Ultra Running Shoes

Whether you’re running along well-maintained trails, training for an ultra-marathon, or getting into technical winter trails, you’ll want a good pair of trail running shoes to help you improve your sporting performance. Today’s models offer great protection, breathability, stability, and grip—always at the lightest possible weight.

If you want to know which design will suit you best, you should look at the features, the climate, and the type of terrain. Beginner runners should look for comfortable, versatile models, while more experienced runners will need soles with greater traction.

Many models are available on the market, and making a choice isn’t easy. But don’t worry! In this article, I am going to explain all the things you will want to consider before buying a good trail shoe. In addition, I’m going to review the best models of the year so that you can choose the one that meets your needs.

Check out other buying guides to find the best trail headlamps, trail jackets, barefoot shoes, trail shirts, and trail pants.

THE BEST TRAIL RUNNING SHOES

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SALOMON S / LAB ULTRA 3

FEATURES: The Salomon S / Lab Ultra 3 has the best performance on the list for medium- and long-distance trails. Thanks to the Polyurethane mesh, EnergyCell + midsole, and EVA insole, they provide greater protection than other models on the list. The outsole offers great traction, resistance, and durability. It’s perfect for ultrarunners looking for great features, regardless of the high price.

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HOKA ONE SPEEDGOAT 4

FEATURES: The Hoka One Speedgoat 4 provides great cushioning and comfort thanks to the thick EVA midsole, which absorbs impact and improves stability. This makes them very comfortable for running on uneven paths. Additionally, the Vibram Megagrip outsole features 5 mm lugs, which provide a fantastic grip on all types of terrain, including mud, dust, and rock.

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INOV8 TERRAULTRA G270

FEATURES: The Inov8 Terraultra G270 is one of the best zero-drop shoes you can find on the market. The zero-drop design provides good cushioning and a more natural feeling, making it quite popular among experienced runners.

Advantages: 1- The sole is reinforced with graphene to guarantee a fantastic grip on all types of terrain. 2- It provides good stability and foot protection. 3- It has great breathability. 4- It has a super-resistant construction for greater durability. 5- It features greater volume, which is perfect for people with wide feet. This is the favorite option for many pro runners.

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LA SPORTIVA KAPTIVA

FEATURES: The Sportiva Kaptiva provides great traction on rocky terrain, even in wet weather. While the previous model is designed for wide feet, this model is more suited for people with narrow feet or for those seeking a tight fit. The sole features great flexibility and provides excellent grip, while the 1.5 mm EVA insole allows for greater comfort.

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LA SPORTIVA BUSHIDO 2

FEATURES: The Sportiva Bushido 2 is probably the best choice for technical routes and off-trail expeditions, in both dry and wet weather. It doesn’t provide as much cushioning as other models, but it stands out for its excellent grip and stability on complicated terrain. It feels somewhat stiffer because it’s designed to perform on irregular terrain, where you’ll need greater sensitivity.

Named “best trail shoe” by Trail Runner Magazine, this model is popular among intermediate to experienced runners.

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NIKE ZOOM TERRA KIGER 5

FEATURES: The Nike Terra Kiger 5 is designed for runners seeking versatility. This model also stands out for its sensitivity, comfort, and stability. The lug design of the sole guarantees great traction. You will see that it performs quite well on complicated trails. However, it performs best on routes of medium difficulty on which you’ll want to run faster.

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SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 5

FEATURES: The Salomon Speedcross 5 provides the best traction on the list in terms of soft technical terrain. The excellent grip is due to the 6 mm arrow-shaped lug sole, which is perfect for crossing muddy, dusty, and even snowy areas. Another great advantage is the Quicklace closure system, which is effective and very easy to use.

It’s one of the best options for runners who like to get off-trail.

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ADIDAS TERREX AGRAVIC XT GTX

FEATURES: The Adidas Terrex Agravic XT GTX is designed for all types of weather conditions. It provides a great grip on wet terrain, while its Gore-Tex membrane keeps your feet dry. Unfortunately, greater water resistance comes at a price: This model isn’t as breathable as others. However, if you are looking for a model that withstands rainy, cold weather, this could be your shoe.

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ALTRA LONE PEAK 4.5

FEATURES: The Altra Lone Peak 4.5 is a zero-drop model that is very popular among long-distance runners and thru-hikers. The midsole combines comfort with sensitivity, and provides moderate cushioning. The outsole features a “Trailclaw” design that provides an excellent grip on all types of terrain. If you are looking for a zero-drop model at a good price, this could be your best option.

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ASICS GEL VENTURE 7

FEATURES: The Asics Venture 7 is one of the best budget options on the market. Advantages: 1- Good moisture management. 2- Excellent breathability. 3- Great comfort. 4- Good traction on routes of easy to medium difficulty. 5- Great versatility, as they are designed for road running, too.

If you are going to get into difficult, technical terrain, this is not your model. However, if you’re looking for a reliable road-to-trail shoe, the Asics Venture 7 is a great budget option.

