Running on a trail is different from running on the road. While you are free to maintain a constant pace on a road surface, running on a trail means that your pace is dictated by the terrain.
That’s why it’s only right that you should have dedicated trail running shoes designed to grip the ice, mud, and dust. These shoes are also designed to protect your feet from jutting rock outcrops. Generally, it’s a bad idea to take road running shoes onto the trail.
With these facts in mind, we are picking out five top trail running shoes that are currently for sale. We will provide an in-depth assessment of each shoe, the key features, the good points, and the bad ones. Read on for our full buying guide for shoes to consider purchasing.
In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…
ALTRA Men's AFM1855F Lone Peak 4.0 Trail Running Shoe,...
- Durable mesh upper with integrated tongue
- Improved, grippier MaxTrac rubber
- StoneGuard resembles the skeletal structure of a foot
Altra Lone Peak 4 is inspired by the first trail running shoes that the company manufactured. The shoe introduced Altra trademark technologies of ZeroDrop, FootShape, and Fit4her.
All of Altra’s subsequent shoes feature these three design templates, with new upgrades for the Lone Peak 4.
ZeroDrop is a reference to the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. Altra shoes have minimal to no foot drop, meaning your feet will stay flat in the shoes. If you’re new to it, the ZeroDrop feature is worth exploring further.
FootShape technology is an enlarged toe box on Altra shoes that allows a lot of room for toes and feet to expand. The forefoot of Altra is wider than other trail shoes.
The latest updates on the Lone Peak 4 include an integrated tongue with static webbing for enhanced grasping capabilities. The forefoot has been designed to be roomier with an elastic strap overlay.
Lone Peak shoe comes with a new sandpaper-textured toe cap. In the spirit of upgrades, this shoe is more breathable thanks to draining mesh on the forefoot and the heel.
If you were wondering about traction, TrailClaw technology combined with multi-pronged, curved lugs provides the strongest traction yet.
The multi-layered StoneGuard feature is updated to mimic the skeletal arrangement of the foot. The StoneGuard deflects rocks towards the midsole for a smooth run. Overall, this shoe greatly enhances athletic performance.
Key Features
What We Like
What We Don’t
Altra Lone Peak 4.0 will take some getting used to if it is your first time trying this line of shoes. They may feel a little wide on the first try. Most runners are used to compact toe boxes. Let your toes adjust to the feeling of so much wiggle room.
Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 8 , Black (001)/White , 12
- NEUTRAL: For runners who need a balance of flexibility & cushioning
- Lightweight mesh upper with 3 color digital print delivers complete breathability
- Durable leather overlays for stability & that locks in your midfoot
Under Armour is a world-renowned brand for its elegant and functional sports apparel. That is why their Assert 8 running shoes popped up on our radar. The shoes are for both professional and recreational runners.
Assert 8 running shoes provide sufficient cushioning without compromising its flexibility. They turn out to be great shoes if you intend to work up some mileage on the nature trail. The Assert 8 is one of Under Armour’s best-selling shoes.
Key Features
What We Like
What We Don’t
Assert 8 Under Armour are such beautiful running shoes to behold. A lot of thought went into maximizing the functionality of this shoe. There is a reason why they are selling so fast. You can run, walk or just flaunt them.
When ordering this shoe, order up a size larger.
Sale
Columbia Men's Redmond Waterproof Hiking Shoe, Black,...
- DURABLE HIKING SHOE: The Columbia Men’s Redmond Waterproof Low Hiking Shoe is an exceptional...
- EXCEPTIONAL HIKING SHOE FOR MEN: This imported low-top hiking shoe is made for the outdoor...
- ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: The upper layer is a combination of suede 100% leather, mesh, and webbing. The...
The Columbia Redmond was another of our versatile running shoes picks. They work well on ordinary road surfaces and unpredictable wilderness ground. They are popular for their comfort, which is why you will find wearers in non-athletic situations.
The Redmond is a waterproof hiking shoe inspired by similar hiking boots by Columbia. This is a trusted footwear company, so you can expect to get a quality product. The low top shoe is intended for people who want to keep their feet dry on multiple surfaces.
The top part of the shoe is made of a compound webbing of suede and mesh. The Techlite responsive cushioning midsole provides protection on the move. The rubber sole uses Omni-Grip technology to keep the wearer steady, no matter the terrain.
Key Features
What We Like
What We Don’t
The Columbia Redmond will allow you to walk through wet or muddy nature trails. The shoe was engineered with superior technology to withstand undesirable weather. We would say if you want your socks to stay dry, get the Redmond.
Columbia shoes tend to fit small, so order a size bigger for a comfortable fit.
adidas Men's Rockadia Trail m, Core Black/Matte...
- Fit tip- If in between sizes, for tight fit, go one size down and for loose fit, go one size up
The Adidas Rockadia Trail is a beautiful shoe. The thing with elegant shoes is that they give you confidence. However, it’s more than just its looks. The Rockadia Trail shoe has superior design that will give you the spirit to venture out onto the trails.
Like many hiking shoes, it has a hardy look.
Key Features
What We Like
What We Don’t
The Adidas Rockadia is loved by many runners because of how affordable it is. The beautiful design and functionality also contribute to its popularity. Even though it is designed for trails, feel free to use it to fish for compliments while going about your errands!
Rockadia is half a size smaller than your normal fit. So order half a size up to get the right shoe.
New Balance Men's Nitrel V3 Trail Running Shoe, Grey/Blue,...
- All terrain outsole
- Innovative REVlite midsole provides premium responsiveness and durability at a 30% lighter weight...
- Synthetic/mesh upper
The New Balance Nitrel V3 is a shoe for lighter trails without extreme changes. It will serve you well on light mud and wet terrains, small gravel roads, and pavements. It, however, performs best on single track dry nature trails.
These budget-friendly shoes are light enough for a long-distance run. They weigh only 8 ounces with an 8 mm arch support. The shoes are sufficiently cushioned to provide comfort on the trail.
Key Features
What We Like
What We Don’t
These shoes by New Balance are overall decent trail shoes. While they are not suitable for harsh, rocky ground, you will experience excellent performance on dry, tame trails. Some mud is no problem either.
When ordering the Nitrel V3 online, buy your normal size. These hiking shoes are artistically engineered to create a combination of fashion and functionality for a song.
Conclusion
Pay keen attention to the type of fit on the product features for each brand of running shoes. Some companies produce shoes that are smaller or bigger fit than the standard. Others get it right in line with the standard. Do you research so you can get the right size when you are purchasing shoes from online vendors.
Happy shopping! We are confident that this buying guide provided all the information you need to purchase a hiking shoe.
