In trail running, the main piece of equipment a runner needs is ... their pair of shoes ! Clearly, your pair of shoes will have a huge impact on your running and the way you run.
Today, trail running and shoe manufacturers have developed enormously. That's why it's hard to make an exhaustive choice of shoes The number of models and their specific features has become so large.
Here is our top 6 of the best trail shoes running for men and women.
Contents
Our shoe selection :
- Hoka One One Speedgoat 5
- Brooks Cascadia 17
- Salomon S-Lab Génésis
- La Sportiva Bushido 2
- Asics Gel Trabuco Terra
Hoka One One Speedgoat 5 trail shoe
Shoe presentation
Hoka is a brand that needs no introduction. Renowned for the excellent quality of its running shoes in general, it is through Hoka that the brand has become a household name. the Speedgoat 5 model that the brand stands out on the trail.
What sets this pair apart is above all its large solewhich gives it excellent cushioning. In fact, it's one of its biggest strengths. It's a combination of materials (EVA and CMVA) that gives it this characteristic. So it's a significant advantage if you're doing long distances or if you have sensitive joints.
Now let's talk about grip of this pair. The speedgoat has the best of what's available on the trail market: a sole that's easy to clean and easy to clean. Vibram. A sole offering excellent grip with 5mm studs (for good grip in all conditions) but also excellent durability.
Finally, and this is also very important when choosing a pair, the maintenance of the foot in the shoe. In trail running and running in general, feeling good in your shoes is a key factor in your running. With the Hoka Speedgoat, you'll find a 'tub' in the heel and achilles tendon area. This cradle gives your foot excellent support and provides you with a more comfortable fit. feeling of firmness without compressing your foot.
Finally, like all good trail shoes, this pair has a stone guard.
Characteristics of the pair
| Features | Hoka One One Speedgoat 5 |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
| Stud size | 5mm |
| Weight | - |
| Men's model / Women's model | Yes / Yes |
| Type of land | Technical / hilly / long distance |
| Stone guard | Yes |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Amortized
✅ Drop balanced
✅ Good support
✅ Grip
✅ Enjoy your visit
Disadvantages
❌ May not be suitable for runners preferring lower soles.
The trailers' opinion
4.7/5 out of 75 reviews
Our opinion on the pair
For the editors, this is a pair that has nothing to prove. It's a relatively good choice for runners who need a lot of support. comfort or for long-distance travel. Especially as it comes at a relatively attractive price for a shoe in this range.
Brooks Cascadia 17 trail shoe
Shoe presentation
Brooks is also a a major player in the world of trail running. The shoe manufacturer has ranges that have never disappointed: the Cascadia and the Caldera. Here, we've chosen to highlight the latest addition: the Cascadia 17.
Let's start with the strong point of this pair of shoes, its grip. Thanks to a sole with 5mm studs and excellent flexibility and stability, these shoes are perfectly suited to trail running in the mountains.
It also has a sole that provides perfect stability on the ground. This feature, as distinct from grip, means you'll be very comfortable on the ground. uneven terrain. So you'll be more confident on the downhill sections.
Last but not least, this pair of trail shoes offers extra protection. With a TPU stone guard at the front of the shoe and a mud guard, it offers a high level of protection. very good protection your toes and your foot in general.
Characteristics of the pair
| Features | Brooks Cascadia 17 |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stud size | 5mm |
| Weight | - |
| Men's model / Women's model | Yes / Yes |
| Type of land | Technical / rough / any distance |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Grip and traction
✅ Protection
✅ Stability
✅ Good connectivity
✅ Enjoy your visit
Disadvantages
❌ Medium cushioning (may not be suitable for some riders)
The trailers' opinion
(no opinion recorded)
Our opinion on the pair
This shoe in a a slightly more minimalist style offers everything a trailer needs. It has excellent stability, which is no luxury, but also perfect traction. So you can run with ease over rough terrain. The protection is also not negligible and is perfectly mastered with this pair.
Salomon S-Lab Genesis M trail shoe
Shoe presentation
The most popular brand among trailers, and rightly so, Salomon. With its strong outdoor DNA, the brand based in the Alps has a remarkable pair for trail running: the Salomon S-Lab Genesis.
Genesis is a pair top of the range. It has many features that make it one of the best pairs. Its sole offers excellent cushioning and a good rebound, making it ideal for long-distance runners.
In terms of grip, the design of the sole and the materials of which it is made deliver an excellent very good adhesion on all types of road. Whether they're rough or smooth.
The other strong point of Salomon pairs is their ability to hold the foot. Thanks to features like the gaiter inside the boot, the Quicklace system and a relatively firm upper, your foot will be held firmly in your boot.
