In fact, we discovered this first hand during a 100-mile race: By mile 45, the combination of rocky terrain, streamlined cushioning, and air channels in the insole had led to blisters in the bottom of both feet—a first-time experience for us despite years of long-distance running. Altra’s Ego midsole foam is a cocktail of EVA and TPU, and testers commented that it is surprisingly soft, particularly for a trail shoe. Killain himself raced in NNormal prototypes for the 2022 race season, allegedly wearing the same shoe for his wins at both Hardrock and UTMB. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Many of these comfortable work shoes have slip-resistant soles, which keep you safe in environments where spills might occur and you could encounter wet floors. We’re also huge fans of their Mafate Speed 4, which features a narrower base, Hoka’s dual-density Profly+ foam, and gripper, trail-biting lugs. At 270g, it hits a sweet spot between cushioning and speed, making it a shoe you can use for all your trail-running purposes, whether training or racing.The Cloudultra was recently updated to the “2,” and changes include a softer midsole, improved stretch-knit collar, and new outsole that On claims offers 50% more ground contact than the previous design. As well as being ideal for hybrid trails, the LD 3 is also built for running longer distances due to the lighter weight and well-cushioned midsole. It’s tough to argue with a shoe that’s worn by the likes of Courtney Dauwalter and Killian Journet, but that doesn’t mean the S/Lab Ultra 3 is a great match for everyone. We love the Peregrine’s signature trail-eating, teeth-like tread that grips anything from wet rocks to hardpack dirt, along with the added underfoot protection of the forefoot rockplate.

The lugs cut through mud dependably and our testers found they provided stellar and dependable traction for dusty ascents. High-quality stitching and tough materials will ensure that your footwear lasts for longer and gives you value for money. Steel toes protect your feet from falling objects, whilst non-slip soles can prevent acci But for max-cushioned comfort and undeniable style, Nike’s Pegasus Trail 4 is a great option for recreational trail runners, long-distance training, and road-to-trail routes.There’s a moulded heel counter for additional support, and the padded collar and tongue feel nicely plush. With a flat footbed and extra roomy toe box, the Lone Peak allows the foot to stay in its naturally prone and splayed position, which is great news for wide-footed runners or those with particularly finicky feet. The result is a responsive, agile Hoka that’s built for speed, making it great for race day and tempo workouts alike. Imported from Brooks’ Hyperion Tempo road shoe, the carbon-like DNA Flash midsole is lightweight and responsive, offering a snappy underfoot feel ideal for pushing the pace and precision on tricky sections of trail. How much protection is needed depends on personal preference and the terrain you'll be running over (more miles on rough trails will merit burlier protection), but overall, we find rock plates to be a great feature.