The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2026

Scarpa’s shoe may be called the Golden Gate, but we fell in love with its Goldilocks-style performance after racking up the testing miles. Making a do-it-all trail shoe is hard to pull off, thanks to the variety of terrains and demands across ecosystems. However, the Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 ($169) consistently performed through all trail conditions and climates, delivering ideal results and superior grip.

The shoe bears so little resemblance to the original model it almost merits a whole rename. While we liked the first version, we found it bulky and slightly over-cushioned. It was good for heavy plodders but not for the nimble, quick scramble kind of runners.

The ATR 2 reduces the stack height to a much more reasonable 24mm, still granting cushion but not sacrificing underfoot feel. This makes the ATR 2 a moderately cushioned, light, and nimble shoe ready to support all-day mountain efforts or quick hill runs alike.

The shoe derives its Golden Gate moniker from the truss-like TPU exoskeleton, weaving a pattern of structural support across the breathable mesh upper. But it’s also a nod to the ATR’s adaptability to tackle trails that dart off the pavement and into urban parks. SCARPA built this shoe for the street to trail runner. But with the new shoe update, they might have cracked the code for a quiver-killing shoe that handles technical and casual terrain with equal aplomb.

Most notable on the Scarpa Golden Gate ATR 2 is the secure fit. Scarpa calls this tech SockFit, and it works by constructing the tongue as a single piece of elastic fabric that wraps over the top of the foot, increasing lateral stability and guaranteeing a snug midfoot fit. 

As a bonus, it also does a good job of preventing pebbles and debris from slipping into the shoe. The fit is so snug you could probably pull the laces and run in it like a slipper. Yet, through some genius engineering, the shoe is easy to loosen for foot swelling and get in and out of.

If we had to have a gripe, the 4mm lugs could leave something to be desired in more technical terrain. That said, it handled the scree and rocky terrain of Northern Arizona just fine and has performed admirably in the soupy mud of Midwestern trails.

It tested well enough to knock our previous favorite, Nike’s Terra Kiger 9, from top billing. And because of its versatility, our testers consistently favored it for all types of terrain and types of runs, the real mark of versatility.

Are there technically cheaper shoes out there than the Peregrine 15 ($140)? Yes. Are there any that deliver the same price-to-value? No.

You’ll have to look hard to see any major changes on the Peregrine 15. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The 14 was another nice update to the iconic line of fast, precise trail running shoes, and the 15 continues this tradition. For this iteration, Saucony gives runners an updated upper, improving the overall fit, and a foam compound that feels both softer and more responsive than the 14

This addresses some concerns about the 14’s speed capacity while keeping us right in our wheelhouse for fast, precise, technical trails, where the Peregrine 15 feels right at home.

In the past, we’ve tested the Peregrine through the iconic Apex Park, including the Enchanted Forest, through some mixed snowy and rocky conditions, including sections of glare ice (not recommended). We were blown away by the excellent traction of Peregrine’s PWRTRAC rubber outsole with 5mm lugs. Climbing through the mixed rock and icy conditions, we found a nice flow and gained altitude quickly. The 15 upgraded the outsole compound and our testing found it elevated the grip. An already great shoe got something even better.

On the descent, the Peregrine 15 offers a lot of fun and security with a precise package. The lower volume upper and relatively narrow design make tricky rock sections a breeze. The lively midsole and small heel-to-toe drop puts the runner in the driver’s seat for sporty descents.

But with a fun, sporty, firm ride, the Peregrine 15 comes with a downside. On any runs over about 8 to 10 miles, we noticed friction, or downright blisters, between our front toes. The precise, narrow design is just too thin for wider feet to splay. Our tester found the redesigned upper helps mitigate this effect but doesn’t solve it.

While this is fine on short runs, we personally wouldn’t make this shoe our long-distance racer. It might be our choice for an upcoming 20K because it’s fast and confidence-inspiring, but we know our feet will pay. Those aiming for ultra distances should probably steer away unless they have fairly narrow, low-volume feet.

