Best trail running shoes 2020: the dirty dozen of trail blazers for men and women to conquer all mountain and forest trails

These are the best trail running shoes, but what is the best time for trail running? As much as it's great running when the weather is sunny and happy, trail running during autumn and winter also has its upside. Running can release serotonin in your brain, also know as the 'happiness-hormone', a much needed substance in the soul-sapping winter months. If you are pencilling in trail running as a New Year resolution, it's a bold choice, but one that can reap great health and fitness rewards.

If you're planning to escape the tarmac and run off-road, make sure you're lacing up a pair of trail running shoes built to contend with everything the wilds can throw at you. To help you find the perfect pair, T3's resident off-road running experts have hunted down finest shoes available to humanity, from lightweight racers to full-on ice-busting, hill-conquering trainers that will transform you into a human mountain goat.

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How we picked the best trail running shoes

Our resident off-roadsters, sorry, running experts, Matt, Luke and Chris have sampled numerous trail running shoes from the best brands, to pick a selection that offers something for everyone.

Our pick for the best trail running shoe currently is the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley for it has an optimal functionality, design and comfort coupled with sustainability. Trail running is not popular because it makes one feel comfortable but this shoe does its best to make as feel as less uncomfortable as possible.

for people who prefer minimalist trail running shoes and planning on racing more, the On Cloudventure Peak would work perfectly. This lightweight, versatile and fast off road shoe provides power on the ups and stability on the downs and is a great option for those who split their time between tarmac and trail.

If you often run off-off road and prefer an extra-grippy ride, the Inov-8 MUDCLAW G 260 is your shoe. Inov-8's intimidating-looking is not only a trail runner favourite but also sets a new high for grip, comfort and durability on the tougher terrain. 

The other shoes are then listed very approximately in order of how much we like them. However, you should also note there are also shoes in the list below for different off-road specialisations, different levels of grip and support, and so on. To help you make the best choice, we've indicated what we think each shoe is best for.

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How to buy the best trail running shoes for you

Trail runners, just like road-running shoes, come in numerous variants, with something to suit every style and level of running ability. High up the list of requirements for most people will be features and parameters like weight, grip, support/cushioning, durability and decent waterproofing.

Most of the big brands like Nike and Adidas offer adaptations of your favourite road runners, but there are plenty of other brands that specialise in off-road running, such as Inov-8 and Salomon, so don't restrict your search to the obvious. Your perfect trail running partners might even come from a brand you've never tried before.

Have a think about where you're going to run most. Do you want shoes that can cross comfortably from road to trail? Do you want a pair that's going to help you get over tough, stoney tracks? Or perhaps you're hitting hills that have just as much grass as dirt track?

Many online retailers offer free returns nowadays so feel free to order a few different pairs and choose the one that fits your running style the most. Running shoes in general should be an almost perfect fit, but when you tumbling over rocks and various terrain vegetation, how the shoes fit will become even more important of a requirement.

Truth to be told, the below trail running shoes have been selected to represent the best of the best in the category so you can rest assured there is no bad choice here. They do differ, however, in how they react to your feet and the terrain, so running in one will provide a different running experience than others.

The best trail running shoes, in order

• Buy the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley Trail Running Shoes at Adidas

• Buy the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley Trail Running Shoes at SportsShoes.com

Much like the Adidas Pulseboost HD and the Adidas Ultraboost 19, the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley sports a knitted upper for a sock-like feel and comfort. Said Primeblue upper features Parley Ocean Plastic which is made from recycled waste that's "intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the ocean". Don't get too excited, though: each pair of these shoes only contains 11 PET bottles worth of plastic, so running in the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley won't make you Captain Planet for sure (it's still an admirable effort).

The Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley uses the Boost midsole technology, used in many Adidas road and trail running shoes. The midsole contains tiny TPU capsules that are moulded together to form a platform that is different to standard, solid foams: Boost midsoles are bouncy and soft by nature. Boost technology works well on the road and on the trail too, sparing your joints from impact force whilst still providing ample amount of energy return. Adidas also claims Boost midsoles will provide the same running dynamics all the way down to -20 degree celsius: something I won't be able to test anytime soon.

