Looking for a trail shoe? Learn more about choosing trail shoes in this article, where you can find the following:
What is the difference between trail shoes and regular running shoes?
There can be a big difference between a trail shoe and a road shoe. Road running shoes simply don't need to do the same things as trail shoes. A trail shoe should generally be more stable, as the terrain is more uneven, and of course, there is also a completely different requirement for the grip on the outsole. However, there are more nuances to it, which we go through below.
How to choose a trail running shoe
It's a really good idea to put some effort into choosing trail shoes. Below you can read about some of the most important points to consider when choosing.
What surface will you run on?
The first thing you should consider is what surface you want to use your trail shoes on. There is, of course, a big difference between sticking to wide paths and gravel roads, going out on technical single tracks, or running in snow and ice.
If you want to use the shoes on different surfaces, I recommend choosing a shoe that suits the terrain you will run in the most. For example, if you primarily run on firm gravel roads and paths, but with some muddy sections, I would choose a shoe that is good for firm surfaces and so on.
To give you an overview of the different trail shoes, we have divided them into different categories, which you can see more about below:
Trail shoes for soft and muddy surfaces
Trail shoes for soft and muddy surfaces have one important feature: Long lugs on the outsole. Generally, lugs with a length of 5 mm or longer fall into this category.
Besides the length of the lugs, trail shoes for soft and muddy surfaces are typically designed with fewer lugs, so not too much gets stuck under the shoe. However, there is great variation among the different trail shoes in this category, so you should look closer at the specific model.
Another feature of these shoes is drainage, which is often considered, as soft and muddy surfaces will inevitably lead to wet feet. To prevent water from staying in the shoe, these trail shoes are designed with drainage features, allowing water to exit the shoe again.
See all our trail shoes for soft and muddy surfaces
Trail shoes for firm surfaces (road, gravel & paths)
Trail shoes for firm surfaces generally don't require as much lateral stability or long lugs. Trail shoes in this category typically offer extra comfort and lugs of 4mm or shorter. Often, there are more small lugs instead of the coarser outsole seen in, for example, mud trail shoes.
The upper can also be made more comfortable and stretchable due to the lesser need for lateral stability.
See all our trail shoes for firm surfaces
Trail shoes for ice and snow
Here we see a category that can vary greatly in requirements, depending on whether it's pure snow, pure ice, or a combination you're running on.
If you're running in terrain with ice, it's a really good idea to ensure the shoe is targeted for this. You can, for example, find shoes with “spikes” under the shoe – metal spikes that provide excellent grip on ice. However, these are not suitable for asphalt, where they will wear down very quickly.
If the trail route mostly consists of snow and not much ice, there are other options – many shoes from the mud category will also perform well. Besides the length of the lugs, some runners prefer the upper to be waterproof to avoid cold feet.
See all our trail shoes for ice and snow
Trail shoes for technical trails
Here we talk about a category that can divide opinions – there is no fixed definition of what technical terrain is, and often different runners will experience the same terrain differently, depending on what they are used to.
What we base it on when we talk about technical trail running is that the route somehow disrupts the running rhythm – it can be sharp turns, terrain with many roots, across slopes, and similar.
Common for shoes in this type of trail running is that the shoe must be stable. An unstable shoe will both increase the risk of twisting the foot and generally be harder to make quick direction changes in.
Trail shoes for technical trail running are therefore typically firmer in the midsole and not nearly as stretchable in the upper. All to keep the shoe in the same place on the foot, regardless of what the route demands.
See all our trail shoes for technical trail running
Trail shoes for rocks and cliffs
Trail shoes for rocks and cliffs are another category where there are quite large individual preferences. Some prefer a grip in the shoe where the rubber compound is very hard – this can allow the lugs to grip the small contours on cliffs. However, this rubber compound will not have a good grip on completely smooth surfaces.
The counterpart to this is a very soft rubber compound. The lugs cannot grip the small irregularities in cliffs in the same way, but the outsole “sticks” well to smooth and wet surfaces.
Besides this, trail shoes for rocks and cliffs often have a so-called “rock-plate.” A rock-plate is a hard plate that lies between the insole and outsole – several make this so it can be removed if not needed. This rock-plate protects your feet if you, for example, land on a very sharp rock.
Protection in this category also includes increased protection at the front of the shoe. If you hit the front of the shoe against a rock or cliff, this improved protection reduces the risk of injuring your toes.
See all our trail shoes for rocks and cliffs
How far will you run in the shoes?
Besides your trail shoes being good for the surface you want to run on, there is also a significant consideration about how long you will run in them.
If you wish to run very long distances, there are certain trail shoes that offer more comfort and are designed with more room for the toes (which can swell a bit when running very long).
The length of the runs should naturally always be considered in conjunction with the type of surface – therefore, a firm shoe can be the right choice, even if you are running very long, if the route is so technically demanding that you need the shoe to be firm and stable.
Even more trail
The shoes are only part of the equation when you hit the trails. Also, check out our selection of , if your wardrobe needs an update. On long trail runs, you might also need in technical fibers that reduce the risk of blisters on uneven terrain, and a , where you can carry water, food, and extra layers.
