Running Footwear
Find the best trail running shoes, including minimal and barefoot models, right here, thanks to independent reviews and ratings by real trail runners, endurance athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts. Don't forget the technical wicking running socks and compression socks.
For more top-rated outdoor footwear—including hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering boots, climbing shoes, and sport sandals—check out our full Footwear reviews and ratings for real-world user reviews.
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Types of Running Footwear
Top Picks
How we choose: The best running footwear highlighted here were selected based on 865 reviews of 438 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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Swiftwick Pursuit Four Sock
Swiftwick is as good as it gets for scent-free, blister-free comfort, wicking, and durability. Updated!!
Reasons to Buy
- They wear like iron
- Blister-free guarantee
- Snug fit
- Do not stretch out
- Low odor
- Blister free after four months
- Merino!
Reasons to Avoid
- They seem pricey till you see their durability
I have owned Swiftwick socks of one variety or another for five or so years now. I've worn them up and down several Cascades Volcanoes and they are now my go-to light hiking and running socks. Test Conditions: I received two almost identical sets of Swiftwick socks about four months ago and I have included them in all my fitness, trail runs, gym workouts and hikes in the hills. It's been long-pants season so I don't have a ton of action shots in them (socks are tough to review) because you'd just see me in pants and shoes.
Read more: Swiftwick Pursuit Four Sock review (1)
Vibram FiveFingers Classic
After years of trying various shoes, boots, orthotics, socks, etc., and never being quite happy with the way my feet feel, I tried the Vibram Classic. What a difference! Hiking/city walking both work well. Your feet feel very light. After not running for the past 20 years due to bad knees, I'm tempted to break into a run just because it feels like it would be so much fun with these on. You do have to watch where you put your feet; gravel of a certain size can give you quite a poke in the heel or mid-foot.
Read more: Vibram FiveFingers Classic reviews (6)
Altra Superior 4.0
The Superior 4.0 is a supremely comfortable shoe, with many improvements over its predecessors (better fit, materials, flexibility). Yet the 4.0 maintains most of the best characteristics that make this model my favorite hiking shoe. They are responsive to the trail, fit my narrow feet perfectly, and the tread is excellent for gripping loose gravel and even snowy patches. They are lightweight and dry fast. My only disappointment is that they did not last quite as long as my Superior 3.0/3.5s.
Reasons to Buy
- Comfortable and great fit for narrow feet, while still maintaining wide foot-box for toe-spread and foot-swelling
- Lightweight and minimalist
- Flexible sole
- Breathable, stretchy upper that conforms to foot shape
- A great choice for thru-hiking
- Bonus removable rock-plate (StoneGuard)
Reasons to Avoid
- Slightly less durable than Superior 3.0/3.5s (separated at the sole/upper seam at inside midfoot at 500 miles=blowouts)
- Easily allow water inside (also dry fast)
Description & Specs: The Superior 4.0 is the most recent version of Altra's low profile trail running shoe. The 4.0s have been updated quite a bit from the 3.0/3.5 version, with the goal of producing a lighter, grippier, and sleeker shoe. Superiors will probably appeal to those that value minimalist performance such as good trail feel and sensitivity, low-to-the-ground stability, and a streamlined, lightweight profile. Weight (of my sample pair, size women’s 9.5): 14 oz. (w/out removable StoneGuard) Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0 mm (Note: most all of Altra's shoes are zero-drop, which means they have the same height in the heel as in the rest of the shoe) Stack height: 21mm Multi-point attachments for use with trail gaiters Disclaimer: Writing...
Read more: Altra Superior 4.0 reviews (2)
Superfeet Green
A nice option to have for those who are looking for an insole that provides great arch support. They are MUCH less expensive than shelling out the cash for custom orthotics. I have pretty severe foot problems and the Superfeet Green insoles have allowed me to continue my active lifestyle.
Reasons to Buy
- Great arch support
- Fits in a variety of different shoes
- Durable
- A good option for those who have suffered previous Lisfranc injuries
Reasons to Avoid
- I really can't think of any??
Back in 2008, I suffered a pretty bad injury to my left foot, commonly known as a Lisfranc Fracture. It is named after a French doctor who described the injury in 1815 when riders would fall off their horse with their foot stuck in the stirrup. It's a fracture of the midfoot coupled with the rupture of ligaments. The injury is also common in American Football, with players such as Dwight Freeney, Maurice Jones Drew, and Santonio Holmes having suffered the injury. Sadly, I did not play American Football and could not have afforded the expertise of doctors such as Dr.
Read more: Superfeet Green reviews (7)
Vibram FiveFingers KSO
As a children how many of us did not need any shoes and were happy running around barefoot even if it meant to get some blisters here and there? Later on, when we had to put shoes on and go to school and then work and so on, things changed and it would be considered inappropriate to one day show up without any shoes on. I wonder how many of us feel happy with what they are wearing on day to day basis on their feet and how many of us is actually comfortable?The Vibram soles is revolutionary innovation as far as comfortable shoes can be, which is based on the age old methodology that being barefoot helps your balance and will make you feel aware of the nature around and ground beneath your feet.
Read more: Vibram FiveFingers KSO reviews (18)
La Sportiva Bushido II
The La Sportiva Bushido II is a solid, comfortable trail running shoe for all-around, year-round use on trails and mountains. With excellent traction and fit, it retains everything I loved about the original Bushido trail runner with some minor refinements.
