Apr 15, 2026 15 min read

Roundups Running

Best Trail Running Shoes Right Now (2026 Guide)

My personal top picks across all-mountain, road-to-trail, ultra running, and trail racing; plus the best trail running shoes for women. No filler, no shoes I haven't run in.

If you want a simple, no-nonsense guide built around real testing, you're in the right place.

I've organised this into five clear categories so you can skip straight to whatever matters most to you. Every shoe here I've personally reviewed in full. The women's picks draw on that same hands-on knowledge of the shoe lines, plus aggregated testing data from the most trusted voices in trail running.

Quick note: I run a separate YouTube channel and website, Alastair Running, where I publish full video reviews of every shoe below. Click through to read or watch any of them, they're all there.

If you purchase through links in this article, we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Best all-mountain trail running shoes

The do-it-all workhorses. These handle fire roads, rocky singletrack, long training runs, and even ultra marathons. If you're unsure which category you fall into, but you know you want to be running trails, start here, these are the shoes that cover the most ground for the most runners.

1. Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

Price: $160 at Saucony

Weight: 10.7 oz (303g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

My current #1 all-mountain pick of 2026. The Xodus Ultra 4 is plush, protective, and grippy without ever feeling heavy or slow, and that balance is genuinely hard to find.

PWRRUN PB foam stays lively deep into long efforts, Vibram Megagrip handles mud, wet rock, and technical terrain with total confidence, and the bathtub construction keeps debris out when things get rough.

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I've put serious miles into these and they still perform great. The best thing about this shoe is how well it does everything; fast fire roads, technical singletrack, long mountain days. It doesn't ask you to compromise.

2. Mount To Coast T1

Price: $180 at Mount To Coast

Mount To Coast T1 Trail Running Shoes Review

All-mountain comfort, control, and grip. No break-in required, just lace up (twice), and hit the trails!

Trail & KaleAlastair Dixon

Weight: 9.1 oz (258g) | Drop: 4mm | Fit: True to size, medium width with a roomy toe box — accommodates wide and narrow feet well

A comfortable, secure, and grippy all-mountain shoe built for long days, and one of the more surprising finds I've tested recently. No break-in period needed, you just lace them up and go. The T1 is lighter than the Xodus Ultra 4 and sits at a lower 4mm drop, which gives it a slightly more connected, natural feel underfoot while still offering real protection on rocky terrain.

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The double-lace system looks unusual at first but it genuinely works; once you've dialled in the fit, this shoe feels remarkably secure on technical descents. A strong pick if you want something a touch lighter and more nimble than my top pick.

3. Salomon Ultra Glide 4

Price: $160 at Salomon

Weight: 9.7 oz (275g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

Maximum cushion that still feels controlled and stable on technical terrain. The Relieve Sphere geometry smooths out rocky miles in a way that makes long distances feel genuinely effortless, and the contaGRIP outsole stays trustworthy when you actually need it.

Lighter than the Xodus Ultra 4 with a more rocker-forward stride, it's the pick if you want a smoother, flowing ride over longer all-mountain efforts.

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Also one of the better-looking trail shoes in this list, which shouldn't matter but somehow always does.

Best road-to-trail running shoes

Perfect for runners who mix roads, gravel paths, light trails, and hiking without wanting to own two pairs of shoes. Lower-profile lugs and smooth pavement transitions, but genuinely capable once you leave the tarmac.

1. Altra Experience Wild 3

Price: $150 at Altra

Weight: 10.3 oz (292g) | Drop: 4mm | Fit: True to size, roomy toe box, secure midfoot and heel

My top road-to-trail pick right now. The Experience Wild 3 is one of the most approachable hybrids out there, especially for runners who want a natural-feeling shoe without going fully zero-drop. It handles pavement, gravel, buffed singletrack, and mixed terrain really well.

The smooth rocker geometry and lively EGO P35 midsole keep turnover feeling efficient without losing that grounded, stable feel underfoot.

There's enough cushioning for longer efforts and all-day comfort, but it never gets mushy. The roomy FootShape toe box up front pairs nicely with excellent heel and midfoot lockdown, so it feels both comfortable and planted.

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Compared to the previous version, it's more polished all round; livelier ride, more refined upper, better outsole coverage. For runners who want one shoe that genuinely covers road and trail without compromise, this is a seriously good pick.

