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.
The best running footwear, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on May 31, 2021. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
(5)
(3)
(18)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(7)
(6)
(6)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(10)
(8)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(3)
(1)
(7)
(6)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(3)
(3)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(5)
Recent Running Footwear Reviews
Sole Active Medium Footbed
The Sole Active Medium Footbed is designed for arches of every kind. This insole is a great companion for those who live an active lifestyle or who struggle with common foot injuries. The Sole Active Medium Footbed is an insole that’s built with extra cushion. The rigid structure of the insole helps to promote a healthy foot position, support arches of every type, and to reduce strain for active people. This is Sole’s best selling footbed, and with good reason! Your Sole Active Medium Footbed… Full review
Sole Performance Medium Footbed
The Sole Performance Medium Footbed is built for athletes like runners and backpackers. This shock-absorbent insole is designed to help prevent or lower foot pain. Finding the right orthopedic footbed can be a challenge at best, and a catastrophe at worst. As a long-distance backpacker with high arches, I commonly struggle with foot pain. So, acquiring the appropriate footbed to alleviate my symptoms is high on my list. I’ve been lucky enough to try out the Sole Performance Medium Footbed for… Full review
Skinners Sock Shoes
These are for people who have been working at transitioning to minimalist and barefoot running. You can feel the ground, and sometimes even pain, but that's how you learn to move properly. A small insert can be used if you want extra cushion. If you're not sure if you can go barefoot or not, throw these on and don't look back. Imagine putting a temporary callus on your foot. That's it. Comfortable, easy to clean, and they stay in place very well. Full review
Barefoot Company Free Your Feet
To small Socks are much too small. Full review
Superfeet Green
Must have for anyone who uses shoes...so everyone. Amazing for casual walking but also for sports and activities. I have a pair for inline hockey, ice hockey, golf, and running/gym. Before Superfeet, I had tons of blisters and just a lack of support. Don't hesitate to buy these. Full review
Barefoot Company Free Your Feet
Best minimalist footwear available for a true barefoot experience. For a fabric they perform extraordinarily well in terms of minimalist footwear. I own a landscape/hardscape company and I work barefoot quite often, but in some circumstances the terrain does get a bit rough so these are my immediate go-to. On dirt, grass, stone, and other natural surfaces they do excellent. I jump on shovels all day too, so it is nice to not worry about slipping and slicing my foot on the sharp metal sections. On… Full review
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. 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… Full review
Saucony Koa ST
Pretty great trail shoes for hiking and running in loose conditions. Very comfortable, nice fit, looks great, but not without some drawbacks. Having been transitioning my gear from a more traditional kit to a more lightweight/UL backpacking kit, one of the first things I considered was moving from a traditional light hiking boot to a lighter trail shoe for hiking and backpacking. Luckily I found these on a closeout sale, and was immediately drawn to their sharp good looks (the brilliant colors of… Full review
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. Description… Full review
