Footwear · Trail Running Shoes
The Best Trail Running Shoes for 2026
From versatile all-terrain daily trainers to carbon-plated ultra racers — seven real models scored on traction, cushioning, stability, weight and value.
Last updated: July 2026
Affiliate disclosure: THRYV is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence our rankings or verdicts. See our full disclosure.
How we picked
We shortlisted seven trail running shoes currently sold in the U.S. and scored each against a fixed rubric — Traction, Cushioning & Comfort, Stability, Weight & Agility, Durability and Value. The THRYV Composite Score (0–10) is our own editorial synthesis of published third-party testing from RunRepeat, OutdoorGearLab, Treeline Review and iRunFar plus manufacturer specifications. It is not a lab measurement of our own. Awards were assigned only after the scoring was complete, and all prices are approximate MSRPs — always check the retailer for the current price. Read the full THRYV Research Method →
At a glance
Approximate prices are U.S. MSRP at the time of writing — always check the retailer for the current price.
| Model | Award | THRYV Score | Approx. Price | Weight | Drop | Outsole | Widths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOKA Speedgoat 7 | Editors' Choice — Best Overall / All Terrain | 9.2 | ~$165 · check retailer | ~9.1–10.0 oz (M) | 5 mm | Vibram Megagrip | — | One balanced shoe for everything from daily trails to ultra distance |
| Saucony Peregrine 16 | Best All-Terrain Versatility | 9.0 | ~$150 · check retailer | ~9.5–10.7 oz | 4–5 mm | Vibram | — | A single versatile shoe for varied conditions without a premium price |
| La Sportiva Prodigio Pro | Best for Racing & Technical Speed | 8.8 | ~$225 · check retailer | ~8.9–9.8 oz | 5–6 mm | — | Runs small / narrow | Seasoned trail runners chasing pace on challenging terrain |
| HOKA Tecton X 3 | Best for Ultra Racing | 8.7 | ~$275 · check retailer | ~9.3–9.7 oz | 5 mm | Vibram Megagrip · dual carbon plates | Not for wide feet | Competitive ultra-distance trail racers |
| HOKA Torrent 4 | Best Value | 8.6 | ~$130 · check retailer | ~9.4 oz | 5 mm | — | No wide option | Budget-conscious runners on light to moderate trails |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 | Best for Mud & Soft Ground | 8.5 | ~$150 · check retailer | ~10.4–11.1 oz | 10 mm (OutdoorGearLab lists 12 mm) | Deep aggressive lugs | — | Runners who regularly face mud, snow, wet grass and loose soil |
| Altra Lone Peak 9 | Best Zero-Drop & Wide Feet | 8.4 | ~$145 · check retailer | ~10.3–11.3 oz | 0 mm | — | Roomy toe box | Runners and thru-hikers who want natural foot shape and all-day comfort |
The picks, in depth
#1 · Editors' Choice — Best Overall / All Terrain
HOKA Speedgoat 7
The most broadly recommended trail shoe of the year: OutdoorGearLab named it Editors' Choice (women's) / Top Pick (men's), Treeline Review its Best Cushioned pick, and iRunFar its Best Cushioned trail shoe. Balanced cushioning, inherent stability and outstanding traction across most terrain.
Strengths
- +Excellent Vibram Megagrip traction
- +Livelier, well-cushioned ride
- +Inherently stable
- +Highly versatile for long distances and ultras
Weaknesses
- −Minimal tongue
- −Narrow profile may not suit all foot shapes
- −Can feel like “too much shoe” for runners who want ground feel
Best for: One balanced shoe for everything from daily trails to ultra distance
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#2 · Best All-Terrain Versatility
Saucony Peregrine 16
OutdoorGearLab's men's Editors' Choice and iRunFar's value all-rounder. The upgraded Vibram outsole grips wet rock well and the shoe handles almost any surface.
Strengths
- +Versatile all-terrain performance
- +Strong wet-rock grip
- +Improved cushioning
- +Strong price-to-performance
Weaknesses
- −Not ideal in deep mud or snow
- −Upper is less breathable
Best for: A single versatile shoe for varied conditions without a premium price
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#3 · Best for Racing & Technical Speed
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
OutdoorGearLab's Race Ready Top Pick (men's and women's), also rated highly by Treeline Review and iRunFar for technical speed. Agile, well-tractioned and energetic.
