Best Trail Running Shoes: Spring 2023

Expert Advice on Running Shoes,Autumn & Winter Running Advice,Trail & Fell Training Advice
Best Trail Running Shoes: Spring 2023

Going off-road this season? 

You might be needing trail running shoes.

It’s always best to come into one of our stores to get a proper shoe fitting so we can make sure you end up with a suitable shoe for your foot strike and foot shape. No amount of internet research compares to the experience of going into a specialist and trying on a variety of different options and jogging up and down outside in them. Here is a small selection of popular trail shoes from the Run and Become range this season.

Trail shoes are built to cope with grass, hard-packed parkland, canal sides, forests and woodland trails. They can handle a little road running, but they have less cushioning than road shoes. The outsole has a deeper grip, and the upper is more durable as well. Some have more cushioning and less grip, and vice versa.

For seriously rugged terrain, have a look out the Fell Running Shoe Guide.

Cushioned Trail Shoes / Stable Trail Shoes / Low-Profile Trail Shoes / Waterproof Trail Shoes / Wide Fitting Trail Shoes

Saucony Trail Running Shoes

Best Cushioned Trail Running Shoes

If you’re running on the road to get to the trail or if your trail includes a lot of hard surfaces you could try any of these options which combine grip and cushioning...

Hoka Speedgoat / Hoka Challenger / Saucony Endorphin Trail

Hoka Speedgoat

With Hoka’s trademark maximal cushioning, the Speedgoat provides cushy shock absorption for long and ultra-distance trail running. Hoka’s “bucket seat” design means your foot sits lower in the midsole than you’d expect which makes it more stable than it looks. A hard-wearing Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs helps keep your footing secure when the terrain is treacherous. Built on a 4.5mm offset so you’re on an even platform as you tackle the trails. Also available in wide fit.

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 5
£140.00

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 5
£140.00

Hoka Challenger

Mega-cushioned like all Hoka shoes the Challenger is a door to trail running shoe with 4mm lugs for on and offroading. Hoka’s early stage meta rocker rolls you through the stride and the midsole is thick enough that you don’t feel sharp rocks poking through. Also available in wide fit.

Men's Hoka Challenger 7
£130.00

Men's Hoka Challenger ATR 6
£115.00 £86.00

Women's Hoka Challenger 7
£130.00

Women's Hoka Challenger ATR 6
£115.00 £86.00

Saucony Endorphin Trail

This trail shoe features a thick midsole with plenty of energy-return cushioning. Speedroll technology is engineered to propel you forward, empowering you to your fastest speed. A durable 4.5mm deep grip provides traction on any trail surface. Whether you're looking for a well-cushioned trail shoe for long or short distances, the Endorphin trail will take you there.

Men's Saucony Endorphin Trail
£155.00

Women's Saucony Endorphin Trail
£155.00

Stable Trail Running Shoes

Most Stable Trail Running Shoes

Shoes offering an element of support as well as grip and cushioning include...

Brooks Cascadia / La Sportiva Akasha

Brooks Cascadia

Dubbed by Brooks an “SUV for your feet”, the Cascadia packs plenty of grip and its four pivot points – one on each side of the heel and forefoot, where the wheels would be if your foot was a car – serve to balance the foot on uneven terrain and provide an amount of pronation control if you’re running on firmer ground for any length of time. Extra 2mm of improved DNA LOFT 2 foam added to the midsole, offering the feet more cushioning for increased comfort. “Water in, water out” upper, which drains easily after getting wet, makes this a favourite for multi-surface running. New Ballistic Rock Stop plate protects the foot from sharp rocks. Also available in wide fit.

Men's Brooks Cascadia 16
£120.00

Men's Brooks Cascadia 16
£120.00 £96.00

Women's Brooks Cascadia 16
£120.00

Women's Brooks Cascadia 16
£120.00

La Sportiva Akasha

The design of this premium cushion trail running shoe comes from La Sportiva, based in the Italian mountains, where they do all their testing. Trail Rocker technology in the midsole promotes a smooth heel -to-toe rolling motion. The dual mix FriXion XT sole offers durable, aggressive grip for exceptional traction. The Impact Brake System technology helps traction by enhancing grip downhill and absorbs impact. No need for a rock plate in the Akasha as its midsole is very thick, alongside the grippy, durable outer sole offering lots of protection.

