Trail Shoes

We Tested Over 80 Trail Running Shoes. These are Our 6 Favorites.

The editors of Outside painstakingly tested this very crowded (and complicated) running shoe category to find the best models for every type of off-road run.

Shoes

4 Can’t-Miss Trail Running Shoes Dropping in August

A livelier foam in Salomon's S/Lab Genesis, a road-to-trail Asics Novablast, Vibram on a Cascadia, and a Hoka that already podiumed at Western States. Our lead shoe tester breaks them down.

Shoes

The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain

We tested over 75 trail shoes across hundreds of miles of rocky singletrack, sandy paths, and muddy forests. These 14 stood out as the top performers.

Shoes

We Tried a Ton of Trail Super Shoes. These 8 Actually Make Sense.

Carbon plates, split forks, and high-energy foams—are these useful things for off-camber, un-uniform trail running surfaces? We explain and show off the eight best trail super shoes we tried for fast, sure-footed, off-road running.

Trail Shoes

7 Top Trail Running Super Shoes of 2025, Reviewed

Carbon plates, split forks, and high-energy foams—meet the best plated trail super shoes for fast, sure-footed, off-road running

Shoes

The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026 (So Far)

We tested everything from road-to-trail cruisers to propulsive racers to find the best trail running shoes for every runner and terrain.

Trail Shoes

These Are the Trail Shoes We Personally Use for Our Longest Runs

With virtually unlimited choices for footwear, Outside editors reveal what we reach for when the miles are long and the terrain is unpredictable.

Shoes

Tips For Picking Your Next Trail Shoes

Today’s trail shoes provide specialized features for a variety of different terrains. Here’s how to sort out what you need.

Running

The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain (Fall 2026)

We tested 96 trail running shoes to find the best models for everything from gravel cruising to rocky scrambles.

Trail Shoes

The Fastest Trail Shoes at the 2024 UTMB

More brands are using UTMB-Mont Blanc week to showcase of their latest models, which were put to the test in the UTMB World Series Finals races

Shoes

The Best Shoes We’ve Used for Trail Running

endurance

Trail Shoe Testing at Outside | Top Trail Shoe for 2025

Outside's Lead Shoe Tester Cory Smith gives an overview of the trail shoe testing process at Outside, from the trail where he often tests shoes and at home. He highlights the female shoe testing lead, Lisa Young, and how they manage their shoe-testing teams. Then, he reviews the shoe that they ranked the best all-around trail shoe for 2025, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide, with a nod to the runner-up, the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro. On-location and at-home talking head cut with detail shots of the top shoe and action b roll from field testing.

Shoes

Editors' Choice: Patagonia Tsali 3.0 Trail-Running Shoe (Fall 2014)

Gear

Runner’s Gift Guide: Best Trail-Running Shoes 2022

Bring a smile to the face of your favorite trail runner this year with a pair of our favorite trail-running shoes from 2022

Gear

The Fastest Trail Shoes at the 2026 UTMB

The 2026 UTMB podiums were full of brands that don't usually get this kind of attention. Our expert shoe tester looks at what the top 10 men and women wore and gives his hands-on testing notes.

Shoes

Trail Tested Trio: Three High-Cushion Trail Running Shoes for the Long Run

With a new crop of high-cushion trail running shoes for both on- and off-road miles hitting the market, you're sure to find one of these all-rounders right for your long runs

Shoes

Editors' Choice: Inov-8 Race Ultra 290 Trail-Running Shoe (Fall 2014)

Shoes

Our Favorite Shoes For Speedwork On Trail

Trail Runners

The Best Trail Running Shoes for Backpacking and Thru-Hiking (2026)

Lighter weight and more nimble than boots, these robust running shoes go the distance while offering comfort and support.

Trail Shoes

Best New Light and Nimble Trail Dancers

3 New trail running shoes that make you feel connected to the terrain and light on your feet.