2. Nike ACG Pegasus Trail

Price: $155 at nike.com

Weight: 10.1oz (286g) | Drop: 8mm (35mm heel) | Fit: True to size with wider, taller toe box than previous Peg Trail model

The Nike ACG Pegasus Trail is the road-to-trail hybrid I keep coming back to for runners who want one versatile pair that handles everything. Pavement warm-up, gravel fireroad, light singletrack; the shoe transitions between all of it without skipping a beat. The ReactX midsole delivers a cushioned, protective ride that stays lively and grounded rather than soft or mushy.

Traction is where it really shines. The new ATC 2.0 outsole, Nike's best hybrid rubber yet, grips confidently on wet dirt, damp grass, and loose gravel while rolling smoothly and quietly on road sections.

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Add in a secure heel lock, a well-draining upper built for all conditions, and solid protection against rocks and roots without a rock plate, and you've got a refined, capable hybrid daily trainer that earns its place at the top of this list.

3. Mount To Coast H1

Price: $160 at Mount To Coast

Weight: 8.6 oz (244g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, roomy toe box, narrower midfoot

The H1 uses Mount To Coast's new CircleCELL™ midsole foam, which feels more like a lively PEBA road trainer than a traditional trail shoe — your road miles get a smooth, energetic roll while the shoe still holds its shape on gravel and hardpack. It's genuinely the lightest and most road-friendly option in this category.

The VersaGrip™ outsole brings excellent grip on pavement, fine gravel, and dry forest paths, though the shallow 2mm lugs do cap its confidence in mud, loose dirt, and steep technical terrain.

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Be honest with yourself: if your routes are mostly roads and connectors with mellow trails (no mud, nothing technical) and you want something lightweight, bouncy, and long-lasting, the H1 earns its place here. It's fresh and confident where the other picks in this section are more conservative.

Best cushioned trail running shoes for ultra running

The all-mountain picks above, especially the Xodus Ultra 4, are where most ultra runners should start. These three are for runners who want to go further into the premium end: more mileage, more specific racing demands, or a bigger budget.

All have been tested over serious long-distance efforts.

1. On Cloudultra Pro

Price: $260 at On

Weight: 9.5 oz (269g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

On's first true ultra trail racer, and they've nailed it. Light, snappy, and impressively stable for long mountain miles; the Cloudultra Pro sets a new benchmark for On's trail line and is competitive with anything at this level.

The engineered foam delivers a noticeably lively, responsive ride that keeps legs feeling fresher later in a run, and it handles technical terrain with more confidence than you'd expect from something this nimble.

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The $260 price puts it in very premium territory, but it's genuinely one of the most impressive long-distance trail shoes I've tested.

2. Salomon S/Lab Genesis

Price: $200 at Salomon

Weight: 9.0 oz (255g) | Drop: 8mm | Fit: True to size, narrow-medium width

Secure, lightweight, and responsive; the S/Lab Genesis thrives on mixed terrain and long adventure days up to 50K. I took my pair over to Utah to run Speedgoat by UTMB, and was very happy with my choice.

It's S/Lab build quality at a more approachable price than the Ultra Glide, and the fit is notably precise; narrow-medium runners especially will appreciate how locked-in this shoe feels across the miles.

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Not a max-cushion shoe, but the combination of responsiveness and durability makes it a serious tool for runners who want to go fast over long distances without sacrificing reliability.

3. Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

Price: $250 at Salomon

Weight: 10.6 oz (301g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

The most comfortable shoe in this section for pure long-distance cruising; comfort-focused and ultra-ready in a way that few shoes match. The S/Lab construction means quality throughout, and the plush, high-stack ride smooths out even the roughest mountain terrain for hour after hour.

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The trade-off is that it's not a fast shoe; this is built for covering big miles comfortably, not chasing splits. If your races are long and the priority is arriving at the finish feeling as good as possible, this is that shoe.

Best lightweight trail running shoes for racing

For trail races, speed sessions, and fast training days when you want to move quickly and feel every metre of the trail beneath your feet. More minimal underfoot, highly precise, and built for runners who prioritise performance without giving up essential traction.

1. Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Price: $160 at Merrell

Weight: 8.9 oz (252g) | Drop: 4mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

Light, sticky, and built like a mountain goat. The Long Sky 2 Matryx is my top pick for aggressive technical trails and races up to half-marathon distance.

It's fast without sacrificing too much protection, and the Matryx upper is incredibly tough for how light it feels. The low drop and ground-level feel make it ideal for runners who want to feel the trail and move decisively over it, rather than floating above it.

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Also worth checking out: the MTL Skyfire 2 for Vertical Kilometer racing — a more stripped-down version built for pure uphill speed.

