With the latest wave of the most comfortable trail running shoes you can get traction and support in a covetable lightweight, cushioned package. Plus, brands making the best trail running shoes have really started to ramp up the style stakes.
The anatomy of a trail running shoe is changing: stacks and drops are increasing as the trend for maximalist running shoes continues – we're now getting extra midsole cushioning and rocker shapes for propulsion and guidance in trail models.
Sticky rubber outsoles or substantial lugs for grip, stiffer midsoles for support and durable uppers to keep out debris are all features to look for. And in the best winter running shoes you'll find more reinforced foot plates and waterproofing. In this guide our experts have tested the comfiest pairs of trail running shoes to see which can boast the best of these technical properties while still providing a cushioned, glove-like fit.
How we tested them
Our testers have raced in rocky Gran Canaria, bounded over storm-swept Devon coast trails and pounded across Scottish beaches to see which shoes gave the best stability, traction and protection, along with unbridled comfort.
The quick list
This is our quick list, a snapshot of the most comfortable trail running shoes available to buy. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each piece of footwear, see our detailed reviews further down the page.
Switch from tarmac to trail in these super-light running shoes that are cushioned enough to run on roads, yet have tons of traction for gravel paths and beaches
These big and bouncy shoes look like they're built for tarmac, but on the trails they deliver a healthy amount of grip and stability
Super stylish, lightweight and with plenty of cushioning, these trail runners offer maximum comfort. The uppers don't give much protection so save them for runs on easy terrain
These lightweight shoes are award-winning for a reason: they'll help you keep confident when the going gets tough on steep slopes, extended runs and techy terrain
We're here for these robust mountain-running shoes that excel on a range of terrains, give great comfort and protection, and feel like they're built to last
We're impressed with the performance of these tough-yet-comfortable trail running shoes that give great grip on rough and rocky terrain
The most comfortable trail running shoes
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
The most comfortable trail running shoes for road-to-trail
Designed as road-to-trail running shoes, the Merrell Morphlites will keep you comfy on stretches of tarmac but are also built to handle light trails with directional flow and little debris.
An internal bootie design gives you a locked-down fit, and they're soft enough to wear on a run straight from the box. The foam midsoles are extremely light, and while they might not give you the bounce of a road running shoe on hard surfaces, there's enough cushion to make it a very comfortable ride. Once you transition to the trail, the wide geometry keeps you pretty stable.
Our tester Julia Clarke loves the fact they are easy to pull on, and once laced up, you can tuck the laces away in a nifty lace keeper to stop them from coming undone. A roomy toe box gives feet space to swell and flex.
On beach and forest runs the shoes were breathable and the perfect choice for long runs. For newbies wanting to stick to light trails, or for runners who often need to tackle tarmac paths before reaching the trails, the Morphlites are a great buy.
Read our full Merrell Morphlite trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes for light trails
With their chunky rocker soles giving 39mm of foam in the heel, at first look you might think the Zegama 2s are road running shoes. But, peer a little closer and you'll find technical features that mean they're able to handle rougher stuff.
Vibram Megagrip outsoles with chevron lugs helps you stick to slippy mud and grass tracks, while the reinforced uppers will give you a little extra protection on the trails. However, it's not enough to see you over particularly rocky or technical terrain. A great feature is the built-in stretchy gaiter cuff, which helps keep out trail muck.
The mesh upper promises breathability, but our trail runner Julia Clarke found an extra liner kept her feet warmer than she wanted. She also craved a little more room in the fit.
The cushioning is comfortable and the shoes give oodles of responsiveness. However, they're not the most stable of running shoes and the stack means you won't get much trail feel. As road-to-trail running shoes though, they totally hit the mark.
Read our full Nike Zegama 2 trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes for long runs
Trust Nike to produce a super-stylish trail running shoe that performs brilliantly too.
The foam midsole and roomy toe box on this good-looking shoe give an incredibly plush feeling straight out the box. They really are like "running in clouds", says our seasoned trail runner Julia Clarke, who loves to bolt around her local Scottish trails in all weathers.
The secure tongue and lacing system means they won't budge when you're in motion. The light mesh uppers dry out quickly, making them ideal for running in wet weather or on puddle-filled surfaces, as long as it's not too cold. Our tester thought they'd be highly breathable too, but was disappointed when she escaped wet and windy Scotland for a hiking trip in Spain. She ended up with sweatier feet than she would have liked.