The Continental Rubber compound is highly-durable and allows you to grip the ground beneath in both wet and dry conditions to reduce the chance of you slipping. According to Adidas, the Terrex Two Ultra Parley Shoe "provides adaptable traction to tackle any rural area." And for sure, the strong lug pattern works well in the mud and on drier, off the beaten path roads too.

• Buy the On Cloudventure Peak Directly from On Running

With a tagline like “as fast as the Alps are high”, the Cloudventure Peak sets a pretty lofty goal. The minimalist, highly flexible shoes have been stripped down to create the fastest shoe possible, whether you’re running up or down those challenging hills or powering along horizontal surfaces. 

The overriding goal is to make ascents and descents feel flatter, while still offering the cushioning, protection and durability you’ll need on unpredictable surfaces. 

To assist with this, the patented Speedboard tech (which has underpinned On’s running shoes since 2013) combines with the Cloudtec pods to propel you forward on the uphill stretches, all while helping you maintain your natural running style. 

On the up, the design reduces the temptation to transfer too much weight onto the forefoot and can unlock speed you didn’t know you had when powering up those mountains. 

Then, during your descent, the Cloudtec pods slide backwards on contact, offering you more support and cushion, and a little more resistance when planting your foot. Rather than the unpleasant slapping of the forefoot, the shoe encourages a nice forward roll for a feel more akin to cycling than running. 

For the Cloudventure Peak, On deployed a super-detailed micro-engineered, 4-level rubber grip profile, delivering different levels of traction and control where you need it most. 

Design wise, the Cloudventure Peak offers a considerably lower ankle profile than most of its competitors. It’s a striking design choice, even for a shoe company that thrives on them. However, this has enabled On to reduce the weight and prevent any unnecessary rubbing against the ankle. There’re also heel and toe caps to guard against those pesky rocks and tree roots that sometimes appear out of nowhere.

The Peak also offers a unique upper constructed from a lightweight, breathable, durable and fast-drying ripstop material. There’s an inner sock construction that eliminates blisters, while the slim and comfortable tongue helps to bring the weight (260g) down further. 

Unlike some trail running shoes, these are also stylish enough to wear around town and comfortable enough on a workday when a lot of walking is in order. 

On’s Cloudtec pods can split opinion, mainly because they’re prone to stone intrusion rather than any issues with the cushion provided. However, those unwanted passengers they tend to work themselves out relatively quickly. Also, it’s fair to say some runners (especially those with previous injuries) might miss the ankle support when tackling longer distances. 

Overall though, the innovative tech on board and the ability to unlock a more explosive running style makes the On Cloudventure Peak our top pick for trail running. Although not 'cheap' as such, they’re priced comparably to their competitors.

For those who enjoy On's road running shoes, this is the perfect equivalent if you’re planning a switch to the trails. It uses the same 6mm heel to toe offset, so you’ll feel right at home. 

• Buy the Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260 directly from Inov-8 

Inov-8 make running gear for the most extreme conditions you’ll ever come across, and with the latest Mudclaw design they’ve created a light, minimalist shoe that embraces mud with the gusto of an over enthusiastic hippopotamus. 

Admittedly they look more like a pair of blade football boots than a traditional running shoe, but don’t let that put you off as the whopping 8mm rubber lugs offer unbeatable traction in the wettest, sloppiest conditions. 8mm lugs aren’t new to Inov-8, but here they’ve updated the rubber by lacing it with Graphene. 200x stronger than steel, Graphene makes these soles incredibly tough, and according to the brand 50 per cent stronger, 50 per cent more elastic and 50 per cent harder wearing than anything they’ve ever done before.

While we’ve not had months to test the durability of the soles, what we can tell you is that they’re an absolute phenomenon on soft, wet ground. On miles of flooded Cotswold trails the Inov-8 filled us with confidence to push harder, even over treacherous tree roots and slick festival-style mud. The upper has also been redesigned to include a dash of Kevlar to keep weight down while improving durability.

Be warned though: they’re a pretty minimalist shoe, so, while there is some heel cushioning, don’t expect road-running levels of squish. We sure felt the ground under our feet, but we never felt vulnerable. That could be the Underfoot Metaplate, a lightweight, flexible rock plate that aligns with your foot’s metatarsals, and the Exteroflow midsole that offers plenty in the way of power return.

The Inov-8 MUDCLAW G 260 isn’t a shoe for everyone, but if you’re serious about getting off road, and even off the path, they’re hard to beat for grip, speed and durability. They drain quickly, dry fast and positively demand you to run further.

