
In this test of a surprisingly diverse range of off-road running footwear, we’ve addressed all of the key areas mentioned above and suggested where each pair will be best placed. They’re all great, but in different ways and we’d recommend them for different uses.
There are three overriding questions to consider when you’re looking to buy a pair of trail shoes: what terrain will you be using them for? What kind of distances will you be running in them? What kind of feel do you like to get from a shoe? In this guide, we’ll help to pin point where each pair sits in regards to each of these criteria – and for more information on why that stuff is important, just jump right down to the bottom of the page or check out our in-depth guide on how to choose trail running shoes.
Best Overall Trail Running Shoe: La Sportiva Mutant
Best Trail Running Shoe for Cushioning: New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V7
Best Lightweight Trail Running Shoe: Asics Fujispeed 2
Best Shoe for Running on Very Muddy Trails: La Sportiva Cyklon
Best Barefoot-style Trail Running Shoe: Vibram Five Fingers
The Expert
I’m the editor of this site and I’ve been reviewing outdoor gear for our 10 years now. In that time, I’ve served as a judge for the Scandinavian Outdoor Award, ISPO Awards and in the OIA Awards and I’ve also done a lot of running. Two years ago I set a 500-mile FKT and I’ve run in various ultras around the world. I even once took part in the famous Man versus Horse race in mid Wales. No prizes for guessing who came out tops in that.
How We Tested Them
With the help of our Test Team, we’ve made sure all of the trail running shoes in this round up have been properly tested out in the environments they were made for. We haven’t just taken these for quick runs around the local dog walking field. No, we’ve made sure they’ve been used in real mountain environments – whether that’s through the bogs of Rannoch Moor in the Scottish Highlands, on hard-packed trails over high fells in the Lake District and even while setting FKTs on multi-day fastpacking adventures. In case of interest, we’ve also conducted similar tests to find the best running shorts and best running socks too. If you’d like to discover some new brands beyond some of the mainstream ones featured here, you might like our guide to the best new and boutique running brands.
La Sportiva Mutant
Best trail running shoe overall: this came out tops in our tests due to its all-round versatility.
Not so long ago, we conducted a test to find the grippiest trail running shoes and it was the La Sportiva Mutant that came out on top. Not only was it the best product when it came to grip on different terrain but it also impressed us for its all-round offering. Quite simply, it is the best trail running shoe we’ve used in recent years.
Aside from the grip, one other aspect that stood out to us during our tests was the fit and feel of the upper. It’s unique design creates a very comfortable, secure and wrapping fit that fills you with a lot of confidence. The Mutant also strikes an excellent balance between durability, cushioning and weight. It feels light and fast but it also feels hardy and protective.
La Sportiva have made this specifically for mountain running but, from our experience, it’s the kind of shoe that has the versatility for all kinds of trail running.
Best Trail Running Shoe for Cushioning: this got our pick as the best option if you like a soft feel and plenty of shock absorption.
Price: £80 Weight: 318g Best for: Long miles on hard and soft trails Key attributes: Comfortable, nicely padded underfoot, tough, grippy and protective Performance: 6/10 Value: 7/10
The Hierro V7 is a tough-cookie trailer that’s perfect for people who want to pound the paths for long periods of time; over long distances. Beyond that durability, the standout feature is the cloud-like feel underfoot, courtesy of a fairly high midsole stack – 28mm at the heel and 20mm at the toe – of lightweight Fresh Foam X which gives a really plush ride, even on the hardest of trails (or any road sections). A light protective plate (not a full rock plate) also blocks out sharp rocks and roots well without making the sole overly stiff.
Bootie-style synthetic mesh uppers hug your feet nicely and zonal TPU threads, woven in at key points, enhance and elevate the structure of the shoe. Traction and durability is solid, thanks to a Vibram MegaGrip outsole with multi directional lugs on the underside. They run reassuringly grippy with a decent amount of bite, though they’re more dependable on defined trails – particularly any dusty or gravelly ones. They’re not the kind of shoe you’d want to use for flying down a steep and muddy fellside.
Best lightweight trail running shoes: we liked the grip on offer here but also the low weight and agility.
Price: £100 Weight: 320g Best for: short to medium distance races on easier trails Key attributes: light and agile, carbon-plated Performance: 8/10 Value: 8/10
These had straight-out-of-the-box performance and comfort during our tests and, over the course of our test period, they’ve impressed us for their lightweight performance. The carbon plate definitely gives these a nimble feel but it’s not exaggerated. As such, the Fujispeed 2 makes for a good shoe for those who want to ease themselves into the world of carbon-plated running.
On muddy trails they provided moderately good grip but the tread isn’t quite as aggressive enough for super steed muddy trails. We liked the rubber compound’s performance on wet rock though.