Strengths
- +Excellent traction
- +Agile, secure midfoot fit
- +Bouncy, responsive midsole
- +Premium materials
Weaknesses
- −Sockliner-style upper is divisive
- −Runs small/narrow
- −Aimed at experienced runners, not beginners
Best for: Seasoned trail runners chasing pace on challenging terrain
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#4 · Best for Ultra Racing
HOKA Tecton X 3
RunRepeat's Best Energy Return pick with lab-measured energy return around 70%, and an iRunFar recommendation for ultramarathons. A parallel dual-plate design in a stable, grippy package with an integrated gaiter.
Strengths
- +Exceptional lab-measured energy return
- +Grippy, durable Vibram outsole
- +Stable for a plated shoe
- +Built-in ankle gaiter keeps debris out
Weaknesses
- −Very expensive
- −Heavier than the previous version
- −Not for wide feet
- −The gaiter won't suit everyone
Best for: Competitive ultra-distance trail racers
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#5 · Best Value
HOKA Torrent 4
OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy in both men's and women's lineups. Lightweight, secure and dependable at the lowest price in our lineup.
Strengths
- +Steady traction
- +Comfortable but not mushy cushioning
- +Lightweight with a secure fit
- +Strongest value here
Weaknesses
- −Not available in wide
- −Only average on very technical terrain
Best for: Budget-conscious runners on light to moderate trails
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#6 · Best for Mud & Soft Ground
Salomon Speedcross 6
OutdoorGearLab's Top Pick for on-trail traction and iRunFar's soft-ground recommendation. Dominant grip in mud, wet grass, snow and loose soil, with the convenient Quicklace system.
Strengths
- +Dominant grip on soft, sloppy ground
- +Deep lugs shed debris well
- +Convenient Quicklace system
Weaknesses
- −Feels cleat-like on dry hardpack
- −Highest drop in this lineup
Best for: Runners who regularly face mud, snow, wet grass and loose soil
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
#7 · Best Zero-Drop & Wide Feet
Altra Lone Peak 9
OutdoorGearLab's Top Pick for wide feet and iRunFar's Best Zero-Drop pick. A roomy toe box, impeccable trail feel and an improved outsole compound — also a thru-hiker favorite.
Strengths
- +Incredibly roomy toe box
- +Excellent trail feel
- +Good lockdown despite the room
- +Improved outsole
Weaknesses
- −Less underfoot protection
- −Zero-drop needs an adaptation period
- −A generalist rather than a specialist
Best for: Runners and thru-hikers who want natural foot shape and all-day comfort
Links to the official brand site. These will become affiliate links after network approval — clearly labeled and covered by our disclosure.
How to choose trail running shoes
How we score: the THRYV rubric
Every model is scored on six criteria — traction, cushioning & comfort, stability, weight & agility, durability and value. Each criterion is judged against the published findings of independent testers (RunRepeat, OutdoorGearLab, Treeline Review, iRunFar) and manufacturer specifications, then combined into a single composite score out of 10. The composite is an editorial synthesis of that cited evidence, not a lab test we ran ourselves.
Lug depth and outsole rubber vs. terrain
Deep, widely spaced lugs (Salomon Speedcross 6) bite into mud, wet grass and snow and shed debris, but feel cleat-like on hardpack. Moderate lugs paired with sticky rubber compounds such as Vibram Megagrip (Speedgoat 7, Peregrine 16, Tecton X 3) are the better all-round choice: they hold on wet rock and dry dirt alike. Match the outsole to the ground you actually run on most weeks, not the worst day of the year.
Drop — zero vs. high — and adaptation
Heel-to-toe drop ranges widely here, from the 0 mm Altra Lone Peak 9 to the roughly 10 mm Speedcross 6. Lower drop encourages a midfoot strike and more calf and Achilles engagement; higher drop shifts load toward the knee and suits habitual heel strikers. Moving to zero-drop from a traditional shoe needs a gradual adaptation period of short runs before you make it your main trainer.
Cushioning stack vs. ground feel
Taller, softer stacks (Speedgoat 7) absorb repeated impact over long distances and protect against rock strikes, at the cost of precision on technical terrain. Lower, firmer builds (Lone Peak 9, Prodigio Pro) give you far more information about what's under your foot, which helps on off-camber and rocky trails but leaves less protection on long descents.
