Our recent reviews of the best shoes for the boggiest of terrains you’ll find in the UK. Key specs – Best terrain: All-rounder; Weight: 329g; Heel height: 24mm; Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm. All rights reserved. The award for the best-looking trail running shoe of 2020 goes to Adidas, for this unique and striking design. Available in two widths, it offers wonderful arch support with a supportive collar, which prevents foot slippage when moving up and down trails. The 5mm lugs find grip even when you're moving at pace on slippery ground, and the material used is durable enough to use the Torrent 2 for your training runs on trails as well las your races. The LD without waterproofing is our pick for your ultradistance runs, because the Gore-Tex liner can make your foot hot and sweaty over long efforts. It might not stand up to the bogs of a British cross-country race, but for mixed-terrain events it’s a great option. All rights reserved. If you plan to spend a good proportion of your time running on roads, or only intend to tackle very hard and rocky paths, then a lug depth of 3-4mm will be best – these are often described as road-to-trail shoes. One common feature in trail-running shoes is a rock plate – a piece of plastic on the forefoot that protects the underside of your feet from jagged stones. The Torrent 2 doesn’t look all that fast at first sight, but looks can be deceiving, and this lightweight, amply cushioned shoe is built to fly over pretty much any terrain. Both the original Torrent and now the updated Torrent 2 fulfil the title of all-rounder whatever way you look at it. Most UK trail runners will be well acquainted with boggy conditions and many will have donned a pair from the Salomon Speedcross line to help them negotiate slippery terrain without taking a tumble. The Parley is built to handle any distance, with that comfortable and responsive Boost midsole and a wide toe box that won’t cramp your toes as you rack up the miles. “It’s for the person who wants to run around the park but also has a bit of road running to do as well. Cross country races tend to be exceptionally muddy affairs, as of course do obstacle course races. The outsole is also made of Inov-8’s graphene material, which is very durable and grips well, even when you hit sections of harder ground. Hoka’s Profly midsole is key to the Torrent’s charm, providing both a cushioned feel to your landings and a smooth transition from heel-to-toe and powerful toe-off. It’s not the best shoe for road-to-trail but if you go directly to the trail to run – with a change of shoes for the drive there and back – that depth is useful.”. Hoka borrowed the name from Melzer for this line of popular long-distance racing shoes, and while you might not match the Speedgoat himself when it comes to your times on ultra events, you can at least use the same footwear. Buy men’s from Brooks | Buy women’s from Brooks | £125. Buy now - women's. “On a soft surface you penetrate the wet mud at the top to get to the firmer ground underneath and deliver traction. They are designed for traditional trail running. Find the Top Trail Running Shoes For Men with the MSN Buying Guides >> Compare Products and Brands by Quality, Popularity and Pricing >> Updated 2020 #10 – Mizuno Women’s Waterproof Trail Shoes Price: £72.11 - £130.77 (RRP £129.95) We’ve got great options to fit every kind of trail runner, but first some things to think about it to make sure you get the right pair for you. No-tie laces, which you can tighten by simply pulling a toggle, can also be useful on trail-running shoes. Lisa Jhung and Cory Smith. Stability running shoes seems to be a declining category. “At Saucony – plug! Made with a mesh and TPU upper and airy mesh lining, these breathable trail shoes are going to keep feet cool and dry. Inov-8’s new graphene-enhanced rubber is very good news for ultra runners then, because in testing it’s survived 1,000 miles of running. You know who goes through a lot of running shoes? Coachmag™ is a registered trade mark. Key specs – Best terrain: Road & light trails; Weight: 333g; Heel-to-toe drop: 10mm. Expert Reviews™ is a registered trade mark. Running fast in the mud requires a special shoe (plus an iron will), and the G 210 is built specifically for the purpose. More important, though, is how well the XT7 performs across a range of trails, with the 5mm lugs providing good grip on wet trails, and the sticky rubber keeping you grounded on rocky tracks. Of course, if you’re going to get really muddy then a specialist shoe is better, and there is the Peregrine 10 ST - which stands for sloppy terrain - for exactly that purpose. Up top, the Formfit upper moulds nicely to your foot and it’s easy to crank the laces for a secure fit so your foot doesn’t slide around when you’re on uneven ground. It’s made with upcycled plastic waste that’s intercepted before it reaches the ocean, which might help you feel slightly better about the high price of the shoes. If you want to enjoy all that the trails have to offer, however, you’ll need the best trail-running shoes – because trying to run on uneven, loose or muddy ground in your normal road shoes is a surefire recipe for a pratfall. 