How to Choose the Perfect Trail Running Shoes

Trail running shoes are more than just footwear; they're your most critical piece of gear for technical trail adventures. Historically, humans navigated the wild in whatever was on their feet - often nothing at all. 

Trail running shoes make it easier, offering the support, protection, and grip you need to tackle natural rugged terrain.

This guide delves into what trail running shoes are and how to select the best pair for your adventures. Plus, get tips on transitioning from the road to the trail seamlessly.

What is trail running?

Trail running is running out in the countryside, surrounded by nature. It usually involves running across uneven terrain, including steep inclines, mud, gravel and even snow.

As the name suggests, trail running is a form of running that usually follows a trail through the countryside. That means tackling paths that haven’t been paved, tarmacked or otherwise made easily accessible for pedestrians to access. 

What are trail running shoes?

Specialised trail running shoes are the best kind of footwear you can choose if you’re hitting the trails. They share a lot of similarities with standard running shoes or trainers. However, there are a few differences.

Unlike running on purpose-built running tracks or road running, trail running takes place across uneven terrain. For this reason, it is far more important to buy shoes that protect your feet and ankles with the support they need.

Quality men’s trail running shoes as well as women's trail runners tend to have thicker, more shock-absorbent soles. This makes them far more comfortable for running through everything from wooded areas to coastal paths and tricky alpine terrain. They also offer greater protection for your ankles and feet, preventing rolls and injury.

The best trail running shoes

Finding the best trail running shoes will depend on you, your body type and the type of terrain you intend to run on. 

Unlike road running, where the surface is predictable and uniform, trail running introduces a variety of terrains. The right shoes can mean the difference between a confident stride and a slip that could lead to injury.

Quality trail running shoes are designed with varied and deeper lug patterns, which are aimed at gripping the terrain more effectively. These lugs act like small cleats, digging into the ground to provide stability and control. 

Shoes designed for muddy conditions feature widely spaced lugs that help shed mud instead of allowing it to build up and compromise grip. For rocky trails, a denser pattern with smaller lugs can offer better surface contact and friction.

VECTIV™ Technology

Our trail running shoes with VECTIV technology are all about superior stability, efficiency and comfort. That makes them perfect for diverse terrains with uneven surface or tree roots, and long distances for ultra runners.

At the core of VECTIV trail runners are a stabilising footplate, rocker midsole geometry, and a high-traction outsole combined with high-performance materials. The result is an extremely comfortable and efficient trail running shoe that turns energy into forward momentum.

The majority of high-quality trail running shoe stockists today will also offer gait analysis, where they ask you to walk, jog and run on a machine that can assess exactly which parts of your feet you put more weight on depending on the length of your strides. This data can then be used to help advise you on the style of shoe to best support your feet.

Tip: If you plan to run on more technical terrain that gets lots of rain or where you think you may need to cross shallow streams, investing in waterproof trail running shoes can be a great idea. On the other hand, if you’re often running in low light, or start or end a trail run in the city, a pair of reflective or bright shoes are a good choice.

FUTURELIGHT™

Often run in the rain, or need to cross streams and rivers? Our FUTURELIGHT™ technology offers both waterproofness and breathability for an exceptionally lightweight and comfortable shoe. 

Unlike traditional waterproof materials, FUTURELIGHT™ allows air and vapour to pass through, improving temperature regulation and minimising the risk of overheating.

How to choose trail running shoes

Selecting the ideal trail running shoes depends on how much running you are looking to do, over what level of terrain, and your natural physique, among other things.

Men tend to have more muscle mass which contributes to making the average man heavier than the average woman. As a consequence, it is beneficial to buy trail running shoes that are purpose-designed for your gender, to ensure utmost comfort and a style of shoe that is proportionately shock-absorbent for your size and body type. 

Trying on shoes in-store is a great way to get a sense of comfort, style and fit. If you’re more certain about the kind of shoe you’re looking for, buying online can make finding the perfect pair of women’s or men’s trail running shoes easy and stress-free.

Can you use trail running shoes on the road?

Trail running shoes are specifically optimised for off-road conditions. However, many wonder if they can double as road running shoes. The answer lies in the shoe's construction. 

While you can use trail running shoes on the road, their heavy-duty soles and thick tread patterns might not offer the same level of comfort as road-specific shoes. However, for short, casual runs or transitioning between surfaces, they can be a good option.

How to start trail running

If you’re looking to enjoy the beauty of nature while keeping fit, trail running could be for you. Joining a running group or meeting up with a friend can be a great way to get started and keep motivated.

Prefer to hit the trails on your own rather than following an established trail running group? Check out websites such as Alltrails. These offer details about well-established trail run routes, including an estimate of how long they are in miles, and how long they should take you to complete them. They also include a star rating so you’ll know the difficulty of the route ahead.

Remember for any long runs, always stay safe and make sure you have hydration packs with you. 

As a beginner, we’d recommend going for easier routes to start with, unless you are particularly fit and active. 

With a great route planned and the right kind of footwear, there’s no stopping you. So head out and enjoy the great outdoors on your first trail run.