The 5 Best Trail-Running Shoes of 2026: Tested

Most runners know Salomon for their trail acumen, with grippy soles and comfy yet responsive cushioning. The Speedcross, with its substantial lugs and supportive design is the ultimate Salomon shoe for trail enthusiasts who like to venture far and wide. The Salomon Speedcross 6, a lighter-weight and even grippier update to the previous version, excels in all categories, from fit to comfort to durability, while ushering in runners with a variety of foot shapes who require a precise fit and secure lockdown.

These are serious trail runners, built to keep you upright on even the loosest rock and muddiest dirt. California-based gear tester Fi L. was thoroughly impressed with the traction of the Speedcross 6, saying it's "the first shoe I've found that I trusted to get me up a steep incline with more intense weather conditions, [whether] rain or extremely dry dust [or] sand."

Our other Califronia-based tester Maddie A. agreed, saying the shoes held their own on a variety of train. Both testers also found the Speedcross 6 refreshingly light and comfortable on the foot for different speeds. "It was especially useful for trails that included a combo of hiking and running because they are also very supportive [...] without being as heavy as a hiking boot. I didn't have to break them in at all, [and] took them right on a trip [out of the box]." Fi sang similar praises—also using the Speedcross 6 as a running and hiking shoe with no required break-in period and noting their flexibility and fluidity on the trails is rare. "It felt almost like wearing a ballet slipper with cleats."

Few other athletic brands have been on the rise like New Balance these last few years. Known for their super-comfortable sneakers, the brand has embraced their soft-sole legacy while dialing up the technical bona fides of its wide array of running shoes. The Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is no exception to this upward trend, which is why we gave it an Editors' Choice Award in 2026. With a monster stack height of 42 mm in the heel and 38 mm in the forefoot (for a stable, moderate drop of 4 mm), these max cushioned shoes or built to take you the distance on the trails. There's no need to fear the plushness when it comes to energy return: Washington-based tester George O. found the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 plenty responsive, calling them "a full-suspension mountain bike for your feet!"

A synthetic mesh upper and gusseted tongue allow for a cozy fit while a toe cap keeps the rocks, roots and debris of technical trails from wreaking havoc. As for fit, a slightly more aggressive profile means the Hierro v9 shoe sports a medium-sized toe box in comparison to other New Balance models. George O. found the toe box plenty roomy for his purposes while Illinois-based tester and REI marketing program specialist Emily Leu found it a little snug around the pinky—so if you tend to prefer a wider fit, consider a half-size up.

Don't worry about slipping in these durable trail runners: Vibram® Megagrip outsoles, Traction Lug™ tech plus a new-and-improved tread pattern provide sure footing in wet and muddy conditions. Leu was impressed by the Hierro v9's grip during rainy runs while George O. "felt totally secure" on uneven terrain and had no problems navigating light mud. Durability impresses, too. After over 70 miles in the shoes, "they barely look used," Leu says. Both testers praised the reinforced stitching around the toe box, with George O. crowning the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 his "new trail runner—no question about it." Buy here.

In 2022, ultra-running royalty Killian Journet launched NNormal, a collaboration with the beloved Spanish shoe brand Camper, to shake up the offerings in the trail space. Somewhat ironically, Camper's slogan is "Walk, Don't Run." They sell comfortable yet fashionable and even avant-garde casual, lifestyle and walking shoes. Nnormal, meanwhile, chose the slogan "You Path, No Trace." The brands are offering pretty opposite product, but if you read closely enough, the visions are aligned: Footwear should enhance your chosen experience without getting in the way.

The NNormal Cadi optimizes this outlook with its pleasant yet un-intrusive design, including moderate cushioning and drop, a lightweight Supercritical EVA foam midsole and sturdy Vibram Megagrip outsole. "The upper of this shoe is like one of those ski boots that has a next-to-skin quality material," says Mottola. "It's just so comfortable getting into this shoe, and without a ton of foam, to still feel like you're riding easy over mixed terrain."

