Outside magazine tests trail running shoes: these are the winners
16/4/2025
Translation: Elicia Payne
Longer days and warmer temperatures are nearing and tempting you out onto the trails. Still looking for the perfect shoe? Outside magazine has tested trail running shoes for different needs. Here are the shoes which secured top place.
Whether you’re a beginner or professional, the right shoes for trail running will give you stability and a good running feeling. They’ll improve your speed, provide more comfort and you’ll be safer on the go. To help you find the right shoes for your running preferences, American magazine Outside has tested shoes for different requirements.
The winners – tested by Outside magazine
The La Sportiva’s Prodigio Pro came in second place overall. The jury praised the midsole, which – as we’re already familiar with from the predecessor – is firm and reactive despite high cushioning. According to the testers, this ensures a good floor feel.
The outsole with its 4-millimetre profile also scores points for grip and agility on mud, snow, stones and roots. The upper material, which wraps around the foot like a sock, is also a plus. Their only complaint was that the tongue occasionally rubbed against the foot. The shoe’s only just come onto the market. You’ll soon find a detailed review of the Prodigio Pro here.
Unfortunately, the overall winner, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide, isn’t stocked in our range at the moment. But that might change; we have a wide range of running shoes from the Salomon brand.
The best super shoe for easy trails
Super shoes have always had a hard time on trails. The stiff carbon plate and soft foam are usually less suitable for uneven surfaces. Firstly, the extra foam increases the risk of twisting your ankle. Secondly, the stiff plate creates more distance from the ground and is also too hard during fast manoeuvres.
The experts at Outside have now found a super shoe that should also perform well on winding trails: the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. It’s said to be fast, supple and offer necessary stability. Instead of a carbon plate, the foam sole is reinforced with plastic strips. The shoe isn’t suitable for technical, rocky trails but offers speed on easy trails.
Best shoe for daily training
The test winner in this category, the Scarpa Spin Ultra 2, was praised by the testers for its firmer midsole, which doesn’t feel as soft and springy as other shoes, but is very stable. They also awarded extra points for the responsiveness.
One tester described the shoe as a «very stable, rugged trail runner, with minimal flex». The only disadvantage is the narrow fit in the forefoot – it holds the foot in place well, but offers little room for the toes.
Best value-for-money shoe
In times when soles are getting thicker and thicker, the Saucony Peregrine 15 features moderate cushioning. This makes it flexible and ensures a good floor feel, the testers write. It’s also relatively light at 246 grammes (for the women’s model).
The 5 millimetre lugs made from a proprietary rubber compound are designed to provide good grip on slippery surfaces such as clay and snow. In terms of price, the shoes for this type of trail runner are in the lower segment, which makes them the price-performance winner in the Outside test.
Best shoe without a heel drop
For athletes who prefer a natural running feel, the testers put Altra’s Lone Peak 9 in first place. The sole height is a consistent 25 millimetres across the shoe – with no difference between the heel and forefoot. The toe box is cut wide to provide a walking sensation that’s similar to barefoot shoes.
According to the company, the midsole, which was quickly worn out in previous models, has been made more robust thanks to a modified foam mixture. The testers confirmed that those who appreciate the typical Altra running feeling (I’m one of them) will also be happy with these shoes.
The improved Plus version of the Altra Lone Peak 9 with Vibram Megagrip outsole can already be found in our range.
Best shoe for fast, rocky lovers
If you’re drawn to alpine terrain, the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx could be of interest to you. The shoe’s very light (195 grammes for the women’s model, 235 grammes for the men’s) and was agile in the tests performed. Outside Magazine explains that the cushioning’s relatively sparse, but this improves your awareness of the ground and your balance in very technical terrain.
Terri Kazanjian, a tester from Louisville, Colorado, praises the shoe for being lightweight with excellent traction and fit, as well as being more all-terrain friendly than a clunky, heavily padded shoe.
Best shoe for snow and mud
Slippery, muddy trails instead of stony paths – this is the reality of trail running for those who mainly run in low mountain ranges. Scarpa has developed the Spin ST, where ST stands for «Soft Terrain».
The testers claim that the seven-millimetre lugs made of Vibram Megagrip rubber prevent slipping. Thanks to the raised ankle support, no stones or mud can get in the shoe. It’s not waterproof, but the advantage of this is that your feet don’t sweat too much and dry again quickly. According to the test report, the shoe has a narrow cut with a relatively narrow toe box. And the sparse padding is ideal on soft ground, but feels too thin on dirt tracks or asphalt.
Best gravel shoe
Anyone who spends a lot of time on dirt tracks and wide forest paths will be familiar with the battle between pure trail running shoes, which are often too hard, and road shoes which don’t offer the necessary grip. This is where the Vectiv Enduris 4 from The North Face come into play.
The testers explained that the shoe feels lighter than expected and offers an ideal combination of cushioning and stability for this kind of surface. And the shoe has a good forward twist when you’re running. The so-called rock plates in the soles, which prevent you being in pain from hard stones, is an advantage on gravel. On more demanding trails, however, they’d negatively impact your balance.
Best shoe for asphalt and trail
One common thing in fun runs is that beautiful forest paths and trails alternate with paved routes. And if you start your running adventures on your doorstep, you’ll also be familiar with the change from hard to soft and from flat to uneven. The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is ideal for these conditions, according to the testers from Outside.
The 3.5-millimetre lugs are said to be hardly noticeable on hard surfaces, but offer enough grip on stony ground with roots. It also has enough cushioning under the forefoot on hard surfaces.
Personally, the 9.5 millimetre drop would be too much for trail running. However, Outside’s testers found the shoe versatile enough for running, hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Best shoe for a natural walking feel
For me, shoes from Topo Athletic are an integral part of my shoe rotation. I appreciate the relatively firm foam of the midsole and the wide toe box combined with the low drop of five millimetres. The testers from Outside magazine share this view and have voted the Ultraventure 4 the best shoe with a natural running feel.
One tester wrote: «the Ultraventure 4 felt better the longer I went and more tired I got, encouraging and supporting a soft midfoot landing and gentle roll that ate up the miles. » However, at 3.5 millimetres, the lugs aren’t optimised for technical terrain.
Best shoe for beginners
Fascinated by trail running and looking for a pair of shoes to get you started? If so, the testers from Outside recommend the New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9. At 42-38 millimetres, the shoe offers very high cushioning with a low drop of four millimetres.
«All in all, the combination of a thick stack of soft cushioning, grippy outsole and comfortable and secure upper make this a standout choice for beginner trail runners,» says the test report. The shoe isn’t suitable for technical terrain, though.
Header image: Shutterstock
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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