We found that there was adequate cushioning under the heel on hard trails but the Fujispeed 2 are very light on protection at the ball of the foot and we did feel a little exposed to sharp rocks and roots.
Still, if speed is your priority, these are a good option to go for.
Best Barefoot-style Trail Running Shoe: our top pick for those who like a natural feeling trail running shoe.
Price: £86 Weight: 136g Best for: Trail running, light hiking Key attributes: Innovative, good for barefoot runners, comfortable Performance: 6/10 Value: 8/10
Yes, OK, we get it. These shoes are definitely a bit marmite – you either love them, or hate them. While they might look a bit odd, there is a deliberate thought process to them. They’re designed for people who want a more natural run, offering a zero drop, tiny stack height of just 5mm, low cushioning and of course that glove-like fit, all of which combine to give your feet a sensory perception and dexterity akin to running barefoot with the added bonus of skin protection and grip.
Whilst the mid-foot landing running technique may not be for everyone, and it’ll take some time to adapt to, it’s frequently praised by people for improving their running gait, creating a more efficient stride that lowers the impact through the knees and heels compared to that of heavily-cushioned running shoes.
OM editor Will counts himself as a fan. “I’ve walked in them, worked in them, and run on roads and trails in them,” he says in his review on our site. “I even took them on holiday with me for a week as my only pair of shoes. And I’ve really, really enjoyed wearing them.”
“I know they look strange, and they’ve certainly brought a lot of amusement to my friends and colleagues, but running in these feels absolutely brilliant. On trails, that sensory perception adds a whole new dimension, you get such a feel and connection with the ground below you, and generally feel much more agile and nimble.”
Our crew testing out the Salomon Genesis on a coastal trail. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
Price: £140 Weight: 276g Best for: all kinds of running Key attributes: good cushioning and flex, handy speed lacing Performance: 8.5/10 Value: 7.5/10
These trail running shoes strike all the right balances – to the point where we’d call them an everyman option. The fit is fairly average, the cushioning is mid level, the grip’s mid level and the weight’s mid level too.
While they’re not actually as cushioned as they look, we found these were still very comfortable to run in, be that on soft or hard surfaces. We loved how convenient and reliable the speed lacing was too. On mud, they offered good traction and shed away mud very well and the gusseted tongue kept out debris nicely. We do have some concerns over the long term durability of the outsole however, and that’s because on roads the rubber does feel quite soft and vulnerable to being worn down.
Still, these have landed as a firm favourite within our team and we’d consider them a worthwhile investment, especially for anyone looking for a shoe for all kinds of trails and distances.
Stack height: 34mm / Drop: 8mm / Lugs: 4.5mm
Selected for our Outdoor 100 gear of the year guide. Read our full Salomon Genesis review.
Will on a trial run with the Inov-8 Mudtalon Speed.
Price: £130 Weight: 260g Best for: short to medium runs on very soft ground Key attributes: lots of grip, very lightweight Performance: 8/10 Value: 7.5/10
Trail running shoes really do not get grippier than this. The Mudtalon is a seriously aggressive shoe design for the sloppiest of slopes boasting lugs that are a whopping 8mm in depth. For perspective, most trail running shoes have lugs that are around 4 to 5mm deep.
It’s a shoe that’s designed specifically for fell running, so you’ve got essentially a minimalist lightweight upper, light cushioning and then a very rugged outsole that’s designed to not only grip hard into mud but to shed it away too. In our tests, we found it did just that.
It comes in a narrow or wide fit. We tried the wide version which did feel very spacious at the toes but not to the point where our feet were sliding about. If you have narrow feet or you want a precise shoe for fast ascents then the narrow version should work best for you but if you want something that feels comfortable over longer distances or simply have wide feet then, you guessed it, opt for the wide fit.
Price: £140 Weight: 315g Best for: Medium-distance mountain running, summer hiking Key attributes: Well-cushioned, good traction, zero drop Performance: 8/10 Value: 8/10
The Cyklon shoe is the result of an exclusive collaboration between La Sportiva and Boa who make an extremely innovative precision fit system that’s an alternative to lacing. The two brands have both worked together here to develop something called a Dynamic Cage which creates a super precise, micro adjustable fit.
This ‘cage’ is essentially three individual panels throughout the shoe’s upper (two on the inside and one on the outside) and they link up with the Boa Fit System. When you press down on the Boa cog and twist it, this pulls in those three panels, directing lace tension to four specific areas around the midfoot. It creates a completely even tension right the way around your foot to make for a very stable ride.