REI product copy editor Yitka Winn agrees, saying that the Cadi shoes "hit such a nice sweet spot between really well cushioned and yet also responsive." And while they're categorized as a light-trail option mostly fit for gravel and packed-dirt paths, Winn insists they work perfectly well on rockier technical terrain as well. "Everywhere I've run with these, they have given me wonderful and confidence-inspiring grip," she says. "Even on steep, dry, gravelly 'cat litter' type of terrain that can be super easy to slip on, I could run downhill without worrying about my shoes losing traction." Mottola doesn't quite agree, saying he prefers flatter trails in these over hills due to a lack of aggressive lugs—but that difference may depend on fit, as Mottola didn't get as favorable of a lockdown in the roomy shoe.

Both Mottola and Winn gave the shoe top marks for durability, with Winn clocking over 100 miles in them without a hitch. And Mottola admits that despite some slight misgivings, these are the shoes he turns to when he wants to go out and simply enjoy a run on the trail rather than train for maximum performance. Arguably, it doesn't get better than that.

When you think HOKA running shoes, you liking are thinking mega comfort. The newest Stinson 8 is a high achiever in that category, zooming in at a stack height of over 44 mm and a softer than ever H-Frame™ EVA midsole pair with a rocker to keep you rolling through your gait. Our testers found these shoes supremely plush, with California-based tester Dariel S. calling them "flotation devices" for the almost weightless feeling they gave her.

"There's so much room in the forefoot and they're extremely cushy...all over," says Dariel. "The sole is springy yet they feel solid like you have a foundation glued to your foot. Yet, I still felt dexterous over the rocks in the riverbed." REI DVP of content, community and partnerships Paolo Mottola also pointed out that of all the HOKA trail shoes he's tried, the Stinson 8 is the most successful at translating the comfort level of HOKA's road shoes to dirt.

But not all trail-running shoes serve the same purpose. The Stinson 8 is a light-trail model focused on providing a soft landing for slow and steady runs on gravel, manicured dirt paths and even the road. You won't find it ideal for more rugged terrain or speed work that benefits from a springier midsole—but if you stay within its lane, the shoe will excel. "The [Stinson 8] is very forgiving and comfortable so it's the kind of shoe that keeps the easy days feeling easy," says Mottola.

For those focused on looking sleek and stylish on the trail, the Stinson 8 provides some exciting colorways, but you'll have to be up for a chunkier, more ergonomic look. "Aesthetically, they're not cute," says Dariel, "but they are functional." Good looks don't tend to last in a well-loved trail-running shoe, though, so feel free to let your feet decide.

The current Lone Peak model from Altra has two iterations: The Lone Peak 9 (women's and men's) and the newer Lone Peak 9+. Both versions of the super-popular trail-running and hiking shoe offer the brand's classic wide and anatomical toe-box, secure lockdown, superior traction, and zero heel-to-toe drop (zero-drop) profile with moderate cushioning for increased contact with the trail without sacrificing comfort. The main difference is that the 9+ features a Vibram Megagrip outsole, whereas the 9 sports a MaxTrac rubber outsole. This shift makes the 9+ slightly stiffer and heavier, yet grippier and more slip-resistant on trail.

Our testers loved both models, and your choice of which version to go to with depends on how hard you want to rip it and in what conditions.

California-based tester Karsten O. found the Lone Peak 9+ comfortable over long runs, and found the Stoneguard™ rock plate to be handy in rugged terrain. "Vibram [Megagrip] is insanely grippy," said Karsten. "Hilariously angled rock slabs were no problem, just a matter of how far my achilles could stretch to accommodate the angle." Our Lone Peak 9 testers—REI sales specialists Heidi Watcher and Shelly Manzella—also praised that shoe's traction, finding the MaxTrac rubber grippy on climbs and descents through "dirt, sand and rocky trails."

The difference the testers noted besides the extra grip and stiffness of the Vibram-soled Lone Peak 9+? The 9+ is roomier, and may benefit from sizing down by a half size, while the 9 runs a bit small, and you may want to size up a half size.

The verdict? Upgrade to the 9+ if you're an ambitious trail runner, navigating rough and tough, slippery and slide-y rock. For your more typical runs and hikes, the 9 should do just fine. Buy the Lone Peak 9 + women's version and men's version . Buy the Lone Peak 9 women's version and men's version.

Pro tip: If you're not familiar with zero-drop shoes, you may want to ease in by trying shoes with moderate heel-to-toe drop first, like the Topo Ultraventure 4.