Men's La Sportiva Akasha 2
£145.00

Men's La Sportiva Akasha
£125.00 £88.00

Women's La Sportiva Akasha 2
£145.00

Women's La Sportiva Akasha
£125.00 £88.00

Low Profile Trail Running Shoes

Best Low-Profile Trail Running Shoes

These offer better proprioception, i.e. you can feel what’s going on beneath your feet, allowing you to be nimble over uneven ground with less risk of turning your ankle...

Hoka Zinal / Saucony Peregrine / Scarpa Spin Ultra & Spin Infinity / Altra Lone Peak

Hoka Zinal

Super lightweight and flexible, the Hoka Zinal is designed to take you through tough short trail runs with ease. The Vibram Megagrip outsole is a trademark for best quality and durability. Little details like gusseted tongue (to protect your feet against debris), 4mm heel drop, the Meta-Rocker, and breathable engineered mesh upper, make this incredible trail running shoe a perfect mate, even on challenging terrain.

Men's Hoka Zinal
£140.00 £95.00

Women's Hoka Zinal
£140.00 £95.00

Saucony Peregrine

The Peregine is a minimal, multi surface trail running shoe or what Saucony call a “run anywhere” shoe. A 4mm drop midsole with super bouncy PWRRUN cushioning gives you an energised feeling and a 5mm lugged sticky outsole gives you the security to run nimbly over your chosen terrain. A trail-specific upper protects the foot from off-road hazards.

Men's Saucony Peregrine 13
£130.00

Women's Saucony Peregrine 13
£130.00

Scarpa Spin Ultra & Spin Infinity

The Spin Ultra is the perfect choice for moderate- to ultra-distance runs. It offers adaptive cushioning that provides comfort and absorbs impact from hard surfaces. Ample upper protection and stability for all types of terrain, thanks to its built-in foot stabiliser control technology. Reliable MultiTraction Vibram megagrip outsole and Sock-Fit Lw will deliver springy, responsive, and smooth running. Awarded Trail Runner Magazine’s Editor’s Choice and Outside Magazine’s Gear of the Year.

Scarpa Spin Infinity is like the Spin Ultra but with limitless cushioning. If you need a shoe you can trust on long- and ultra-distance trail running and racing, this is your winning combination: extra cushioning, outstanding grip, protection and stability to help you reach your goals.

Men's Scarpa Spin Infinity
£135.00 £85.00

Women's Scarpa Spin Infinity
£135.00 £85.00

Men's Scarpa Spin Ultra
£130.00 £89.00

Women's Scarpa Spin Ultra
£130.00 £89.00

Altra Lone Peak

Like all Altra shoes, the Lone Peak has a spacious, rounded, 'footshaped' toebox to encourage toe splay, and a zero-drop platform to keep you on a level footing. A sticky rubber outsole with a TrailClaw lug pattern gives grip in boggy, wet conditions. Lugs are positioned directly beneath the metatarsals so they dig into the earth as if they were an extension of your feet. A rock plate protects the foot from sharp stones.

Men's Altra Lone Peak 7
£135.00

Waterproof Trail Running Shoes

Best Waterproof Trail Running Shoes

Most trail running shoes are not waterproof because if you step in a puddle that goes over the top of your waterproof shoes, the water will get in and won’t be able to get out so you’ll end up with waterlogged feet. Instead they are designed with easily draining materials so if the water gets in, it can get out just as easily. However if waterproofing is important to you, you can try these...

Brooks Cascadia GTX / Saucony Excursion GTX / Salomon Alphacross GTX / Scarpa Spin Ultra GTX

Brooks Cascadia GTX

The durable and sturdy Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX is fully waterproof due to its Gore-tex membrane. The Rock Shield in the midsole protects feet against sharp rocks. Very significant is the recycled content used on this excellent trail running shoe, to protect the environment.