Alongside the Boa Fit System and that wraparound tongue, the upper features a breathable mesh right throughout it which is stiffened and protected on its flanks and at the toe by a TPU laminate. Around the ankle, there’s an elasticated fabric that serves like a gaiter, blocking out any unwanted gravel, dirt and debris.
There’s also 6.5mm lugs, La Sportiva’s proprietary rubber compound FriXion, an EVA foam midsole with TPU lateral inserts under the heel, and a stack height of 7mm. Grippy on pretty much everything – there’s a lot to like here.
Price: £150 Weight: 300g Best for: Rocky trails, medium to long distances Key attributes: durable upper, recyclable, versatile Performance: 7/10 Value: 8/10
The Salomon Vision is a trail running shoe that’s been designed to be fully recycled at the end of its life. Each pair comes with a QR code printed on the tongue. Scan that and it takes you to a landing page where you’ll be presented with a pre-paid shipping label which you can use to send your shoes back to Salomon. Once they’ve been received, they’ll separate the upper and the sole and ensure that the materials get recycled into new raw materials that can be used in other products. Pretty cool huh.
We’ve been using the Salomon Visions on some UK trails over the last month and have found that they felt comfortable and ready to roll right out of the box. The Contragrip rubber gripped well on hard packed but at times slimy chalk trails and it was fine for road to trail transitions. The lugs are 4.5mm in depth, which makes the Vision quite versatile but there are definitely more aggressive shoes out there.
Comfortable and a reliable performer, this is a pretty versatile shoe that we’ve enjoyed running in. If you like a light and fast shoe or one with super aggressive grip, look elsewhere, but if you want a solid performer that you can sling on for all your training runs – or for casual wear – we think you’ll like this.
Price: £150 Weight: 265g Best for: Long training runs, orienteering races Key attributes: Breathable, lightweight, good traction Performance: 9/10 Value: 7.5/10
This is a trail shoe built for long runs, the kind of thing that’s designed for those mountain excursions where you’re taking on a mix of sustained climbs and long, loping descents, over all kinds of terrain and over the course of a few hours as well. It’s a good option for orienteering challenges or longer fell races.
Starting with the upper, the Norvan LD 3 features lightweight and breathable fabrics that make use of a combination of mesh and toughened plastic to provide a blend of comfort and support. The inside of the upper has been designed as a two-layer system, where a second internal layer helps to reduce any friction that could, potentially, lead to day-ruining blisters when you find yourself miles into a route.
The midsole provides just the right amount of cushioning thanks to Arc’teryx’s collaboration with midsole manufacturers Dow. They’ve essentially produced an EVA midsole that’s been designed to cushion the foot from repeated stresses while providing a quick and snappy response following a foot strike.
Underfoot, the outsole uses Vibram’s new Litebase technology, which cuts weight without affecting shock absorption or grip. The lugs have a depth of 4mm which is about average for a trail shoe. They give good grip on muddy tracks and gravel as well as decent ability on wet rock.
Price: £210 Weight: 327g Best for: Long miles on hard trails Key attributes: comfy, create a smooth stride, durable Performance: 8/10 Value: 6/10
The thing that stood out the most when we tested the Sylan was the curved rocker geometry to the sole unit. It creates a feeling of forward propulsion when you’re running. This feeling is strange at first but it doesn’t take long to get used to. In the short term, this can save you energy, while it could help to prevent injuries from occurring in the longer run
From our experience with this, we’d say it’s a great shoe for long runs at a slow pace – so things like mountain ultras. We did find it has its limitations on muddy trails, with the lugs not shedding as well as we would’ve liked. As such, we’d say it’s better for dry and hard packed trails than for soft, sloppy stuff.
The shoe pictured is the Gore-tex version which makes for a good hiking shoe. We’d recommend the non Gore-tex version for anyone looking for something for regular trail running.
Our team with the On Cloudvista on a Scottish coastal run.
Price: £130 Weight: 280g Best for: High mileage trail running on hard-packed defined trails Key attributes: ‘Cloudtec’ midsole cushioning, recycled polyester upper, impressive propulsion Performance: 8/10 Value: 7/10
The Cloudvistas feature that iconic ‘Cloudtec’ midsole technology that makes use of a series of U-shaped blocks of soft, yet responsive, ‘Helion’ foam. These blocks have been hollowed out to both reduce weight and increase the amount of cushioning. By joining rows of these U-Shaped blocks together, On create a midsole that’s extremely cushioned that’s said to reduce muscle fatigue and lower heart rate.
The CloudTec features a channel down the middle of them to allow the outsole and midsole to flex in a range of directions. This flex means that, depending on the way you strike, you’re always going to get a consistent strike and toe off. Speaking of toe offs, the Cloudvista features a 7mm heel to toe drop which leads to a good deal of rocker to roll off.
