Topic: The Best Trail Running Shoes: Start Running, Find a New Fit, or Explore New Terrain (Read 43 times)
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Topic: The Best Trail Running Shoes: Start Running, Find a New Fit, or Explore New Terrain (Read 43 times)
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The Saucony Peregrine 11s are a fantastic all-around trail running shoe, especially for beginners figuring out what works best for them and experienced runners who like a narrow, firm sole. The Peregrine 11 and Cascadia 16 have a lot of things in co*mon, like weight, solid traction, durability, and a rock plate, but two notable differences are the Peregrine’s lower 4mm drop (co*pared to 6mm) and the co*fortability of the two shoes’ cushions. If you have a narrow foot fit for Saucony and prefer a very firm sole, this is a great all-around shoe I’d reco*mend ten times over, but it’s not my universal reco*mendation—the Cascadia 16 is softer and much more forgiving.
What I love about this shoe is how well it adapts to various conditions and how durable and stable it feels on smooth to moderate trails. That being said, I personally develop soreness in my heel and ball of my foot after running in them around mile five, give or take, because of their firm sole and snug fit (this is a co*mon co*plaint). If you’re a loyal Saucony runner or what you’re reading sounds like you, then the Peregrine 11s are your best overall shoe.
These shoes are the fat bikes of trail runners. They’re firm, co*fortable, and here for the long haul. While they’re not the fastest shoe I’ve ever run in, going downhill, I felt extremely safe and secure rolling over roots and rocks. The Caldera 5s certainly give me the confidence to push harder. Even though they have one of the thickest soles I’ve seen from trail runners, they only have a 4mm heel-toe drop, meaning I don’t feel myself sitting back on my heels on long runs.
Brooks advertises the Caldera 5 as an ultra trail shoe, and it is definitely my top reco*mendation for anyone crushing long miles or training for an ultramarathon. Typical to Brooks, their reactive (in this case, maximum) cushion keeps your feet protected for long runs. These shoes may seem bigger and boxier in co*parison to other Brooks models, but for something designed to keep you running for a long time at a slower pace, they’re a blessing once you start to get into double digit miles on less-forgiving trails.
Living in Colorado, the Hoka Speedgoat 5s are my go-to shoes for rough terrain; they’re the most co*fortable and have the best traction. I’ve climbed many mountains—ranging from solid trail to steep skree fields—backpacked, and ran in the Speedgoats, and have always felt secure and supported. Hoka is known for its thick cushion, which is incredibly co*fortable, but at the end of the day, it’s up to preference.
It’s important to note the Speedgoat 5s co*e with all the improvements I hoped for from the previous Speedgoat 4. Last summer, I almost exclusively hiked in my Speegoat 4s and Mids, but the 5’s makeover makes this shoe even more enticing for times I’d opt for a less-bulky shoe. The Speedgoat 5 has been almost entirely reconstructed, with a flexible yet structured, double-layer, breathable mesh upper (and it’s recycled). This makes an already-stable shoe even more reliable, catering to a wide variety of runners and hikers. And not only is it lighter, the shoe just feels less bulky than other Hokas. Hoka is known for their high cushion, but this lower cushion actually feels more reactive and protective. It’s hard to provide ample cushion and maintain a natural feel when you foot strikes the ground, but this iteration of the Speedgoat manages it well.
That being said, while I am going to opt for the Catamounts or Lone Peaks for a faster, more tame trail run, I’ll go a little out of character and pick this bulkier (albeit, recently less bulky) shoe to be confident on technical terrain. If you’re already an avid fan of the popular Hoka Clifton road shoes, then it’s a no-brainer that these are the trail shoes for you.
After running and hiking in these shoes, I feel like they offer the best of both worlds in terms of speed and support. And where they really stand out is in their sensitivity. My feet feel super protected while running over rocks and loose gravel, but I’m not too far away from the ground (the shoe’s V-grooves really excel running downhill). Additionally, the Bushido IIs have a forefoot rock plate that protect your feet on rough terrain. A danger with some firm trail running shoes is that rubbing from the firm sole and heel can cause blisters, but that isn’t the case here. I even got my feet wet and kept running without any hot spots a few miles later (albeit the shoe isn’t super water resistant). I can’t wait to climb technical peaks in them this summer and feel solid running the downhill.
I don’t think you can go wrong with the Bushidos, but I love a firm, lightweight shoe—and I have very narrow feet. But if that doesn’t sound like you and you’re looking for a high traction running/hiking shoe, check out the Speedgoats for a little more room and cushion.
The Altra Lone Peak 6 is one of my favorite trail running shoes and hiking shoes that performs great over long distances, as well as on shorter, faster runs. Its co*bination of a tight, supportive heel and a wide toe box make them everything I love about zero-drop running shoes, mimicking a “barefoot,” natural feel. And while it does everything right, in my opinion, for a minimal shoe, its midsole is equipped with co*fortable cushioning and a solid rock plate.
On the multiple trail runs I tested these shoes, I felt strong and confident throughout. If I had maybe paid a little more attention to the forecast when packing for a trip to the Maroon Bells Wilderness in Aspen, Colorado (pictured above), I may have grabbed a different pair of shoes, but even amidst sleet and a steep pass covered with wet leaves, I felt in control even in the moments I slowed down out of caution. Read the OL gear team’s full review: Altra Lone Peak 6 Review: We Put the Best Hiking Shoe to the Test.
All of this being said, if you are not a zero-drop enthusiast, do your research and ease in slowly before making the Lone Peak 6s your go-to trail running shoe. If you find you’re still looking for some heel support but like the Lone Peak’s firm cushion, I’d direct you to the Brooks Catamounts, which perform similarly, with the major difference being a 6mm heel-toe drop.
co*pared to the other two Brooks trail runners on this list, the Catamount has a firmer sole and mimics the feeling of a road shoe. It’s exceptionally co*fortable on flat, solid terrain, and is one of the most responsive and quick trail runners I’ve ever run in. While it has a 6mm drop, I don’t particularly find myself sitting back on my heels because of how light and flexible its cushioning is.
The toe box is also wide enough to feel breathable and co*fortable, without the potential for feeling too loose or non supportive (I have a fairly narrow foot). That being said, if you’re looking to run loose and steep or wet trails, test out the Catamounts before you co*mit. They’re my top choice for solid ground, but I find myself wanting a little more when it co*es to the tricky stuff. These are definitely my top pick for a trail race, but it’s important to note that some runners have experienced wear on the Catamounts approaching 100 miles, but after about 40 so far on mine, I have not found any issues.
I find they run similar