1.Best in test: Merrel MTL Long Sky In trail spheres FKT stands for Fastest Known Time, which is what the record over a trail route is called. The upper is a lightweight mesh that drains quickly so you’re not sloshing around all race after going through a couple of puddles. Waterproof trail-running shoes aren’t as common as you might expect, mainly because waterproofing goes both ways – if you splash through a big puddle and end up with liquid in the shoe it stays there, which can lead to soggier feet than if you’d just used a non-waterproof shoe that drains better. If you’re looking for waterproofing, however, you’re in for a disappointment: most trail-running shoes aren’t waterproof, as this would make them heavy and uncomfortably sweaty to run in. The upper of the shoe has also been updated to be more comfortable, moving with your foot to avoid sore spots while still locking it in place as you plough through the mud. Merrel Trail Glove 4 is without a doubt the best barefoot trail running shoes on our list. If you’re looking for a shoe to hare around muddy fields and forests, there is no better option out there. A built-in TrailProtect™ pad provides superior underfoot protection and stability to protect your feet from harsh off-trail conditions. Brooks Ghost 12 Road Running Shoe; 3. This is the foam used in popular road shoes such as the Nike React Infinity Run and it’s comfortable, responsive and durable. While we have found that the Ultra Parley can handle mildly muddy trails, it’s at its best on the harder stuff, when the cushioning you get from its Boost midsole provides a similar level of protection as it does on Adidas’s Boost road shoes. For trail running in the UK, ... we’ve compiled our selection of the best trail running shoes out there for 2021 along with a buyer’s guide to help you make the right shoe choice for your needs. We’ve long been fans of the Speedcross line for easy and long runs on muddy ground, but they’ve always been a little too heavy to enjoy racing in. However, to really enjoy these runs, you need the right kind of footwear. Buy men’s from Hoka One One | Buy women’s from Hoka One One | £110. The Wildcross is a new shoe from Salomon that takes some of the Speedcross’s characteristics, in particular the deep-lugged outsole that will keep you upright on boggy ground, but refines the formula to be lighter and more stable when haring around muddy corners. These are just some of the features that make the Merrell All Out Crush 2 GTX’s one of the best waterproof trail running shoes for women out there today! Here’s our roundup of the best trail-running shoes for every kind of surface you’re likely to run on, plus a guide to what you should look for in a pair. We've put at least 10 solid trail runs in these shoes, while also alternating them with other competitors, and find them to be one of the most fun shoes for running in daily. Trail running is very different to road running. The Inov-8 TERRAULTRA puts that durable graphene sole on a lightweight, zero-drop shoe that’s ideal for longer efforts on a variety of terrains. But on the road what we want is as much rubber making contact as possible, because the surface is more slippery when wet, so we use a 3.5mm lug with lots of them so the shoe can gain traction.”, “Generally fell runners will be in deep-lug shoes,” says Callaway. Why I Love Trail Running: World Champion Ricky Lightfoot, The Best Trail-Running Spots For Londoners, The Best Trail Runners To Follow On Instagram, TomTom Adventurer Review: The GPS Sports Watch For Trail Runners, Hikers and Skiers, Best for cross-country and obstacle course races, The Beginner’s Guide To Cross-Country Running, Everything You Need To Know To Start Trail Running, The Best Protein Powders 2020 And What To Look For When Buying Protein Powder, A Four-Week Gym Routine To Get Big And Lean, Do This Leg Workout At Home To Strengthen Your Lower Body. However, if versatility is more important to you then pick up the standard Peregrine 10 and you’ll be able to hit pretty much any trail anywhere confident you’ll be able to find some grip. The Vibram Megagrip outsole provides reliable grip across a variety of terrains and is at its best on harder trails. Key specs – Best terrain: Muddy; Weight: 210g; Heel-to-toe drop: 3mm, Get fit with the best cross trainers left in stock, Best walking shoes 2021: The best walking shoes to buy, Best resistance bands 2021: best resistance bands to buy, Don't miss these savings on walking poles, The best running headphones you can buy from £21, Apex Bike: An affordable, effective smart spin bike, Amazon Echo Auto: Alexa goes on a road trip, Rab Kangri GTX jacket review: A brilliant waterproof, The best electric scooter deals in the January sales. Low profile means less ankle support. It takes you out of yourself and lets you explore the most beautiful places in the world – even if you will have to tackle a few more uphills to appreciate the views. It’s very light at just 210g, with almost all of that weight found on the outsole, which features 8mm studs that can find grip on the boggiest of ground, even when you can’t see your feet because they’re so deep in the mud. “Because the 8.5mm lug is almost studded, it reduces the surface area on a hard surface,” says Callaway. Buy men’s from Saucony | Buy women’s from Saucony | £110. We can’t say we’ve tested those particular claims yet, but it does provide some indication of their quality and durability, which is particularly important when you’re shopping in the budget bracket. Despite costing remarkably little, Decathlon rates these trainers as good for trail runs up to 80km long, and durable enough to last 1,000km of running in total. That bright blue midsole