Every iteration of the Salomon Speedcross has made our list, and we’re pleased to welcome the Speedcross 6 as well. Like prior versions, this Salomon model offers excellent arch support, a snug fit, and stellar traction that really shine during fast runs on wet and soft terrain.

If you’re the type that frequently tackles trails with lots of loose ground like gravel, mud or sand, the Speedcross 6s are your new best friend. These shoes have deep lugs that give reliable traction in muck, gravel, snow, and other soft surfaces. The aggressive tread pattern bites the ground for a super reliable step, and lugs are spaced enough to easily shed debris.

We’re also big fans of the Speedcross 6 for their glove-like fit and outstanding arch support. Those who prefer running shoes with a snug feel will love these things. That said, if you have wide feet or you’re betweensizes, we highly recommend going with the wide version.

They aren’t perfect, though. The Speedcross has a very tall heel-to-toe drop that can feel tippy and unstable on technical terrain and steep downhills. The Quicklace system is fast and efficient, but not everyone will like this system. There’s no way to adjust pressure across the foot, so it’s not customizable compared to regular laces. 

We also found that the soles – including traction – wear flat faster than other trail runners on our list. The Speedcross shoes are well-built, but softer rubber composite wears on rocky terrain and asphalt. When we ran on mixed terrain – trail, pavement, and packed dirt – we averaged about 300 miles before the lugs were noticeably worn.

That said, there’s no need to tread lightly with the Speedcross 6. If you’re looking for specialty footwear for soft terrain, these are the kicks for you: grippy, comfortable, and sleek.

More: Salomon Speedcross 6 Review

We love the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 for its wide toe box, super breathable uppers, and plush, flexible soles. This is the first update to the Ultraventures in a long time, although very little has changed. The 4’s get a tighter weave pattern in the uppers, slightly better ankle security with a different TPU layout, and a tighter lockdown at the heel. Our testing finds these are as comfy as ever, though: for long running days and big miles on the trail, the versatile Ultraventures remain one of our faves.

What sets the Ultraventures apart is their natural foot shape, with a large toe box, narrower heel cup, and midfoot that hugs close. And if you’re looking for out-of-the-box comfort, the Ultraventures are good to go right away. We found they didn’t need much break-in time at all. The padded tongue and pleasantly soft insoles inspired confidence immediately.

The compromise with the Ultraventures is traction depth. The lugs are not deep enough to bite effectively on wet rocks or trails with lots of steep ascent and descent. We prefer these for easy and moderate established trails.

The Ultraventures are great for hot runs because of their ultra-ventilated mesh uppers, and they dry impressively fast. The downside of this design? They don’t last as many miles as shoes made with TPU reinforcements or thicker construction. Still, we’re averaging around 400 trail miles before fabric starts to break down.

For a lightweight shoe with a bit of extra wiggle room for your toes, superior ventilation, and a stable ride, the Ultraventure 4’s help us stay ahead of the pack.

More: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 Review

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 is a cushy trail runner for trail-to town routes. The 4’s earn their spot on our list with an ergonomic design, excellent durability, and a foam-forward ride that we can’t get enough of.

These babies are comfortable right out of the box and need very little break-in time. In fact, we felt so confident in them, we went straight to the trailhead for a quick out-and-back after picking them up. The Enduris 4 have plenty of foam through the midsole for a soft, forgiving ride that keeps momentum. Plus, this shoe is in the upper half of the pack for weight, so they won’t drag you down.

The Enduris 4 has a slightly rockered sole with a TPU plate for stability, which walks a fine line between stability and cushioning. We love this design for long-distance efforts on moderate trails: the curved toe spring makes moving forward on each step just a bit easier, and the energy return on the heel strike is noticeable. In other words, this is a fun shoe that will make you feel speedy on most routes.

On the flip side, they aren’t the most responsive shoe, and the outsole is bulky compared to other shoes. Don’t get us wrong – it’s comfy and super stable – but this combo can feel clunky on technical terrain and steep uphills, which is why it’s a bit lower down our list – and it’s not the most streamlined shoe, either.

We also find the double-layer uppers run hot – our feet were sweating above 80°, although this thick design is super durable. Also, the fit won’t work for everyone as they’re fairly narrow, so those with wider feet may not love this design.

Still, the Enduris 4s are durable and comfortable trail runners that perform on trail and pavement. They are a soft, forgiving ride that we look forward to mile after mile. Overall, we think are a major improvement over the prior versions, and are one of our faves for daily town-to-trail runs or hitting a PR in the 10K.

More: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 Review

The HOKA Speedgoat 6 still delivers the signature blend of support, grip, and agility that made this line famous, but with some updates that may not work for every runner. The CleverHiker team has logged hundreds of miles from city trails to alpine summits, and version 6 holds its own – with a few caveats.