The deep lugs give great grip on lots of surfaces, even steep slick rock in the wet, and the shoes have a rock plate for added protection underfoot. They are nicely responsive too, and will absorb the shock of harder surfaces – perfect for long trail runs over mixed terrain.
Read our full Nike Wildhorse 8 trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes for technical trails
Calling all mountain runners – here's a shoe that you can attack challenging trails in while keeping comfy and protected. Merrell has evolved the Long Sky 2, increasing traction and escalating the shoe into the world of pro trail running.
They're lighter than their predecessors, with the 'Matryx' upper crafted from thin synthetic threads that form to create one lightweight, breathable and abrasion-resistant layer.
The Vibram Megagrip rubber gives great traction, while the FloatPro Foam midsole is flexible enough for an easy roll through. A 4mm drop and a 23.5mm stack gives a stable ride and nice amount of trail feel.
On steep, rocky trails in Gran Canaria, our seasoned trail runner Julia Clarke found them roomy enough, while the traditional lace system gave her a locked-in feel, keeping her heel and midfoot in place on steep descents.
The breathability was excellent and the toe and heel protection was enough so she didn't feel her multiple collides with rocks. She's already got them earmarked for a hut-to-hut run in the Alps, and many more mountain adventures beyond that.
Read our full Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes for mountain running
First came Salomon’s elite S/Lab Genesis, promising to help athletes rack up PBs and build unforgettable memories. Now Salomon has launched a pared-back version with a more forgiving price tag to make them more accessible.
Firstly, the fit is more relaxed than the pro version, with a wider chassis and roomier toe box that will have greater appeal. There's an integrated, gusseted tongue to keep out trail muck.
The uppers, made from woven Matryx material, are strong and tough; and we like that they're made from 34% recycled materials. Oddly, there's no rockplate, which considering the trail running shoes are designed for techy, mountain terrain, feels like an omission. However, the Contragrip sole with toothy lugs does a good job of keeping your underfoot protected as well as giving traction and braking control.
The Quicklace system keeps your foot in place and your shoe secure, even on boggy ground, and the midsole foam gives the right amount of bounce while absorbing impact.
Our tester Pat Kinsella found these proved to give impressive level of performance with excellent comfort and good protection – great for faster, longer days on rugged trails.
Read our full Salomon Genesis trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes for distance running
With a graphene-enhanced compound used in the midsole and a graphene-enhanced rubber outsole, the launch of this trail running shoe was hotly anticipated. And the hype stacked up, our tester reckoned – the TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max is a fine combination of grip, durability and performance.
The chunky rocker midsole won't be to everyone's liking, as it gets in the way of decent trail feel, but it does help transference of energy keeping you running more freely over challenging distances. Our testers Pat Kinsella and Fiona Russell found they were great for short runs too, but the full tech in the midsole and the level of support in the chassis will benefit you more the further you run in them
For durability and grip, the TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max deliver supremely. The synthetic uppers seem tough and while not waterproof, are fine for wet conditions as they don't take on too much water and dry quickly.
For mid- to long-distance runs on challenging terrain, these comfy trail running shoes will keep you lighter on your feet while offering dependable traction.
Read our full inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max trail running shoes review
The most comfortable trail running shoes comparison table
| Trail running shoe | RRP | Weight | Drop | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrell Morphlite | $100 (US) / £100 (UK) | 170g / 5.99oz per shoe (women's US 6) | 6.5mm | Trail running |
| Nike Zegama 2 | $180 (US) / £164.99 (UK) | 230g / 8.11oz (women's US 6.5) | 4mm | Trail running, road-to-trail running |
| Nike Wildhorse 8 | $130 (US) / £114.95 (UK) | 250g / 8.8oz (women's UK 4.5) | 8mm | Trail running, road running |
| Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx | $160 (US) / £155 (UK) | 200g / 7oz (women's US 6.5) | 4mm | Trail running |
| Salomon Genesis | $150 (US) / £140 (UK) | 269g / 9.5oz (men's size 11) | 8mm | Off-road running on various types of terrain, especially rough and rocky trails |
| inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max | $190 (US) / £170 (UK) | 300g / 10.6oz | 6mm | Ultra running, all-distance trail running on hard and rocky terrain |
Meet the testers
Julia Clarke is the Senior Staff Writer at Advnture.com and is an avid but ardently non-competitive trail runner. Several days a week, you can find her enjoying forested trails in Scotland and when she gets the opportunity, she loves to run from hut to hut in the Alps, stopping for coffee, pie and wild dip along the way. (edited)
Writer, editor and enthusiast of anything involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing adventure stories. En route he’s climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He can often be found pounding Devon's coastal trails in the south of England.