Aside from the unique midsole unit, the On Cloudvistas have been designed to be lightweight yet still protective. This is thanks to a main upper that’s been built from 70% recycled polyester, a perforated tongue to keep things airy and breathable and a TPU mudguard that’ll be able to shrug off any rocks and roots.
The first thing to be looking out for on a trail shoe is the grip. In many cases, particularly in places where it’s muddy and wet, you’ll want as near to football boots as you can find. That being said, if you’re trail running on dry and dusty paths, overly aggressive lugs might be a hindrance.
Another issue can be when the lugs on an outsole are so deep and so close together that they hold onto mud and become clogged. This then affects the amount of traction you’ll get. The trail shoes in this list are made by reputable trail running brands and all of them will be designed to shed mud, though we’d argue that some will be better than others on slippery fells. Inov-8 is a brand that’s well known for creating ultra grippy shoes. La Sportiva and Salomon also have a strong reputation there.
Some trail shoe outsoles look aggressive but are made of tough rubber, meaning they’re great on muddy paths, but they’ll be like ice skates on wet, steep roads or chalk. With that in mind, it’s worth looking into the characteristics of the rubber compound that’s used. Some brands, like Saucony and Salomon, will state whether the rubber compound is made for soft trails or hard ones. A soft, squeezy rubber is usually a sign that the shoes will grip on hard surfaces, while firm rubber will tend to provide the most traction on soft trails.
OM editor Will trialling the Norvans in Scotland.
Proprioception
Proprioception, crucial in trail running shoes, refers to the body’s innate sense of spatial awareness and movement, aiding runners in navigating varied terrains with enhanced balance and control.
When running, your feet and toes are constantly making tiny adjustments to help your balance. If there’s a hard and thick sole, and one that doesn’t twist torsionally, then the effect of your toes on your balance could be quite negligible. Somehow, the result can be a feeling of instability, making you lose that much-needed confidence.
Compare, for example, your walking boots. Apart from being uncomfortable for running, they’d also feel unstable. Good trail running shoes should allow you to feel the ground and have enough space to let your toes work. Some of the examples here will enable the foot to be very close to the ground meaning the foot can balance well. The negative is that you’ll feel more of the stones and roots.
OM editor Will testing the Salomon Genesis on the Wales Coast Path.
Waterproof Versus Non-Waterproof
Generally speaking, running in waterproof trail running shoes isn’t ideal. First of all, that’s because when you’re going at tempo you’re going to what something that provides as much breathability as possible, and membrane-lined shoes can get clammy when you’re really working hard. There’s also then the fact that water can easily get into trail running shoes when conditions are wet and, with waterproof shoes, once that moisture gets in then it tends to stay in. With non-lined shoes, when that moisture gets in, at least it can get out and your feet can dry out as soon as the conditions get drier.
OM editor Will running in Saucony’s Peregrines
Still, that’s only generally speaking. There are conditions where waterproof shoes might be beneficial. On short runs in cold weather and when there’s no risk of water creeping in at the ankle, waterproof trail running shoes can be great. The thing is, depending on where you are, those conditions might not come about too often – certainly not in the UK where we conducted our tests of these shoes!
What Does ‘Stack Height’ Mean On Trail Running Shoes?
It’s easy for trail running brands to throw ‘stack height’ and ‘drop’ numbers at you, without explanation of what they influence, so we’re here to put that straight.
Firstly, stack height represents the thickness of the midsole at both the toe and heel. With the modern-day polarisation between highly cushioned and barefoot running shoes, this number is becoming an increasingly important stat that’ll show how the shoe will likely behave. Put simply, shoes with high stack heights will be more cushioned, but less responsive due to little underfoot feel. Low height shoes will be less cushioned, but will have greater stability and feel underfoot.
The amount of stack height you choose is of course all down to personal preference.
What Does ‘Drop’ Mean On Trail Running Shoes?
The difference in stack height between the heel and toe is what’s known as ‘the drop’. A 0mm drop, for example, would have the heel and the ball at the same level – as you would barefoot. In recent years, ‘barefoot running’, where people run in shoes with a very low stack height, has become extremely popular. The drop can be anything between 12mm and 0mm. Anything below 5mm would be considered a ‘low-drop’ trail running shoe.
Removable inserts are handy as they can be swapped once they’ve worn out.
The drop of the shoe affects how your foot strikes the ground whilst running. High drop (8 mm+) shoes promote a heel strike (due to the cushioning in the heel), while low-mid drop (- 8mm) promote a mid-forefoot strike.
It’s important to remember that stack height and drop are independent of each other. Depending on your preferred gait, you could find high stack height trail shoes that still have a zero or low heel-to-toe drop.
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