• Buy the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX directly from Hoka One One

While the Hoka One One Evo Speedgoat 4 might attract more attention-seeking runners with its vibrant colours, the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX will turn heads because it delivers a pitch-perfect running experience, both on and off road. Hoka hit the nail on the head with the Challenger ATR 5 GTX and fused great running dynamics with a waterproof bootie, creating the ultimate bad-weather trail running shoe.

The lug pattern on the outsole grips both the tarmac and the mud, there is no loss of traction on any surface, not even when you hop from one to another in the same run. The lugs are deep and really dig into the ground, so not even muddy and slippery towpaths are an issue for the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX.

The 'GTX' in the name stands for Gore-Tex, a lightweight and breathable material covering the top of the shoes. Gore-Tex is famous for its all-weather condition performance and it is the same here, the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX won't let you down in any weather and you can definitely count on it on rainy days.

The sublime running mechanics are further enhanced by the Hoka signature Meta Rocker midsole geometry; this chunky construction rolls the foot forward and combines landing and take-off into one smooth movement. Even is your form is not perfect, the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX will help you transform art least some of the impact force into forward momentum.

The Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX is definitely on the snug side, just like the Hoka One One Carbon X, which will suit most runners, but if you prefer a roomy toebox, opt in for other offerings instead. Should you choose the Challenger ATR 5 GTX, the tight fit will come in handy when you have to regain balance after stepping on some random roots under the thick cover or dry leaves on your off-road run, which will most likely happen.

As for aesthetics, the Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX offers more subtle branding and an all-black colour, which is perfect for the purpose of the shoe. As much as we like the vibrant colours on the cool-looking New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5, you won't mind stepping in a puddle and getting your shoes wet using the Challenger ATR 5 GTX.

The Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 GTX is a waterproof, comfortable and durable trail running shoe, the ideal choice for runners who appreciate functionality over looks. Not saying the Challenger ATR 5 GTX is an ugly shoe, but its main appeal is not aesthetics for sure, it will more likely win you over with just how great it feels to run in it. Guaranteed.

• Buy the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail directly from Nike

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail is highly recommended for people who are after good all-terrain running shoes that can even be worn as everyday trainers on occasions. These shoes will perform well on lighter trail runs – when you are not completely off-road – and on the road too, as long as it's not coming down to heavily.

The Air Zoom foam underfoot, combined with the Cushlon sole tech, will cushion your landings and soften impact force. The outsole lugs will give you a bit of extra traction on softer terrain and the mesh upper will support air flow inside the shoes.

Being a 'jack of all trade, master of none'-type shoe, the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail's main appeal is not that it provides the ultimate trail or road running experience; it is the fact that for the money paid for these shoes, you will get a great trail running shoe and a decent road running shoe.

One can say that these might be Nike's best value for money shoes for runners who like to run on all types of terrain.

• Buy the Adidas Terrex Agravix Flow GTX directly from Adidas 

The big draw here is the combination of Continental rubber outsole, tried and tested Adidas Boost midsole and Gore-Tex (hence the 'GTX' suffix). They mean the Agravic Flow has a reliable grip in all conditions, a smooth ride that evens out the bumps and a layer of GTX protection that shrugs off water, keeping your feet nice and dry. These shoes just love wet conditions.

They’re also comfortable thanks to the tongue-free sock construction that minimizes seams and stops stones and debris getting in. The heel cup is also cushioned and with a hefty amount of rubber around the front, your toes won’t be battered and blue after a long rocky run.

We’re big fans of the Adidas Boost midsole, and here, teamed with the EVA frame that keeps your foot nicely stable, our efforts were rewarded with plenty of oomph for our efforts. The outsole has plenty of large rubber lugs that make scrambling up slopes so much easier, but they’re not too deep, so you get a nicer ride on hard trails and even road.

All these features come together brilliantly in the wet, and if you really don’t like soggy toes, you’ll love the Gore-Tex layer that shrugs off puddles, wet grass and mud with ease. Obviously, there’s still a large hole where your foot lives, but the elasticated sock does help avoid seepage. If water does get in however it won’t drain away like many trail runners. 