How to choose comfortable trail running shoes
Whether you’re a newbie taking your first steps in trail running, or an aficionado who goes into battle with big mountains most weekends, there’s no greater pleasure than finding a comfortable pair of trail running shoes.
For road-turn-trail runners, a trail shoe with a little extra support and a grippier sole than your regular running shoe will allow you to step off the tarmac and head into nature, confidently covering stretches of canal tow path or forest singletrack. Finding a comfy pair will make the transition all the more enjoyable.
Regular trail runners will find that with enhanced comfort you can run greater distances, faster, and niggles from old injuries should be kept at bay for longer.
The spectrum of trail running shoes is large, so it’s a good idea to firm up in your mind what kind of trails you’re going to be running on, and what type of fit you like from a running shoe, before you start browsing. Read on for how to identify which pair of trail running shoes will be comfiest for you. Or dive deeper with our guide to how to choose trail running shoes.
What type of trails will you be hitting?
The type of trail you’re going to be pounding will determine how technical your shoe needs to be. Some of our most comfiest trail running shoes are so because they come with a high stack and plenty of plush cushioning. These are great for road-to-trail running and light trails with relatively flat surfaces, where you’re not going to be hopping over obstacles or often making sharp changes of direction. If gentle undulating trails are your thing, and probably will be if you’re new to the discipline, pick a bouncy shoe with a lightweight upper.
At the other end of the scale, mountain runners who love techy terrain will want more protection from trippy roots and branches, sharp rocks and other natural obstacles. Exposed, rough trails call for a substantial outsole and potentially a rockplate in the midsole that will prevent punctures from the sharpest of objects.
What distances will you be running?
Consider your trail running targets – are you going to keep things short, or are you aiming to cover long distances? The plushier ride a shoe with lots of mid-sole cushioning gives you makes endurance distances much more palatable. However, you will lose trail feel, making it harder to get feedback from uneven ground that ultimately helps to improve your running and responsiveness.
Shorter-distance runners may want to choose a lower profile shoe that allows them to feel the surface and run faster. If you're looking to cover mammoth distances then check out our guide to the best trail running shoes for ultra runners.
What conditions will you be running in?
Are you training for an abroad race where the climes are warmer than at home? Or do you live somewhere rain’s likely to fall no matter what the season? Breathability and waterproofing come into play when choosing which shoe is right for the conditions. Waterproof membranes can often be overkill in a trail running shoe, and will hinder breathability and therefore comfort. It’s often better to pick a shoe that uses lightweight mesh or materials that will drain and dry quicker, plus, they’re often comfier and sometimes even have a bit of stretch. These are good for all seasons too, apart from cold winter days, when you might need a pair of the best winter running shoes.
In some shoes the inner may have more to it than just this mesh layer, so look closely if you’re wanting something super-breathable to keep your feet cool in summer.
What kind of fit do you like?
All the most comfortable trail running shoes we’ve tested employ technical features – quick lacing systems, a supportive upper or molded heel area, an integrated tongue – to give you a locked-in feel to keep you secure on the trails. The rest of the shoe can be down to personal taste. More elite trail running shoes will be narrower, designed for speed. Whereas other runners prefer a wider chassis with roomy toe box that gives feet opportunity to swell without restricting blood flow. Try on the shoes with running socks, ideally when your feet are warm, to make sure they’re comfortable.
Don't forget eco credentials...
While most well known brands are taking strides to manufacture more consciously, some are achieving greater results than others. Where shoes incorporate recycled content, we’ve flagged it. Ultimately, more durable, robust shoes that will stand the test of time are more planet-friendly as they won't need replacing so often. Check out these 9 eco-friendly running brands.
What’s your budget?
We've all got different budgets to stick to, and ultimately it's one of biggest deciding factors in which pair you end up buying. Trail running shoes aren't cheap, but there's a reason why outdoor gear is so expensive. Most trail running shoes are built with durability in mind using robust materials, and we'll flag in our reviews if we don't think a model will last.
Of course, there are many great offers to be had online. Keep referring back to this buying guide to find the best deals.
