
For gnarlier trails, you’ll want to choose the brand’s MTN Racer or Terraventure, which have toothier treads.


He also noted how ultrarunners like Topo’s shoes because of their wide toeboxes. This is the long-haul shoe,” one tester declared. Hybrid shoes have shorter lugs (2mm to 4mm) and a softer on-road feel than their burly siblings, and are well-suited for soft singletrack and local wooded trails that don’t make you slow to a walk due to unsure footing. These shoes will serve you better the more rugged the terrain and may work for day hiking as well. Rigid shoes with deep lugs (5mm+) are best on technical trails with poor footing, but they’ll also be far less forgiving, even uncomfortable, on road runs. With the latter, try to think about whether the trails you encounter are technical or smooth, flat or steep, have loose or firm footing, and whether or not you cross water. The two main things to consider before purchasing trail running shoes are what type your feet need (think stiff or pliable, neutral or stable, wide or narrow, high or low heel-to-toe drop) and what type of shoes the terrain demands.

Whatever your preference or personal ideology, we think everyone can be a trail runner, especially with the help of a good pair of shoes. Trevor Raab What to Look for in a Trail Running Shoe A quality trail shoe needs to be ready for the trail’s obstacles, like rocks, roots, and wet leaves.