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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

DIFFERENCE WITH TREKKING SHOES

Some hikers use their regular hiking footwear for occasional trail running. For short-distance trails, they can do the trick, as long as you don’t expect the best performance. However, they are not meant for that purpose.

Ultra running models are specially designed to be ultralight, thus allowing you to go faster and lighter. At the same time, and depending on the difficulty of the trail, they feature more aggressive soles designed for technical terrain.

One of their main disadvantages is that because they are made from ultralight materials, they don’t offer as much resistance or durability as trekking-oriented footwear. Also, they don’t offer as much stability, so they’re not the best choice when you’re carrying a heavy backpack.

CATEGORIES BY TYPE OF TERRAIN

EASY

These models are meant for well-maintained trails of low difficulty. Some parts of the trail could have dust, mud, and small stones, but there are no technical sections. These models don’t offer much grip because they are more focused on providing flexibility and overall comfort. One of the main advantages is that they allow you to mix some road miles with mountain trails.

ALL-AROUND

All-around models are really popular among runners because they offer the greatest versatility. On the one hand, they are not “overkill” when you’re running on easy paths. On the other hand, they provide great grip and stability on moderate to complicated trails along which you could find branches, mud, stones, steep hills, etc. If you aren’t going to get into highly technical trails, I recommend that you take a look at all-around models.

RUGGED

Generally, these models are stiffer and heavier than the previous ones but they provide greater grip and support. They are not as comfortable on easy-going tracks, as they can feel like overkill. However, they are perfect for steep, rocky, muddy, or even snowy parts of technical difficulty.

WATERPROOF

As happens with hiking models, trail runners can feature waterproof membranes to improve their water resistance. Gore-Tex is the market leader, but other waterproof systems work pretty well, too. Unfortunately, these membranes add weight, increase stiffness, and reduce breathability.

Waterproof models are not popular among runners who prioritize speed and a light weight. Also, they are not recommended for mild to warm climates. In that case, you will need a breathable model that wicks away sweat and dries quickly.

However, if you are going to run in cold, humid weather, a waterproof model could be what you need. The Adidas Terrex AgraviXT GTX stands out as one of the best waterproof options.

BREATHABILITY

When we run, our feet sweat more than when we’re doing other activities. Therefore, good running footwear should guarantee sufficient breathability and ventilation. Manufacturers use special mesh reinforced with other materials to find the right balance between breathability and durability.

CUSHIONING

Models with good cushioning allow you to travel longer distances before your feet feel tired. The midsole is the part of the sole that provides most of the cushioning, as it’s designed to efficiently absorb the impact of your weight.

Heavier runners will need more-cushioned models. Those with a refined technique may need less heel cushioning. In this case, they could choose a zero-drop or low-drop model.

PROTECTION

Trail running footwear is built from resistant materials that will help protect your feet from the elements. Two types of protections are especially important.

Bumper or toe cap: This protection is placed on the front of the shoe to protect your toes from impacts. They can be made from rubber or fabric. The bumper can be of different sizes and stiffness, which will provide less or more protection.

Rock plates: This protection plate is placed between the sole and the midsole. It’s usually made of very resistant materials (often plastic) that protect your feet every time you step on a little stone, branch, or pointy element. Although they add some weight to the shoe, they are very important for protecting your feet on uneven tracks.

LACING SYSTEM

Most models use the traditional lacing system. However, Salomon has developed a system called Quicklace, which allows you to tie your shoes in a matter of seconds. In addition to being quick to use, this system can hold your feet just as well as the traditional system does.

SOLE AND TRACTION

Most soles don’t offer the same performance on all types of terrain. Some perform better on soft, wet trails, others on dry, compact trails, others on snowy or slippery surfaces, etc. You should look for a sole that is designed for the terrain on which you are going to run. Some models, like the Speedcross 5, are great for mud and snow. Other models, like the Salomon S / Lab Ultra 2, are more versatile.

DROP

Most shoes’ heel-to-toe drop can go from 0 mm to 12 mm, with 0 mm indicating that the foot is in a horizontal position and 12 mm indicating that the heel is 12 mm higher than the toe.

The choice largely depends on the runner’s experience and preference. Drop can be divided into three groups:

0 mm to 4 mm drop: Recommended for experienced runners looking for great performance.

5 mm to 8 mm drop: Most all-around models fall into this level. They do pretty well on all conditions, so the final choice will depend on each runner.

10 mm to 12 mm drop: Perfect for beginners looking for comfort, and long-distance runners.

DURABILITY

This is one of the main downsides of trail runners. They are designed to offer maximum sports performance—and not to last forever. Still, most manufacturers are putting a lot of effort into creating increasingly durable models.

The rubber of the sole is one of the first elements to degrade, though the upper part of the shoe and the seams can also wear out due to impacts and scratches.

Generally, very durable models must be replaced every 700 kilometers, while some high-performance models can’t withstand over 200 or 300 kilometers.