Men's Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX
£135.00

Women's Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX
£135.00

Saucony Excursion GTX

Cheaper than the others, the Saucony Excursion has Grid cushioning, a trail specific outsole and a Goretex upper to keep your feet dry in rain and waterlogged ground.

Men's Saucony Excursion TR16 GTX
£115.00

Men's Saucony Excursion TR15 GTX
£100.00 £85.00

Women's Saucony Excursion TR16 GTX
£115.00

Women's Saucony Excursion TR15 GTX
£100.00 £85.00

Salomon Alphacross 4 GTX

The lightweight and flexible Alphacross 4 GTX has been crafted to protect your feet against wet conditions, uneven trail runs or hikes. The extended heel counter and padded tongue holds your foot in a secure fit. The upper features trademark Gore-Tex, the fully waterproof membrane – you just have to be careful not to let water in from the top, as it's difficult to dry out the inside.

Men's Salomon Alphacross 4 GTX
£110.00 £85.00

Women's Salomon Alphacross 4 GTX
£110.00 £85.00

Scarpa Spin Ultra GTX

All the benefits of the Spin Ultra in a Gore-Tex version, so you can hit the trails in challenging weather. Strike the perfect balance between comfort and breathability, while keeping your feet warm and dry in wet conditions. Receive fully waterproof protection from this exceptional 6mm-drop shoe.

Men's Scarpa Spin Ultra GTX
£145.00 £105.00

Women's Scarpa Spin Ultra GTX
£145.00 £105.00

Wide-Fitting Trail Running Shoes

Best Wide-Fitting Trail Running Shoes

It's always been hard to find a good trail running shoe that fits a wide foot. Up until now it's been a question of trying the widest of the standard width options. But finally there's a decent trail shoe on the market that's made for the wider footed amongst us...

Salomon Speedcross Wide / Hoka Challenger Wide / Hoka Speedgoat Wide / Salomon Ultra Glide Wide / Brooks Cascadia Wide

Hoka Challenger Wide

Made for running on mixed terrain. Good grip for the soft stuff yet the outsole is not too rigid so you can use it on harder, flatter ground (like pavements) as well. Plenty of shock absorption. Also available in standard fit.

Men's Hoka Challenger 7 Wide
£130.00

Men's Hoka Challenger ATR 6 Wide
£120.00 £86.00

Women's Hoka Challenger 7 Wide
£130.00

Women's Hoka Challenger ATR 6 Wide
£120.00 £86.00

Hoka Speedgoat Wide

In comparison with the Challenger, Hoka Speedgoat has a more durable Vibram Megagrip outsole. Not only does it have deeper lugs, but it also offers the 'stepped' lugs feature, which will help you to shake away the mud from your shoes and keep your feet light. Also available in standard fit.

Men's Hoka Speedgoat 5 Wide
£140.00

Women's Hoka Speedgoat 5 Wide
£130.00

Salomon Ultra Glide Wide

Every element of the Ultra Glide has been designed for middle-to-long trail distance. Plenty of responsive cushioning and durable grip combined with a generous fit. Lock-lace closure makes them quick to put on, and can be also tucked inside the tongue pocket.

Men's Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Wide
£140.00

Men's Salomon Ultra Glide Wide
£130.00 £105.00

Women's Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Wide
£140.00

Brooks Cascadia Wide

Cascadia (2E for men, and D for women) is Brooks’ first incarnation of a wide-fitting trail running shoe, offering protection and comfort for wide feet on rocky, muddy or uneven terrain. The built-in rock plate gives extra protection against sharp rocks and stones. The heel drop is 8mm for better connection to the ground. Featuring a velcro gaiter attachment so you’ve the option to use gaiters when running on sandy terrain (gaiters are not included). Also available in standard fit.

Men's Brooks Cascadia 16 2E Wide
£120.00

Women's Brooks Cascadia 16 D Wide
£120.00

With the right trail running shoes you’re equipped for anything the weather might throw at us this season. Enjoy getting off the pavements and discovering the countryside.

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