The Best Men's Trail Running Shoes

We analyzed 1,129 reviews from 33 websites to find the best men's trail running shoes. Sources included:
Walmart
+32 More

Top Men's Trail Running Shoes

Best for Most People
Best Men's Trail Running Shoes Saucony Peregrine 7 Men's Trail Running Shoes
$39 from 5 stores
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Why Consider This:
We loved both the men’s and women's Saucony Peregrine 7 shoes for their superior cushioning properties, which not only absorbed impact but also delivered a bit of rebound after each step, making for a very pleasant ride. The outsole of this shoe is awesomely grippy, but not at the expense of trail feel.
People Like:
  • super comfortable
  • supportive
  • lightweight
People Dislike:
  • Runs small
  • Heel coverage too small
  • Narrow in the toes
83
Owner Score
273 Reviews from 3 Sites
89
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Buy On Amazon.com
Why Consider This:
This shoe costs well under $100 yet delivers most of the characteristics of expensive trail running models. The men’s and women’s Adidas Kanadia 8.1 shoes offer good traction, supportive uppers, and pleasant rides. Most entry-level and occasional trail runners should be able to overlook the shoe’s drawbacks, such as an extra-warm upper, given the attractive price.
People Like:
  • Very affordable
  • Lightweight ride
  • Good ground feedback
People Dislike:
  • The 8th edition of the Kanadia is slightly narrow and small
  • Not as breathable as before
  • New version looks bulkier than the previous model.
82
Owner Score
185 Reviews from 1 Sites
69
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Buy On Amazon.com
Why Consider This:
The men’s Salomon Sense Ride shoes each have a soft ride that should please entry-level trail runners who are used to cushy road-running shoes. This style is built with plenty of outsole and a forefoot rock plate, too, which will keep serious off-road runners protected from rocks and sticks.
People Like:
  • High Value At $120
  • Outsole Offers Superb Grip And Traction
  • Upper Breathes Well And Dries Quickly
  • Versatile Midsole
People Dislike:
  • Forefoot Protection On Rocky Ground
  • Heel Fit
  • Stability and cushioning fall short on rough.
88
Owner Score
100 Reviews from 9 Sites
90
Media & Critic Score
2 Media Reviews
Buy On Amazon.com

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Our reviews of the best men's trail running shoes were based on 1,129 reviews from 33 websites.
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How to Find the Right Men's Trail Running Shoe

Why can’t you just wear your regular running shoes on the trail? You can, of course, but trail running shoes provide additional protection for your feet from rocks, roots, sticks, and other trail hazards. Trail running shoes also provide enough stability to keep your feet planted in the shoes as you negotiate tricky terrain, but without too much rigidity. You need to feel light and nimble when you’re running on trails, and you also need to feel the trail itself underfoot (imagine trying to run in hiking boots). In general, trail runners are more rugged and a bit heavier than regular running shoes, also known as road runners. If you enjoy hiking and have wondered what it might be like to run your favorite hiking trails, this review is also for you. Trail running shoes are lighter than boots or hiking shoes—they’re designed for running where you’ve been walking, but you can also hike in them. In fact, long-distance thru-hikers often opt for trail running shoes to navigate routes like the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. However, that doesn’t mean trail running models are ideal hiking shoes for everyone. If you’re hiking fast and light, trail runners may serve you well—but if you’re carrying weight, you’ll almost certainly appreciate the greater support that hiking shoes and hiking boots provide by way of denser cushioning and more-rugged outsoles.

Men's Trail Running Shoes We Eliminated

We research and analyzed 7 men's trail running shoes. Here's what we concluded about the ones that didn't make the cut.
Columbia Caldorado III Men's Trail Running Shoes
Runner Up
Highly rated (96 owner score, 91 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Altra Superior 4.0 Men's Trail Runner Shoes
Runner Up
Highly rated (93 owner score, 90 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Hoka One One Challenger ATR 3 Men's Trail Running Shoes
Runner Up
Highly rated (82 owner score, 83 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.
Brooks PureGrit 8 Men's Trail Running Shoes
Runner Up
Highly rated (73 owner score, 57 expert score), but a slight notch below the best.

Sources & Methodology

Critic.ly uses a combination of machine learning and human editors to help you find the best products.
We start by aggregating and analyzing reviews from real owners and industry critics. We remove spam, sponsored reviews, and other forms of bias to make sure you get the best possible sense of what people actually think about products.
We convert every review to a weight average score from 0 to 100.
For this article, we analyzed 1,129 reviews from 33 sites to find the best men's trail running shoe.