Another plus here is that you could easily wear these down the street, especially if you live outside of London or Birmingham. A great looking trainer, with yellow and black our pick of the colourways. A far less intimidating to the casual runner than many of the more serious designs on test. The only down side is that the Gore-tex adds to the weight (330g size 9), so these feel comparatively heavy as a result. It’s not like you’ve got lead in your boots, but real speed freaks will notice.

• Buy the Merrell MTL Long Sky directly from Merrell

Merrell is definitely not new to the trail running/hiking business and I must admit, including one of their shoes on this list was long overdue. On the positive side of things, the Merrell MTL Long Sky is a brilliant trail running shoe and a great first entry from the American manufacturer.

The Merrell MTL Long Sky looks like a hiking shoe/trail running shoe hybrid: the mesh and TPU outer shell, the thick padding and the traditional lace closure all reinforce the trail nature of these shoes. The not-so-subtle branding on the lateral side of the shoes has another purpose: it is reflective which makes your feet more visible in low-light conditions. Don't leave your head torch at home if you are running in the dark, though.

Right at the bottom of the shoes you'll find the Vibram Megagrip outsole with its aggressive lug system that grips into anything and everything. The EVA foam midsole has light pronation control, perfect for people who suffer from this condition. The TPU heel counter is not too tight and holds the rear of your sole firmly.

Although the mesh lining in the Merrell MTL Long Sky is breathable, due to the ample of padding, the shoes can get pretty warm even after running short-to-medium distances in them. In return, your feet will feel locked-in and snug in them, but if that's too much for you, the EVA foam insole can be removed to create some extra space inside the shoes.

These vegan-friendly shoes have an 8 mm drop and weigh 280 grams (per shoe).

• Buy the Hoka One One EVO Speedgoat (Woman) directly from Hoka One One
• Buy the Hoka One One EVO Speedgoat (Men) directly from Hoka One One

If you thought the word 'goat' only meant wall-climbing animal only, you would be wrong. Goat also stands for 'Greatest of all time', and the person who inspired the Hoka One One Speedgoat line is surely one of those people.

Named for HOKA Athlete Karl Meltzer, “The Speedgoat,” who holds the record for the most 100-mile trail race wins, the EVO Speedgoat offers elite traction and cushion with a racing-weight, resilient upper

The Hoka One One EVO Speedgoat builds on the foundation laid by the Speedgoat 3 and further improves it. The main difference between the Speedgoat EVO and the Speedgoat 3 is the upper and that the former is 11 grams lighter.

The Matryx upper textile features high-tensile synthetic fiber strands across the midfoot for added strength and durability as well as being made out if non-wicking treated fabric. This optimises water drainage and keeps your feet dry in damp environments.

The very shallow drop (Woman – 5 mm, Men – 4 mm) provides extra stability and maneuverability on uneven terrain.

• Buy the Saucony Peregrine 10 directly from Saucony

The Saucony Peregrine 10 consists of three models: the Peregrine 10, the Peregrine 10 ST which has an even more pronounced lug design and the waterproof Peregrine 10 GTX. The 'standard' and the ST model is the same price and according to Saucony, the latter was designed for softer surfaces and sloppy terrain, so of you are planning on running on such surface often, go for the ST.

What all Peregrines 10 models have in common is the new PWRRUN cushioning, something that's been introduced very recently and has been slightly tweaked to better match the uneven nature of trail running paths.

The outsole – admittedly one of the most important parts of any running shoe – sports a directional lug system called PWRTRAC. As mentioned above, the different Peregrine 10 models have different patterns but they are all equally aggressive and agile. At the front, the chevrons face forward to give you extra grip as you take off the ground while the 'backward' chevrons under the heel will provide a more stable and controlled landing.

The reinforced upper uses the "trail-specific" FORMFIT technology to protect your feet, all the while providing a snug fit. The toebox is not generous but not too tight either and the reinforced nose of the Peregrine 10 gives you a reassuring feel that you won't break your toes anytime soon, accidentally kicking a random rock under the blanket of dried leaves.

The Saucony Peregrine 10 hasn't got much to offer in the looks department although it does come in two different colourways (standard model) so at least there is a choice there. To be fair, given the trail running nature of the Peregrine 10, it will get pretty muddy soon anyway, so I guess the colour doesn't matter all that much.

Given the snug feel, we recommend the the Peregine for short- to medium-distance runs. Doing long and even ultra runs in these tighter shoes might result in your toenails falling off eventually due to the extra pressure on the feet. For majority of runners, however, the Peregrine 10 will work just fine.