But if you want a precise shoe for short, fast, technical trail runs, the Saucony Peregrine 15 lives up to its speedy name. It’ll be high on our shoe rack for days when speed and spice are on the docket.

Foam, foam, and more foam. Sure, carbon plates are the flashy element in our current super-shoe zeitgeist, but the foams are the undersung heroes in the mix, powering the midsole and activating the carbon plate’s energy-return potential. Salomon dialed into that with the S/Lab Ultra Glide ($250) by skipping the plate altogether and stacking the foam sky-high. The result? A plush, comfortable shoe that can go all day.

Two separate pieces of foam in the midsole are joined via another foam compound, Energy Foam Plus, to create a downright cozy underfoot feel. The downside? All this extra material adds up to extra weight. Not a ton, this is foam, after all, but more than runners have come to expect at this high price point normally reserved for race-ready super shoes. All this foam uniquely combines with the outsole design, festooned with golf-ball-like divots that absorb, marshmallow-like, around rocks and scree kicked up on the trail.

No rock plate in sight, no rock plate needed. Salomon sticks to the classics with the upper: a mesh upper and a Quicklace system complete the kind of upper we’ve come to expect from the brand. It’s branded (and priced) as a race shoe, and our testers found that the midsole responded well when pushing for speed, which is not always the case with high-stack shoes. But we found the value in staying in this shoe all day, on long efforts across varied terrain with multiple pace goals.

The Nike Terra Kiger 10 ($170) offers a secure and precise yet comfortable fit to a wide range of foot types. The Cushlon 3.0 foam feels stable and energetic even when standing or walking in the shoe. The Terra Kiger 10 performs impressively well on just about any terrain on and off trail. However, given its softer lugs, the shoe is really designed to shine specifically on the trail. 

If we had to describe the Kiger 10 in one word, it would be versatile. It delivers outstanding race performance across a wide spectrum of terrains and conditions. We recommend it to just about any runner looking for fast and precise race performance on most types of terrain.

However, if you have a wide forefoot (say, 110+ mm) or have a square-shaped toe box (where your foot length measures roughly equal across all toes), then the Kiger 10 may not be the best fit for you. Additionally, we’d advise heavy runners to consider a shoe with more cushioning underfoot for ultra distances. That all being said, the Nike Terra Kiger 10 is one of the most versatile trail shoes we’ve tested to date, making it a great shoe choice for many runners to add to their quivers.

Newly updated to increase durability, the Altra Lone Peak 9 ($140) is the most recent version of the much-beloved zero-drop classic. Fit is similar and remains polarizing. If you’ve long been on board with minimalist shoes and the zero-drop design, you’ll revel in the comfort over hundreds of miles as your feet swell and your toes splay in this comfy, roomy shoe. If you’re more used to more supportive techy trail runners like the Speed Goat 6 or the Scarpa Golden Gate, you may find them downright sloppy.

A popular running shoe and perhaps even more popular as a long-distance hiking shoe, the Lone Peak 9 has a more robust upper than the Lone Peak 8. While this feels like a slight loss of breathability, most folks should be happy that their Lone Peaks will last longer, especially the thru-hiker crowd.

From a runner’s perspective, this is a big advantage when you need to go off-trail or are tackling a scree field. The shoes also have a built-in gaiter clip, so your gaiters will stay secure if you opt for those in sandy or gravelly terrain.

The Lone Peak has a MaxTrac outsole, a compound that isn’t as hard as Vibram but has no trouble gripping rock slabs and hard-pack single track. The Chevron-shaped lugs aren’t as deep as the ones on the HOKA Speedgoat 6, and they didn’t feel as grippy during a short snow crossing but feel equally capable on most other surfaces.

