Runner’s World 2016 Spring Trail Shoe Guide

Beginner Running Gear trail shoes for your next off-road adventure. The 26 shoes in this slideshow have all been through RW’s extensive Martyn Shorten, Ph.D.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

$120. The remade Peregrine was improved in every aspect. Bouncy Everun foam and a softer outsole increases the cushioning while the new sticky rubber sole provides great traction on all surfaces. The shoe remains light, low, and fast, yet wide and supportive enough to be stable.

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BEST BUY

$100. For this second version of the MT, Topo increased the thickness of the midsole and beefed up the overlays for more control and durability. The shoe remains light, low, and flexible while performing admirably on most surfaces.

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BEST DEBUT

$110. The Gel-Fujilyte is designed to provide unobtrusive, simple protection, with a seamless upper that hugs the heel and midfoot, and a low, lightly cushioned sole. Asics uses firmer foam in a midfoot shank for stability and as a thin, rock-resistant plate under the forefoot—without compromising flexibility or the smooth ride.

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$100. The Litewave TR is aimed at runners seeking a simple, versatile, cool-looking shoe. The upper has a narrow, foot-hugging fit. The base is wide, neutral, and low, with a single-density midsole and shallow lugs suitable for on or off road.

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Shown: Men’s version

$110. The only change in the Superior, which won our Editor’s Choice award last spring, is a more durable upper. Many testers loved the “socklike” fit and praised the light, flexible, and well-cushioned ride with Altra’s signature no heel-toe drop.

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$110. Designed as a training shoe for obstacle course racing, the All Terrain Thrill features a mud-shedding upper with water drainage ports and a sole with deep, widely-spaced lugs for digging into soft terrain without taking it with you.

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$120. The Ortega’s design uses the simplest template for building a trail shoe: take a road shoe and give it a beefier outsole and protective upper. The result is a durable, moderately cushioned, and versatile shoe.

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$120. This outstanding trail shoe has seen only minor tweaks since its debut 11 years ago. New this year to the Cascadia 11 is a refined upper that wraps the midfoot snugly using fewer overlays. Testers appreciated how the shoes held their feet securely when the footing got iffy.

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$120. The Caldorado is the best-riding shoe we’ve seen from Montrail in several years. Its sole, with a butterfly-shaped region of firmer foam in the midfoot for stability, and a thin layer of dense-foam between the midsole and outsole to block sharp protrusions, delivered a smooth, fast and protective ride on any terrain.

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$120. The N2 trail shoe shares the same midsole as the road N2, providing a moderately cushioned, smooth-rolling ride. The trail version adds a solid-rubber, lugged outsole, delivering durability and traction.

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$120. Skechers has updated its max-cushioned trail model, giving it a full-length rubber outsole for the first time to improve durability and traction. Also new is a quick-drying mesh upper and drainage holes in the midsole. This shoe is recommended to anyone seeking soft comfort on tamer trails.

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$125. The Leadville v3 features a full-length Vibram rubber outsole, a layer of resilient N2 foam under the forefoot, and a durable upper. Yet this rugged trail shoe, designed for ultras, is the lightest back-country-worthy model in the guide.

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Shown: Men’s version

$125. The Ultra Endurance is a fairly simple, straightforward trainer with a rugged upper and sole. The grippy Vibram rubber sole impressed testers with its traction on all surfaces and conditions. They also appreciated the toughness of the upper.

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$125. Designed for obstacle-course racing, the All Terrain Super has a thin, breathable, and mud-shedding mesh upper that snugs tight wth a speed-lacing pull. The sole is thin and flexible, with sharp, widely spaced lugs that dig into mud.

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Shown: Men’s version

$130. The full polyurethane midsole on this unique trail shoe gives it a distinctive, stable, contoured feel underfoot. The fit, traction and durability are excellent, but the shoe is heavy and stiff for fast running. It works well as a versatile shoe for mixed walking and running adventures, whether urban or rural.

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$130. Like its road sibling, the Clifton, the Challenger ATR 2 is a surprisingly light shoe that offers superior cushioning. Hoka gave this second version a more durable upper. Testers praised the shoe’s traction and the ride provided by the soft-but-not-squishy sole.

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Shown: Men’s version

$130. The outsole impresses on this shoe created for far-off-road running: it’s made of solid rubber with deep, clawlike lugs. The rugged upper can fend off all sorts of trail debris. All that protection makes the Trans Alps heavier, but well suited for nasty trails.

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$130. The Wildhorse’s Gore-Tex layer makes it excellent for both muddy trails and snowy streets. It is the most rugged of Nike’s trail models with a rock plate in the forefoot and Zoom Air cushioning in the heel. But the ride is fast with an upturned toe helping to roll your stride forward.

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Shown: Men’s version

$130. The Neutron is a solidly built shoe with supportive, stitched overlays; an aggressive, trail-gripping and mud-shedding tread; and arch-wrap construction that reaches up and supports the arch on both sides. The traction and sturdy construction impressed testers on tough terrain.

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Shown: Women’s version