Plated race shoes vs. daily trainers
Plated shoes such as the HOKA Tecton X 3 pair carbon plates with a propulsive midsole for efficiency on race day — RunRepeat measured its energy return at around 70%. They also cost far more and are less forgiving day to day. Unless you race long, a durable, versatile daily trainer like the Peregrine 16 or Speedgoat 7 is the smarter single purchase.
Fit: narrow vs. wide toe box
Trail shoes must lock the heel and midfoot down while still letting the toes splay on descents. The Prodigio Pro runs small and narrow and the Torrent 4 has no wide option, while the Lone Peak 9 is the pick for genuinely wide feet. Feet swell over long efforts, so buy for the end of the run, not the start — and use the retailer's return window.
When a road shoe is enough
If your route is mostly pavement, gravel bike path or hard-packed park trail, a road shoe with a durable outsole is fine and will feel smoother. Move to a trail shoe once you regularly hit loose dirt, mud, wet rock, roots or steep descents, where traction and underfoot protection matter more than road-style ride quality.
FAQ
What's the difference between trail and road running shoes?+
Trail shoes add lugged, stickier outsoles for grip on loose and wet ground, more underfoot protection against rocks and roots, and a more secure upper and heel hold for uneven terrain. Road shoes prioritize a smooth ride and outsole durability on pavement. Trail shoes are usually a little heavier and stiffer as a result.
Can I use trail running shoes on the road?+
Yes, for shorter stretches — most runners use trail shoes on the pavement connecting them to the trailhead. But road miles wear lugs down faster and aggressive designs like the Salomon Speedcross 6 feel cleat-like on hard surfaces. If most of your mileage is pavement, a moderately lugged all-terrain shoe such as the Peregrine 16 handles the mix far better.
How long do trail running shoes last?+
The commonly cited guidance across the running industry is roughly 300–500 miles, and trail shoes often land toward the lower end because abrasive terrain wears the outsole faster. Judge by condition rather than the calendar: worn-down lugs, a midsole that no longer rebounds, tears in the upper or new aches all signal it's time to replace.
Do I need a waterproof trail running shoe?+
Usually not. Waterproof membranes reduce breathability and, once water gets in over the collar during a creek crossing or in deep rain, they are slow to drain and dry. Non-waterproof shoes with good drainage are the better default for most running; save waterproof versions for cold, wet or snowy conditions where keeping feet warm matters more than drying fast.
What drop should a beginner choose?+
Beginners are generally best served by a moderate drop in the 4–6 mm range, which is where most of this lineup sits — the Speedgoat 7, Tecton X 3 and Torrent 4 at 5 mm, the Peregrine 16 at 4–5 mm. It suits both heel and midfoot strikers without demanding an adaptation period. Zero-drop shoes like the Lone Peak 9 are worth trying later, introduced gradually.
Are carbon-plated trail shoes worth it?+
For competitive racers over long distances, they can be: RunRepeat measured the dual-plate HOKA Tecton X 3's energy return at around 70%, the highest in that testing. But plated shoes cost substantially more, are less versatile for everyday trail miles and are heavier than they once were. For most runners the money is better spent on a durable, versatile trainer.
Sources
Our composite scores synthesize independent third-party lab and field testing with verified owner reviews. We link the testers we drew on so you can check our work.
- RunRepeat — Best Trail Running Shoes 2026
Lab-based measurements including energy return, weight, stack height and outsole hardness across trail shoes.
- OutdoorGearLab — Best Trail Running Shoes
Side-by-side comparative field testing with published rubrics and awards for the women's lineup.
- OutdoorGearLab — Best Trail Running Shoes for Men
The men's counterpart, including Editors' Choice, Best Buy and Top Pick designations.
- Treeline Review — Best Men's Trail Running Shoes 2026
Long-term field testing and category buyer's guidance across trail running footwear.
- iRunFar — Best Trail Running Shoes 2026
Trail- and ultrarunning-specific testing with category recommendations for cushioning, soft ground and zero-drop.
Affiliate disclosure: THRYV is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commissions never influence our rankings or verdicts. See our full disclosure.
Author
By the THRYV Research Desk
Last updated: July 2026. Corrections or questions? contact@thryv-apparel.com.