2. The North Face VECTIV Sky 2

Price: $200 at REI

Weight: 8.4 oz (238g) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

A lightweight, race-tuned shoe built for speed on technical trails, with firm responsiveness and exceptional traction. The VECTIV plate delivers a propulsive, snappy stride on climbs and flats, and the outsole grips confidently on everything from hardpack to technical rocky terrain.

At 8.4oz it's the lightest shoe in this section by a meaningful margin, and it shows, this is a shoe you notice the absence of, not the presence of.

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Premium price, but premium performance to match.

3. Hoka Zinal 2

Price: $150 at REI (Zinal 3 review coming soon)

Weight: 7.1 oz (201g) | Drop: 5mm | Fit: True to size, medium width

At 7.1oz, the Zinal 2 is the lightest shoe in this entire guide, and it feels like it on the run. Hoka's most ground-connected trail shoe is fast, low-stack, and nothing like what you'd expect from the brand that built its reputation on maximalist cushioning.

It's a proper trail racer: nimble, precise, and built for runners who want to feel the terrain and move quickly over it. Excellent traction for its weight, and a fit that's surprisingly secure for such a light shoe. Perfect for punchy trail races, hill sessions, and fast training days on technical terrain.

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(The Hoka Zinal 3 is now available — full review coming soon as I have them in for testing.)

Best trail running shoes for women

Every shoe above has a women's version, and in most cases the recommendation translates directly.

True women's trail shoes are built on a gender-specific last, which means a narrower heel for better lockdown on descents, roomier toe box for natural splay, and cushioning calibrated for lower average impact forces.

Here are my top women's picks across the four main categories.

All-mountain: Hoka Speedgoat 7 Women's

Price: $165 at REI

Weight: 8.3 oz (women's US 8) | Drop: 5mm | Fit: Size up half a size — runs small in women's too

The same outstanding all-mountain shoe reengineered for women's foot geometry.

The women's last has a narrower heel collar that locks you in on technical descents in a way that many trail shoes miss, particularly noticeable on steeper, rockier terrain where shoe security makes a real difference. Supercritical EVA midsole, Vibram Megagrip outsole, and wide option available.

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Size up half a size — the same note applies to the men's version.

All-mountain value: Brooks Cascadia 19 Women's

Price: $150 at Brooks

Weight: ~9.3 oz (women's US 8) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size

A no-nonsense, all-terrain workhorse that's been a trusted pick for trail runners for over two decades, and the Cascadia 19 is arguably the best version yet.

DNA Loft v3 foam, a lower 6mm drop, and genuinely improved out-of-the-box comfort make this a great pick for women who want something reliable, durable, and well-priced. Zero break-in needed.

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At $150 it's $15 less than the Speedgoat and handles every kind of trail with total confidence.

Road-to-trail: Hoka Challenger 8 Women's

Price: $155 at REI

Weight: ~8.6 oz (women's US 8) | Drop: 7mm | Fit: True to size, wide option available

The one I'd recommend to most women getting into trail running, or anyone who wants a supremely comfortable all-rounder that doesn't demand a break-in period. Soft, versatile, and comfortable from the very first run; handles roads, gravel, and light trails with equal ease.

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The wide option is a genuine bonus for runners who've always struggled to find trail shoes that don't pinch.

Ultra running: Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 Women's

Price: $160 at Saucony

Weight: ~9.5 oz (women's US 8) | Drop: 6mm | Fit: True to size

Same soft, protective, grippy shoe as the men's top pick. The women's version fits true to size with a slightly narrower heel and delivers the same PWRRUN PB foam plus Vibram Megagrip combination that makes the Xodus Ultra 4 such a trusted choice for long trail efforts.

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My top women's pick for ultras and high-mileage training.

Which trail running shoes should you buy?

Here's the short version to help you decide fast:

Real trails, most of the time? → Saucony Xodus Ultra 4 — the one I'd recommend to the majority of trail runners.
Want something lighter for trails? → Mount To Coast T1 — 9.1oz, low drop, does everything well.
Roads + light trails, one shoe? → Altra Experience Wild 3 is the most versatile pick here.
Mostly road with trail connectors? → Mount To Coast H1 — the lightest, bounciest hybrid in this guide.
Ultra running or big mileage? → Start with the Saucony Xodus Ultra 4, or step up to the On Cloudultra Pro if budget allows.
Trail racing or speed sessions? → Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx for technical terrain, Hoka Zinal 3 for speed-focused training and racing.
Women looking for an all-rounder? → Hoka Speedgoat 7 Women's for trails, Hoka Challenger 8 Women's for mixed surfaces.
Zero-drop or widest possible toe box? → Altra Lone Peak 9 — the definitive zero-drop trail shoe. Nothing else comes close for that truly flat, natural platform.