Finally, this shoe also has multiple protections and reinforcementsThis is why we've created a new type of footbed, which protects the front, back and sides of your foot from external aggression.
Characteristics of the pair
| Features | Salomon S-Lab Genesis M |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stud size | 5mm |
| Weight | 252 |
| Men's model / Women's model | Yes / Yes |
| Type of land | Technical / rough / rolling / long distance |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Interesting grip
✅ Excellent support
✅ Comfort
✅ Lightness
Disadvantages
❌ Style
❌ Price
The trailers' opinion
(no reviews yet)
Our opinion on the pair
For the Company, this is one of the most important The best shoes from Salomon. The combination of elements in this pair makes them extremely versatile, with excellent climbing ability. Its cushioning and dynamism make it a pair particularly appreciated by long-distance runners.
La Sportiva Bushido 2M shoe
Shoe presentation
La Sportiva is a brand that is relatively unknown to the general public, yet its pairs of shoes are often unanimously acclaimed by runners.
Like the Genesis, the Bushido 2 pair from La Sportiva features a very firm support of your foot. Perfect for trail runners who like to keep their feet firmly in place.
Comfort is also a priority, with a host of features to make you feel good in your pair.
The second outstanding feature of this pair is the outsole. They are renowned for being highly versatile and delivers excellent grip. Enough for trail running in the mountains. Especially as the front of the shoe has been designed to offer excellent traction.
Finally, the sole preserves joints and limits the impact on the muscles. Perfect for long-distance trail runners.
Its midsole is also made from EVA, a material that provides good cushioning and a very good rebound.
And last but not least, its mesh design with very few seams limits friction with your foot, so you don't have to worry so much about blisters over long distances.
Characteristics of the pair
| Features | La Sportiva Bushido 2M |
|---|---|
| Drop | - |
| Stud size | 5mm |
| Weight | 310g |
| Men's model / Women's model | Yes / Yes |
| Type of land | Technical / hilly / long distance |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Comfort and support
✅ Grip and traction
✅ Cushioning and rebound
Disadvantages
❌ Price
The trailers' opinion
4.8 per 10 notices
Our opinion on the pair
This is undoubtedly theone of the best pairs for short, medium and long-distance runners. Their versatility means they can be used on a wide range of terrain. Enough to enhance your running experience.
They're also shoes that last over time.
Asics Gel Trabuco Terra shoe
Shoe presentation
One of the best-selling shoes among trail runners: the Asics Trabuca Terra.
Firstly, the pair of shoes. the cheapest in this comparison. Although it's less expensive, it has some excellent features to offer, starting with its sole. The Flytefoam midsole offers runners a very high level of comfort. good cushioningThese shoes are designed to take the pressure off the muscles and joints of even the most sensitive runners or long-distance runners. As well as having good cushioning, it also has an outsole with a solid base. The studs do their job perfectly and offer a very good grip. good traction on climbs.
The upper of the shoe is also made from mesh, which provides good ventilation to keep your feet cool. The special feature of this upper is that it provides good support for your feet This provides good stability, which is important for a trailer, especially on descents.
Characteristics of the pair
| Features | Asics Gel Trabuca Terra |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stud size | 3.5mm |
| Weight | - |
| Men's model / Women's model | Yes / Yes |
| Type of land | Technical / hilly / long distance |
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits
✅ Maintenance
✅ Good grip
✅ Style
✅ Stability
✅ Value for money
Disadvantages
❌ Lacks a hair's breadth of firmness
The trailers' opinion
4.7 / 5 for 113 reviews
Our opinion on the pair
This pair is inevitably one of the best value for money of this comparison. In fact, they're one of the pairs we'd recommend if you want to start trail running. With a good sole and good grip, it has everything we need.
On the other hand, some trail runners have reported a slight lack of stability in the upper for very technical terrain.
Frequently asked questions
How to choose trail shoes
For choosing your trail shoesIf you're a runner, you need to know a little about the way you run. The most important factor is your foot strike. In other words, when you run, which part of your foot touches the ground first? The front of the foot, the middle of the foot or the heel? This will help you decide on the size of your drop. If you attack through the heel, choose larger drops.
Then for trail running, choose shoes with studs. This will improve your grip, especially on wet ground.
Finally, the cushioning you want. This corresponds to the sole's ability to soften contact with the ground to protect your joints and tendons. Note that the more cushioning you have, the more comfortable but less precise the shoe will be.
What is the drop on a trail shoe?
The drop is the difference in height between the front of your foot and your heel. This is measured in mm.
To give you an idea, a 'zero' drop corresponds to a drop of 0. In other words, your heel and forefoot are at the same level.
Low" drops correspond to a maximum heel lift of 6mm. In other words, your heel is slightly higher than the front of your foot.
Standard" drops are drops greater than 6mm.