Zero-drop takes some getting used to, and while these shoes don’t provide that sense of propulsion that shoe with a 5mm difference between the heel and the toe, it will change how you run, possibly for the better. Heel strikers will be forced to adjust or be punished. It takes a concentrated effort to change habits and strike with the mid or forefoot. This will strengthen your calves and Achilles and hopefully adopt a springier, lower-impact stride. Give yourself plenty of time to adjust before putting in huge miles.

The X2 was a very fast, very good shoe that the team at GJ loved. We were more than a little surprised to see that the X3 almost totally revamped the silhouette for 2024. What’s new? HOKA updated the lug shape and positioning, upgraded the PEBA midsole compound, added a new plate design/positioning, and rounded it out with a gaiter-like tongue/collar design. Yep, almost totally redesigned. And pricier. But still fast. 

The HOKA Tecton X 3 ($275) holds down the ultrafast field with its own carbon whip, designed to keep the turnover revving toward a PR. In our opinion, the Tecton X2 set the current bar for carbon-plated trail shoes and is worthy of consideration, and the X3 continues this innovative approach. 

Like all HOKAs, the PEBA cushion is top shelf, with a softer layer against the foot and a denser, responsive layer closer to the ground. Sandwiched between the foams are a pair of carbon plates that give you the stiffness and spring you’d expect from carbon while yielding lateral compliance to negotiate the changing terrain.

These carbon plates are reshaped from last year’s model, the brand adding winglets — a term usually saved for the vertical or angled extension on the tip of an aircraft wing, which helps aerodynamic performance. It’s fitting that aerospace terms are used here because there’s aerospace tech involved.

Laced down over to just above the toes, a Matryx upper hugs the foot, weaving in breathability and adjustable comfort for long days on the trail. A Vibram Megagrip outsole with an early-stage MetaRocker is studded with spaced 4mm lugs to shed mud without sacrificing traction.

Our only pause on the updated X3 is the tall knit collar, which divided testers. While it held off dust and debris, even in Sedona’s famous red sand, the fit caused problems depending on sock length. This led to heel rub on uphill sections, a problem our tester also had with HOKA’s road-oriented Mach X2. If the high ankle collar gives you pause, we’d recommend Adidas’ Agragiv Speed Ultra — another fast shoe that our testers loved.

The bigger question is, do you need a carbon trail shoe? Well, with the release of the Tecton X 3 — maybe! If you are a racer who’s been on the fence with carbon fiber plates, this is the shoe we’d recommend pulling the trigger on.

Every family has a favorite. Toeing across finish lines for years, the Speedgoat 6 ($155) is Hoka’s beloved classic. The Speedgoat 5 overhauled the shoe from the ground up. The 6 is a gentler but still impactful redesign, realigning some overcorrections from the previous model. A redesigned midsole and a new upper combine with last year’s stellar outsole update. This directly addressed durability complaints Hoka fielded on the Speedgoat. 

Crossovers from the previous version include a bolstered heel collar, more comfortable features, and what feels like a more responsive midsole with what Hoka calls a “late-stage meta-rocker.” The updated upper features a breathable woven textile upper paired with a foot-hugging internal chassis, resulting in a breathable, secure fit that holds up to wear and tear.

Best of all, the tongue has been redesigned. We found the 5’s gusseted tongue to be a little short and thin, while the 6 is plush and comfortable but still breathable.

The updated midsole shaves even more weight and is everything you could want in a trail shoe: lightweight, supportive, and responsive. It’s firmer underfoot than the previous model but still bouncy and comfortable for running on all forms of terrain.

The soles are fitted with Vibram Megagrip and 5mm lugs, somehow providing even more traction than previous iterations. Our reviewers lauded its ability to tackle varying, loose, and rocky terrain.

While the Speedgoats let you push the pace, their durability and comfort over the long haul make them a good value. Legions of long-distance hikers have picked up on this. The Speedgoat 6 was one of the most popular shoes for thru-hiking in 2022. One of our testers walked over 5,000 miles in the Speedgoats last year, eking out about 700 miles a pair.