Reasons to Buy
- Comfort and fit
- Traction
- Durability
- Works well for trail running or hiking
- Comfortable in year-round temps
- Cushion and stability adequate for most trail use
Reasons to Avoid
- For technical runs and hikes, I'll switch to a shoe with more cushion and stability
- No waterproof/GTX version
- Costs $130, but the price has remained the same from previous versions and is comparable to other shoes
When I heard that La Sportiva was introducing an updated Bushido II trail runner my first response was "No!" What if they screwed something up? I've worn at least six pairs, possibly more, of the original La Sportiva Bushidos over the five years since they launched. That totals well over a thousand miles, probably double, by my rough guesstimate. While I also have road running shoes for pavement and own a few other pairs of trail runners, not to mention hiking footwear, the Bushidos are my go-to, everyday pair for when dirt, rocks, mud, and snow are underfoot here in Maine. I rarely think about these shoes.
Read more: La Sportiva Bushido II review (1)
Balega Blister Resist Quarter
Balega's Blister Resist Quarter is a hybrid mohair and synthetic sock from a company that does a great job with running socks. Great wicking properties help keep your feet comfortable. Smooth material doesn't tend to chafe. They tend to show wear by looking "fuzzy" but that's cosmetic—no notable thin spots or wear. Slightly more bulky than a typical running sock.
Reasons to Buy
- Comfort
- Wicking
- Durability
Reasons to Avoid
- Thickness of material
- Price
OVERVIEW By calling this a "blister resist" running sock, Balega is pretty clearly pushing the narrative that this sock is somehow better at protecting your feet from blisters than the average sock. I'll address that but will mostly focus on the more general reasons you might want to get a couple pair of these socks. I was provided two pair to review—a quarter-height and crew height Blister Resist sock. You can see that the crew is a few inches longer on your leg than the quarter. Other than the height and the color, both pair are effectively the same.
Read more: Balega Blister Resist Quarter review (1)
Salomon XA Pro 3D
Salomon’s XA Pro 3D is a heavy duty trail running shoe that has been around, with various updates, for years. It is very heavy and firm for a running shoe, and I use it as a low light hiker. It’s available with a waterproof/breathable membrane, but I like the no-membrane version for it’s very good breathability. Very good traction, support, foot protection, and durability, plus an interesting lacing system, make this a winner. The non-waterproof version’s availability in wide sizing was fortuitous for me, as the regular version was too narrow for my feet.
Reasons to Buy
- Unusual but effective lacing system
- Vents sweat well
- Waterproof/breathable version available
- Lots of support
- Solid, grippy sole
- Width sizing
- Nice features
Reasons to Avoid
- Heavier than typical trail running shoe
- Very firm midsole might not suit some people
- Relatively expensive for a trail runner
Basic Information The pair weighed 2.2 pounds out of the box, including the light insoles that I discarded. The guy who built my latest pair of custom orthotics recommended this shoe for its relatively firm and more supportive midsole, and I always wear them with the orthotics. The shoe requires break-in because it is so solid; it takes some time to get used to the firmness of the shoe. More on that in a bit. These are on the heavy end of the spectrum for trail running shoes, and also on the more expensive end at $130 full price.
Read more: Salomon XA Pro 3D reviews (11)
Brooks Cascadia
Brooks continues to stand on the podium with this high-quality trail runner. Offering ample room in the forefoot while still holding perfectly secure, the Cascadia 16 provides the wearer with a lightweight shoe that has excellent under-foot protection. This lightweight shoe is best suited for the hiker/trail runner that needs great traction and support on groomed trails, rough terrain, or anything in between. The Cascadia 16 is available for both men and women as a waterproof (GTX) or well ventilated, regular model.
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding rock shield
- Stable/comfortable fit
- Roomy forefoot
Reasons to Avoid
- Not the best grip in wet/slippery conditions
- Main face fabric may have questionable long-term durability
Although finding the perfect trail shoe may sometimes feel like chasing a "glass slipper," the Brooks Cascadia 16 checks many of the boxes… Without a doubt, the venerable Brooks Cascadia is one of the ‘tried & true’ products that has been around the block. Currently in its 16th generation, the Cascadia always seems to be reaching for new improvements. These trail runners are ideal for lightweight/ultralight backpacking, when saving weight is a priority. Using the Brooks Cascadia 16 under loads up to 25 lbs feels comfortable on a week-long summer backpacking trip. Specifications: Price: $130 ($160 GTX) Men's and Women's separate lines Weight: 298g/10.5oz per men's shoe; 319g/11.25oz actually recorded weight without insole,...
Read more: Brooks Cascadia reviews (19)
La Sportiva Wildcat
A sturdy trail runner fit for lightweight backpacking. The outsole on this shoe is the best thing since the old Vibram soles on my heavy full-leather boots. They stick to every condition I've encountered on the Appalachian Trail (except for mossy wet rock, but everyone is going to break their neck on that stuff). Lightweight and breathable. If the shoe fits, wear it!
Reasons to Buy
- Outsole/lugs
- Breathable
- Heel cup
- Dries fast
Reasons to Avoid
- Durability
After 15 years backpacking in heavy, full leather, boots, I finally decided to give a trail runner a try. I wish I had switched sooner. The differene between having 2 lb boots on each foot vs. this 12 oz shoe is amazing! Here's the bad news, these shoes will not last as long as a leather boot. The inside of the shoe at the top of where you insert your foot is starting to wear after only about 80 miles of backpacking and trail running. But, that's the only place where I think they are wearing too soon.
Read more: La Sportiva Wildcat reviews (8)
More Running Footwear
Trailspace reviewers have shared 865 reviews of 438 different running footwear. Narrow your search and view more specific running footwear recommendations in these categories:
Trail Running Shoes
Barefoot / Minimal Shoes
Running Socks
Compression Socks
Insoles
All Running Gear
Other Types of Running Gear
Find more running gear reviewed in these related categories:
Running Clothing
Packs, Vests, Water Bottles
Running Accesories
+2 more types
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