Best trail running shoes
Most trail shoe reviews are written for dry, rocky, American trail. British trail is a different problem. For a good part of the year it is mud, wet grass, wet rock and puddles you cannot see the bottom of, and the shoe that wins on a dry alpine path is not the shoe you want in a Yorkshire field in February.
Two things matter more here than anywhere else. Lug depth, which is how deep the studs on the outsole are, because anything under about 4mm will slide on wet mud. And rubber compound, because soft sticky rubber, Vibram Megagrip being the common one, holds onto wet rock in a way that harder compounds do not.
Waterproofing is the one people get wrong. A waterproof shoe keeps water out until it comes in over the top, and then keeps it in. For British winter, most experienced trail runners skip the membrane and accept wet feet, because a draining shoe dries out while you run.
The shortlist
These are the shoes the Shoe Finder quiz returns when you answer it as someone in this situation. Same database, same scoring, nothing added by hand. Answer it yourself and you will get a list shaped around your own feet, weight and budget rather than an average.
Adidas Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX 2
£139.99 · Trail · 320g · 8mm drop · 32mm stack
Waterproof and grippy for wet British winters. Keeps your feet dry on soggy paths.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Hoka Challenger 8
£130 · Trail · 287g · 8mm drop · 40mm stack · wide fitting
Half road shoe, half trail shoe. Ideal if your runs mix pavement and parks.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Merrell Agility Peak 5 BOA GORE-TEX
£179.99 · Trail · 305g · 6mm drop
Waterproof, with a dial instead of laces. Built for wet British winters.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Nike Wildhorse 10
£134.99 · Trail · 297g · 9mm drop · 33mm stack
Tough and grippy for muddy, rocky British trails. Underfoot protection without feeling clumsy.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Hoka Speedgoat 7
£145 · Trail · 275g · 5mm drop · 40mm stack · wide fitting
The default trail shoe for muddy UK paths. Loads of grip and cushioning.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Altra Lone Peak 9+
£130 · Trail · 327g · 0mm drop · 25mm stack · wide fitting
Cult trail shoe with masses of toe room and grippy Vibram rubber underneath.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
Nike Pegasus Trail 5
£134.99 · Trail · 300g · 8mm drop · 35mm stack
A road shoe feel with proper grip. Good for towpaths, parks and light trails.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
New Balance DynaSoft Nitrel v6
£89.99 · Trail · 286g · 6mm drop
Budget trail shoe for easier off road runs rather than mountains.
- Built for off road, with grip for mud and loose ground
- Matches the balanced feel you asked for
How this list was put together
Every shoe in our database is scored against a set of rules, and this page shows the top eight for this particular need. The rules are written down in full on the how it works page, including which ones rule a shoe out completely. Nothing on this page is ordered by commission, and the prices are RRP, so shop around because they are very often discounted.
This is a starting point rather than a fitting. Where you can, try shoes on, and if you are running through pain see a physio rather than buying your way out of it.
Common questions
Do I need waterproof trail shoes?
Usually not. Water comes in over the collar the first time you misjudge a puddle, and a membrane then stops it draining out. Waterproof versions make more sense for cold, wet walking than for running.
Can I use trail shoes on the road?
For short stretches connecting trails, yes. For any real distance on pavement the lugs wear down quickly and the ride feels harsh. If your runs are genuinely half and half, a door to trail shoe with shallower lugs is the better buy.
What lug depth do I need for mud?
Around 5mm and above for proper mud, and 6mm or more for fell running and cross country. Anything shallower is a hard packed trail shoe, which is fine for towpaths and dry summer trail and useless in a wet field.
Get a list for your feet, not an average one
The shortlist above assumes a fairly typical runner. The shoe finder asks about your width, how your ankles roll, your weight, where you run, your budget and any recurring niggles, then gives you three shoes and tells you why each one made it. It takes about a minute and there is no email or sign up.