According to our experts, running on secluded wooded trails and dirt roads is safer and more comfortable in trail running shoes designed to handle natural terrain. They offer good traction on uneven surfaces and protection against rocks and vegetation without the weight and bulk of hiking boots. To better understand trail running shoes, I spoke with an outdoor expert and a podiatrist and got their recommendations for top models.
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The best trail running shoes of 2026
My top-picks come from a mix of expert and staff-recommended brands like Brooks, Salomon, Altra and Hoka. Most of them have multiple width options, so you can find the best fit for you.
Expert-choice
Dr. Miguel Cunha, board-certified foot surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare, recommends these shoes if you’re looking for a comfortable, versatile trail runner. They say the toe box is roomy and flexible, and the footbed is well padded and supports your arches. The Mafate 5 has some of the most substantial outsole and lugs on this list, with five millimeter lugs providing excellent grip and traction when going uphill, says Cunha.
Runner up
Cunha recommends the Salomon Pulsar Trail series for a light, responsive shoe that helps create a propulsive stride. This shoe is well ventilated with a thick layer of fabric and padding on the upper. It has a single pull tab to tighten and loosen the laces – no tying required. The rubber outsole has lugs measuring 3.5 millimeters, which is a nice middle ground for traction without slowing you down too much. And while I wouldn’t call $140 affordable, these Salomon’s cost less than the other top picks on this list.
For light speed
For speed and efficiency, Cunha Brooks recommends the Catamount. While I’m a novice trail runner, Brooke’s Catamount shoes give me support and a quick feel with great traction from the triangle-shaped lugs and encouraging forward movement. The lugs, combined with the shoe’s light weight (the lightest on our list) resulted in a fast, springy feel on dirt and forest trails.
Although not advertised as weather-resistant, I did notice that the mesh upper repels water quite a bit – I wasn’t afraid to take the Catamount out in wet or foggy weather.
For a low drop fit
These water-resistant boots are a favorite of Matthew Rowbotham, program manager for geographic information systems at the North Country Trail Association. He uses them for trail runs and single-day hikes. “These are great shoes for dealing with heavy dew on grass trails or in slushy and snowy conditions,” says Rowbotham.
Unlike our other recommendations, these shoes don’t have a heel drop, meaning a nearly flat footbed. Heel drop is the difference in cushioning between the heel of the shoe and the toe of the shoe: more drop means more cushioning in the heel compared to the toe. A 0 mm drop means a level of cushioning throughout, as in this shoe. The shoes are also available in a hiking boot version.
How I Picked the Best Trail Running Shoes
I spoke with experts to better understand how trail running shoes differ from outdoor shoes and road running shoes. Combining their advice with the experience of the NBC Select staff, I selected the shoes using the following criteria:
- Fit: Our experts emphasized that all the right fit is key. That’s why I included options with a wide range of sizes.
- traction: Trail running shoes often have lugs on the bottom or outsole of the shoe to help grip uneven terrain, says Maggie Peacon, communications manager for the American Hiking Society. This differs from road running shoes, which usually have a softer outsole. All of my recommended picks have lugs that are at least 3 millimeters high.
- comfort: A comfortable and flexible shoe is essential to support your feet and absorb the impact of each step, says Cunha. Our recommendations include insoles made with memory foam or shock-absorbing EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) to help reduce the impact on your joints.
How to shop for trail running shoes
Running shoe brands like Brooks, Hoka, Salomon, and Saucony make plenty of trail running shoes, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Our experts have highlighted a few things to keep in mind as you shop.
Try them in person
To get the best possible fit, Cunha recommends going to a local running shoe store. Specialty stores usually have well-informed staff knowledgeable about trail running and trail running shoes.
They recommend trying on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen. Cunha says that if they feel comfortable at the end of the day, they will feel comfortable throughout the day of hiking.
Think about the weather and the terrain
Your environment is a deciding factor in which trail running shoe to buy or whether to buy trail running shoes.
Peacon says trail running shoes are very breathable. Anyone who wants to run in hot, dry climates may prefer trail running shoes over other types of outdoor shoes such as hiking shoes and boots. On the other hand, if your natural climate is mostly freezing temperatures with snow, you may want to choose a hiking shoe or boot – they provide more warmth than trail running shoes.
For wet-weather conditions, a water-resistant shoe will help keep your feet dry, but only for a long time. If you’re doing a multi-day (or week) hike, Rowbotham recommends a weatherproof, breathable shoe — these dry faster and more easily.
Tips for your first trail run
Trail running is very different from road running. This requires constant attention to the path ahead of you and quick adjustments to your gait and foot placement to navigate the terrain, says Cunha.
Peacon says beginners should start slow and small. Know what you are comfortable with in terms of distance and terrain. Find trails (and trail groups) in your area to help you learn what’s in your comfort zone and what’s not.
Speaking from experience: If you’re an avid road runner, don’t expect to hit your typical road pace or distance on your first trail run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like road running shoes, you should replace your trail running shoes every 300 to 500 miles, says Cunha. “It doesn’t matter if they still look new, if the support is lost, you’re at a higher risk of injury.”
If you have a hard time keeping track of your mileage, a good rule of thumb is to buy a new pair every six months.
Trail running shoes are specifically designed for running on off-road terrain — think natural, uneven surfaces like grass, dirt, rocks and roots, says Cunha. That’s why you’ll find durable, lugged outsoles on trail running shoes: to better handle off-road terrain.
Road running shoes are designed for flat, engineered surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, track and treadmill belts. The tread is always flat and suitable for most flat surfaces you run on.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Miguel Cunha is a board-certified foot surgeon and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City.
- Matthew Rowbotham is a geographic information systems program manager at the North Country Trail Association, a nonprofit that partners with the National Park Service to develop, maintain, and protect the 4,800 mile North Country Trail.
- Maggie Peacon is the communications manager at the American Hiking Society, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that promotes and protects foot trails, surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience.
Why trust NBC Choice?
I’m a reporter for NBC Select covering technology and fitness, including the latest stories on fitness trackers, running shoes and workout headphones. I’ve been writing about shoes for years, including guides to walking, running, spinning, cycling and hiking shoes. To better understand trail shoes and what makes them different, I talked to outdoor and medical professionals about trail running and got their recommendations.
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