The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024

The sole of a trail running shoe has more traction than a road running shoe. In order to avoid falling due to the slickness of trail debris and the inconsistency of the ground, a good grip is essential.

The lugs on your tires should be deeper and wider apart if you want to have any success in the mud. However, if your lugs are too deep, they may cause you discomfort while running on the road or in solid soil.

Look for shoes with fairly short, more clustered lugs if you plan on running on both trails and roads. Outsoles made of sticky rubber, a type of rubber with enhanced traction on rocks, are a must-have for hiking on rocky terrain.

The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024

Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024 are:

1. Arc’teryx Norvan SL 2 Superlight

The Norvan SL shoes are extremely lightweight, weighing in at only 185g. These shoes are built to last with TPU mesh uppers that are highly breathable, hydrophobic, durable, and nearly paper thin for easy packing (justifying there being no loop).

As advertised, the rubber outsole compound offers superior traction on both dry and wet trails, as well as rocky and/or slippery surfaces.

Your feet will be safe from harm thanks to the padding, and you’ll be able to use your feet to their full potential thanks to the shoe’s responsive underfoot feel.

You shouldn’t wear these trendy shoes in the winter because of how breathable they are and how snugly they fit. Although there are many shoes that are much tougher, the amount of protection the Norvan SL provide for their light weight is difficult to beat.

Trail runners who have some experience will find that the Arc’Teryx Norvan SL shoes are ideal for shorter to middle distance technical trails with roots and roughness.

2. Hoka One One Speedgoat 4

The Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 is a sturdy shoe that is great for running on technical terrain. It is also incredibly comfortable. Cushioned shoes can cause the wearer to feel like they’re being slowed down.

However, the Speedgoat 3 is designed to be extremely lightweight. Their engineering makes the shoe comfortable and padded without sloppy or sloppy. The impact of rocks, roots, and anything else can be absorbed by the EVA foam midsole while still providing lightweight cushioning.

The TPU in the shoe’s midfoot allows for a snug fit and added stability, and when combined with support on either side of the shoe, the result is a snug fit that keeps your feet safely inside.

The Vibram MegaGrip sticky rubber outsole with 5mm multidirectional lugs makes for a comfortable pair of shoes that can handle slush, gravel, grass, rocks, and rough terrain.

Anyone vulnerable to foot or knee strain would benefit greatly from a pair of Speedgoat shoes, as they provide superior cushioning over long distances.

3. La Sportiva Bushido II Running Shoe

The La Sportiva Bushido II are the best trail shoes for uneven terrain, and their name comes from the Japanese samurai’s honor code. You won’t believe the traction you get from shoes so light on your feet.

The compression-molded midsoles from the heel to the toe caps are incredibly sturdy, and the TPU web that lines the uppers adds stability and protection without adding unnecessary bulk.

Two treads with toothy, multidirectional pegs at the center underline the feet, and the outsole lugs cover around the midsoles for additional traction. The Bushido use this combination to scale steep slopes, brake forcefully on descents, and secure a firm grip on slick rocks and roots.

The modernized heel and slip-on construction envelops your feet in cozy support. The La Sportiva Bushido II shoes are clearly intended for mountainous terrain, so they shouldn’t be used for longer, flatter runs.

4. Saucony Peregrine 12 Gore Tex

Due to their numerous features that work together to provide you with the best possible cushioning, durability, and traction, we have rated these award-winning shoes as the best overall trail running shoes. The Saucony Peregrine 12 has been modified to offer a stretchy yet firm construction.

They have a flexible sole that provides more cushioning than many other trail shoes, as well as an upper that conforms to your foot for a snug, comfortable fit.

Because of their numerous features that work together to provide you with optimal cushioning, durability, and traction while trail running, we have ranked these award-winning shoes as the best overall trail running shoes.

The Saucony Peregrine 12, the follow-up to the popular Peregrine 8 and 11, features an upgraded, stretchy yet sturdy upper. They have a flexible sole that provides more cushioning than many other trail shoes, and an upper that molds to your foot for a snug, secure fit.

5. Salomon Speedcross 5 Trail Running Shoes

The Salomon Speedcross 5, an aggressively lugged trail runner, is our go-to for mud runs due to its ability to grip and bite through technical, soft ground.

The cradling design makes for a comfortable fit that reduces foot slippage inside the shoe, and the updated lug pattern has more surface area, meaning more directional stability and better traction. Rubber Contragrip WT (wet traction) is used to construct the outsole, making the traction formidable in slush, snow, and wet conditions; wearers are often surprised by the shoes’ responsiveness and dexterity, given their hefty build.

The uppers have been redesigned to allow for more mobility around the ankles by lowering them slightly. The Speedcross 5’s snug yet flexible fit is a result of the Quicklace system (a simple pull and lock of the toggle).

On rough, uneven ground, the excessive stack height and bulging lugs could be problematic. If you plan on traversing flatter, wetter terrain, I recommend investing in a pair of Salomon Speedcross 5 shoes.

Conclusion

Buying shoes that don’t fit properly can lead to foot problems, so it goes without saying that you should check the size and width of your foot to ensure a snug but comfortable fit.

However, there are additional factors to think about when shopping for running shoes, and these will vary from one runner to the next and from one set of conditions to the next.