If you aren’t used to shoes with a higher stack, runners may want to experiment with a different model first. Hoka’s upped the drop to 5mm on this version, and the stack can be tippy on technical trails. But as a mega-comfortable performer over challenging terrain, it’s hard to find a better ride out there.

“Built to last” is a tagline from NNormal, a company founded in partnership with the world’s top trail runner, Kilian Jornet. The tagline comes with a 2-year warranty, which is unusual in a category known for products that can wear out after a few months of hard use.

To back up the claim, the company put its NNormal Kjerag ($195) trail running shoes on 500 runners for a long-term test. The result was shoes that lasted for up to 800 miles of use before enough damage that they needed to be replaced.

We didn’t put that many miles on the Kjerags. But after around 75 miles of testing, the white shoes, though a bit dirtier, feel like new. The company sells the Kjerag as a distance shoe capable of ultra-endurance courses up to 100 miles.

The shoes’ midsole is touted to promote stability and energy return, and they indeed feel supportive and alive underfoot on the run. The upper is a clean jacquard with Kevlar-coated yarn. Pull the shoe on, and it feels snug with arch support and a thin tongue.

Despite the support, the shoes are light — our test pair of men’s size 12 weighed in at a feathery 8.6 oz. per shoe. The tread on the Vibram outsole is on the more minimal side. The lugs function perfectly for dry singletrack and regular trails. However, they are less effective in mud and wet terrain.

Overall, though, the NNormal Kjerag ranks among the best shoes we’ve tested, thanks to its feel and durability. 

It’s among the more minimal of shoes on this list. But despite a streamlined design, the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx ($210) offers protection on any trail. But more than that, you get speed.

And you get a lot of speed — this is a race car of a shoe. From its light materials to its wild aesthetic, every millimeter feels built for forward momentum on the trail.

That speed build starts at the upper. The stark white, Kevlar-enforced material is emblazoned with a pink dash and a logo. The material is thin and breathable, and it feels gritty at a touch. It’s streamlined, precise, and unlike any other upper we’ve seen.

Underfoot, a web pattern of Vibram rubber gives traction via 25+ chevron lugs. The sole looks minimal but delivers a sure grip on rock and dirt. That sure grip leads to less hesitation and speedier traverses over sketchy terrain.

At under 9 ounces for a men’s size 12, it’s incredibly light — this shoe won’t weigh you down. That low weight translates to more speed because it encourages a faster turnover and lessens fatigue over long distances. 

Who’s it for? This Merrell is not for the faint of heart. It can seem minimal and bare — you feel air through the upper. And with very little cushioning, the Skyfire 2 will be harsh for anyone accustomed to thick soles.

Despite its minimalism, we wouldn’t call it “barefoot-style.” A two-part foam midsole and a rock plate separate a runner from the ground. Its flex (lateral and torsional) is average, which is to say compared to the VJ or Xero shoes in this roundup the Merrell is stiff.

Our tester loved the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx shoe for speed work and race days up to 10k. Buy it if you need a Ferrari-like shoe that excels on days when speed and efficiency are the paramount concerns.

Step on a sharp stone with the Xero Mesa Trail II ($120), and you will feel it. In this case, that is a feature, not a bug.

The point of these shoes is “connection” to the ground. As such, there is minimal protection or support. The toe box is wide. The sole is so flexible you can roll it up.

It takes a particular runner to embrace this shoe. Luckily, our testing is among them. While it may take a bit of getting used to, the “barefoot” feel can be freeing after a few miles.

The shoe is light and minimally engineered compared to many models. There is no arch support, for example, and the heel has scant cushion. (There is a foam layer and 3.5mm outsole lugs, which do cushion the blow.)

Being “zero drop,” the shoe will feel flat to anyone used to traditional designs. Your gait will change in these shoes, with posture and foot-strike similar to what it’d be like without any shoes on at all.

Lace the Mesa Trail on, and you will have something near the quintessence of the “barefoot” trail running experience. The design is svelte, including welded TPU touches on the upper and a low-to-the-ground look.

