Whether you've never owned trail-running [1] shoes before or you've hit the mileage cap on your go-to pair, you're in the right place. To help you in your shopping (and running) journey, we reached out to pro trail runners for their absolute favourite footwear picks.
From ample support to lightweight design to a shoe that left a runner with no blisters after 102 miles(!), you'll definitely want to check out these rave reviews.
Brooks Women's Catamount
Trail runner and running coach Camelia Mayfield [2] swears by the Brooks Catamount Trail Running Shoes [3] ($160). "These shoes are comfortable in how they fit around my feet but also have great protection and grip on the trails. It's my go-to!"
Inov8 TerraUltra G270
Ultrarunner Sabrina Pace-Humphreys [4] ran 102 miles on the Cotswold Way — logging in her fastest known time — this past August in the Inov8 TerraUltra G270 [5] ($160). Pace-Humphreys said the shoes provided bounce, support, and "amazing grip on stone, rock, mud, and everything else."
"My feet were dry and absolutely no blisters. I took a spare pair of shoes, but, as my feet were in such great condition, didn't need them. And the colours pop!" Pace-Humphreys added.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow
Professional ultrarunner Sabrina Stanley [6] calls the Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow Trail Running Shoes [7] ($130) a "great universal shoe."
"It has enough cushion for long runs, but the cushion is light enough so I still feel connected to the trail," Stanley said.
Hoka Women's Torrent 2
Elite trail runner Anna Mae Flynn [8] gives the Hoka Torrent 2 [9] ($120) a stamp of approval. "I love how light it is and its versatility on mountainous terrain."
Saucony Switchback 2
"Being a 'trailblazer' is a title that I pride myself on. So when Saucony asked me to try out the Saucony Switchback 2 [10] ($140), I was all in," said Grayson Murphy [11], a pro runner and 2019 World Mountain Running Champion.
"Made for adventures, this shoe has a look and technology completely different from any trail shoe I have ever seen. I was immediately drawn to the low profile and minimalist look of the shoe and the idea that with the BOA lacing system, I wouldn't have to worry about my shoes coming untied in a race or when training."
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.