Women's Trail-Running Shoes
(137 products)- HOKAChallenger 7 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$116.93Save 19%compared to $145.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- Sale Ends Jul 11AltraLone Peak 9 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$97.99Save 30%compared to $140.00Heel to Toe Drop:0 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular, Wide
- HOKASpeedgoat 6 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$124.93 - $155.00Heel to Toe Drop:5 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Wide, Regular
- MerrellAgility Peak 5 Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$104.73Save 25%compared to $140.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:RegularREI OUTLET
- BrooksCascadia 18 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$110.93Save 20%compared to $140.00Heel to Toe Drop:8 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular, Wide
- SalomonSpeedcross 6 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$145.00Heel to Toe Drop:10 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- New BalanceFresh Foam X Hierro v9 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$155.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- AltraLone Peak ALL-WTHR Low 2 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$111.73Save 30%compared to $160.00Heel to Toe Drop:0 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:RegularFeatures:WaterproofREI OUTLET
- La SportivaProdigio Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$165.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- La SportivaBushido III Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$160.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular, Wide
- OnCloudsurfer Trail Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$119.93 - $160.00Heel to Toe Drop:7 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- Topo AthleticUltraventure 4 Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$155.00Heel to Toe Drop:5 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- SalomonThundercross Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$105.93Save 24%compared to $140.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- SalomonSpeedcross 6 GORE-TEX Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$123.93Save 24%compared to $165.00Heel to Toe Drop:10 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:RegularFeatures:Waterproof
- AltraTimp 5 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$108.49 - $155.00Heel to Toe Drop:0 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- La SportivaJackal II Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$114.73Save 30%compared to $165.00Heel to Toe Drop:7 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:RegularREI OUTLET
- HOKAChallenger 7 GTX Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$160.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:RegularFeatures:Waterproof
- SalomonGenesis Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$150.00Heel to Toe Drop:8 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- MerrellAgility Peak 5 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$140.00 - $150.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- Topo AthleticTerraventure 4 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$140.00Heel to Toe Drop:3 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- SauconyPeregrine 15 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$145.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- AltraLone Peak 9+ Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$155.00Heel to Toe Drop:0 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- SauconyXodus Ultra 4 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$170.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- NikePegasus Trail 5 Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sTop Rated$155.00Heel to Toe Drop:9.5 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- ASICSGEL-Trabuco 13 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$140.00Heel to Toe Drop:8 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- HOKAMafate Speed 4 Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sAward Winner$148.93Save 19%compared to $185.00Heel to Toe Drop:4 mmCushioning:ModerateFootwear Width:Regular
- AltraSuperior 6 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$90.73Save 30%compared to $130.00Heel to Toe Drop:0 mmCushioning:MinimalFootwear Width:RegularREI OUTLET
- HOKAStinson 7 Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$175.00Heel to Toe Drop:5 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular
- La SportivaBushido III GTX Trail-Running Shoes - Women's$185.00Heel to Toe Drop:6 mmCushioning:MinimalFootwear Width:Regular, WideFeatures:Waterproof
- HOKAChallenger 8 Trail-Running Shoes - Women'sNew arrival$155.00Heel to Toe Drop:7.2 mmCushioning:MaximumFootwear Width:Regular, Wide
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How Women's Trail Runners Differ from Women's Road Runners
Though the activities are similar, trail-running shoes offer three attributes road-running shoes don't need to have:
- Grip on rugged terrain: Soles that provide traction on dirt, mud and gravel.
- Foot protection: Features that shield feet from rock and root impacts.
- Stability: Construction that minimizes foot rotation.
Types of Women's Trail-Running Shoes
Running on a manicured dirt path differs from thrashing along a root- and boulder-studded tract. The following shoe categories reflect increasing levels of traction, durability, foot protection and stability:
- Light trail
- Rugged trail
- Off trail
Cushioning in Women's Trail-Running Shoes
Terms (barefoot, minimal, moderate and maximum) are the same for trail and road shoes, so consider matching cushioning level in any road runners you might already own. Unsure where to begin? Look first at trail runners with moderate cushioning.
Heel-to-Toe Drop in Women's Trail-Running Shoes
The difference between sole thickness at the heel and at the forefoot ranges from 0mm to 12mm or more. Switching to a shoe with a significantly different drop than you are used to can upset the mechanics of your stride. If you own road runners or other athletic shoes and know their drop, then look for a similar drop in trail runners. Alternatively, you can start by looking at trail runners with a drop spec nearer to the middle (5-8mm) of this range.
Fit in Women's Trail-Running Shoes
Getting an in-person fit at a specialty store like REI is your best bet. (You can also get advice on heel-to-toe drop and shoe cushioning.) When shopping online, use the size of your road runners, especially if it's the same shoe brand. Another option is to select trail runners a half size up from your casual shoes. Well-fitting shoes will have the following characteristics:
- A heel cup that's snug enough so your heel won't slide up and down or side to side
- A midsection that's snug, but not constricting
- A toe box that gives the front of the foot and toes room to wiggle
- A length that leaves a thumbnail width between the front of your toes and the front of the shoe
For more fit guidance and buying advice, read our full article: How to Choose Trail-Running Shoes.
REI carries top brands for women's trail running shoes, including Salomon, HOKA, Brooks, Altra and more!