Xero touts better balance, “proper” posture, and agility in the Xero Mesa Trail II, and after copious testing, we can attest to that. Anyone committed to the minimal path should try the Mesa Trail for a ground-feel experience rare in the footwear space.

Dynafit may be most known for its ski gear. But when the snow melts, the company brings out a top-end line made for running, including the Dynafit Sky DNA ($200).

As the name hints, this model is built for “sky running.” That is the Euro-centric genre of trail racing where steep ascents, peaks, rugged terrain, scree, talus, and killer descents are common.

In our tests, we ran mostly lower elevations, but we formed an opinion on the shoe on dirt trails and rougher, rockier terrain.

The shoe is a cousin to the Merrell MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx — both are made-for-racing speed demons. And it has the same outsole type (the Vibram Litebase) as the NNormal Kjerag.

But the Sky DNA is its own beast. It is the most aggressive footwear in this roundup, including a precise fit, minimal drop, solid grip, and a low-to-the-ground build that’s unforgiving to a lazy stride.

This is an advanced shoe. We found it the harshest in the review, meaning it trades comfort for an aggressive design focused on pure speed, winning races, or conquering an FKT.

It cinches on the foot with what Dynafit calls an “intelligent double-speed lace.” We didn’t love the system, as tucking in the ends is a hassle — the tiny pocket to stow the string needs more space.

But once on, the thin web of laces keeps you secure over miles of rough terrain. Its toe box is generous, allowing foot bones to spread a bit for control on speedy descents.

In the end, the Dynafit Sky DNA is a quiver shoe for race days, specifically in the mountains. Athletes and dedicated alpine runners should take a close look at the Sky DNA if grip, speed, and protection on alpine terrain are the operative words.

Firmer, lower, and a few dollars cheaper than the Tecton X, HOKA’s Zinal 2 ($160) is the Tecton’s trimmed-down sibling. This shoe boasts solid traction, generous energy return, and a cozy stretch-knit collar. With its lower lug height (compared to others on this list), the Zinal 2 is our go-to for quick door-to-trail runs.

The light, breathable engineered mesh upper and stretch-knit collar replace the tongue found on the shoe’s previous iteration. This upper pleasantly hugs the foot and provides exceptional comfort. It also keeps the foot connected with the shoe, allowing wearers to speed through terrain with precision. While we appreciate these “sock-like” silhouettes — they are admittedly not for everyone.

Out front, the shoe is minimally protected with a pliable toe rand and narrow bumper. Compared to the previous version, it has a slightly higher stack height, an inch boost in heel-toe drop, and a more responsive EVA midsole to provide greater energy return in each stride.

The new model also shaves 0.5 ounces from the original Zinal, and feels feathery light as you cruise over mild singletrack or rolling backroads. It’s purpose-built for speed over durability. Still, after clocking significant miles in the shoes, there’s plenty of life left in our pair.

Flip the shoe over, and you’ll notice the rubber tread is dispersed under the ball of the foot and heel. The previous Zinal had rubberized foam spread under the arch and midfoot between two platforms of Vibram plates — which has thankfully been altered in the update. While the midfoot is still devoid of tread, the Vibram Megagrip (hands down our favorite outsole) extends the entire length of the foot and now features numerous, deeper lugs (now 5mm).

These shoes still serve as a great road-to-trail option, but they definitely have a more aggressive, trail-ready design than their predecessor. The lugs are tightly packed and occasionally struggle to shed mud.

The Zinal 2s are an ideal choice for runs that start at the front door and loop the local trail. They run effortlessly, feel smooth on the tarmac, and are easy, fun shoes for days when you struggle to fit it all in.

Chances are, you have seen more of On’s shoes on coffee runs than actual runs. Incredibly popular with the athleisure crowd, On Running has proved that its shoes don’t just look good; they run well. On’s running team has quietly picked up podiums across the UTMB series, all while decked out in the Swiss brand’s gear. Our top pick from On for the trail is its Cloudultra 2 ($180).

