9 Best Trail Running Shoe Brands: Our Favorites

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When we talk about “trail running”, we want to indicate a very particular type of running, which has as its main characteristic that of being practiced in places completely surrounded by nature.

These can be wooded, mountain areas, but also flat or hilly areas: the important thing is that those who run must be in nature.

For this reason, it’s necessary to have adequate shoes, which can also reduce the risk of slipping on muddy ground or tripping due to unstable terrain.

Today, we have selected 9 brands that we believe are some of the best when it comes to trail running shoes.

So, let’s take a look!

Contents:

• 1. Salomon
• 2. Salewa
• 3. Saucony
• 4. La Sportiva
• 5. New Balance
• 6. Scarpa
• 7. Hoka One One
• 8. Arc’teryx
• 9. Nike

1. Salomon

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unboxing a pair of Salomon hiking boots

Founded in 1947, Salomon is a French company that is known for the production of all kinds of outdoor gear, clothing, and footwear. One of the categories in which the brand specializes is running and hiking shoes and among these, those for trail running stand out.

One of the main objectives of Salomon is to find new solutions every time, to try to improve both its products and customer performance more and more.

Among the various designs that Salomon has created for the category of trail running shoes, we can mention the Speedcross 5, which is a shoe with a tapered design, to increase the speed of runners, but also has a very particular lower structure.

In fact, the sole was produced to ensure a good grip on the ground, in order to offer maximum stability for the wearer, even on slippery or difficult terrain.

Thanks to Salomon’s shoes, practicing trail running means being able to reduce the risk of slips or falls. In fact, all the shoes of this brand are produced thinking first of all of the customer’s safety, but also to offer a good level of comfort.

Don’t miss: Salomon vs La Sportiva Shoes: Which Brand is Better?

2. Salewa

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Salewa official website

Salewa is an Italian brand with a history that begins in 1935 when it was founded by Josef Liebhart. Over time, however, the company was able to specialize more and more and was also able to increase its success.

Must read: 9 Italian Hiking Boots Brands: Our Top Picks

In the early years, it produced accessories and sportswear, but over the years Salewa also developed the line of sports shoes, later specializing in running shoes and in particular also in trail running ones.

A model that belongs to the latter category is the Lite Train Knit Men’s Shoes, which makes the company’s primary purposes very clear: first of all there is comfort, but also safety and the need to satisfy the needs of customers, creating designs with bright colors and others with more neutral colors.

The particularity of the mentioned design is also its breathability, to allow the feet to have optimal conditions even after a long run.

Read also: Salewa vs Salomon Hiking Boots: A Comparison

3. Saucony

Saucony is an American brand that is famous not only for the production of shoes but also for sportswear and sports accessories. It has a long history that starts in 1898 and its long presence in the market has made this brand very popular among consumers.

In fact, when we talk about Saucony we are talking about products that are carefully studied in detail, before being officially launched on the market. The brand is very attentive to every single element that distinguishes its creations and as regards shoes, especially trail running ones, Saucony thinks first of all of the durability of its products.

Resistance is a real key word but there is also attention to high-quality materials and comfort.

An example of the company’s trail running shoes is the design Peregrine 11 for women, which allows you to remain stable even in difficult terrain, thanks to its PWRTRAC rubber lugs and PWRRUN cushioning.

Read next: Are Trail Running Shoes Good for Hiking?

4. La Sportiva

It was the year 1928 when a small workshop was founded in Northern Italy, which only in the following years became a famous international brand: La Sportiva.

This company initially produced leather shoes for those who worked in the forest, but over the years, shoes suitable for different types of mountain sports have also been added to this line making it a very popular brand.

Among the different types of trail running shoes that the brand offers, one that significantly represents the company philosophy is Akasha, which has a design able to ensure maximum lightness when the foot gives itself the first boost to start the race.

One of the main purposes of this company is the focus on durability and not to weigh down the foot so that those who wear these shoes can train for long periods of time.

Don’t miss: La Sportiva vs Scarpa Shoes: Which Brand is Better?

5. New Balance

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New Balance official website

The goal of New Balance is to help you when running even in difficult terrain. Many shoe designs of the brand aim to protect the foot from rain but also from a sudden temperature change.

At the same time, these shoes focus on reducing the risk of slipping by being able to guarantee a solid grip on all types of terrain.

As for the origins of the brand, it all began in 1906 when William J. Riley founded the company in Boston, Massachusetts – it is still based in Boston.

Among their trail running shoes, the Fresh Foam Hierro v6 has been designed to improve the breathability of the foot, but at the same time to also give a strong boost when running thanks to the Vibram® outsole.

You might also: 8 Types of Hiking Trails that You Should Know

6. Scarpa

Scarpa is an Italian company founded in 1938, from a philosophy based on wanting to understand every type of need that belongs to mountain activities. For this reason, the brand has managed to create production lines of shoes suitable for different types of mountain sports and activities.

Today the brand represents an important point of reference in the footwear sector and one of its peculiarities is also the attention to sustainability. In fact, each product and line of the Scarpa brand is made with respect to nature and by trying to reduce the impact on it in the best possible way.

An example of this brand’s trail running shoes is the model Ribelle Run, ideal for those who train for a long time and for those who want comfortable shoes, but at the same time lightweight and able to better protect them from the elements.

The colors of these shoes are a demonstration of the fact that the brand also tries to satisfy the tastes of the most particular customers.

7. Hoka One One

Hoka One One is a company that has a very particular philosophy because, in addition to comfort and high quality, it also takes care of another very specific purpose: to create trail running shoes that can be fast enough, so as to increase the level of performance of those who wear them.

It could be said that Hoka One One not only focuses on comfortable designs but also on running perfection so that every runner can take advantage of this company’s products to express the best of themselves.

On the company’s origins, on the other hand, it can be said that the foundation year was 2009 when Hoka One One made its first appearance in Annecy, France. Currently, its headquarters are in California. The brand aims at making a good impression on customers by satisfying them in the best possible way.

Among their many models of trail running shoes on the official website, the Men’s Torrent 2 are very particular, not only because of their vibrant colors but also because of their structure.

In fact, this was created with lightness and agility in mind, and in addition, they feature the PROFLY™ midsole technology which ensures a good level of traction.

Related: 8 European Running Shoes Brands You Should Try

8. Arc’teryx

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Arc’teryx official website

Arc’teryx, whose name derives from that of the first prehistoric bird (Archaeopteryx), is a very famous brand for the production of outdoor clothing, footwear, and sports accessories.

Its origin dates back to 1991 and its headquarters are in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Today the brand is very famous not only for the excellent quality of the materials it uses to make its products but also for its solutions against difficult weather conditions.

Many of the brand’s clothes and shoes are known for being fully waterproof and also able to last a long time.

Among their trail running shoe designs, we can mention the Norvan SL 2 Men’s Shoe, which is lightweight and at the same time very robust, perfect for a run in the middle of the forest.

Don’t miss: 8 Quality Brands like Arc’teryx: Our Top Picks

9. Nike

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Nike official website: trail running shoes

It was 1971 when one of the most famous sportswear and sports footwear companies in the world was founded: Nike. This American brand today offers a wide range of products with its main focus being the safety of what it produces, as well as the high quality and comfort.

One of their trail running shoe designs is the Pegasus Trail 3, which has a particular design, specifically created to increase the speed of runners. In addition to this, the rubber sole has a specific pattern to ensure a solid grip on the ground and good traction.

Read next: Nike vs Reebok Running Shoes: Which Brand is Better?