This iteration trims the foam stack, which makes for a firmer, more responsive feel underfoot. That’s a big change from the foam-gobbling, ultra-cushy ride of prior versions. The shoe still smooths out rugged terrain and technical sections, but long-distance runners may notice less shock absorption compared to previous versions.

The outsole redesign is excellent – we find the Speedgoats are more grippy than the prior version. This update improves ground contact for good traction on everything from muddy switchbacks to rocky ridgelines. Keep in mind, though, that these now feature a stiffer sole, which can lead to more foot fatigue over time.

The upper’s new mesh improves breathability and drying speed, making it a strong warm-weather performer. But, the narrower toe box and midsoles may feel restrictive for some, and HOKA dramatically reduced the heel flare so they aren’t as cushy on downhills. Durability continues to be an issue with these shoes, though – we find these shoes are looking rough at the 300-mile-mark.

While no longer in our top 3 trail running shoes, the Speedgoat 6 remains a solid choice for hikers and runners seeking lightweight performance, excellent grip, and fast-drying comfort — provided you’re okay with a firmer ride than previous versions.

More: HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review

If you’re looking for the ultimate zero-drop trail shoe, the Altra Lone Peak 9 is our top choice. Every iteration of the Lone Peaks have been on our best trail runners list (and best hiking shoes guide) for years thanks to their airy feel, grippy outsole, and ergonomic foot shape.

The 9’s are an excellent version of the Lone Peaks, giving what we’ve always loved about these shoes. They have a cushy sole that offers a good balance between ground feel and protection. A natural foot shape with a huge toe box gives our piggies lots of room to wiggle. The midfoot is narrow but soft, and a newly-added set of lace holes at the ankle offer a highly customizable lacing pattern for this version.

There are lots of details to love, though. Traction gets an upgrade for more reliable grip on steep uphills and downhills. Mesh on the tongue helps them dry fast, so they vent exceptionally well on hot and dry hikes. Altra also adds a gaiter attachment loop at the front of the shoe to help keep debris out.

The main knock on these shoes is that they aren’t as durable as others on this list. It’s the reason they rank lower – our pairs were looking rough at only 200 miles. The updated heel cuff isn’t as cushioned or comfortable as the prior version, which means there’s a longer break in period and they aren’t as comfy out of the box. And, Lone Peaks remain one of the heavier pairs we reviewed compared to other trail runners.

Additionally, zero-drop shoes aren’t for everyone. Keep in mind that going from higher heel-to-toe-drop footwear to a zero-drop shoe often requires a bit of a transition period to avoid injury, so make sure to account for this if you haven’t used zero-drop shoes before.

That said, the Lone Peaks are tough to beat when it comes to reliable traction and breathable uppers. We recommend them to anyone who wants a comfortable, roomy, and affordable running shoe with a natural feel.

More: Altra Lone Peak 9 Full Review

If you’re a year-round runner undeterred by wet, muddy, and snowy conditions, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX are the shoes for you. These are waterproof powerhouses that offer good traction, a comfortable ride, and a reasonable weight to keep you moving on slippery asphalt and puddle-filled trails.

The Pegasus Trail 5s are incredibly comfortable thanks to updated, cushy midsoles that feel springy and supportive on long runs and hikes. The responsive foam through the heel is forgiving but springy. We’re big fans of the gaiter-like cuff, which hugged our ankles closely to block out debris, gravel, and dirt from entering our shoes.

This Nike model gets an update with a more rockered profile. We find the combination of a higher stack height and tall heel-to-toe drop performs especially well on hard packed trails, concrete, and gentle slopes. We also like the redesigned tread pattern, with plenty of rectangular lugs across the forefoot and heel for increased traction even in mud and light snow.

In general, we’re not big fans of Gore-Tex trail runners for warm weather and summer months because they run hot and don’t offer much ventilation. The Pegasus Traiil 5s are no exception, so we recommend stashing these for cooler weather in fall, winter, and spring when the added warmth is welcome. 

Our biggest complaint comes down to the fit, though. It’s more narrow than the prior version, and it’s not offered in wide – which may not suit everyone’s needs. The tall heel to toe drop and stack height also take a bit of getting used to, although heel-strikers and those who prefer a cushioned ride will dig this design. This unusual combination drops it to the bottom of our list.

Finally, the Gore-Tex requires a bit of quick maintenance to keep the shoes waterproof. We always keep a quality, shoe-specific waterproofing spray to help seal your shoes and keep the water out.

Still, these are the only Gore-Tex shoes to make our list for a reason. For folks with a year-round training schedule, the Pegasus Trail 5s are an excellent choice. They’re spendy, but we think they’re worth every penny for those who need durable and waterproof shoes for the road or trail – no matter what the elements are doing.

More: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX Review