coupled with the white upper might stand out more than we’d prefer, but the Catamount delivers the same excellent performance as the Hyperion Tempo and is a superb trail racer on hard and rocky tracks. At a glance, favourites for 2020 are the Wildhorse 6 running shoe and the Pegasus Trail 2's. They’re easy to do up even when your shoes are caked in mud, and won’t get pulled loose by rogue branches. Comfort: 4 | Cushioning: 4 | Support: 3 | Grip: 4 | Protection: 3.5. https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/outdoor/1406836/best-trail-running-shoes “The main differences are the traction on the sole – trail running shoes have more and deeper lugs for a bigger surface area, which is designed to increase traction,” says Callaway. A lot of brands refer to their uppers as water-resistant, which means the material is probably waterproof but they haven’t wrapped it right underneath the foot and glued it to the sole. “If you’re running downhill flat out, you want to make sure the heel is gripping as soon as it lands. The slightly shallower lug works on wet Tarmac as well as it does on light trail.”, “Then we’ve got the Peregrine 7 which have a 6mm tread. They’re also called records though, so you can just stick with that. It turns out that perhaps the best sporting nickname of all is found in ultramarathon running, and it belongs to Karl ‘Speedgoat’ Melzer, who holds the record for the most 100-mile trail race wins. We’ve used the Torrent for short cross-country races in London parks, a half marathon in the sodden Scottish Highlands and a long and easy run along cliffs on the Welsh coast, as well as many other runs, and loved every step in them. Buy men’s from On | Buy women’s from On | £135. Buy from men’s from Salomon | Buy women’s from Salomon | £120. And the plaudits don’t just end there. Buy men’s from Nike | Buy women’s from Nike | £114.95 (currently reduced to £80.47). https://www.coachmag.co.uk/running-shoes/6196/the-best-trail-running-shoes Recommended for. Selected for the 2020/21 Outdoors Magic Outdoor 100 – Read our full CimAlp 864 Drop Control trail … The quick-lock laces can be tightened with a pull, which is always easier than trying to tie knots in mud-caked laces. Lite is a lightweight shoe with shallow lugs that we’ve found well suited to the UK summer, being comfortable for long runs that cover both roads and sun-hardened trails. The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2020 Best Overall: Salomon Sense Ride 3 ($120) We were first introduced to the Sense Ride trail running in Chamonix. For all the info you need to help select the perfect trail shoes for you, we spoke to Simon Callaway of Saucony UK. Altra Superior 3.5 Trail Running Shoe; 7. This extra grip is especially noticeable during hilly fell runs and when attempting to run at speed through the mud, when your foot slipping as you push off can knock you off your rhythm. Pretty much all road runners are familiar with Nike’s Pegasus line of shoes, which have been a popular choice for pavement pounders for nearly four decades, but it’s only recently that the Pegasus has taken to the trails as well. Water-resistant uppers offer some protection, but if you’re heading off-road regularly you probably need to accept wet feet as all part of the fun. “This makes the shoe heavier and less flexible. While not well established in the UK, 361° is one of China’s biggest running shoe brands, so we were intrigued to try the Spire 4 and see how it compared with shoes from more familiar brands. Buy men’s from Arc’teryx | Buy women’s from Arc’teryx | £140. Although it’s inspired by Karl “Speedgoat” Meltzer (now that’s a nickname), who holds the record for the most 100-mile trail race wins, rest assured the Speedgoat 4 performs just as well on the feet of slower ultrarunners. This is one of the best performing trail shoes of the year and comes highly recommended. The Kalensole EVA cushioning isn’t the softest or most responsive on the market – midsole foams are definitely one area where you can feel the improvement when you increase your budget – but it is supportive and comfortable enough for long runs on mixed terrain. The Speedgoat 4 has 5mm lugs that offer grip on pretty much any kind of terrain and excel on technical ground. One key measure of a trail shoe is the depth of the lugs on the sole, as that will determine which terrain it’s best suited to. It’s a chance to get away from it all, forget about your split times and enjoy the nature around you. Inov-8 is one of the best-known names in trail running, though for those new to trails you might not have heard of then… yet! 1. The Peak is also lightweight for a trail shoe at 260g (men’s), and On recommends it as a racer or for hill reps. Inov-8 Roadclaw 275 V2 Road Running Shoe; 6. The Best Trail Running Shoes of 2020 Grip and support on any dirt, at any distance (Photo: Inga Hendrickson) Lisa Jhung. The ProFly midsole deserves the lion’s share of the credit, providing a cushioned landing and propulsive toe-off. However, if you are keen on a fully waterproof shoe, then check out the GTX version of the Brooks Cascadia, which has a Gore-Tex liner. It also makes the Mudclaw a great pick for OCR events, which are never short of boggy ground, especially since the shoe uses Inov-8’s lightweight and extremely durable graphene-enhanced rubber on the outsole of the shoe, so you can rely on good grip for years to come. 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