Core to the shoe is On’s Helion foam. It’s engineered to provide rigid cushioning underfoot and flexibility in the toes. This rigidity provides good rock protection and a structural rocker. On the brand’s original Couldsurfers, our tester found that the foam could feel harsh underfoot, but the new generation balances out this rigidity with both a softer foam and more cushion to absorb impact.

Also new to this version’s construction is a TPU speedboard, which purportedly loads the shoe with energy every time the foot lands. While our tester didn’t feel a noticeable spring in his step, he did notice the redesigned outsole. The new grip touts an updated stud layout that results in 50% more ground contact than its predecessor’s already luggy grip.

For feet that swell over the miles, On has integrated a nifty FlipRelease adjustment knob on the laces over the toebox. When untoggled, the release adds a few millimeters of space over the top of the foot. Our tester found this incredibly helpful, not just for long runs; but also for cool downs.

We’ve found that, across the line of On shoes, the brand’s collar feels stiff. The Cloudultra 2 is different. While we wouldn’t go as far as calling its collar pliable, the brand has reengineered the collar and heightened the heel padding, which helps mitigate the previous version’s stiffness.

The bootie construction makes the shoe a struggle to get into, but once you’re in, the knit portion locks around the foot and remains very breathable. This makes the Cloudultra ideal for hot, dry trail runs where dust and debris can often kick into the shoe.

On simply hasn’t slapped a new name and colors on a slightly tweaked shoe. The Cloudultra 2 directly addresses (and solves) issues we had with its predecessor, resulting in a shoe that stays comfortable and fast over long days on the trail. And, of course, the Cloudultra 2 still looks great après run.

The Nike Wildhorse 10 ($165) has an energetic and inspiring feel with a widely accessible and adaptable fit. While the Wildhorse 10 is likely going to fit mid- to high-volume foot profiles best, the shoe still did an excellent job locking our tester’s low-profile foot to its frame. However, the Wildhorse 10’s performance limits its use to moderate trails, at best. The Wildhorse 10’s materials and construction fail to meet the demands of mellow off-trail terrain, technical trails, and unmaintained trails. 

The Wildhorse 10 rides well and feels surprisingly nimble despite the 1.5 inches of shoe underfoot on mild to moderate trails. It distributes weight forward and returns energy best for strides landing anywhere from the midfoot to the heel. This added engineering in materials and construction can prove to be quite useful when the body and mind are tired.

Despite its maximal 38 mm reactX foam midsole, the Nike Wildhorse 10 delivers an impressive amount of energy return and ground feel, making for a confident and comfortable ride on mild to moderate trails. By switching from the brand’s react foam to its reactX foam, Nike managed to add 3 mm of foam to the Wildhorse 10’s midsole while reducing the shoe’s weight by 35 g when compared to its predecessor. 

The allure of 38 millimeters of lightweight cushioning can be quite intoxicating, but the Wildhorse 10’s rocker geometry and soft, energetic reactX foam make for quite the unstable experience in scree and most off-trail surfaces. This shoe’s rocker geometry and dramatic heel-to-toe drop work against a forefoot strike, making for an unstable ride that overengages the calves, especially on steep terrain. We don’t recommend the Wildhorse 10 to forefoot strikers, especially when steep terrain is mandatory. 

The Wildhorse 10’s thick perforated 3D mesh upper and TPU reinforced toe cap offer uncompromising protection against hard, smooth surfaces.

Despite improvements made to its All Terrain Compound focused on grip and durability, Nike’s ATC outsole fails to grip a variety of surfaces in both wet and dry conditions. 

For those looking for a maximal on-trail shoe with a generous amount of responsive cushioning and uncompromising protection, Nike’s Wildhorse 10 may be the right shoe for you. Additionally, the Wildhorse 10’s rocker geometry greatly benefits strides landing from the midfoot to the heel with a secure and controlled stride on mild to moderate variable trails.