• Buy New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v5 from New Balance 

Even more fashion-forward than the Adidas Terrex, with their street styling and designer looks, we expect to see the Hierro v5 in more bars than back country trails. That would be a shame, as these are great all-terrain shoes that deserve to do some hard miles. That said, we would be lying if we didn’t feel a pang of regret as we stomped our box-fresh shoes through the first of many muddy puddles.

But run we must, and our feet were treated to a super-cushioned outing thanks to the extra thick Fresh Foam midsole, and the ultra-sticky Vibram MegaGrip sole. The Fresh Foam offers a plush run that out squishes the Adidas Boost, but still propels you forward energetically. It’s far from bouncy, and the extra durable sole adds a welcome stiffness, so even over uneven rocks and roots you’ll still feel stable.

The unusual upper is made from a TPU coated material that has stretch and plenty of durability and breathability for your toes. The Hierro v4 had a sock style liner which has been dropped here in favour of a large padded tongue. The main body of the shoe still fits like a glove, but it has a traditional tongue. We don’t think it impacts on comfort, with the v5 a pleasure to wear for long periods, but it does mean there’s more chance of small irritating stones getting in and giving you grief.

As you’d expect from a decent trail shoe the front is reinforced to avoid the agony of a stubbed toes, and with the v5 they’ve used a rubberised coating that wraps generously over the toe. And speaking of rubber, at the heel you’ll find a small protruding wing of Vibram MegaGrip that supposedly increases your foot’s landing zone when hurtling downhill. In fairness, we didn’t notice it when running, but didn’t come across any huge descents either.

All this rubber and padding does add to the shoe’s weight and at 350g they’re pretty hefty. Not being the fastest of the T3 reviewers this didn’t impact performance or enjoyment, but if you’re a real mile eater you may want to find a lighter option.

• Buy the 361° Taroko from 361º Europe 

Innovative Chinese brand 361° has only recently hit Europe, but already offers a good value range of runners based around their QU!KFOAM (yes, really – someone doesn't know how SEO works) cushioning that blends EVA, rubber and a thin polyurethane skin.

The Taroko is a hybrid that can handle off-road and pavements without making your legs complain too much. Aimed at the casual runner – a world away from the hardcore Inov-8 club – who wants to get out and explore more than just the local Park Run, it’s a really sensible design. If you run on a mixture of terrain, maybe mixing up towpaths, forest trails and pavements it’s a great concept.

As a case in point, this reviewer lives one mile from the endless trails of Epping Forest and found the relatively lightweight design (~250g), breathable knit upper and traction perfectly acceptable on the road, and then really benefitted from the extra grip and cushioning when tackling tree roots, slopes and mud. The outsole is significantly better than a standard pair of road shoes – chunky lugs and a smartly designed grip maintains natural foot movement - but don’t expect to be scrambling up slopes like a mountain goat.

It’s a firm midsole compared to many bouncy road-only designs, and you’ll notice they’re not especially dynamic on harder surfaces but running in them is fun across all but the most technical of trails.

The Taroko’s knit upper keeps your feet cool and also drains water quickly, but unlike many trail shoes they lack toe protection, so watch out for hidden rocks. The wrap-around padded tongue helps them feel comfortable right from the box, and even after a sopping run the laces stayed securely tied and our feet never felt like sliding around.

If you’re fed up of slipping all over the shop when running from road to trail to park, and you’re not looking to smash any Strava records on route, these could be the trail shoe for you.

• Buy Salomon Sense Ride 2 from Amazon from £80

The Salomon Sense Ride 2 are also a pair of trail blazers that you can look down at and enjoy the view. Beyond the pleasing aesthetics – and more muted colours are available than the red shown above – the Sense Ride is headlined by the Vibe cushioning system, which helps to disperse vibrations from shock before they reach your foot. The EnergyCell+ tech within the midsole also delivers great energy return, while the Contragrip outsole is designed to combat wet and slippery surfaces.

The upper has Salomon’s trademark easily-adjustable quick-lace technology, and the laces themselves contain Kevlar fibres that encourage one-pull tightening. Once you’ve got the perfect fit, the laces can be tucked a way into a pocket and won’t interfere with your run. Salomon also includes its Endofit inner sock, promising a snug fit and heightened foot security.